journey to star wars: the force awakens lost...
TRANSCRIPT
©&TM2015LucasfilmLtd.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•LucasfilmPress,an
imprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe
reproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic
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fromthepublisher.ForinformationaddressDisney•LucasfilmPress,1101Flower
Street,Glendale,California91201.
ISBN978-1-4847-2502-3
VisittheofficialStarWarswebsite:www.starwars.com
Contents
DedicationPrologueChapterOneChapterTwoChapterThreeChapterFourChapterFiveChapterSix
ChapterSevenChapterEightChapterNineChapterTenChapterElevenChapterTwelveChapterThirteenChapterFourteenChapterFifteenChapterSixteenChapterSeventeenChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteenChapterTwentyChapterTwenty-OneChapterTwenty-TwoChapterTwenty-ThreeChapterTwenty-FourChapterTwenty-FiveChapterTwenty-SixChapterTwenty-SevenChapterTwenty-EightChapterTwenty-NineAbouttheAuthor
ThisbookisdedicatedtothememoryofKarenJones,
friendandfangirlextraordinaire.
Wewereluckytoknowyou.
Alongtimeagoinagalaxyfar,faraway….
EightyearsafterthefalloftheOldRepublic,the
GalacticEmpirenowreignsovertheknowngalaxy.
ResistancetotheEmpirehasbeenallbutsilenced.OnlyafewcourageousleaderssuchasBailOrganaofAlderaan
stilldaretoopenlyopposeEmperorPalpatine.
Afteryearsofdefiance,themanyworldsattheedgeof
theOuterRimhavesurrendered.Witheachplanet’sconquest,the
Empire’smightgrowsevenstronger.
Thelatesttofallunderthe
Emperor’scontrolistheisolatedmountainplanet
Jelucan,whosecitizenshopeforamoreprosperousfutureevenastheImperialStarfleet
gathersoverhead….
ASHIPSLICEDTHROUGHtheshale-grayskyoverhead,soquicklyitwasnomorethanalineoflightandadistantscreechalmostlostinthewind.
“That’saLambda-classshuttle!”ThaneKyrell
pointedupward,jumpingwithexcitement.“Didyouhearit?Didyou,Dalven?”
Hisolderbrothercuffedhimandsneered.“Youdon’tknowwhattheshipslooklike.You’retoolittletoknow.”
“Amnot.ItwasaLambda-classshuttle.Youcantellbythesoundoftheengines—”
“Children,hush.”Thane’smotherneverglancedbackat
them.Sheconcentratedonholdingupthehemofhersaffron-coloredrobesoitwouldn’ttrailinthedust.“Itoldyouweoughttohavebroughtthehovercraft.Insteadwe’rewanderingdowntoValentiaonfootlikevalleytrash.”
“Thehangarswillbeamadhouse,”insistedThane’sfather,OrisKyrell,withacontemptuoussniff.“Thousandsofpeopletrying
tolandwhetherornotthey’vegotareservation.Doyouwanttospendourwholedayfightingoverdockingrights?Bettertodoitthisway.Theboyscankeepupwellenough.”
Dalvencould;hewastwelveyearsold,long-limbedandproudtotoweroverhisyoungerbrother.ForThane,thedownhilltrekthroughtheunevenmountainpathswashardergoing.Sofarhewas
shorterthanmostboyshisage;thelargefeetandhandsthathintedathisfutureheightwere,fornow,merelyawkward.Hisreddish-blondhairstucktohissweatyforehead,andhewishedhisparentshadlethimwearhisfavoritebootsinsteadoftheseshinynewones,whichpinchedhistoesateverystep.ButhewouldhavemadeamoredifficulttripthanthattofinallyseeTIEfightersand
shuttles—realspacecraft,notlikesomeclunkyoldV-171.
“ItwasaLambda-classshuttle,”hemuttered,hopingDalvenwouldn’toverhear.
Buthedid.Hisolderbrotherstiffened,andThanepreparedhimself.Dalvenneverhithimveryhardwhentheirparentswerenearby,butthoselessershovesorpuncheswereoftenawarningofworsetocomelater.Thistime,however,Dalvendid
nothing.Maybehewasdistractedbythepromiseofthespectacletheywouldseethatday—thedisplayofflyingpowerandfightingtechniquesbyvesselsoftheImperialfleet.
OrmaybeDalvenwasembarrassedbecausehe’drealizedThanehadidentifiedtheshipwhenhecouldn’t.
Hesayshe’sgoingtotheImperialAcademy,Thanethought,butthat’sjust
becausehethinksitwillmakehimimportant.Dalvendoesn’tknoweverysingleshiplikeIdo.Hedoesn’tstudythemanualsorpracticewithaglider.Dalvenwillneverbearealpilot.
ButIwill.“Weshould’veleftThane
athomewiththehousekeeperdroid.”Dalven’svoicehadbecomesulky.“He’stoolittleforanyofthis.Inanotherhourhe’llbewhiningtogo
home.”“Iwon’t,”Thaneinsisted.
“I’moldenough.Aren’tI,Mama?”
GanaireKyrellnoddedabsently.“Ofcourseyou’reoldenough.YouwereborninthesameyearastheEmpireitself,Thane.Neverforgetthat.”
Howcouldheforgetwhenshe’dremindedhimatleastfivetimesalreadythatday?Hewantedtosayso,but
thatwouldonlyearnhimanothercufffromDalven—or,worse,anewbarrageofinsultsfromhisfather,whosewordscouldcutdeeperthananyblade.Alreadyhecouldsensethemstaringathim,waitingforanyshowofdefianceorweakness.Thaneturnedasifhewerelookingdowntowardtheirdestination,thecityofValentia,soneitherhisfathernorDalvenwouldseehis
expression.Itwasalwaysbetterwhentheydidn’tknowwhatThanewasthinking.
Hewasn’tworriedabouthismother.Sherarelynoticedhimatall.
Thewindtuggedathisblue-and-gold-embroideredcloak,andThaneshivered.Otherworldshadtobewarmer.Brighter,busier,morefunineveryway.Hebelievedthisdespiteneverhavingvisitedanotherplanet
inhislife;itwasimpossibletothinkthatthevastnessofthegalaxydidn’tcontainsomeplacebettertobethanhere.
Jelucanhadbeensettledlateingalactichistory,probablybecausenobodyelsehadbeendesperateenoughtowantanearlyuninhabitablerockattheveryedgeoftheOuterRim.Nearlyfivehundredyearsbefore,aninitialgroupofsettlershad
beenexiledherefromanotherworld,equallyobscure.They’dfoughtonthewrongsideofsomecivilwarorother.Thanedidn’tknowthedetails.Hisparentshadtoldhimonlythatthosefirstsettlershadgottenthemselvesmiredinthevalleys,innearlytotalpoverty,andhadbarelybeenabletokeepthemselvesalive.
Truecivilizationhadonlycomelater,ahundredand
fiftyyearsago,withthesecondwaveofsettlers,whohadcomeherevoluntarilyinhopesofbuildingtheirfortunes.They’dmanagedtoestablishmining,engagewithgalacticcommerce,andleadmodernlives—unlikethepeoplefromthevalleys,whobehavedmorelikepre-technologicalnomadsthanmodernpeople.OfcoursetheywereJelucani,too,buttheywereunfriendly,
isolated,andproud.Ormaybeitwasonlythat
thevalleykindredwerestillmadaboutbeingdumpedonthisicyruggedrockofaworld.Ifso,Thanedidn’tblamethem.
“ApitytheEmperorhimselfwon’tbeabletoattend,”hismothersaid.“Wouldn’tithavebeensomethingtoseehimforourselves?”
LiketheEmperorwould
evercomehere.Thaneknewbetterthantosaythatoutloud.
EveryonewassupposedtoloveEmperorPalpatine.Everyonesaidhewasthebravest,mostintelligentpersoninthegalaxy,thathewastheonewhohadbroughtorderafterthechaosoftheCloneWars.Thanewonderedifthatwasalltrue.CertainlyPalpatinehadmadetheEmpirestrong,andmade
himselfthemostpowerfulmanwithinit.
Thanedidn’treallycareiftheEmperorwasniceornot.TheEmpire’scomingwasagoodthing,becauseitbroughtitsshipswithit.Allhewantedwastoseethoseships.Then,later,tolearntoflythem.
And,finally,toflyfarawayfromhere,nevertoreturn.
“Ciena!Youreyesonthepathoryou’llfall.”
CienaReecouldn’tstopstaringintothegraysky.Shecould’veswornshe’dheardaLambda-classshuttle,andshewantedmorethananythingtoseeone,too.“But,Mumma—IknowIheardaship.”
“It’salwaysshipsandflying,withyou.”Hermother,Verine,chuckledsoftlyandpickedupherdaughter,thenplacedheron
thewidefurrybackofthemuunyaktheywereleadinguphilltowardValentia.“There.Saveyourstrengthforthebigparade.”
Cienaburiedherhandsinthemuunyak’sshaggyhair.Itsmelledagreeablyofmuskandhay.Ofhome.
Asshepeeredupward,shesawathinlineintheclouds—alreadydisappearingbutevidencethattheshuttlehadbeenthere.Sheshivered
withexcitement,thenrememberedtotakeholdofthebraidedleatherbraceletaroundherwrist.Pressingtheleatherbetweenherfingers,Cienawhispered,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”
Nowhersister,Wynnet,couldseeit,too.Cienalivedherlifeforthembothandneverforgotthat.
Herfathermusthaveheardher,becauseheworethesadsmilethatmeanthe
wasthinkingofWynnet,too.Butheonlypattedhisdaughter’sheadandtuckedonewaywardblackcurlbehindherear.
Finally,aftertwohours’trekupward,theyreachedValentia.Cienahadneverseenarealcitybefore,exceptinholos;herparentsrarelylefttheirhomevalleyandcertainlyhadnevertakenherwiththemwhentheydid,untiltoday.Hereyeswidened
asshetookinthebuildingscarvedintothepalewhitestoneofthecliffs—someofthemtenorfifteenstorieshigh.TheystretchedalongthesideofthemountainasfarasCienacouldsee.Allaroundthecarveddwellingsstoodtentsandawnings,dyedinadozenbrilliantcolorsanddrapedwithfringeorbeads.Imperialflagsflutteredfrompolesnewlyjabbedintothegroundormountedinstone.
Throngingthestreetsweremorepeoplethanshe’deverseentogetherinhereightyears.Somewerehawkingfoodorsouvenirsforthegreatoccasion—ImperialbannersorsmallholosoftheEmperorsmilingbenevolently,translucently,aboveasmalliridescentdisc.Most,however,walkedalongthesamecrowdedroadsassheandherfamily,allheadedtowardtheceremony.Evena
fewdroidsrolled,hovered,orshuffledthroughthecrowd,eachofthemshinierandobviouslyfarmoremodernthantheonebatteredcutterdroidinhervillage.
Thosepeopleanddroidswouldhavebeenfarmorefascinatingiftheyhadn’tallbeeninherway.
“Arewegoingtobelate?”Cienasaid.“Idon’twanttomisstheships.”
“Wewon’tbelate.”Her
mothersighed.She’dsaidsomanytimesthatday,andCienaknewsheneededtobequiet.ButthenVerineReeputherhandsonheryoungdaughter’sshoulders;assoftasthegesturewas,themuunyakknewtostopwalkingforward.Mumma’sfadedblackcloakblewaroundhertoo-thinbodyasshesaid,“Iknowyou’reexcited,myheart.Thisisthebiggestdayofyourlifesofar.
Whyshouldn’tyoubethrilled?Buthavefaith.TheEmpirewillbewaitingforuswhenwefinishtravelingupthemountain,wheneverthatmaybe.Allright?”
Mumma’ssmilecouldmakeCienafeellikeshe’dsteppedintoapatchofsunshine.“Allright.”
Itdidn’tmatterwhentheyfinishedclimbing.TheEmpirewouldalways,alwaysbewaitingforher.
AsMummahadpromised,theyreachedthepaddockinplentyoftime.Butasherparentswerepayingforaday’scorrallingandfeed,Cienaheardthelaughter.
“TheyrodethatfilthymuunyaktotheImperialceremony!”yelledateenagesecond-waveboy.ThelividredofhiscloakremindedCienaofanopensore.“They’regoingtostinkupthe
entireplace.”Cienafelthercheeks
flushwarm,butsherefusedtolookatthekidstauntingheranylonger.Insteadshepattedthemuunyak’sside;itblinkedather,patientasever.“We’llcomebackforyoulater,”shepromised.“Don’tbelonely.”Notauntsfromsomestupidbigkidscouldmakeherashamedofthebeast.Sheloveditanditssmell.Stupidsecond-wavers
didn’tunderstandwhatitmeanttobeclosetoyouranimals,ortotheland.
Yetnowthatshesawhundredsofsecond-wavefolkintheirlongsilkencloaksandrichlyquiltedclothing,Cienalookeddownatherlightbrowndressandfeltshabby.Always,before,shehadlikedthisdress,becausethefabricwasonlyslightlypalerthanherskin,andshelikedthattheymatched.Nowshe
noticedtheraggedhemandtheloosethreadsatthesleeves.
“Don’tletthemaffectyou.”Herfather’sfacehadbecometense,pinched.“Theirdayisover,andtheyknowit.”
“Paron,”whisperedCiena’smotherassheclutchedherhusband’sarm.“Keepyourvoicedown.”
Hecontinuedwithmorediscretionbutevengreater
pride.“TheEmpirerespectshardwork.Absoluteloyalty.Theirvaluesarelikeours.Thosesecond-wavefolk—theydon’tthinkaboutanythingbutliningtheirownpockets.”
Thatmeantmakingmoney.Cienaknewthisbecauseherfathersaiditoften,alwaysaboutthesecond-waverswholivedinthehighestmountains.Shedidn’tseewhatwassobad
aboutmakingmoney,really.Butotherthingsweremoreimportant…especiallyhonor.
CienaandeveryotherresidentoftheJelucanvalleysweredescendedfromloyalistscastoutoftheirhomeworldaftertheoverthrowoftheirking.Oneandall,theirpeoplehadchosenexileratherthanbetraytheirallegiancetotheirleader.HardaslifeonJelucanwas,unceasingas
theirlaborandpovertyhadbeeneversince,thepeopleofthevalleysstilltookprideintheirancestors’choice.Likeeveryotherchildinhervillage,Cienahadbeenraisedknowingthatherwordwasherbondandherhonortheonlypossessionthatcouldevertrulymatter.
Letthesecond-waversstrutaroundintheirnewcoatsandshinyjewelry.Ciena’splaincloakhadbeen
wovenbyhermother,thewoolspunfromtheirmuunyak’sfur;herleatherbraceletwasrebraidedandexpandedasshegrewsoitwouldremainonherwristherentirelife.Sheownedlittle,buteverythingshehad—everythingshedid—containedmeaningandvalue.Peoplefromthemountainscouldn’tunderstandthat.
Asifhecouldreadhisdaughter’sthoughts,Paron
Reecontinued,“We’llhavedifferentopportunitiesnow.Betterones.We’vealreadyseenthat,haven’twe?”
Ciena’smothersmiledasshewrappedherpalegrayscarfmoretightlyaroundherhair.Justthreedaysbefore,she’dbeenofferedasupervisorypositionatthenearbymine—thekindofauthoritythesecond-waverstendedtosavefortheirown.ButtheEmpirewasincharge
now.Everythingwouldchange.
“You’llhavemorechoices,Ciena.Youhavethechancetodomore.Tobemore.”ParonReesmileddownathisdaughterwithsternbutunmistakablepride.“TheForceisguidingthis.”
SofarasCienacouldtellfromthefewholosshe’deverbeenabletowatch,mostpeopleinthegalaxynolongerbelievedintheForce,
theenergythatallowedpeopletobecomeonewiththeuniverse.EvenshesometimeswonderedwhethertherecouldeverhavebeensuchathingasaJediKnight.Theamazingtalestheelderstoldofvaliantheroeswithlightsabers,whocouldbendminds,levitateobjects—surelythosewereonlystories.
ButtheForcehadtobereal,becauseithadbrought
theEmpiretoJelucantochangealltheirfutures,forever.
“PeopleofJelucan,todayrepresentsbothanendingandabeginning,”saidtheseniorImperialofficialatthecelebration,amancalledGrandMoffTarkin.
(Cienaknewthatwashistitleandhisname,butshewasn’tsurewhetherhistitle
wasGrandMoffandhisnameTarkin—orwhetherhisnamewasMoffTarkinandhewasverygrandindeed.She’dasklater,whennosecond-waverswerearoundtomockherfornotknowing.)
Tarkincontinued:“Onthisdayendsyourisolationfromthegreatergalaxy.Instead,JelucanbeginsanewandgloriousfuturebyassumingitsrightfulplacewithintheEmpire!”
Applauseandcheersfilledtheair,andCienaclappedalongwithalltherest.Buthersharpeyespickedoutafewpeoplewhoremainedsilent—elders,mostly,whowouldhavebeenalivesincebeforetheCloneWars.Theystoodthere,stillandgrave,morelikemournersatafuneralorwitnessestopublicdishonor.Onesilver-haired,pale-skinnedwomanbowedher
head,andatearrandownhercheek.Cienawonderedifperhapsshe’dhadasonordaughterwhodiedinthewarsandseeingallthesesoldiershadremindedherofthelossandmadehersadonsuchahappyday.
Becausethereweresomanysoldiers—officersincrispblackorgrayuniformsandstormtroopersingleamingwhitearmor.Andthereseemedtobenearlyas
manyshipsastroops:hard-corneredTIEfightersblackasobsidian,assaultcruisersthesamegrayasmountaingranite,andhighaboveinorbit,twinklinglikethesouthstaratmorning,afewspecksthatsheknewwereactuallyStarDestroyers.EachandeveryStarDestroyerwasbiggerthantheentirecityofValentia,theysaid,twoorthreetimesover.
Justthethoughtofit
madeCiena’sheartswellwithpride.NowshehadbecomepartoftheEmpire—notonlyherplanetbutsheherself,too.TheEmpiregovernedthewholegalaxy.TheImperialfleet’spowerexceededthatofanyotherfightingforceinallofhistory.Seeingtheshipsflyoverheadinpreciseformation,neverdeviatingfromtheirprescribedpaths,thrilledhertothebone.
Thiswasstrength,grandeur,majesty.Thiswasthekindofhonoranddisciplineshe’dbeenraisedtovalue,buttakentoheightsofwhichshe’dneverdreamed.Nothingcouldbemorebeautifulthanthis,shethought.
Unlesssomedayshecouldactuallyflyoneofthoseshipsherself.
GrandMoffTarkinkeptspeaking,sayingsomething
aboutSeparatistworldsthatmadeeverybodyseemuncomfortableforamoment,butthenhewentbacktohowgreattheEmpirewasandhowproudeveryonehadtobe.Cienacheeredwhentheothersdid,butbythenshewaswhollyfocusedonthenearestship,ashuttlejustliketheoneshethoughtshe’dseeninthesky.Ifonlyshecouldgetacloserlook…
Maybeaftertheceremony
shecould.
Whenthespeechesandmusicended,theKyrellshadaprivatereceptiontoattendwithVeryImportantOfficials,andtheytoldDalventokeepaneyeonThane.Astheysaidthewords,ThanesilentlyestimatedhowlongitwouldbebeforeDalvenditchedhimtogohangoutwithfriends.
Fiveminutes,hethought.Fiveorsix.
Foronce,he’doverestimatedDalven,who’dabandonedhislittlebrotherafteronlythreeminutes.
ButThanecouldtakecareofhimself.Moreimportant,hecouldgetalotclosertotheImperialhangaronhisown.
AlthoughmostoftheImperialshipshadalreadyzoomedbacktotheirStarDestroyers,ortooneofthe
newfacilitiesbeingbuiltonthesouthernplateaus,afewremainedintheImperialhangar.ThenearestwasaLambda-classshuttle,justliketheoneThanewascertainhe’dseenintheskyearlier.
Sure,thesignssaidtostayback.Butsometimespeopleassumedlittlekidscouldn’treadsigns.Thanefiguredhewasstillyoungenoughtogetawaywiththat
excuseifanybodycaughthim.
Allhewantedtodowaslookattheshipupclose—maybetouchit,justonce.
Sohecreptaroundtothebackoftheraisedstageerectedfortheday’sspeeches,thenduckedunderit.AlthoughThanehadtokeephisheadlow,hecouldrunbeneathitallthewaytothehangaritself.Whenheemerged,hesmiledwith
pride,thensawtohisdisappointmentthathewasn’ttheonlyonewho’dhadthatidea.Severalotherkidsheknewfromhisschoolhadgatherednearby,too—slightlyolderboys,oneshe’dneverliked—andoneother,askinnygirldressedinshabbyclothesthatmarkedherassomeonefromthevalleys.Nexttothebrilliantcrimsonandgoldoftheboys’robes,herbrowndressreminded
Thaneofanautumnleafabouttofall.
“Whatareyoudoinghere,valleyscum?”saidMotharDrik,thegrinonhisbroadfacenastierthanusual.
Theawestrucksmilefadedfromthegirl’sfaceasshelookedfromtheshuttlecrafttowardhernewtormentors.“Ijustwantedtoseetheship.Sameasyou.”
Motharmadeanobscenegesture.“Gobacktoyoursty
andslopoutthedung.That’swhereyoubelong.”
Thegirldidn’tbudge.Insteadsheballedherhandsintofists.“IfIweresloppingoutdung,I’dhavetostartwithyou.”
Thanelaughedoutloud.Afewoftheotherboyssawhim,then.Oneofthemsaid,“Hey,Thane.Goingtohelptakeoutthetrash?”
Theymeantthattheyweregoingtobeatupthegirl
fromthevalleys.Sixofthem,oneofher:Thosewerethekindofoddsthatonlyappealedtoabully.
GrowingupwithOrisKyrellasafatherhadtaughtThanemanythings.Ithadtaughthimhowstrictlyandharshlyrulescouldbeenforced.Taughthimthathisbrotherrespondedtotheirfather’scrueltybybeingequallycrueltoThane,ifnotworse.Taughthimthatit
didn’tmatterwhowasreallyrightorwrong—becausetherulesweresetbywhoeverheldthecane.
Aboveall,ithadtaughthimtohatebullies.
“Yeah,”Thanesaid.“I’lltakeoutthetrash.”Withthat,hechargedstraightatMothar.
Theidiotneversawitcoming;hisbreathwentoutinawhuffofsurpriseashelandedonhisback,hard.Thanegotinacoupleof
punchesbeforesomeonetowedhimoffMothar,andwhenhesawanotheroftheboysreachingforhiscollar,hepreparedfortheinevitablefisttotheface—buttheskinnygirlflungherselfontohisattacker,pullingtheboy’sarmback.“Youlethimgo!”sheyelled.
Twoagainstsixstillwasn’tgreatodds,butthegirlfoughthard.Thaneknewhedid,too,mostlybecause,
thankstoDalven,he’dalreadylearnedhowtotakeahitandkeepgoing.Still,thetwoofthemweregettingherdedtowardacorner,Thanealreadyhadabloodylip,andthiswasn’tgoingtoendwell—
“What’sgoingonhere?”Everyonefroze.Onlyfive
metersawaystoodGrandMoffTarkin,surroundedbyImperialofficersandwhite-armoredstormtroopers.At
thesightofthem,Motharfled,histoadiesathisheels.ThatleftThaneandthegirlstandingtherealone.
“Well?”Tarkinsaid,strollingcloser.Hisfacecouldhavebeenetchedinaquartzcrystal,withitshard,palelines.
Thegirlsteppedforward.“It’smyfault,”shesaid.“Theotherboysweregoingtobeatmeup,andhetriedtostopthem.”
“Verysillyofyou,”TarkinsaidtoThane.Heseemedamused.“Toflingyourselfintoafightyouwouldhavelost?Nevergoupagainstsuperiorforces,lad.Itdoesn’tendwell.”
Thanethoughtfast.“Itdidtoday,becauseofyou.”
Tarkinchuckled.“Yourealizedanevenstrongerforcewouldbealongshortly,then?Excellentstrategicthinking.Welldone,my
boy.”Theywereoffthehook
now,butthegirlfromthevalleysdidn’tseemtoknowit.“Iwasn’tsupposedtobeinthehangar,”shesaid,headbowed.“Ibrokearule.ButIdidn’tmeantodoanythingdishonorable.Ionlywantedtoseetheships.”
“Ofcourseyoudid,”Tarkinsaid,leaningdownabitclosertothem.“Thattellsmeyou’recuriousaboutthe
galaxybeyondJelucan.Andyoutwostayedwhentheotherchildrenran.Thattellsmeyou’rebrave.NowIwanttoseeifyou’reintelligent.Whatkindofshipdowehavehere?”
“ALambda-classshuttle!”theysaidinunison,thenlookedateachother.Slowlythegirlbegantosmile,andThanedid,too.
“Verygood.”Tarkinheldoutonehandtowardtheship.
“Wouldyouliketolookinside?”
Didhemeanit?Hedid.Thanecouldhardlybelievehisluckasoneofthestormtroopersopenedthehatchforthem.Heandthegirlraninside,whereeverythingwasblackandshinyandlitupwithahundredsmalllights.Theywereshownintothecockpitandevengottositinthepilots’seats.GrandMoff
Tarkinstoodjustbehind,rigidasaflagpole,hisbootsgleamingasbrightlyasthepolishedmetalsurroundingthem.
“Showmethealtitudecontrol,”hesaid.Theybothpointedtoitinstantly.“Excellent.Andthedockingguide?Youknowthatoneaswell.Yes,you’rebothverybright.Whatareyournames?”
“I’mThaneKyrell.”He
wonderedifGrandMoffTarkinwouldrecognizehislastname;hisparentsinsistedthattheImperialauthoritieswouldknowthemwell.ButTarkin’sfaceremainedonlyvaguelycurious.
Thelittlegirlsaid,“I’mCienaRee,sir.”
Sir.Heshould’vethoughttocallTarkinsir,too.AtleastTarkindidn’tseemtomind.“Wouldn’tyouliketoservetheEmperorsomeday,andfly
shipslikethese?ThenyoumightbecomeCaptainKyrellandCaptainRee.Whatwouldyouthinkofthat?”
Thane’schestswelledwithpride.“Thatwouldbethebestthingever.Sir.”
Tarkinlaughedsoftlyasheturnedtooneofthejuniorofficersstandingjustbehindhim.“Yousee,Piett?Weshouldneverhesitatetousethelash,whennecessary—buttherearemomentswhen
thelureisevenmoreeffective.”
Thanehadnoideawhatthatmeant,andhedidn’tcare,either.AllheknewwasthathecouldnolongerimagineanyfatemoregloriousthanbecominganofficerintheImperialfleet.FromthegrinonCiena’sface,hecouldtellshefeltthesameway.
Shewhispered,“We’llhavetostudyhard.”
“Andpracticeflying.”Hisanswermadeherface
fall.“Idon’thaveanyshipstopracticewith,andouronlysimulatorisold.”
Ofcoursetheydidn’thavegoodsimulatorsinthevalleys,andprobablyonlyonepersoninfiftyofthevalleykindredownedtheirowncraft.Thanefeltbadforamoment,untilinspirationstruck.“Youcancomepracticewithme,then.”
Ciena’sfacelitup.“Really?”
“Sure.”Lotsofmaneuverscouldonlybeperformedwithacopilot.HewouldneedapartnerifhewantedtolearntoflywellenoughtogetintotheImperialStarfleetsomeday.
Besides,Thanecouldalreadytell—inspiteofalltheirdifferences,heandCienaReeweregoingtobefriends.
FiveYearsLater
THIRTYMINUTESremaineduntilflyingpractice—hardlyevenenoughtimetogettothehangar,bynow.AndCienastillhadtosithere
onthisstupidbench….No,shethought.It’snot
stupid.TheNierrefamily’shonorhasbeenquestioned.Theyneedtheirfriendstostandwiththemintheirhouroftrial.Evenifitmeansmissingflyingpractice.
ButIwouldsomuchratherbeflying.
Therough-hewngranitebenchstoodinfrontofthesmalldomedhouseoftheNierrefamily,otherkinofthe
valleyswhoselandshadborderedtheReefamily’sforgenerations.Infrontofthebenchlayalongtrenchfilledwithsand,whichnowhadseveralflagpolesstuckinit,eachflagrepresentingafamilythathaddeclareditsloyaltytotheNierresduringthisdarktime.Thetraditionwasanancientone,goingbacktothefirstdaysofsettlementonJelucan,butitstillhadmeaning.One
memberofeveryloyalfamilywouldremainwiththeNierres,constantly,untilthecloudofsuspicionovertheirhonorhadbeencleared.
Mostofthevalleykindredhadbroughtaflag,butnotall.SomefewthoughtthefatherofthehouseholdwasabusinghispowerasanImperialcommunicationsmonitor—reportingmeetingsandmessagesthatwereprivate.However,Ciena’s
parentshaddeclaredthatnooneshouldevenwanttohideimportantinformationfromtheEmpireandthosewhoaccusedtheNierresweretheoneswithouthonor.Still,itwastheNierreswhohadbeenaccused,andtheyhadtobeartheweight.
Thefamily’sgenespasseddownblondhairandmilk-whiteskin.Evenso,theirfaceshadgonepaler,tothepointwheretheyalllooked
sick.IftheformalcomplainttotheImperialgovernorwasupheldandanewmonitorwasnamed,theNierreswouldshareinthatdisgraceforever—adifficultthreattoendure.Sofriendsneededtostayclosetothemtoprovidewhatcomforttheycould.
I’dwantsomeonetodothatforme,ifIwerefalselyaccused,Cienathought.ButtheNierreswouldbeevenmorecomfortedifmyparents
werehere,liketheysaidtheywouldbeawholehourago.
Hereyessearchedtheskies,asifshewouldalreadyseetheoldV-171soaringoverhead.Fromthebench,Cienacouldseefartherdownintothevalley,allthewaytothedistantsilverygleamofwaterseveralthousandmetersbelow.Surroundingherwerecountlesssnowypeaks,likewhiteclawsscratchingatastone-coloredsky.Herdark
bluecloakwasheavyenoughnottobedisturbedbythewinds,anditalsodisguisedthefactthat—insteadofatraditionaldress—sheworetheoversizeflightsuitshe’dmanagedtobuyatasurplusstoreearlierthatyear.
Thensheheardthedistantwhirofaridgecrawler—themountain-readyhovercraftEmpire-backedmerchantshadintroducedtotheworldfiveyearsbefore.Already
Cienacouldhardlyrememberhowthey’dmanagedwithoutthem;shestilllovedtheoldmuunyak,buthewasevenslowerthesedays.Whentheridgecrawlerroundedthebend,shewantedtoleapupindelight.Finally!
Butsheremainedonthebench,facesolemn,untilherfatherhadsteppedoutandwalkedovertoher.Hewasalone.
“Where’sMumma?”
Cienasaidassherosetoherfeet.
“Anotherlatenightatthemine.”Herfathershookhishead.“Weknewherroleassupervisorwouldrequirehardwork,andI’mproudofher—butImisshersometimes.”
“Metoo.”AndCienaabsolutelymeantthat,yetshecouldn’tkeephereyesofftheridgecrawler.IfPappawouldletherborrowit,shecouldstillgettothehangarintime.
Herfathersawherhasteandpressedhislipstogetherinathinlinethatthreatenedtobecomeafrown.“Flyingagaintoday?”
“Pappa,please.HowelseamIsupposedtogetintooneoftheImperialacademies?”
“Youshouldpractice,andoften.NothingwouldmakeyourmotherandmeprouderthantoseeyoubecomeanImperialofficer.”ParonReepaused.Afewbirdsflew
overhead,screechingtheirusualcalls;Cienawatchedthemfly,becausewheneverherfatherbroughtupthisnextsubject,shefoundithardeventolookathim.Sureenough,hecontinued,“WeonlywishyouwouldpracticemoreatthenewsimulatorsinValentia,insteadofspendingallyourtimewiththatboy.”
“Thane’smyfriend.”Shestressedthelastword.
“Weshouldn’ttake
anythingfromsecond-wavers.Weshouldrisebyourownpower,notbecauseoftheirgifts.”
SometimesCienaflewintoarageatthispointinthefight—butifshedidthattoday,shedefinitelywouldn’tgettofly.Soshetookadeepbreathbeforeshecontinued:“IhelpThaneasmuchashehelpsme.Weworktogether.Neitherofusowestheotheranything,andheremembers
thataswellasIdo.”Herfathersighed.“His
kindhaveshortmemories.Butgo.Taketheridgecrawler;I’llridethemuunyakhome.YourmotherandIwillbebacklater,andyouwillhavefinishedyourlessonsandcleanedthekitchentoptobottom.”
“Yes,sir.”Herspiritslifted.She’dflytodayafterall.
“Becomeabetterpilot
thanthisKyrellboy,”saidherfather,ashestraightenedhisrobeandbegantowalkinsidetheNierrehome.“Ifthere’sonlyoneslotforaJelucanicadet,Iwantittobeyours.”
Cienalaughed.“We’rebothgoing.TheImperialStarfleetwon’tbeabletodowithoutus!”
EvenPappahadtosmile.
Thanewonderedifhecould
managetojarloosetherestrainingboltontheCZ-1tutordroid.Ifso,thenthedroidwouldlethimgoevenifhehadn’tcompletedhisstupidmathematicstest.
“Yourconcentrationisfaltering,”saidCZ-1.“Thisisnotconducivetooptimalperformance.”
Thanepointedtothenearestchrono.“I’mlateforflyingpractice.”
“Youmustcompleteyour
lessonsinordertomasterthesubject.HowelsewillyougainadmissiontoanImperialacademy?Yourparents’fondesthopeisthatyouwillfollowinDalven’sfootsteps.”
SometimesThanebelievedCZ-1wasslierthanadroidoughttobe.NothingmadeThanefumeliketheknowledgethatDalvenhad,somehow,managedtogetintooneoftheacademies—oneofthelesserones,but
still.Thanesuspectedhisfathermighthavebribedthelocalrecruitertoadmithiseldersontobolsterthefamilypride.ButOrisKyrellwouldn’texerthimselflikethatforThane,whowouldhavetogetintotheacademyonhisown.
Sohethoughtfast.“Iwon’tgainadmissiontoanImperialacademyifIcan’tflywell,”Thanepointedout.“AndhowcanIflywellifI
don’tpractice?”“Yourfamilyhasitsown
hangarandaircraft.Thereforeyoucanpracticeatanytime.”
Withhisbestsmile,Thanesaid,“Butwealsohaveyou,CZ-1.ThatmeansIcantakemathlessonsatanytime,too.IcanonlyflywithapartnerwhenCiena’sfree,andshe’scomingtoday,sodoesn’titmakesenseformetoprioritizeflighttime?”
CZ-1cockedhishead,
andThaneheardthefaintwhirringthatmeantthedroidwasthinkinghard.
Verycasually,Thanesaid,“Youknow,whenIgetback,Ireallyoughttogiveyoualubricationbath.Anicelongsoak.It’sbeenawhile,hasn’tit?”
AfewmoremomentsofsilencefollowedbeforeCZ-1said,“Nowthatyoumentionit,mycouplingshavebeenstifflately.”
Withagrin,Thanesnappedoffthemathematicsholoandgrabbedhisflightjacket.“I’llbehomebeforemyparentsgetbackfromthatstupidbanquet.Okay?”
“Andmathematicstomorrowmorning!”CZ-1calledasThanedashedoutthedoor.
Hisfamilyhadaprivatehangar,but—aswithmostpeopleonJelucan—theirterritoryranmorevertically
thanhorizontally.Theirgold-tiledhomestretchedalmosttheentirewidthoftheirproperty,mostlybecausehisparentshadinsistedthatpeopleoftheirstatureneededahomegranderthantheneighbors’.ThesnobberyannoyedThanelessthanthefactthatthismeanthishangarwasthreehundredmetersaway—downhill.
Atleasthe’dfiguredoutasolution.Withagrin,Thane
slidonhisflightgogglesandranforthefarridge.Thehandlebarswereinpositionandready,soallhehadtodowasgrabthemtightly,releasethebrake,andjump.
Immediately,hewaszoomingalongthecablethatledfromhishometohishangar,danglingfromthehandlebarsashespeddownthelongridgeofstone.Coldmountainairwhippedaroundhimashelookeddowninto
thevalleyfarbelow.Itwasn’tasgoodasflying,butitcameclose.
Hereactivatedthebrakeasheslidtowardtheendpost,butonlygradually,becausehelikedtohavesomevelocityleftattheend.Justbeforehewould’vecrashedintothepost,Thaneletgoandleapedtotheground,laughingoutloud.
Thenheheard,“Youknow,somedayyou’regoing
tobreakyourfaceonthatthing.”
ThaneturnedtoseeCienastandingtherenexttoherfamily’sclunkyoldridgecrawler.Shelookedevenshorterandskinnierthanshewasinthatoversizeflightsuit,andherfacestillappearedyoungerthanherage,withitsroundedcheeksandsnubnose.Herarmswerefoldedacrossherchestandshewastryingtolookstern,
buthecouldseethesmilehidinginherdarkbrowneyes.
Herightedhimselfandclappedhishandstogethertocleanhisgloves.“You’rejustjealousbecauseIneverletyoudoit.”
Cienastuckhertongueoutathim.“Icoulddoit,youknow.”
Ofcourseshecould;Thaneneverdoubtedthat.Butthelinestartedathis
house,andhisparentshatedherevenmorethanherparentshatedhim.Thefewtimesthey’dmet,hisfamilyhadtreatedCienasorudelythatitmadeThanealmostsickwithshame.CienawasnomoreeagertoencountertheKyrellsagainthantheyweretoseeher.
However,thetwoofthemalwayspretendedtherewasnoreasontheyshouldn’tspendtimetogether.Itwas
easierthantalkingabouthowtheirfamilieswantedthemapart.
“HereIwasworriedaboutrunninglate,”Cienacontinued,“andIbeatyouhere.”
“Trigonometry.”Thanegrimaced,anexpressionCienamatched.“Comeon,let’sgetstarted.Lizard-toad-snakeforpilot?”Theyeachsilentlycountedtothreeandheldouttheirhands.Thane
hadgoneforthesnake,butCienachoselizard,andlizardatesnake.Shebeamed,andhegesturedtowardtheV-171’shatch.“Pilotsfirst.”
Hedidn’tactuallymindbeingcopilot/gunner;cadetshadtobeexpertatflyinginbothpositionsiftheywantedtogetintotheacademy.Butsittingbackwardinthecockpitwasneverquiteasmuchfun.
Technically,theV-171
wasDalven’s.Whenhe’dleftfortheacademy,he’dgivenstrictinstructionsthatnobodywastoflyitwhilehewasgone.
Yeah,right.Thaneneverpassedupan
opportunitytofly—ortogetalittlerevengeonhisolderbrother.
(DalvenwasalwaysruderaboutCienathananyoneelseintheKyrellfamily.NotlongbeforeDalvenhadleftforthe
academy,he’dsneeredandsaidthattherewasonlyonereasontopickupsomegirlfromthevalleys—andifthatwaswhatThanewasafter,heoughttogetonewhohadbreastsalready.ThanehadsplitDalven’slipbeforetheirparentspulledthemapart.)
“Hey,”Cienasaid.Thanerealizedhewasjuststandingontheladderinsteadofclimbinginsidethecockpit.“Stillwithme?”
“Yeah.”ThaneslidintotheshipwhiledeterminedlynotlookingatthefrontofCiena’sflightsuit.“Sorry.Let’sgo.”
Theyslidontheirhelmets,buckledtheirharnesses,andloweredthehatchtosealthemselvesin.Bynowtheprocedurewassecondnature,somethingThanecoulddowithoutconsciousthought.HeknewthemomentCienawouldstart
flippingtheswitchestoactivatethemotor,andeventherhythmofherfingertipsasshedidit.Hisownconsolelitupinresponse.“Allsystemscheckout.”
“Confirmedwearereadyfortakeoff,”shesaid.“Fullthrusters.Let’sgrabsomesky.”
TheoldV-171rosefromthegroundwithashudder,enginesglowingblueoneithersideofthem.Thenthey
turned,banked,andsoaredaway.
Cienatookthemuphigher,towardthepeakstoocoldandhostileforanyonetosettle.Ahandfulofminingdroidsdottedthelandscape,gleamingdarklyagainstsnowandpalestone,butotherwisethearearemaineduntouched.ThanefeltasthoughheandCienahadtheworldtothemselves.
Whentheyflewnearone
oftheeasternridgearches,Ciena’svoicecrackledthroughhishelmet’sspeakers.“Iseesomeiciclesthatneedtobetaughtalesson.”
“Gotit.”Thearchcameintofocus
onhisviewscreengrid.Threeicicleshungfromtherocklikestalactites,mostofthemaboutasthickashisarm.Bigforanicicle—smallforatarget.
Thanetookaim,fired,andsentshatteredicesprayingintotheair.HegrinnedasheheardCiena’svictorywhoop.
“Thinkyoucanfindmeacouplemoretargets?”hesaid.Theyneverblastedindiscriminately,becauseafewfallingrocksoriciclesatthisaltitudecouldturnintoanavalanchedownathabitationlevels.ButheandCienahadlearnedeveryplacesafeto
shootwhereicecouldpossiblyhide.
“Oh,yeah,”shereplied.“Hangon.”
Thaneknewexactlyhowshe’dlooptheshipdownward.Evenwithoutguessingtheirexactdestination,hecouldsensejustfromtheslightestshiftoftheirwingswhichwayshewouldmovenext.HeandCienahadflownasateameverychancethey’dhadfor
thepastfiveyears.Bynowtheyworkedtogetherliketwohandsofthesamepilot.
TheV-171divedintoStepson’sGorge,anarrow,craggypassthatchallengedshipsateveryturn.Cienasteeredthemdowndeep,nodoubtintendingtogiveThanesomepracticetargetingoverhead.Astheydescended,theyswoopedpastoneofthemanysmallwaterfallswithinthegorge.Despitethe
freezingchill,thefallsstillflowed,thoughmoreinatricklethanagush.Atthathouroftheafternoon,thelightcaughtthewaterattheperfectangleforarainbow,andanicyoutcroppingnearbycaughttheprismaticlight,reflectingitinadozendirectionsatonce.Everyrockandlineofsnowseemedtoglitter.Itwasoneofthoseperfectmomentsallthemorespectacularbecauseinan
instantitwouldbegone,nevertobeseenagain.
ThaneheardCienawhisper,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”
He’dknownshewouldsaythat.
Maybeitwasfinallytimetofindoutwhy.
Afterflyingpractice,CienaandThanewenttotheFortress.
Sothey’dnameditwhentheywereeightyearsoldandinclinedtobedramatic.Reallythespacewasnothingbutacave,albeitacavethey’dspentseveralyearsfixinguptotheirsatisfaction.Everyfewweeks,oneofthemwouldshowupwithsomethingelsetoaddtotheircollection.Mostofthenicerstuff(theproton-fuelheater,theholo-games)hadbeenbroughtbyThane—castoffs
fromhisfamily,luxuriestheyhadtiredoforwouldnevermiss.Ciena’sofferingswerehumbler,butsheconsoledherselfbythinkingtheyweremoreimportant.TheFortresswouldhavebeenincrediblyuncomfortablewithoutthethickblanketsandhiderugsshe’dbrought.Those,too,werecastoffs,passedonbyvalleykindredtryingtomodernizetheirdwellingstoImperialstandards.Butthey
werewarmandsoft,theidealliningfortheirnesthiddenawayfromtheworld.
ReallythecavewaslocatedfewerthanfiftymetersfromtheKyrellfamily’shangar,butthemouthwastuckedaboveoneoutcroppingandovershadowedbyanother,makingitsosecretthatCienasometimesthoughtsheandThanemightbethefirstpeopleinthehistoryof
Jelucantowalkinside.Inshort,itwastheperfecthangout.
Occasionally,eachofthemwenttherealone,butmostlytheyvisitedtheFortresstogether,talkingabouteverythingintheworldanddreamingabouttheirfutureamongthestars.
“Myfathersaiditwasthreedozensenatorswhowalkedout,”Cienasaid.
Thaneshrugged.Hewas
lessinterestedinpoliticsthanCienawasandcontinuedloungingontheredrug,staringoutatthesunset.“Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhetheritwastwentyorthirty-six?Outofhundredsofsenators,that’snotthatmanyeitherway.”
“Theyrefusedtocastvotes.They’regoingtobereplacedbyImperialappointment.That’sabigdeal,Thane.”
“It’sjustsomericholdpoliticiansbeingself-important.That’stheirideaoffun.”
“Howcouldtheybetraytheiroaths?Theirhonor?”Cienastillcouldn’tfullybelieveit.“EverybodyknowsitwastheSenatethatsteeredthegalaxyintocivilwarbeforetheEmperorestablishedorderagain.Whywouldanyonetakethepeacewehavenowforgranted?”
Thaneshrugged.“Probablythey’rereallyfightingaboutsomethingelseentirelyandjustsayingit’sallaboutthesehighideals.Whentheyrealizetheydon’thaveanypoweranymore,they’llcomecrawlingbacktotheEmperorandforgetallaboutthestufftheywerearguingoverbefore.”
“You’rereallycynicalsometimes.”
“I’mright,though.You’ll
see.”Cienasighedasshelay
backontheblackgundarkhide,itsthickfurascozyasanybed.Fromthisangle,thesunsetblazedmagnificentlyjustbeyondthefarridgeofmountains.ThelightglowingintothecaveturnedThane’shairtotrueredandaddedwarmthtohispaleskin,andsomethingaboutthewayitfellmadehisfacelookstartlinglyolder.
He’llbehandsome,shethought.Strangethoughitwastorealizethat,Cienafeltshewasonlybeingobjective.Itwasn’tasifsheandThanewere—asiftheywouldever—well,theywouldn’t.Ifherparentsloathedherhavingasecond-waveboyforafriend,howwouldtheyreactifsheeverfellinlovewithone?AndwhileThanehadneverexplicitlytoldheraboutthewayhisfathertreatedhim,
she’dseenthebruisesandsensedinhissilencesthethingshehadn’tsaid.Thane’sfatherwoulddoworsethanthatifheeverthoughtthetwoofthemweretogether.
Besides,sheandThane…maybetheyweretooclosetoeachothertofallinlove.Sometimesshefeltthattheyweretwopartsofthesameperson.
“Hey,”Thanesaidquietly,carefully.“CanIask
yousomethingthatmightbe,uh,personal?”
Hadheguessedwhatshewasthinkingabout?Cienasatupandhuggedherkneestoherchest.“Youcanask.Idon’tpromisetoanswer.”
“Fairenough.”Hepausedagainbeforecontinuing.“Everyonceinawhile,whenweseesomethingreallyamazing,youwhisper,‘Lookthroughmyeyes.’Isthatavalleything?Whatdoesit
mean?”Itwaspersonal,butCiena
foundshedidn’tmindThane’sknowing.“Yes,it’soneofourcustoms.Ararerone,though.See—whenIwasborn—Iwasatwin.”
“Atwin?”Thanesatupstraight.Evenasecond-waverwouldbeintrigued;mostplanetshadmythsandlegendsabouttwins.“Forreal?ButIthoughtyouwereanonlychild.”
“Iamnow.Mysister,Wynnet,diedonlyafewhoursafterwewereborn.”
“Oh.Sorry.”“No,it’sallright.It’snot
asifIrememberheroranything.ButIlivemylifeforbothofus.”Cienaheldupherarmtoshowoffherleatherbracelet.“Didn’tyouevernoticethatInevertakethisoff?”
“Well,yeah,butIthoughtyoujustlikedit.”
Cienaranherfingertipalongthebraid.“IwearitasasymbolthatI’mstilltiedtoWynnet.Allmylife,everythingIdo,everythingIsee—it’sasmuchoftheworldasshe’lleverhave,becauseIshareitwithher.SowhenIseesomethingespeciallybeautiful—anythingamazing,orsometimeseventhingsthatareespeciallybad—Isaythosewords.Mysisterlooks
throughmyeyes,andIshowherthemostimportantmomentsofmylife.”
Thaneleanedbackontherug.“That’s…reallygreat.Imeanit.”
Cienanodded.“Sometimesitfeelslikethishugeresponsibility,livingforWynnet,too,butmostlyitremindsmetolookforwhat’strulyspecial.MaybeIwouldn’tseesomuchofthatifIweren’tlookingforher.”
Thesunhadfinallydippedbelowthehorizon.Althoughlightstillsuffusedthelowerpartofthesky,higherupthebluehadbecomedarkenoughtorevealsmalltwinklingpointsoflight.
Cienawhispered,“Someday,oncewe’vemadeittotheacademy—I’mgoingtoshowherthestars.”
“Comeon,”Thanesaid.Hesatoppositeher,cross-legged,deepwithintheFortress.“Youknowthis.”
“DoI?”“Thisguystartedawar.”Ciena’sheadswam.
They’dbeenreviewinggalactichistoryforthree
hoursnow.“Okay.ThecriminalgangthatinterferedwithalegalexecutiononGeonosisandsparkedtheCloneWarswasledby…by…”Sheshuthereyes,winced,andsaid,“MaceWindu?”
ThensheopenedhereyesagaintoseeThanegrinningather.“See?Youknewitallalong.”
Nexttothem,theCZ-1droidcluckedapprovingly.
“Yourgraspofhistoryisexcellent,MissRee.Inmyopinion,youshouldbemuchmoreworriedaboutcalculus.”
Herfacefell.ThaneglaredatCZ-1.“Iknewweshould’veinstalledthetactupgrade.”
“Whatuseistactifitkeepsyoufromlearning?”CZ-1shuffledcloser,hisancientjointsnolongereasytomove.“Whenyoufirst
smuggledmeintotheridgecrawlertobringmehereforstudysessions,yousaidIwastoensurethatbothofyoupassedtheexams.Ican’tdothatbypretendingyouunderstandcertainsubjectswhenyoudon’t.”
Cienacould’vegroanedindespair.Theseweren’teventheentranceexamsfortheacademy.Thesewouldonlyallowhertoqualifyfortheacademy’spreparatory
courses.“Ifthesetestsarekickingmybutt,howcanIeverpasstherealones?”Shetriedtomakeitajoke,buthervoicecracked.
Thaneheardher.“Hey,”hesaid,leaningcloser.“You’resmartenough.You’restrongenough.Youcanflyanysingle-pilotshipintheImperialStarfleet,andIbetyoucouldevenhandleaStarDestroyeronyourown,iftheygaveyouthechance.”
Shehadtolaugh.“Idoubtit.”
“Idon’tdoubtit.”Hiswordsbecamefirmer,moreforceful.“Idon’tdoubtyou.Sostopdoubtingyourself,okay?Wecandothis.”
Cienarepeatedthewordstomakeherselfbelievethem.“Wecan.”
Whentheywerefifteen—“Kyrell!”TheE&A—
EnduranceandAgility—coachstoodoverThane,wholaypantingontheground.“Getitingearorgetoutforgood!”
Everymonth,inthepreparatorytrack,theyhadtorunadifferentobstaclecourse.Gradually,thecoursesbecamemoredifficult,evendangerous.Ifwould-becadetsbrokealimborgainedascar,itwasjustproofthattheyweren’tfittobethereinthe
firstplace.Notfinishingthecourse
—itdidn’tgetyouautomaticallyexpelled,butitputyoureallyhighonthelistofkidswhowouldbefirsttogo.
Buthisbackandshouldershurtsomuch….
“Hey.”Cienakneeledbesidehim.“Comeon.Getup.”
Thaneshookhishead.Hismusclesquiveredwith
exhaustion.BeneathhislooseblackE&Agear,bruisesandcutsburnedwitheachmovementhemade.He’dhadlessthantwohours’sleep.Everymuscleached;hisbonesfeltheavierthancarbonite.“Ican’t.”
“Likehellyoucan’t.”Heliftedhisheadfrom
therubberyredsurfaceoftheE&Aroomtoseeherkneelingoverhim.Thefirstmomenttheireyesmet,
Thanerealizedhewouldn’tbeabletohidethetruthfromher.“Lastnight—mydad—”
NormallyOrisKyrelllecturedhissons.Oftenhecanedthem,butonlyforafewstrokes.However,thenightbefore,hiswrathhadexplodedasneverbefore.Thanehadnotrealizedheneededtofightbackuntilhewastooinjuredtodoso.Hisfather’spunchesandkickshadnotstoppeduntilThane
wasonthefloorbleeding.Neitherofhisparentshadhelpedhimupafterward,norhadtheyacknowledgedhisinjuriesinthemorning.Apparentlytheyweredeterminedtopretendtheincidenthadneverhappened.
Bruisedandaching,Thanehadtobearthetruthalone—atleastuntilCiena’seyeswidenedinunderstanding.“Youcanstilldoit,”shewhispered.“You
gotthisfar,right?”“I’lltry,”hesaid,
betweendeepgulpingbreaths.“Butyouhavetogetbackonthecourse.You’relosingtime.”
“I’mrankednumberoneinE&A,remember?Icanaffordtoloseafewminutes.AndIsweartoyourightnow,ThaneKyrell,ifIhavetopickyouupandcarryyoutotheendofthecourse,Iwill.”
“Iappreciatetheoffer,but
Idon’tthinkthatcounts.”Morestudentsranpast
them,vaultingoverthenexthighbarrier,withonlyafewgruntsandgroansfromthosewhohadtouchedthesharpedges.Theseweretheslowestkids,orclosetoit.Cienawouldfinishlast,andThanedidn’texpecttofinishatall.
Herolledovertolookherinthefacesomaybeshe’dseehowdeeplyhemeantit.“Go.”
Cienaonlyleanedcloser.“Thane—don’tletyourfatherwin.”
Hatredofhisfatherdidwhathopecouldn’t.Fueledbypurespite,Thanestruggledtohisknees,thentohisfeet.Thoughhestaggeredatfirst,hemanagedtocatchhimself.
“Readytorun?”Cienabeganbouncingonherheels,eagertogetmoving.
“Yeah.”Thanetooka
deepbreath.“I’mready.”Somehowhehurled
himselfoverthebarrier.AlthoughThanemadeittotheendinlastplace—hemadeit.
Afterward,intheprivacyofthegearroom,hesatonthebench,carefullystrippedoffhisshirt,andletCienaseetheworstofit.Theshamemadehisfaceburn.Eventhoughheknewhewasn’ttheonewhooughttobe
ashamed…herehewas,showingCienahowhelethimselfgetbeatenuntiltheskinofhisbacksplitopen.
Ifshepitiedhimorsaidshefeltsorryforhim,Thanethoughthemighthavetowalkout.
ButCienasaidnothing.Silently,sheopenedthefirst-aidkitandsettoworkapplyingcurativeskinsealant,closingeachcutoneatatimeuntilThanefelt
wholeagain.
Whentheyweresixteen—Onlyahandfulofkids
fromtheentireplanetofJelucanwouldmakeitintooneoftheImperialacademies.WhileInnerRimworldsoftenfieldedthousandsofcandidates,slotswerestillstrictlylimitedforcitizensofformerSeparatistworlds.Theacademy
instructorsthemselvessortedstudents.Atthesamemomentapplicantsfoundoutwhetherthey’dgottenin,theylearnedwhichschoolthey’dbeenslottedinto,whichplanetthey’dbelivingonwithintwoweeks’time.
Cienadidn’tcarewhichacademyitwas.Anyplanetwoulddo.JustaslongasshegottobeanImperialcadet.
Onthemorningresultsweretobeannounced,their
entireclasscongregatedintheschool’scourtyard.Parentsweren’tallowedonschoolgrounds—onlystudentsandImperialofficials—butfamilieslingeredoutside.Afterwardtherewouldbecelebrationsorconsolations.Fornow,Ciena,Thane,andtheotherapplicantsonlyhadeachother.
“Icouldn’tsleep,”sheconfessedtoThaneasthey
stoodtogethernearthefarleftofthecourtyard,staringatthedoorwheretheproctorwouldappearwiththeannouncements.“Atall.”
“Meeither.”Thanegaveheracrookedsmile.“Thatgavemetimetothinkofafewbackupplansforus.”
Cienaheldupherhandsinprotest.She’drefusedeventoconsideralternatecareerpathsbecauseitfeltlikebadluck.
Thanescoffed.“Comeon,Ciena.Wetookthetests.Thedecision’salreadybeenmade!Sowecan’tjinxourselvesatthispoint.”
Itwastrue.Morethanthat,fromthetoneofThane’svoice,Cienahadfiguredoutthatthese“plans”weren’tforreal.“Okay,fine.Letmehearit.”
“One.Webecomefamousacrobats.”
“…acrobats?”
“Famousacrobats.There’snogloryinbeingmediocre,unknownacrobats.Ifwe’regoingtodothis,wehavetodoitright.”
Theproctorwouldwalkoutanymoment.Thecrowd’sbuzzinggrewlouder,moretense.Ciena’sheartraced,butshetriedtomatchThane’splayfultone.“I’llpass.Anyotherbrightideasforourfuture?Yousaidthatwasonlynumberone.”
“Two.Wetravelthegalaxyasdrummerandexoticdancer.”
Sheraisedhereyebrows.“Excuseme,butI’mnotbecominganexoticdancer.”
“Whosaidyouwere?I’lldothedancing.Yougetthedrum.”
Thistimeherlaughterwasgenuine.“OnlyifIgettodesignyourcostume.”
“Hmmm.MaybeIshouldmoveontoplanthree—”
ThenThanestraightened,eyeswidening,asthedooropenedandtheproctorwalkedout.Hisblackuniformseemedtostealthesunlightfromtheday.Ciena’sgutclenched,butlikealltheotherstudents,sheimmediatelystoodatattentionandremainedperfectlysilent.
Amplifierdroidshoverednearby,catchingtheproctor’svoiceashesaid,“The
followingisalistofalltheschool’ssuccessfulapplicantstothevariousImperialacademies.FortheImperialAcademyonArkanis…”
Cienacould’vegroaned.Theyweregoinginalphabeticalorderbyschool?Theymightnotknowuntiltheveryendwhetherthey’dmadeitinornot.Shecouldimaginestandingthereatattention,minutesdrainingaway,astheterrible
realizationofherfailuresankin.Thenshewouldhavetoslinkout,humiliated.Failurewasn’tthesameasdishonor,butitfeltlikeitatthemoment.
Afewminutesintotheceremony—whichalreadyfeltasthoughithadlastedforever—theproctorstoodupstraighter.“FortheRoyalImperialAcademyonCoruscant…”
Noschoolintheentire
galaxywasmoreprestigious.Noothertrainingcameclosertoensuringahigh-levelcareerintheImperialStarfleet.
Cienahaddreamedofgoingthere,whichwassurelywhysheimaginedtheproctor’sspeakinghername.
Butno.He’dreallysaid—“ThaneKyrellandCienaRee.”Bothofthem,together!
Sheremainedatattention,butsheglancedsidewaysat
Thane.Ifhe’dheardit,too,itwasdefinitelyforreal.Sureenough,hewassmiling—butawearysmile,likewhenhe’dclearedthefinalbarrieronanE&Acourse.Thaneclosedhiseyesandwhispered,seeminglytohimself,“I’moutofhere.I’mgone.”
Cienaknewwhyherfriendwantedtoleavethisplanetsobadly.Thosewerereasonsshedidn’tshare.ShelovedJelucan’sstarkbeauty,
thefellowshipamongthevalleykindred—allofitwasbeautifultoher.Yetshecouldleaveherhomeworldwithoutregret.
Shewasn’tescapingfromanything.ShewaschasingherdreamofbecominganImperialofficer,flingingherselfjoyfullyintospace.
ThedayThaneleftJelucanfelt…perfect.Likehecould
donowrong,likealltheconstellationshadfinallyalignedtoguidehimout.Hisparentssaidtheirgood-byesatthehouseanddidn’tbothertakinghimtothespaceport.Itwasarelief.
BoardingthevesseltoCoruscantwasevenmoresatisfyingbecauseCienawasthere,too,thoughsheremainedontheboardingramphuggingherparentssolongthatthecaptain
threatenedtoleaveherbehind.Thaneandshehadbecomeateamtogetintotheacademy;itwasonlyrightthattheyshouldarrivetheretogether.Bestofallwasthemomentwhenthetransportshudderedintohyperspace—theirfirstexperienceoflightspeed—andthetwoofthemgrinnedateachotherintotaldelight.
ThentheyarrivedonCoruscant,anditwaslike
gettingpunchedintheface.Thanehadalwaysknown
Jelucanwasabackwaterworld.Holoshadtoldhimthegalaxywasfarbiggerandmoresophisticatedthananythinghe’deverhadthechancetoseebefore.Sohe’dthoughthewasprepared.ButwhenhesteppedofftheshipandsawCoruscantforthefirsttime—
ThebuildingsstoodashighasJelucan’smountains.
Althoughsunlightslippedthroughvariousglassstructures,theoveralleffectwasoneofprofoundclaustrophobia.Thegroundwasimpossiblyfarbelow,andtheskywascutintothinslivers.Hundredsofsmalleraircraftzoomedorhoveredbetweenskyscrapersinanonstopbuzzofnegotiationandcommerce.Everysinglepersonseemedtohavedirectionandpurpose,tobe
perfectlyathomeinthishugemetalcage,thiscitythathadswallowedaworld.Thane,however,triednottolookoutthewindowsanylongerbecausetheviewmadehimfeelsosmall.
AtfirsthethoughtCienawouldbeevenmoreovercome.Herchildhoodhadbeenspentintheopenvalleys,inhousesonlyslightlymoresophisticatedthantents.Surelythiswould
betoomuchforher.Instead,shewaselated.
“Thisiswhereeverythinghappens,”shegushedasthetwoofthemwalkedthroughthecorridorsofthespaceport,buoydroidsfloatingaheadasbeaconstoguidethemtowardtheacademyshuttle.“It’slike—electricity,thisincredibleenergyallaround.Don’tyoufeelit?”
“Definitely,”Thanesaid.“Totallyelectric.”
Cienagavehimalook.“Hey.Areyouallright?”Butthenthey’dreachedtheshuttle,alongwithahandfulofothernewcadets,andtheygotcaughtupinthewhirlofactivitythatwasthefirstdayofattendance:collectingdatachipswiththeinformationthey’dneed,learningabouttonight’sreceptionforallcadets,andintroducingthemselvestocadetsfromotherworlds.Imperial
officers,stiffandcorrectindressuniforms,movedamongthemastheshuttlepulledawayandjoinedthedizzyinglyswiftCoruscantairtraffic.Thanehadtokeephimselffromflinchingeverytimeanothercraftcamewithintwowingtips—butinaplanet-sizedmetropolis,apparentlypilotswereusedtosmallmarginsoferror.
Theintensityonlysharpenedwhentheyreached
theacademyitself.Asthenewcadetswalkedoutoftheshuttle,Thanerealizedhundredsofstudentswerealreadythere.Hundredsmoreseemedlikelytopouroutoftheothershuttlescomingupbehindthem.Theentiretimehewascheckingin,hecouldn’thelpfeelinglost.WhenheglancedtowardCiena,shewassmilingevenmorebrightly.Beforelongtheywereseparatedfrom
eachotherinthecrushofpeopletryingtofigureoutwheretheyshouldbe.
Thane’sdatachipgavehimthelocationofhisdormroomandtheinformationthathe’dhavetworoommates.Theycouldn’tbeworsethanDalven,hethought,determinedtomakethebestofit.
Still,asheraisedhishandtohitthedoorchime,Thanefeltunbelievablysmall.
Thedoorswooshedopentorevealaslim,black-hairedguywithanarrowfaceandrigidbearing—socorrectthatittookThaneamomenttorealizethiswasnoadministratorbutoneofhisroommates.
“Soyou’retheonefrom,what’sitcalled,Jelucan?”WhenThanenodded,theguyscoffed.“Whydidyoubotherringingthechimeofyourownroom?It’sridiculous.”
“Charming,isn’the?”saidanotherguy—thetallestofthethree,stickthinandlongfaced,withlongbrownhairhe’dknottedatthebackofhishead.Hisaccentwasaristocraticbuthissmileinfectious.“Mr.PersonalityhereisVedFoslo,nativetoCoruscant—”
“Ofcourse,”Vedcutin,liftinghischin.“Myfather,GeneralFoslo,worksincentralintelligence.”
“—and,asyoucansee,hemanagestoworkinareferencetohisfatherwithinthefirstminuteofmeetinganybody.”AsVedscowled,thetallguysteppedclosertoshakeThane’shand.“Me,I’mNashWindriderfromAlderaan.Andmyfathermakescarpets.Impressedyet?”
“Very.”Thanerealizedhe’dstartedtosmile.“Minedoesslightlydishonest
accounting.”“Alwayshandy,”Nash
said.“Youneverknowwhenyou’regoingtoneedtocookthebooks.Comeinandgetcomfortable—ascomfortableasyoucanbeonthelowerbunk,thatis.Wegrabbedthetwobestbunksalready.”
NashturnedouttohavetraveledtomorethanadozenworldsalreadyandhadvisitedCoruscantseveraltimes.Hedidn’tevenask
Thanewhetherhe’dbeenintimidatedatfirst;heassumedasmuchandsworeeverybodyfeltthatwaythefirsttimetheylandedontheplanet.
“Theyshouldpassoutinhalersatthespaceports,”Nashsaidastheyhungout,sprawledontheirbedstoawaitthewelcomingceremonyanddinnerthatnight.“Ortranquilizers.Somethingtohelppeople
deal.”“Idon’tseewhat’sso
strangeaboutCoruscant.”Vedremainedcompletelystiffbutoveralldidn’tseemsobad.“Haveyoureallyneverbeentoarealcitybefore?OranyotherCoreWorldatall?”
AlreadyThaneknewhonestywouldservehimbest.“Nope.”HestretchedoutonthebunkbeneathVed’s,tryingtogetusedto
thehardmattress.“NeverevenbeentoacitybiggerthanValentiabackhome,andI’mguessingtheentirepopulationofValentiawouldfillabout—sevenlevelsofthisonebuilding.”
Nashrestedhishandsbeneathhishead.“You’llgetusedtoit,Thane.Soonwe’llallbeImperialofficersandyou’llhavetraveledtoahundredworlds,andwhenyougohomeyou’llbeas
jadedasMr.General’sSonhere.”
VedgaveNashadirtylook,butThanecouldn’thelplaughing.
Cienahadtrustedshe’dlikehernewroommatesandenjoythereception,butsofartheafternoonwasexceedingevenherbestexpectations.Shestoodinfrontofthemirror,astonishedtoseeherselfin
thecadet’suniform.Blackboots,darktrousers,darkjacket—itwaslikeavisionoutofadream.
“Ihatetheseboots,”saidherroommateKendyIdele,whoscowleddownathersfromwhereshestoodnearby.“Thenagain,Ihateshoes,period.Whenyougrowuponatropicalworld,youlovebarefootbest.”
“You’llsoonbeaccustomedtothem,”
promisedtheirthirdroomie,JudeEdivon.ShewasastallasKendywasshort,aspaleasKendyandCienaweredark.“BarefeetmightbegreatonIloh,butonCoruscant?Yourfeetwouldquicklybecomedirty.Plusthelikelihoodofscrapes,smallcuts,andpotentialinfectionwouldbehigh—notthathygienelevelsaren’tgoodhere,butthesheersizeofthepopulacesuggests—”
“Areyougoingtostartquotingstatisticsagain?”Kendygroaned.
“It’sokaytobeasciencegeek,”Cienasaid.“Quoteasmanystatisticsasyoulike,Jude.KendyandIwillgetusedtoiteventually.”
Jude’slightlyfreckledfacelitupwithasmile.“Ourpersonalitiesseemtobecompatible.IthinkyouandIwillgetalongverywell.”
“Wewill,too,”Kendy
promised.“Ignoremybeinggrumpy.I’mjustspace-laggedandtired,andtryingtogetthehangofthesedamnedbraids.”
Cienahadbeenwearingherhairpinnedbackintightbraidsforyears,eversinceshe’dlearnedthatthiswasmandatoryforalllong-hairedcadets.“Here,letme.”Kendy’sdarkgreenhairwasstraightandsilky—totallyunlikeCiena’stightcurls—
butshefiguredabraidwasabraid.“Didyoureallyneverpracticefixingit?”
“Notevenonce.Ithoughtitwouldbeeasy!”Kendysighed.“Thanksforthis,bytheway.”
“Noproblem.”Judeleanedcloser.“You
couldsimplycutyourhairshort,asIhave.Thatprovidesoptimalefficiency.”
Kendymadeaface.“OnIloh,onlylittlechildrenwear
theirhairshort.Growingitlongmeansyou’rereallyanadult.NowayamIsawingitoffnow.”
“You’llgetthehangofthebraidssoon,”Cienapromised.“You’llhaveto,becauseI’mnotdoingyourhaireverymorning.”
“EvenifIpromisedtomakeyourbedbeforeinspections?”
“No.”Somehowtheymadeitto
theceremonyontime,withtheiruniformsperfect.MorethaneightthousandstudentswereinCiena’sclass—astunningnumber,toher—butachargewentthroughheratthesightofthemalldressedinImperialregalia,broughttogetherbyacommonpurpose,acommondream.Everysingleoneofthosecadetshadtraveledthere,fromhundredsofworlds,tomakethemselvesthebest
officerstheycouldpossiblybe.They’dcometoservetheEmpire,tomaketheentiregalaxybetterthroughtheirservice.HerheartfeltsofullthatCienaputonehandtoherchest.
WasThanedoingbetterbynow?Hehadtobe.Hereyessearchedthecrowdforhim,butthatwasoneofthedisadvantagesofwearinguniforms;itwashardertotellpeopleapart.
Sheintendedtolocatehimassoonasshecould—thenwastakenabackbytheacademypresident’sspeech.
“Youarenotheremerelytolearnmilitarytacticsortopracticeflyingstarfighters,”CommandantDeenlarksaid,everywordcrisp.“Thoseareimportantskills,tobesure.Butweaskmoreofyou.OurstudentsaremeanttobecomecitizensoftheEmpire.Tothinkofthemselvesas
patriotsandsoldiersfirst.CanyoustopthinkingofyourselfasanativeofyourhomeplanetandbeginthinkingofyourselfasanImperialfirst?AnImperialonly?CanyouacceptthatprotectingandservingtheworldyoucamefromisbestaccomplishedbystrengtheningtheEmpiretowhichitbelongs?”
CienahadneverthoughtofbelongingtotheEmpireasgivingupJelucan.Toher,the
twoidentitiescoexistedcomfortably.Butmaybesomestudentsherecamefromworldswithrebellioussenators—placesdisloyaltotheEmperor.Theymightneedreassuringthattheystillcouldbelonghereattheacademy.
Deenlarkcontinued:“Somefewofyouhavecomeherealongsidefriendsfromhome,orhaveoldersiblingsalreadyinImperialservice.
Yournaturaltendencywillbetoseekthesepeopleoutateveryopportunityandtorelyonrelationshipsyoualreadyhave.Butifthatwasallyoumeanttodo—youmighthavewellstayedathome,don’tyouthink?”
Afewpeoplelaughed,obediently.Cienafeltstung.SheandThaneweren’tsupposedtospendtimetogether?Atall?
Well.“Atall”wasputting
ittoostrongly,shedecided.Theinstructorssimplydidn’twantthemtorelyoneachothercompletely.
YetthatwaswhatsheandThanehadbeendoingforthepasteightyearsoftheirlives.
Aftertheceremonyanddinnerended,studentsmilledaround,introducingthemselvestoeachotherand—sometimes—notsosubtlysizingupthecompetition.CienawantedtofindThane,
thoughshetoldherselfsheshouldn’t.
Luckily,hefoundher.“Webothplantoserve
theEmpirefortherestofourlives,”Thanesaidastheysatdowninchairsfacingtheglitteringcityscapebeyond.“We’renevergoingbacktoJelucan—nottolive,anyway.Sowedon’thavetoworryabout‘livinginthepast’orhoweverDeenlarkputit.”
SometimesThanecould
beveryglibaboutauthorityfigures—uninterestedinrules—butCienathoughthewasmoreorlessrightaboutthis.“Itlookslikewe’llsharesomeclassesandtakesomeseparately.Sowecaneachmakeourownwayhere.”
“Thisplacescaredthehelloutofmeatfirst,”Thaneconfessed.“YoulivedfartheroutinthecountrysidethanIdid,butitdidn’tfazeyouforasecond.Howdidthat
happen?”Hewasonlyjoking,but
Cienaansweredhimseriously.“IwasreadyforCoruscantbecauseI’vealwaysdreamedofbeinghere.Youweren’treadybecause—becauseIthinkmostlyyoudreamedofgettingawayfromJelucan.”
Thaneremainedsilentforamoment,andCienawishedshecouldsnatchthewordsback.Butthen,finally,he
nodded.“You’reright.”“Wesharedthemost
importantpartofthedream,though,”Cienasaid.
“Morethanthat.Wegoteachotherhere.It’snotcoincidencethatwebothwereadmittedtotheRoyalAcademy,youknow?Flyingtogether,studyingtogether—wemadeeachothersomuchbetterthanweeverwould’vebeenonourown.”
Herthroattightened.
“Yeah.Wedid.”Thanesmiledasheshook
hishead,perhapsindisbeliefathowfarthey’dalreadycome,orhowfartheystillhadtogo.“Nowit’stheacademy’sturntomakeusbetter.”
“Tomakeusofficers.It’sgoingtohappen.”
“You’dbetterbelieveit.”Thewindowlookingout
ontheCoruscantnightreflectedthemslightly,
superimposingtheirimagesoverthebuildingsandhovercraftbeyond.CienasawherselfsittingnexttoThane,bothoftheminthestiff,unfamiliarjacketsandbootsthey’dbeenassignedtoday.Alwaysthey’dlookedsodifferent:Thanetallandpale,foreverwearingthebrightelegantclothingofasecond-waver;Cienadarkandslim,inthesimplehomespungarmentsofthevalleys.Now
theyworethesameuniform,andanyonecouldseethatsheandThanewerealikeinthewaysthatmatteredmost.
Theysattheresidebysideforamomentlongerbeforegettingtotheirfeet.Thanesmileddownandwhispered,“Youcandothis,youknow.”
“Socanyou,”Cienasaid.Theydidn’thavetoleanoneachother.Theyweremorethanreadytofly.
Thentheyturnedawayfromeachothertowalkintothecrowd,meetnewpeople,andbecomethecitizensoftheEmpiretheywerealwaysmeanttobe.
IFTHEPREPARATORYtrackfortheImperialacademieshadbeenhard,thecourseloadattheRoyalAcademyofCoruscantwasbrutal.
Thefirstday’seasygoingfriendlinesshadlastedexactly
thatlong—oneday,nomore.Science,mathematics,piloting,physicaltraining:everypossibletestchallengedthestudents’limits,everysingletime.Classesshrunktoabouthalftheiroriginalsizeeachyearofthethree-yearprogram.Fewwouldgraduate,andthecompetitiontobeamongthosefewremainedfierce.Forgetsleepingin,cuttingclass,orevenwhisperingtoother
studentsduringalecture;ifyouwantedtostayintheacademy,tobecomeanofficersomeday,youcouldnever,everslackoff.Youhadtopushyourselftothelimiteverysingleday.
Twomonthsintohisfirstyear,Thanedecidedhe’dneverhadsomuchfuninhislife.
“Youmust—be—kiddingme,”Nashpantedasthetwoofthemrantheirninthlap
aroundtheSkyLoop,atrackontheacademy’sroof,highabovemostofthebustleofCoruscant.Acoolcloudhadsettledaroundthebuilding,envelopingtheminpalefog.“Gettingupatdawn—doinghomeworkuntilmidnight—exercisinguntilyouvomit?Fun?”
Thanegrinnedashewipedsweatfromhisforehead.“Hell,yeah.”
“Ifthisishowtheyhave
funonJelucan—IthinkI’llvacationsomewhereelse.”Theycrossedthefinishlineandsloweddown,lopingtoastop.AfterNashhadleanedoverwithhishandsonhiskneesandtakenafewdeepbreaths,hecontinued,“Somedayyou’vegottocomewithmetoAlderaan.Trustme,wecanshowyouabettertimethanthis.”
Nashdidn’tgetit.Hecouldn’t.Asthetwoofthem
walkedtowardthelockerroom,Thanetriedtofindthewords.“Mostofmylife,myparentsfoughtmeoneverythingIwantedtodo—evengettingreadyforthisplace.IhadtosneakaroundtopracticeflyingwithCiena.Canyoubelievethat?”
“Seriously?”Nashshookhisheadindisbelief.HisgrayT-shirthadgonedarkwithsweat.“ButCienaRee’soneofthebestpilotshere.You
could’vegonetotwentydifferentworldsandneverfoundanyonebettertoflywith.”
WasitworthexplainingthedividebetweentheJelucanivalleykindredandsecond-wavesettlers?Thanedecidedtoskipit.Thatwasthekindofhomeworldthinkingtheacademyinstructorsfrownedupon.“ThepointisthisisthefirsttimeinmylifewhenI’ve
beenabletogoaftersomethingIwantwithoutanybodygettinginmyway.”
Nashsighed.“Soundsrough.OnAlderaan,peopleareencouragedtolearnandgrow.Alleducationisfree,andpeoplevolunteertoteachvariousskillsorcraftsjustforfun.Ofcourse,somedaytheentireEmpirewillbelikethat.”Thanelaughed,whichmadeNashfrown.“What’ssofunny?”
“You,thinkingthewholegalaxycanturnintostarshineandflowers,allbecauseoftheEmpire.”
“That’swhattheEmpireisfor,isn’tit?”Nashtriedtowipesweatfromhisfacewithhisshirtbut,findingitevensweatier,grimacedandletitfall.“Totakethebestofeveryworld,everyculture,andspreaditthroughouteverysystem?”
Thaneshrugged.“That
waswhattheGalacticRepublicwasabout,too.Atleast,theyprobablythoughtsoatthebeginning.Butthingsfallapart.”
“Don’tlettoomanypeoplehearyousaythat,allright?”Nashglancedaroundthem,butnobodywaswalkingespeciallyclose.“Theymightthinkyou’redisloyal.WhereasI,yourfriend,knowthatyou’remerelyacynic.”
“Guiltyascharged.”He’dlearnedhislessonthefirsttimehisparentssuckedupinpublictothesamepeoplethey’dmockedinprivate:appearancesweredeceiving.
“Well,somedayyou’llcometoAlderaanwithmeandseeforyourselfhowwonderfulitis.Notevenyoucouldbecynicalaboutmyworld.”
ThanecouldtellNashwashomesick,sohedecided
totakehisroommate’sboastingaboutAlderaanatfacevalue…fornow.“Itsoundslikeagoodplace.I’dliketogosometime.”
“Justwait,myfriend.You’regoingtoloveit.”
SoThanehadavoyagetoAlderaantolookforwardto.Bytheneveryworldhelearnedabouthadbecomeapossibledestination;whatbeganashungersimplytoleaveJelucanhadripened
intogenuinewanderlust.AcareerintheImperialStarfleetwouldallowhimtostandinthedeepsnowsoficeplanets,todiveintothedepthlessoceansofawaterworld,tobaskinthesearingheatofabeachbeneathabinarystarsystem.
Andhegottoflyeveryday,sometimesallday.Sure,atthatpointthecadetsmostlyusedsimulators—buttheacademy’ssimulators
operatedatalevelofsophisticationThanehadneverseenbefore.(Plus,anythingbeatacrappyoldV-171.)Fromtheoutside,thesimulatorswerestarkglobesofdullmetal;ontheinsidecadetsfoundcompletelyaccuratecockpits,glowingcontrolboards,andviewscreensthatshowedthree-dimensionalimagesofwhateverstarscapeorplanetaryatmospherethey’d
betraininginthatday.Theflyingfeltabsolutely
genuine,andthechallengespresentedweremoreimmediate,terrifying,andplentifulthantheywerelikelytoencounterinreallife—atleastsofar.OnedayThanewouldtrytobringaTIEfighterfromdeepspaceintoatmosphereonaplanetwithgravitystrongenoughtocrushahuman.Thenext,hemightmaneuvera
snowspeederthroughablizzardwithwindsthatthreatenedtotearthemetalplatingfromthehull.Somestudentstensed,panickingabouttheirtrainingscoresorwhatitwouldbelikewhentheyhadtodoitinreallife.
Thaneactuallyfeltmorerelaxedwhenhewaspiloting.Hecouldn’twaittodoitforreal.Beingatthecontrolsofavesselremainedthepurestkindofjoyheknew.
Hiscombinationofenthusiasmandsteadinessshowedinhisscores,too.TheclassrankingsalwayshadThaneinoneoftheverytopslotsforpiloting—
—andoneofthefewnamesthatevercameinabovehiswasCienaRee’s.
Theylaughedaboutittogether,congratulatedeachotherforwinning,andproudlydeclaredthey’dtakebacktheirtitleonthevery
nextflight.Cienahadbecomehisrival,butafriendlyone.Theysaweachothermoredaysthannot,eitherinclassorthemainacademymess.Althoughthebalancebetweenmaintainingtheirfriendshipandbecoming“citizensoftheEmpire”wasadelicateone,hefeltthey’dfoundit.Whiletheirmeetingswereoftenbrief,theystillgottohangoutacoupleoftimesaweek—hourswhentheylet
thecompetitiondrop.Thaneknewthey’dalwaysmadeeachotherbetterbystrivingtomatchtheother’sskills;evenattheacademy,heandCienakepteachotherattheverytopoftheirgame.
“It’sludicrous,”VedFoslosaidsniffilyonenightafterCienahadreclaimedthetopspot.“Shetookyourrankawayfromyou.Whyareyousothrilledthecompetitionismakingherabetterpilot?
Youshouldbetryingtoknockherdown,notpickherup.”
“There’sroomformorethanoneofusinthegraduatingclass,”Thaneshotbackashesatattheedgeofhisbunk,polishinghisuniformboots.“Besides,isn’tthegoaltocreatethebestImperialofficerspossible?ThiswaytheEmpiregetstwogreatpilots,notjustone.”
Vedshookhishead.
“Somedayyou’llunderstand.”
Fromhisplacebeneaththethingrayblanketofhisbunk,Nashlaughed.“Admitit,Ved.You’reonlyangrybecauseThaneandCienaalwaysscorehigherthanyou!Despiteyourfatherbeing—what’shisrankagain?”
“Youknowperfectlywell,”Vedsaid.Writtenonhisfacewashisdispleasureatbeingregularlybestedbynot
onebuttwokidsfromahunkofrockintheOuterRim.Withoutanotherword,hebuttonedhispajamastotheneck,likehedideverynight.Theguyneverrelaxed.
Otherwise,though,Vedwasn’taterribleroommate.Hewasclean,hedidn’tsnore,andhedidn’tmindexplainingthefinerpointsofmilitarycultureonCoruscant.Meanwhile,betweenroominspections,Nashthrewhis
stuffeverywhereinatrulyspectaculardisplayofmessiness,butasidefromafewargumentsaboutwhyitwasgrossforNash’sdirtysockstowinduponsomeone’stoothbrush,heandThanewereunshakablefriends.
ButthesinglebestthingaboutThane’sfirstmonthsattheacademywasseeingDalvenagain.
FormostofThane’slife,
hehadbeenofanaverageheightamonghispeers.Sometimeshe’dlookedathisstatuesquemother,toweringfather,andlankyolderbrotherindespair.There,too,hethoughthe’dbeshortchanged.Afewmonthsbeforeheenteredtheacademy,however,hisbodystartedmakingupforlosttime.Hislegbonesachedatnight,andhedidn’tseemabletoeatenoughtostopfeeling
hungry—andheneedednewuniformswithinthreemonthsofarriving.
Ashestoodinthesectordispensary,waitingforhisturntogetlargerboots,heheardadroid’stonelessvoice:“EnsignKyrell,H-J-two-nine-zero,packetready.”
Thanefrowned.Hewasstillonlyacadet,andhiscallnumberwasAV547.Yethewassurehe’dheardthenameKyrell—
ThenDalvensteppedoutofthemillingcrowdofwaitingofficers,hastilyretrievingauniformpacket.Heseemedtobeinahurrytogo,butwhenheturnedandsawhisyoungerbrotherstandingthere,hefrozeinplaceasifaghast.
“Dalven?”Thanedidn’tknowwhattosay.“Goodtoseeyou”wouldbealie,foreitherofthem.
“Well.So.Youhaven’t
washedoutyet.Howastonishing.”Withthat,Dalvenraisedhischin,clearlyreadytowalkout—butThanestoodbetweenhimandthedoor,andhedidn’tmove.
“Ensign?Youtoldusyou’dmadelieutenant.”
Dalven’scheeksdarkened.“I—well—thepromotionisduetocomethroughatanymoment.”
Thanenodded.“Right.
Sure.Whichiswhyyou’repickingupanewuniform,Iguess….”
HisvoicetrailedoffashesawtheprintedlabelonthebundleinDalven’sarms:CLERICALSTAFF/THIRDCLASS.
“Good-bye.”Dalvenhurriedout,obviouslydeterminedtopretendThanehadn’tseenanything.
Maybeitwascheap—evenpetty—butlearninghis
overbearingolderbrotherhadbeendeemedbettersuitedfordeskchairsthanStarDestroyers?ItmadeThane’sday.
Thatafternoon,asheheadeduptotheSkyLoopforanextrarun,heimaginedtellingCienaabouttheencounter.SheloathedDalvenalmostasmuchashedid;italmostseemedtoThanethathecouldalreadyhearherlaughter,seeher
darkeyesshiningwithsatisfactiononhisbehalf.
Thenhewalkedoutontothetracktoseeseveralothercadetsalsoworkinginadditionalexercise,Cienaamongthem.
Sheworethesamestuffaseveryothercadet:grayshirt,blackshorts,andregulationshoes.Cienawasonlyoneofafewdozenpeopleoutthere,atthefarthestedgeofthetrack.Yet
heknewherinstantly—evenacrossthelengthoftheSkyLoop,evenwiththesunblazingdownsobrilliantly.Thanerecognizedthewaysheran,theshapeofherblackcurlsbraidedatthenapeofherneck….
She’sbeautiful,hethought,arealizationthatstartledhim,thenmadehimfeelstupid.Howcouldhenothavenoticedthataboutagirlhe’dseenmoredaysthannot
forthepasteightyears?Butthatwaspreciselyit.ThaneknewCienatoowelltoseeherwithanyobjectivity.Herfacewasasfamiliartohimashisowninthemirror—orithadbeen,untilnow.
Theevidenceofhisblindnessdisturbedhim.ItwasasifCienahadtransformedsomehowandoughttohavetoldhimfirst.Possibilitieshe’drefusedtoconsiderinthepastnow
pushedtheirwayintohismind,possibilitiesthatwerebothexhilaratingandfrightening.Hefeltashiveralonghisskinthathehadalwaysassociatedwithflight,thatexactmomentwhenhelefttheearthandgrabbedthesky—
Thanedecidednottothinkaboutitanylonger.Insteadhewouldrun,fastashecould,untilhewasworn-outandhalf-dazed.Whenhe
sawCienaagain,hewouldbeabletotalktoherjustlikehealwayshad.Nothinghadtochange.
FIRINGHANDWEAPONShadneverbeensomethingCienadreamedabout,orpracticed,andherinitialmarksmanshipscores,whileadequate,draggeddownheroverallranking.Soshespentalotoffreetimeon
thepracticerangewiththemocklaserrifle,concentratinghardonimprovingheraim.
Or,aswasthecasetoday,tryingtoconcentrate,withnohelpfromherroommates.
“Itwasjustanobservation,”Kendysaid,attemptingtolookinnocentanddoingaterriblejob.Shestoodinthenextboothover,herwhitepracticecoverallscontrastingwiththemetallic
blacksurfacesofthetrainingrange.“Youwon’tevenadmitThane’slookinggoodthesedays?”
Cienafocusedontheholographictargetcomingtowardherandfiredthreeblastsatitshead.Onlywhenthetargetshatteredintoathousandtinylinesoflightdidshereply,“He’s,um—fillingout.”
“Thisisanormalstageofphysiologicaldevelopment.”
Judesatonabenchbehindtheshootingbooths,disassemblingthelaserrifletoseehowquicklyshecouldputittogetheragain.“AlthoughImustsaythatinThane’scasedevelopmentisproceedingverywell.”
“Youguys,comeon.Ican’taimwhenI’mlaughing.”
ButKendywouldn’tletthesubjectdrop.“Areyouhonestlynotatallinterested
inhim?”“Romanticorsexual
relationshipsbetweencadetsareforbidden.”Judecouldlookveryprim.“Besides,CienahasknownThanesincetheywerechildren.Itwouldberationaltoconcludethatatthispointtheirrelationshipislikethatofbrotherandsister,andthereforenosexualfeelingcouldbegeneratedbetweenthem.”
Thane’snotmybrother.
It’snothinglikethat.Cienaopenedhermouthtosayso,thenclosedit.BetterforherfriendstoassumethatwashowshefeltsotheywouldstopaskingherquestionsaboutThaneKyrell.
Thethingwasshewasn’texactlysurehowtofeelabouthimanylonger.Before,they’dbeentogetherconstantly,andshe’dneverhadamomenttostepbackandwonderwhetherthings
couldchangebetweenthem—and,ifso,how.Theirliveswerebothmoreparallelandmoreseparatethaneverbefore.
WhenThaneedgedheroutintherankings—orviceversa—they’dstareateachotherinpretendangerthatwasn’twhollypretend.AttimesCienafeltasifshecouldstandtobebeatenbyabsolutelyanyoneelsebeforeshecouldendureitfrom
Thane.Yetthenextday,whenshesawhowwellhehaddone,herfacewouldlightupwithasmile.She’dseenhimcheeringforherinracesandcheeredforhiminturn.Theirrivalrygeneratedelectricitythatcouldturnuglyorcouldbecome—
Concentrate,Cienaremindedherself.You’reheretohityourtargets.
Afterthehologramscamethedroids,adozentiny
spheresthatdartedthroughtherange,daringhertohitthemall.Cienafired,redboltsblastingfromherrifle,andrefusedtopauseuntilshe’dtakendowneveryone.
“That’smuchbetter,”Judesaid,unnecessarily,asCiena’sscoreblinkedonthescreenabove.“Youraccuracyscoresarealreadyaboveaverageforourclass.Soonyou’llreachthetopquartile.”
“Thenyoucanstand
alongsidethesharpshooters,likeme.”Likesomepirateoutofaspice-runnerholo,Kendytwirledherblasterbeforeholsteringit,whichmadeCienalaugh.
Shehadnodoubtsthatshewouldmastershooting.Itwasn’tarrogance—thedemandsoftheImperialAcademymadeherawareofherlimitationseveryday.Instead,Ciena’sfaithcamefromhersheerjoyinthe
academy,andinCoruscantitself.AlthoughshelovedandmissedherlifeintheJelucanivalleys,heruniversehadexpandedahundredfold,andeverynewpartofitseemedwonderfultoher.Towalkalongcorridorswithmembersofadozendifferentraces;toheartheirvariouslanguageswiththeirunfamiliarsyllables,whistles,andclicks;tolookintotheskyandspotadozendifferenttypesof
spacecrafteverysingleday—itenthralledher.
SometimesCienafeltasthoughshewaswhisperingtoherlostsisterconstantly.Lookthroughmyeyes.Therewereinfinitewonderstobehold,andfinallyshehadachancetoseethemall.
Sheexperiencedguiltiermoments,though.Cienafoundherselfsometimesthinkingofherformerlifeas…backward.Herlifeinthe
valleyshadalwaysbeenahappyone.No,shedidn’tpossessanysecond-waverluxuries,butshedidn’tparticularlywantthem.Besides,Thane’sdifficultfamilylifehaddisabusedherofanyideathatwealthierpeoplewereautomaticallyhappier.Materialthingsneverhad,andneverwould,meanmuchtoher.
Soitwasn’ttherelativegrandeurofCoruscantthat
temptedher.Itwastherichnessoflifehere,theenergyintheair,thelackofanyneedforritual.Everyforwardstepshetookmadeherwonderifshewasleavinghertraditionalvaluesbehind.
Notentirely.Neverentirely.Shewouldneverabandontheconceptofhonor,oftheabsoluteneedtokeepherword,nomatterwhat.ThatwasasmuchapartofCienaasherbones.
Shewouldalsoalwayscarryhersisterforwardwithher,allowingWynnettolookthroughhereyes.
YetnowCiena’sperspectivehadbeenwidenedforever.
Nolongerdidshelookthroughthenarrowprismofsecondwaveversusvalley.Thehugedifferenceshe’donceperceivedbetweenherandThane—itwasnothing,really.Itdidn’texist.
Cienahadbelievedinthatdivideforsolongthatshewasn’tquitesurewhattothinkonceitwasgone.
Finally,theygottoflyforreal.
“Abouttime,”CienasaidtoThane,whohadwalkedintothelow-altitudecraftbayearly,justlikeshehad.Shecouldn’thelpnoticinghowhecameclosertoherthanany
othercadetwould—intoherpersonalspace.
“Forwhat?”hesaidquickly,swervingawayfromherasthoughhefearedanelectricalshock.“It’snottimeforanything.”
“…abouttimeforustofly.”Cienagavehimalook.
Thanesmiledunevenly.“Oh,right.Ofcourse.Definitelypasttimeforthat.Imean—nevermind.”
Whyisheactingso
awkward?Thenagain,CienarealizedshewashuggingherselfasthoughitwereacoldJelucanimorning.SheandThanestillgotalongwell,buttheywerestartingtohavethesemomentsofself-consciousweirdness.
Maybeoneofherfriendshadtoldsomeonethattheyweregossipingabouthowhothewasduringtargetpractice.NeitherJudenorKendywouldtalkbehindherback,
butJudemightbesociallycluelessenoughtosaythewrongthinginfrontofNashorVed.Thatwouldbetheworst—especiallysinceitseemedtomakeThanewanttopullbackfromher.
Isaidtherewasn’tanythingbetweenus.Soheshouldn’tbebehavingthisway.Unlesshewantstheretobesomethingbetweenus.Buthedoesn’t,doeshe?
DoI?
Cienasnappedherselfoutofit.Mummaalwaystoldhernottomakesomethingoutofnothing.Shedidn’tneedtojumptoconclusions.Sheneededtogetintheair.
“You’vepracticedonthespeederbikesimulatormultipletimes,”saidthecommanderwhotaughtSmallCraftFlight.TheseveraldozenpilotsinCiena’ssection—includingherroommates,aswellasThane
andhis—stoodinthecraftbaywithintheenormousstructureoftheacademy.Outside,duskhadfallenandthecitylightsofCoruscantglittered.“Itisthemostbasicformoflow-altitudecraft,andthereforethefirstyoushouldmaster.Handlingthebikeshouldbewellwithinthecapacityofeverycadetinthisclass.”
Cienatriedtodisguiseherexcitement.She’dbeenin
simulatorstoolong;shewasreadytogo.Andthespeederbikesseemedsoeasy—
Asifhe’dheardher,thecommandercontinued,“Inordertoensurethatyourfirstflightisbothmemorableandchallenging,we’vemadeitacompetition.Arace.”
“Isthereaprize?”calledNashWindrider,whichmadepeoplelaugh.Unlikemostinstructors,theflightcommanderallowedsome
levityfromtimetotime.Hesaiditbolstered“martialspirit,”whichtheyweresupposedtocultivate.
Theflightcommanderevensmiledslightlyashereplied,“Indeed,CadetWindrider,butyoushouldlearnthetaskbeforeyoupresumetoperformit.”Ahologramrosefromthecenterofthebay,showingathree-dimensionalmapoftheareasurroundingthe
academy.Small,brightlycoloredpointsblinkedintendifferentplaces,fromallthewaydownatgroundleveluptotheSkyLoop.“WhatyouseesignpostedhereareReitgenHoops,eachbigenoughforasinglespeederbiketoeasilypassthrough.We’veclearedthesurroundingairspace,soyoumaychooseyourindividualcourseandneedonlyaccountforyourclassmates’
vehicles.”Farthestfirst,Ciena
immediatelydecided.Mostpeoplewillgettoocaughtupintryingtoreachthenearesthoop,soyou’llhaveaclearcourse.Thenyouslipthroughtheothersonyourwaybackhere.
Thecommanderconcluded,“Thefirsttoflythroughalltenhoopswillbegivenfiftypointsintherankings.”
Ashiverofdisbeliefandanticipationsweptthroughthecadets.Fiftypoints!Thatwasbetterthanacingtwooreventhreeexams.Cadetsinrankingtroubleknewthiscouldpullthembackfromthebrink.Meanwhile,Cienacouldonlythink,Thiswoulddoit.Thiswouldmakemenumberone,faraheadofanybodyelse.
“Eager,areyou?”thecommandersaid.“Thengetto
yourcraftandawaitthesignal!”
Cienadashedforherspeederbikeandpoweredup.Astheengineshummedtolife,shecheckedthechinstrapofherdarkgrayhelmetandthearmorstrappedaroundherforearms,calves,andthighs.Mostimportantwastherepulsorbelt,whichwouldactivateifshefellfromthebike.Butshedidn’tintendtofall.
Thisisgoingtobemine,shetoldherselfasshetookholdofthehandlebarsandfeltthecontrolsthroughhertexturedgloves.Theenginebeneathhervibratedwithwhatsheimaginedwasexcitement,asifitwereaspiritedbeastinsteadofameremachine.
Thelightsoverheadshifted,turningslowlybrighter.Sheheldherbreath.Thencamethebrilliantflash
thatmeantgo.Cienagunneditasthey
allflewoutinarush,likeaswarmofDardanellianlocusts—butassoonasshewasfreefromthebuilding,shepulledback,temperingherspeedsoasfewpeopleaspossiblewouldseeherflightpathandrealizeherplan.Whilemostoftheotherspeederbikesrushedtowardthenearesthoop,Cienaturnedandspunaway,
headingtowardthefarthesttargetattopspeed.
Shewasn’tcompletelyalone,though.Maybeahalfdozenothercadetshadadoptedthisstrategy—andofcourseoneofthemwasThane.Asheleaneddownoverhishandlebars,hecaughtherlookingathimandgrinnedbeforeswervingaway.
Cienalaughedoutloud.Theywerebacktonormal,
andthiswasgoingtobefun.Thetrickythingaboutthe
coursewasn’thandlingthespeederbike,alightcraftthatrespondedwelltoitspilot’smovements.Insteadthechallengecamefromchoosingthebestflightpath.Foradequatebalance,speederbikesneededtobewithintwentymetersoftheground,oratleastaflatsurfacesuchasalargercraft,amachine—orabuilding.Sheslidoverto
thenearestmammothstructureandbalancedherbikeagainstitsshinysurface,flyingperpendiculartothegroundatsuchspeedthatgravitynolongerseemedtoapply.Glowingwindowsrushedby“beneath”herwitharipplelikesunlightonwater.
Shift!Cienaputthespeederbikeinaspiral,zoomingupwardandoverthetunnel-lacedchasmbelow—
untilshewaswithinafewmetersofanother,tallerbuilding,whichsheusedashernewbalance.Thatletherflyhigher,faster,thewindstingingherface.Thankgoodnessforthegoggles,shethought—
—thencursedmentallyasshesawanotherbikebesideher,whichofcoursewasThane’s.
Heshoutedather,voiceonlybarelyaudibleoverthe
rushingairandhummingengines:“Thisisgoingtobetight!”
“Tootightforyou!”sheshouted,thenlaughedasshetookthetopedgeofthebuildingatasharpangle.Thefirsthoopglowedinfrontofher,brilliantyellow,levitatingslightlyabovetheroof.Cienaaccelerated,aimedstraightforthecenterofthehoop—andthengaspedasherbikeandThane’s
bumped.Hewouldn’thavemeant
todothat.Neitherhadshe.Theyhadeachbeensointenselyfocusedonthegoalthatthey’dforgottentowatcheachother.Thebumpalonewasn’tabigdeal—speederbikeswerebuilttotakethatkindofpunishmentandworse—buttoherhorror,Cienarealizedthefrontdirectionalvanesoftheirbikeswerelockedtogether.
“Pull!”Thaneshouted,desperatelyjerkinghisbiketotheright.Shetriedtoyankleft,butalltheymanagedtodowaswobble.Theirspeederbikescouldn’tbeseparatedinflight.They’dhavetostop,land,andforfeit.
CienagaspedassherealizedhowclosetheyweretotheReitgenHoop.Tooclosetoswerveaway—theywereonthevergeofacrasheventherepulsorfield
couldn’tsavethemfrom.Instinctively,sheaimed
fortheverycenterofthehoop;nexttoher,Thanedidtheexactsamething,attheexactsamemoment.Theywhooshedthroughthehoopwithlessthanhalfameteroneithersideofthem.
Herfirstthoughtwasthattheywereluckytobealive.Butthensherealizedthat,whilelockeddirectionalvanesmadesteeringdifficult,
balanceandspeedwereunaffected.
Ifshe’dgottenintothissituationwithanyothercadet,Cienawouldhavepowereddownandforcedtheforfeit.WithThane,though—sheknewwhatagoodpilothewas,understoodhowheflew.Didtheydaretryit?
Sheshouted,“Let’sdothisthing!”
“What,likethis?”Thaneputonehandnearthepower
controls,butthenpausedastheideasankin.Onceagainshesawhimgrin.“Allright,herewego!”
Cienaplungedtowardthenexthoop,justasThanedid.Theyacceleratedatthesametime,simultaneouslyshifteddirectionandpitch.Ifthey’dpracticedthistogether,theycouldn’thavedoneitanymoreefficiently.Thetwospeederbikesseemedtohavebecomeone.
Thesecondhoopdemandedthattheyslidethroughnarrowpassagesbetweenbuildingsthatwould’vebeenatightfitforonespeederbike,muchlesstwo.Togethertheytiltedsothattheirbikesbalancedagainsttheleftbuilding(howhadtheybothknownitshouldbetheleft?),swooshingpastonefellowcadetwhohadtemporarilypulledahead,andthendived
towardtheglowingyellowcirclethatmarkedtheirgoal.
TogetherCienaandThanetookthethirdhoop,downalmostontheground,wovethroughawebofwalkwayarchestothefourthhoop,dashedthroughthetrenchesofaspiralskyscrapertoreachthefifth.Eachgoalseemedmoreimpossiblethanthelast,andyettheflyingonlybecameeasier,becausesheandThane
hadthis.Sherealizedonlytwo
peoplewhohadspentyearslearningtoflytogethercouldevercoordinatesosmoothly.ThewaysherespondedtoThane’spiloting—thewayherespondedtohers—itdidn’trequirethought.Itwasinstinct,apartofthemboth.ThosecountlessdayssoaringthroughthevalleysofJelucanhadtaughtthemtounderstandeachotherwithout
words.Thebondsthey’dformed
duringthoseyearsweren’tthekindthatfadedaway.
Whentheydippedthroughthetenthhoopatthetopoftheacademyitself,sheandThaneimmediatelybankedandacceleratedstraightdownthewallofthebuilding.Cienaglancedoverhershoulderandsawtheblinkinglightsofothercadets’bikesswirlingtoward
thebaylikecloudsoffireflies.Theywereclose—butnotcloseenough.ThaneandCienaplungedbackintothedockingbayfirst,afullfortysecondsaheadoftheirclosestcompetitor.
Landingtheconjoinedbikesturnedouttobethetoughestpart.Astheywobbledtotheground,otherspeederbikesstartingtoswooshinbehindandbesidethem,theyheardVedFoslo
shout,“That’sadisqualification!”
“Itisnot!”Cienashotback,removingherhelmetandpushinghergogglesuponherforehead.“Thereweren’tanyrulesaboutwhatwouldhappeniftwobikeslockedtogether!”
“Flyinginthatconditionwouldhavebeenmoredifficult,ratherthaneasier,”pointedoutJude,stillinherfullflightgear.Shehadbeen
evencloserbehindthemthanVed.“Thereforeitseemsunfairtopenalizethem.”
Ved’sdeepgoldencomplexionwasnowflushedwithanger.“We’resupposedtobelearninghowtoproperlyflyaspeederbike.That’snotexactlycorrectprocedure,isit?”
“Situationslikethatcanhappeninbattle.Shouldn’tweknowhowtodealwiththem?”Cienafeltalmostsick.
Shehadn’tbrokenarule—orhadn’tmeantto,atanyrate—andherewasVedFosloquestioningherhonor.Washeaccusingherofdoingthisonpurpose?Ofcheating?
Asmallcrowdhadgatheredbythen,andthecadetspartedtoallowtheinstructortowalkcloser.Hesaidonly,“Thatwas—novel.”
Thaneleanedagainsthisbikeasifhewerecompletely
atease.“Ijustwanttopointout,youneversaidonlyonepersoncouldwin.Yousaidthefiftypointswentto‘thefirst’tofinish.Wefinishedfirsttogether.”
“Findingloopholesininstructionsfromsuperiorofficers?That’sabadhabit,Kyrell.”Slowly,thecommandershookhisheadasifinexasperation.“Butfarbeitfrommetopenalizeflyingofthatquality.Youshared
thechallenge,soyou’llsplittheprize.Twenty-fivepointseachtoReeandKyrell.”
VedFoslothrewhishelmetdownindisgust,butmostofthecadetscheered.ThanetookCiena’shandandheldithigh.Shelaughedfrompureexhilaration.
Firstintheclass.ImadeitallthewaytotheRoyalAcademyofCoruscantandI’mactuallyfirstinmyclass!Twenty-fivepointswas
enoughforthat.ButCienacaughtherselfthen,realizingshewasprobablytiedwithThaneforthehonor.
Shefoundshedidn’tmindsharing.Notwithhim.
Thanelettheirhandsfall—buthedidn’tletgorightaway.
Cienadidn’tletgo,either.
NOTHINGCHANGEDUNTILthelasercannonprojectafewmonthslater.
Eventhebestbattleplansputsoldiersatrisk,andatanytimeyoucouldfindyourselfseparatedandindanger,yoursquadronpinneddownor
otherwiseunabletohelpyou.Yourblastercouldbedamagedand,atanyrate,couldn’tdefendyoufromanenemyshiponitsown.Ifyouquicklyconstructedalargerweapon,however,youcouldcontinuethefightalone—perhapslongenoughtoberescuedbutcertainlylongenoughtomakeyourenemypay.AlasercannoncouldbebuiltoutofstandardImperial-issueparts,ifyouknewhow.
Thanedislikedmechanicalwork;flyingandshootingweremorehisspeed.Buthewasdeterminedtoacethisproject.HeandCienahadheldontotheirtoprankingssofar;theonlyquestionremainingwaswhichofthemwouldfinishthetermatnumberone.IfCienabeathim,he’dbethefirsttocongratulateher…buthopefullyshe’dbethefirsttocongratulatehim.
“Lookatthatgrin,”saidNash,wholayunderhisownlasercannoninprogress,acoupleofmetersoverintheenormousrepairbay.“Thinkingaboutouroffday?ReadytoexploretheCoruscantnightlife?”
Fromhisplaceatthebench,Thaneshruggedwithoutlookingawayfromthestormtrooperhelmethewascurrentlycannibalizingforitspowercell.“I’m
workingonmycannon,likeyououghttobe.Comeon,Nash,focus.”
“HowcanIfocuswhenwehaveachancetogotoclubs,cantinas,andahundredotherplaceswherewe’llfinallyhaveachancetomeetgirls?”Nashprotested.“Girlswhoaren’tforbiddenlikeourfellowcadets.Touchablegirls.Kissablegirls.”
“Iunderstand,okay?ButI’mtryingtoconcentratehere
soIcankeepmyranking.Plentyofpeoplehaveputinextratimeonthis.”Thanegesturedtotherestoftherepairbayforemphasis.
Acoupledozenotherlasercannonssatallaroundthem,protectedbythesmallsparklinghemispheresoflow-chargeforcefields.Everysingleoneofthosemachinesmighthavebeenrepairedmoreingeniouslythanhisown,withmore
inspireduseofrandomsparepartsthatmightbefoundinalienspaceports.Everysingleoneofthemcountedascompetition.
Nashslidawayfromhisownrepairtable,thebettertogiveThaneawitheringlook.“We’vebeenworkingforacoupleofhoursnow.Wecan’ttalkabouttheonedayofrealfunwe’llgetbeforethenexttermstarts?”
“Iguess.”
“YousoundedexcitedenoughtheotherdaywhenVedtoldusthebestclubstovisit.”
“Iwas.Imean,Iam.I’mexcited,definitely.”
Atthis,NashstoodupandfacedThaneacrossthearrayofsparepartsspreadacrosstheworktable.“Andyetyoudon’tseemexcited—notaboutmeetinggirls,atleast.Thatmeansoneoftwothings.Eitheryou’re
interestedinmeninstead—whichIdoubt,givenyourreactiontothatrisquéholoofVed’s—”
Thecurseoffairskinwasthateventhefaintestblushstoodout.Thanetriedtopretendhewasstilllookingatthestormtrooperhelmet.
“—orthere’sagirlyou’realreadyinterestedin.Agirlyoualreadyknow.”Nashleanedonthetable,restinghischinonhishands,eyes
wideopeninmockinnocence.“Couldthisgirl’snamepossiblyrhymewiththesyllableslie-hennasee?”
“It’snotlikethatbetweenus,”Thaneinsisted.“Itneverhasbeen.”
Nash’sgrinhadturnedwicked.“ButIsuspectitwillbe.”
ThesubjectirritatedThanemorethanitshouldhave.Hestillwasn’tsurewhattomakeofthewayhis
relationshipwithCienawaschanging,andhedidn’twantNashstickinghislongnoseintoit.Besides,evenifNashmeantwell,hisinsinuatingtoneremindedThanetoomuchofthewayDalvenhadteasedhimabouttherebeingonlyonethinghecouldwantfromagirlofthevalleys.
TalkingaboutCienathatwaydisrespectedher.AndmadeThanethinktoomuchaboutthingshecouldn’teven
begintochangeuntilgraduation.
“WetakethesemattersmoreseriouslyonJelucanthanmostpeopledo,”hesaid,truthfullyenough.“Speculatingis…improper.”
“This,fromthemanwhowatchedthatholofivetimes!”Nashlaughedoutloud.“Besides,you’resupposedtostopbeingJelucaniandstartbeingacitizenoftheEmpire,
remember?Andspeculatingisfun.”
“Ineedyoutolistentome.”ThaneputdownhistoolsandlookedNashsquarelyintheface.“Thissubjectispermanentlyclosed.There’snothinggoingonbetweenmeandCiena.We’rejust—”
“—goodfriends,”Cienasaidasshewalkedawayfromthe
martialartsroom,everymuscleaching.“Alwayshavebeen,alwayswillbe.That’sallthereistoit.”
Judenoddedherapproval,thenwinced;probablyherheadwasstillhurtingfromthelasttimeKendyhadslammedherintothemat.“Verywiseofyou.Giventheprohibitionondatingfellowcadets,neitheryounorThanewouldwanttocompromiseyourcareersbyviolatingsuch
animportantrule.”Kendy—beaming,
sweaty,andtriumphant—justlaughedatthemboth.“I’dbreaktherulesforaguywholooksthatgood.”
Foramoment,Cienafeltatwingeofjealousy.ThatwasnotatallhowshewantedtofeelwhenitcametoThane—andyetitburnedwithinher,anemberthatrefusedtogodark.
ButKendywasalready
movingon.“So,whatarewegoingtodowithourfreeday?”
“Personally,Idon’tcare,”Cienasaid,“aslongasitinvolveseatingrealfood.”
OnImperialships,officerswereencouragedtodrinknutritivebeveragesinsteadofconsumingfood;itwasmoreefficientintermsofbothshipresourcesandofficertime,andthemedicsinsistedthenutritiveswere
healthier,too.Theydidn’ttastebad—buttheydefinitelydidn’ttastegood.Theacademymessservedthenutritives,andlikemoststudents,Cienahaddutifullystartedgettingusedtothem.Butaslongasshecouldenjoysomereal,true,deliciousfoodwithoutguilt,sheintendedtoindulge.
“Ibelievewewillbeabletofindacceptablemealsatvirtuallyanypotential
destination,”Judesaid,thenhesitatedbeforemakinghersuggestion.“WouldanyoneelsebeinterestedinvisitingtheMuseumofMultispeciesSciences?”
Kendygroaned,butCienashotheralook.Theirthirdroommatewassoft-spoken,patient,andaccommodating;shedeservedtogetherwayonceinawhile.“Maybewecouldgotothemuseumfirstthinginthemorning.Butin
theafternoon,I’dratherdosomethingless”—completelyboring?—“cerebral.Westudysohardherealready,youknow?I’dliketotrysomethinglike,maybe,seadiving.”
“Diving.Yes.”Immediately,Kendybecameexcited.AsanativeofthetropicalworldofIloh,she’dbegunswimmingevenbeforeshecouldwalk.“Ican’tbelieveit’sbeensixmonths
sinceI’vebeeninthewater!Andno,Jude,swimminglapsinthewavepooldoesn’tcount.”
Judedidn’trespondtothatastheysteppedintothelift.Alreadyshewasdeepinthought.“Divingwouldbeafascinatingchallenge.Bespinisagasgiant,whichmeanswehavenooceansorlakes.Swimmingpoolsarerareluxuries.Thereforemyexperienceinthewateris
limited.Thechancetoexpandmyskillsandobservemarinelifewouldbeextremelypleasant.”
Astheliftsettledontotheirfloor,Cienahadtoshakeherheadandsmile.“Everything’sascienceprojecttoyou,Jude.”
“Scienceisthestudyoftheentirematerialuniverse.Thereforeeverythingisscience—whetheryouseeitornot.”Onlythefaintest
smileonJude’sthinlipsrevealedthatshewasteasingthemback.
Cienadidn’tmentionwhattheymightdothatnight.Insideshehopedthey’dbecelebratingherfinishingthetermasnumberoneintheclass,butevensayingthatoutloudsoundedprideful.TheonlyotherpossiblecandidatefornumberonewasofcourseThane—andifhewon,shethoughtshecouldbehappy
forhim.Maybecelebratewith
him,toastinghissuccess.She’dratherhetoastedhersinstead,but…
“Ciena?”Kendyshotheralookastheywalkedtowardtheirroom.“Yourbrainwasinorbitforasecondthere.”
“Sorry.Ithinkmyhead’sstillscrambledfromthattimeyouflippedme.”Cienabeganuntyingthebeltofhermartialartsgearasthedoorswished
openforthem.“Thinkyoucouldshowmehowthat’sdone?”
“Noway,”Kendysaidwithalaugh.“It’soneoftheonlythingsI’mbetteratthanyou.”
Nextmorningcametheinspectionofthelasercannons.
Cienastoodatattentionbeforehercannon,which
she’dassembledtoperfection.She’dmadeapointofusingthemostungainlysalvagepartspossiblesotheinstructorswouldseethatshecouldbuildoneundereventhemostunfavorableconditions.HerguttoldherThanemightnotpushashardtomakehisowntaskmoredifficult.Ifshecouldgainanedgeanywhere,thatwasit.
CommanderHarnwalked
alongtherowsoflasercannons,eachonematchedwithacadetatfullattention.Althoughtherepairbaywasbyitsnatureaplacetoworkhardandgetdirty,thegrayrubberizedfloorandwallsremainedunstainedbygreaseorscorchmarks.Imperialdisciplinedemandedperfectcleanliness,theerasureofeverytaskassoonasitwasdone.OnlyCadetWindrider’scannondisplayed
anysmudgeswhatsoever—asusual.
HarnnoddedapprovalasKendy’scannonpoweredup.Heopenedhercontrolpanel,thennoddedinsatisfactionatherchoicesofnewparts.Hedidn’tsmile,though,notthenorduringthenextseveralinspections—thoughhedidmurmur,“Innovative,”whenhelookedoverVed’swork.ThatmadeVedsmilesosmuglythatCienawantedto
groan.Sheawaitedherturn,
startedherengine,andwatchedasHarncheckedtheefficiencyratingsandoverallpower.Althoughhedidnotspeak,hiseyesmethersasifhewereassessingheranew—andwell.She’dimpressedhim.Somehowshemanagedtokeepastraightface,evenwhenKendymouthed,Waytogo,overthecommander’sshoulder.
WhenHarnlookedoverThane’scannonandreachedforthestarter,Cienaheldherbreath—
—butthelasercannondidn’tpowerup.
Atall.Thecolordrainedfrom
Thane’sface.Cienadidn’tfeelsogoodherself.She’dwantedtobeathimbutnottoseehimfailcompletely.
Howisthatevenpossible?shethought,
grippingherhandstogethermoretightlybehindherback.Thane’snotaninstinctivemechanic,butheworkshardandhe’sthorough,andhewouldhavecheckedhiscannondozensoftimes.Thiscan’tbehappening.
“Thisisunlikeyou,Kyrell,”saidHarnashemadeanotationonthetablethecarriedinonehand.“Let’sseewhereyouwentwrong.”
Harnflippedopenthe
controlpanelofThane’slasercannon,thenfroze,hissharpfeatureshardeningintoalookofdispleasure,evenanger.
Whateveritwas,Thanesawit,too,anditmadehimswearoutloud—rightthere,standingatattention,acommanderrightinfrontofhim.Afewpeoplegasped.
ButHarndidn’treprimandThane.Instead,withagesture,Harnreleasedeveryonefromattention.
Cadetscrowdedclose,blockingCiena’sviewatfirst,butshepushedthroughuntilshecouldseeinsidetheopenpanelofThane’scannonandrealizedjustwhyeveryonehadbegunmutteringandlookingaroundsuspiciously.
Thewiresinsidehadbeencut.Straight,clean—themarksmadeitclearthatthiswasn’tbadwiringoranaccident.Someonehaddoneitonpurpose.
Sabotage.Academycompetitioncouldbecutthroat,butupuntiltheneveryonehadapparentlyplayedfair.AchillranalongCiena’sspineatthethoughtofit.Howcouldanyone,muchlessanImperialcadet,besodevoidofhonor?ShewasnearlyasoffendedatthethoughtasshewassorryforThane.
“We’llsolvethisquicklyenough,”Harnpromised,his
voicesharpandcoldasanicepick.“Whoeverthoughttoimproveclassrankingsthroughsuchastuntwillhavecauseforregret.”Hestrodetowardthemaindoorpanel,pressedhishandtoit,andsaid,“Howmanycadetshadaccesstothisroom,alone,betweenCadetKyrell’slastvisitandthisinspection?”
Theflatmonotoneofasynthesizedvoicereplied,“One.”
“Andwhowasthat?”Harnbarked.
“L-P-eight-eight-eight.”Cienahadmisheardthe
computer.Shehadtohave.Butthenthecomputer
continued,finishingitsanswer:“CadetCienaRee.”
“Iwouldneverdosuchathing,”CienasworeinCommandantDeenlark’soffice,asshestoodat
attentionbeforehislongobsidiandesk.“Nottoanyone,butespeciallynottoThane.”
“Andwhynot?Hewasyouronlycompetitionforthetoprankintheclass,yes?”
“But—he’smyfriend.”“Friendshiprarely
enduresambition.”Ciena’sstomachchurned
soviolentlyshehadtofightnottobesickonthefloor.Thisnightmarehad
swallowedherwhole.NotonlyhadsheseenThane’sshockedlookofdismay,notonlyhadtheentireclassglaredatherasshewashastilymarchedoutoftherepairbay,butalso—andworstofall—herhonorwasintatters,andshedidn’tknowwhethershecouldsalvageit.
WhathappensifI’mthrownoutoftheacademy?Herthoughtsracedwildly
whileshemaintainedherrigidpostureandbestattemptatoutwardcomposure.I’llneverbecomeanImperialofficer.MaybeIcouldstillgetworkasapilot,butIcouldn’treturnhometoJelucan,notever.Myparentscouldn’tevenallowmeinthehousewithouttherestofthekindredshunningus.
No.Shecouldn’tputhermotherandfatherthroughthat.Ifshewereexpelled,
Cienawouldhavetotraveltosomecompletelyunknownplanetandstartover,completelyalone.
ThedoorsofDeenlark’sofficeslidopen,andthecommandantbarked,“We’restilldealingwiththissituation.”
“Sir.Yes,sir.”Harnquicklystoodatattention.“Butanothercadethassteppedforwardwithcriticalinformation.”
ThemixtureofterrorandhopefloodingthroughhermadeCienaunabletospeak,evenwhenJudewalkedthroughthedoor,atabletinherhands.OnceCommandantDeenlarkmotionedimpatientlyforJudetobegin,shespokeascalmlyandevenlyasifshewerereadingalistofmachineparts.“Sir.CadetJudeEdivonofBespin,T-I-eight-zero-three,reportingin.A
thoroughreviewofthedatarevealsthatatthetimeCadetReesupposedlyenteredtherepairbaytotamperwithCadetKyrell’sship,shewasinfactwithmeandherotherroommate,CadetIdele,inourbunk.I’vepulledupdatalogsthatshowherleavingthemartialartsarena,enteringthelift,andcomingintoourroom,andthereisnocorrelatingrecordofherdeparture.”
Cienafeltalmostfaintwithrelief,butDeenlarkcontinuedtofrown.“Datalogscanthemselvesbetamperedwith,CadetEdivon.”
Judenodded.“ItismybeliefthatsomeonenotonlysabotagedCadetKyrell’sshipbutalsotherepairbaycomputer,inordertomakeitlookasthoughCadetReewastheoneresponsible.Inshort,sir,Ibelieveshewas
framed.”“Yourbeliefsare
meaninglesswithoutevidence,CadetEdivon,”saidthecommandant.Cienadidn’tdarehopethatJudeandKendy’stestimonyonitsowncouldclearher.Ifso,wouldn’thehavesaidsoalready?
“Sir—Ihesitatetonamethepersonwhoseemstoberesponsibleforthissabotage,becausewhilethedatais
clear,itisnotabsoluteproof.”Jude’sfingerstightenedaroundthetablet,asifshewereafraidtheinformationwouldbesnatchedfromher.
Whyareyouholdingback?Cienawantedtoshout.Whodidthistome?
CommandantDeenlarkstoodup,andhewastallenoughtotowerovereventhewillowyJude.“Reportyourfindings.”
JudegaveCienaanapologeticglance.“Sir,itappearsthatthepersonresponsibleforframingCadetReewas…CadetThaneKyrellhimself.”
No.Cienarefusedtobelievethat.Therehadtobeanotheranswer;Judemusthavemisunderstoodthedata.
ButnobodywasbetteratgettingintotheinnerworkingsofcomputersthanJude.Thanewastheonly
othercompetitorforthetopslot,andmechanicalrepairwasoneofhismainweaknesses.Ifhehadn’tdonewellontheprojectandhadfearedhewouldfail—hecouldhavecutthewiresofhisownmachinetodisguisehisinabilitytorepairit.ByframingCienaforthesabotage,hewouldnotonlyavoidbeingmarkeddownforfailingtheprojectbutalsodragherdownsofarshe’d
neverbenumberoneintheclass.
Thisisn’tassimpleasclassrank,though.Thiscouldgetmeexpelled!Thanewouldn’tdothattome,notever.
AndyetJudestoodtherewiththeproofglowingonthedatapadinherhands.
“WHATDIDTHEcommandantsay?”NashaskedThane.
“Justtocometotheoffice.”Thaneresealedhisuniformjacket,makinghimselfreadyforthemeeting.
“Doyouthinkhe’lloffer
youanotherchanceatthelasercannon?”Vedlaybackonhisbunk,hardlyevenpretendingtobeconcernedaboutwhathappenedtoThane’sclassrank.
Atthemoment,ThanecaredabouthisrankevenlessthanVeddid.“Ithinkhe’sgoingtotellmewhatreallyhappened.”
Nashraisedaneyebrow.“YoustillthinkCienadidn’tscrewwithyourengine?
Eventhoughthere’sproof?”“It’snotlikeher,”Thane
saidshortlyashewalkedtowardthedoor.
Hewasn’t100percentsureCienawasinnocent—thedatahadpointedtoher,andThanehadtoadmitdatawithintheacademycomputerswasdifficulttofalsify.However,hefeltatleast95percentsure.NotonlydidThanetrusther,heunderstoodwhatkindof
personshewasandwhereshecamefrom.Sure,plentyofacademycadetswouldcheattogetahead.ButCiena,agirloftheJelucanivalleys—shewoulddiebeforedoinganythingdishonorable.Surelyshewouldneverbetrayanyone,muchlesshim.Theymeanttoomuchtoeachotherforthat.
Still,hefeltthatfivepercentuncertainty,andhe’dneverdoubtedCienabefore,
evenforasecond.WhenThanewalkedinto
CommandantDeenlark’soffice,hewassurprisedtoseeCienastandingthereatfullattention.Atfirsthewasglad—good,wecansmooththisoverandmoveon—andthenherealizedthatsherefusedtomeethiseyes.Wasthatoutofdisciplineorguilt?
“CadetKyrell.CadetRee.Wehaveaconundrumonourhands.”Thecommandant
neverrosefromhischairashestudiedthemstandingsidebyside,rigidandcorrect.“ThefirstlayerofdatasaysthatCadetReeistheonlypossibleculpritforthetamperingdiscoveredtoday.However,thesecondlayerofdatasuggeststhatCadetKyrelltamperedwithhislasercannonhimselfandframedCadetReeforthedeed.”
Thanehadnotknownyou
couldfeeltheblooddrainfromyourface.Itwaslikegoingnumbfromcold.“Sir!Iabsolutelydidnot—Iwouldnever—”
“Sparemeyourprotestations,CadetKyrell.”BythenDeenlarkseemedmoreboredthananythingelse.“Ihaveconsultedwithourspecialists,whoinformmethateitherlayerofdatacouldbethefalsifiedone.Oneofyouattemptedto
sabotagetheother,andcoveredyourtracks—notwellenoughtohidecompletelybutenoughthatwecanneverbecertainwhichofyouisresponsibleandwhichisinnocent.Thereforewehavenootherrecoursebuttopunishyouboth.”
Goodpilotthoughhewas,Thanehadoccasionally“crashed”aflightsimulator.Asthescreenshadshowed
himtheimagesofflamesandaplanetarysurfacerushinguptosmashhimtoatoms,he’dwonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketocrashandburnforreal.
Probablyitwassomethinglikethis.
CommandantDeenlarksmiledthinly.“Youhavebothfailedthelasercannonassignment.Yourcourserankingswillreflectthis.”
Theirrankswerehighenoughthatevenafailureof
thatscalewouldn’ttakethemdownfurtherthanthesecondquartile.Still,itstung.
“Normally,”thecommandantcontinued,“aviolationofthehonorcodewouldcallfordisciplinaryhearingsandpotentialexpulsion.Aswecannotgetanyclosertothetruth,however,thiswouldproveuseless.AlthoughIhavepunishedyouboth,Iamnotwillingtoexpeltwogifted
pilotsbasedonsuchmurkyinformation.Youwillbothcontinueonascadets.Restassured,however—ifanysimilarincidentarisesduringyourtimeattheacademy,foreitherorbothofyou,expulsionwillbeimmediateandpermanent.Doyouunderstand?”
“Yes,sir,”ThaneandCienasaidinunison.Hervoicesoundedashollowashis.
TheywalkedoutofDeenlark’sofficesuiteinsilence.Fromthere—oneofthetopfloorsoftheacademybuilding—theviewthroughthegreen-tintedwindowsshowedwhatseemedtobehalfofCoruscant.Afewbenchesandchairswerelocatedthereforjuniorofficers,students,andvisitors,sothatwhentheysawthecityspreadbeforethem,theywouldrecognize
thecommandant’spower.Noonewasvisitingthisevening,however;ThaneandCienawerealone.
Asiftheyhadrehearsedinadvance,theybothwalkedtothewindowsbeforetheyturnedtoeachother.Whentheireyesmet,sheexhaledinthedeepestrelief.“Youdidn’tdoit.”
“Neitherdidyou.”Heoughttohaveknownthatallalong.Theysmiledateach
other,faithrestored—buttheproblemwasn’tsolved.Thanesaggedbackagainstoneofthemetalcolumnsbetweenthewindows.“Sowhothehelldid?”
Cienascowled.“Somebodywhowantedtopmarksontheproject.ProbablythatsnakeVedFoslo.”
“I’mnotassureaboutthat.Ved’sgoodwithmechanicalstuff;hewould
haveplacedinthetopechelonevenwithoutcheating.Sowhybother?Besides,he’sasticklerforrules,evenwhentheyworkagainsthim.”
“Sowhowouldframeusboth,andtrytomakeushateeachother?”Herfacelookedstricken.“Sabotagingthecannonandthedatawasn’tjustschemingtogetahead.Someonewantedtohurtus.”
Whointheirclasshada
grudgeagainstthemboth?Nobodypersonallyhatedthem—asfarasThaneknew,whichmaybewasn’tfarenough.“Ithastobebecausewe’rebothatthetopoftheclass.”
Cienagroaned.“Youmeanwewere.Thisknocksussofardown—”
“Onlyfornow.”Herealizedhe’dballedhishandsintofists.“Wehavetofigureoutwhoreallydidthis.Once
weturnthatpersonin,we’llgetourrankingsbackandgetthejerkthrownout.”
“NobodywhowoulddosomethinglikethisdeservestobeanImperialofficer,”shesaid,liftingherchin.“You’reright.Wegettothetruth,andthenwemaketheguiltypartypay.”
Thanenodded.Outside,shipsandhoverbikesdartedthroughthemistysunsetofthecity.“Okay,howdowe
begin?”
Judeagreedtohelpthem,thoughastheysatatoneofthesparedatastationslaterthatnight,shewarned,“MyearlieranalysiswronglyimplicatedThane.Thereforemyskillsmustbecalledintoquestion.”
“Don’tsaythat.”Cienaputonehandonherfriend’sshoulder.“Youfoundthe
wrongsolutionbecausesomeonesetyouuptofindit.Nowthatyouknowyouneedtodigdeeper,Ibetyou’llgettheanswerinnotime.Right,Thane?”Sheshothimalookandhenodded,asifhehadn’targuedtheexactsamethingaboutJude’sabilitiesoutsidethecommandant’sofficewhenCienafirstsuggestedtheytrythis.
Butshebelievedinherfriend.Iftheyweregoingto
findthetruth,Judewouldbetheirbestguide.
Judeworkedatherterminalforseveralminuteswhilenoonespoke,orhardlyevenmoved.TheonlysoundintheenormousdataanalysisroomwasthesofttappingofJude’sfingersonthecontrols;theonlylightcamefromthedozensofterminalsvacantatthatlatehour,allofthemglowingfaintlyblue.CienaglancedoveratThaneonceto
findhimalreadylookingather.Oncetheireyesmet,heturnedhishead,abashed.
Forsomereason,thatmadehercheeksgrowhot.
Withdetermination,shefocusedherattentiononfiguringoutwhothemostlikelyculpritscouldbe.Anyonemighthavewantedtoknockthemlowerintherankings.Butattemptingtopitthemagainsteachother—thatwassomeoneaimingto
inflictpain.Weoutsmartedthem,
though.Herheartswelledwithpride,andotheremotionshardertoname,assheglancedsidewaysatThaneagain.Ittakesmorethanthattobreakusapart.
“Hmmm.”Judefrowned,wrinklingherlongfrecklednose.“Thepathstakenbythesaboteurarequitecircuitous.ItracedtheinformationaboutThaneand—it’sasifthey
wantedtomakeitlooklikeahigherofficialhereattheacademywasresponsible.”
Cienahadtoshakeherhead.“Lieafterlieafterlie.WhenIfindoutwhodidthis,I’mgoingtoaskthemwhytheyeverthoughtthey’dbeabletoframeaninstructorandgetawaywithit.”
“Notaninstructor.SomeoneintheOfficeofStudentOutcomes,”Judeclarified.
Sowhat?Aninstructor,anadministrationofficial,whoever—itwasstillastupidmove.ButThanestraightenedinhischair,realizationdawningonhisface.“DoyouguysknowwhattheOfficeofStudentOutcomesdoes?”
Cienahadneverevenheardofit.Judereplied,“Theyoverseestudentperformanceandsuggestmethodsforinstructorstouseinordertoprovidemaximum
improvement.”Thensheadded,withashrug,“ButIhavenoideapreciselyhowtheyaccomplishthat.”
“Apparentlytheydoitbyscrewingwithourminds!”Thanepushedhimselfbackfromthedataterminal,asangryasCienahadeverseenhim.
Someoneneededtoremainrational.“Thane,”shesaid,“thinkaboutwhatyou’resaying.Whywould
anyoneontheacademystaffwanttosetusup?”
“Becausetheydon’twanttwocadetsfromabackwaterworldtobeatallthemilitarybrats.BecauseGeneralFosloorAdmiralJastenorsomeonelikethattoldthemtoknockusdownsotheirkidcouldbenumberone.”Thanegottohisfeet,expressiondark.
EventhoughsheunderstoodwhyThanewouldbeonedge,Cienafelt
annoyed.“Whyareyouturningthisintosomebigconspiracytheory?”
Jude,whohadbeensittingsilentlyatherterminal,chimedin:“Itisaconspiracyofsomesort.Theonlyquestioniswhoshouldbeheldresponsible.”
“Nobodywouldbestupidenoughtosetupanofficialattheacademy,”Thaneranted.“Nobodysmartenoughtosetthisupinthefirstplace,
anyway.SothatmeanstheStudentOutcomespeoplehavetohavedoneit.”
“Youcan’tbeserious.”Coldfearbegantopoolinsideher;Thanewasedgingpastunderstandableangerintodangerousterritory.Youdidnotquestionthemethodsoftheacademy.
“Yeah,I’mserious.Theytookabribeorsomething.Howmanycreditsdoyouthinkitcoststobuyyourkid
thetoprankintheclass?Howevermuchthatis,it’sasmuchastheacademythinkswe’reworth.”
“Yourealizeyou’remakingacriminalallegation,don’tyou?”Cienaretorted.
Heshotback,“What,areyougoingtoreportme?”
Judesatverystillatherterminal,hereyesmovingbackandforthbetweenthemastheyargued.Cienaknewtheyoughttotoneitdownat
leastuntiltheywerealone,butshewastooangrytodothat,andsowasThane.“I’mnotgoingtoreportyou.Butyouneedtorememberwhywe’rehere,andwhoweserve.”
“YouthinkeverythingtheacademyandtheEmpiredoisperfect!”
“Andyouthinkeveryauthorityfigureisevillikeyourfather!”
Thane’seyeswentwide,
andsheknewshe’dwoundedhim.Hesteppedtowardher.“Don’teverbringmyfatheruptomeagain.It’snoneofyourbusiness.Gotthat?”
He’dnevertoldheranythinginhislifewasnoneofherbusiness.Theykneweverythingabouteachother;theykeptnosecrets.NowThanehadputupabarrierwheretherehadneverbeenonebefore,awallofstone,andCienafeltlikeshe’djust
slammedintoitattopspeed.“Yourealizewehaveto
confrontthemaboutthis,”hecontinued,becauseapparentlyhewassoangryhe’dlosthismind.
“Youwantustoaccuseacademyofficialsofdishonesty?”
“Yes!Iwantthemtoadmitwhatthey’vedoneandtakeitback!That’souronlychanceatgettingourranksreinstated—”
“They’renotgoingtoreinstateusaftersomethinglikethat!They’dexpelussofastwewouldn’tevenhavetimetopackourbags.”
“Youwon’teventry?You’dratherliedowninthedirtthanadmityourpreciousteacherscoulddosomethingwrong?”
Cienawantedtoshakehim.“Wewouldonlymakethingsworse,Thane.”
“Soyouwantmetojust
takeit.Justacceptthatmywholefirsttermhereattheacademywasawaste.”
Asifeverythingthey’dlearned,done,andseenwaswastedjustbecauseoftheirstupidcourserankings.Infuriated,sheshotback,“Yes,Ido!Youneedtoletgo,learntodeal,andgrowup.”
Hestaredather,openmouthed,withnothingbutscorninhiseyes,then
said,“Ineverthoughtyouwereacoward.”
Thatstung.“IneverthoughtyouwereunfitforImperialservice.Now,though?Ihavetowonder.”
“Sparemeyouranalysis,okay?We’redonehere.”
Withthatheturnedtowalkout.Cienabothwantedtoberidofhimanddidn’twanttoleavethingslikethis.Soshecalled,“Don’tyouwanttoseewhatelseJude
digsup?”“She’snotgoingtodigup
anythingelse.Wehaveouranswer.You’rejusttoonaivetobelieveit.”Thane’svoicedrippedwithcontempt.Itscouredherraw.Shesaidnothingmoreashestalkedout.
Itfeltasifabombhadgoneoff.Cienasensedthisincidenthadonlybeenthetrigger—thatsomedrasticchangehadbeenwaitingto
happenbetweenthemforalongtime.Butshe’dneverdreameditwouldleadtoaconfrontationsougly.Acrevassehadopenedintheirfriendship,andThanestoodontheotherside.NolongercouldshebelievehelovedtheEmpireasshedid;nolongercouldshetrustinhisunderstandingandsupport.SomehowCienaalreadyknewthingsbetweenthemwouldneverbethesame.
“Well.”Judesoundedawkward.“So.Ididkeeplooking,anditseemslikethetrailendsatStudentOutcomes.Thatdoesn’tmeanthey’reguilty—theofficemayonlyhavebeenaconvenientreroutingfortheoriginalsabotageofthedatarecords.Andofcoursetherestoftherepair-bayinfohasbeenerased.I’mafraidmysearchendshere.”
Cienanodded.Thedata
terminalsbeforeherblurredandshewipedawayhottearswiththeheelofherhand.
Judecontinued,“Weshouldfocusoureffortsonimprovingyourclassrankinfuture,soyoucanmakeupforthisloss—”Suddenly,shestoodup,lessprimthanshe’deverbeenbefore,andhuggedCienatightly.ThenitwasfinallyallrightforCienatocry.
FORTHEACADEMYcadets,thenexttwoandahalfyearsseemedbothtolastforeverandtorushbyinablur.Astheexamsgrewmoredemanding,theflyingmoredifficult,andthedisciplinemoreexacting,thebunks
begantoemptyout.Thelineupstightenedformationagainandagain.Thecorridorsseemedlesscrowdedasmoreandmorestudentsflunkedoutorsimplygaveup.
BothThaneKyrellandCienaReeweretootoughforthat.Theystillbothaimedforthetopslotintheclass,everyterm—whichmeanttheyclashedwitheachothertimeandtimeagain.
InCoreWorldsClassicalCulture:“WhoherecantellmewhichoperathecomposerIgernisbestknownfor?”
Ciena’shandshotup,andwhentheprofessornoddedather,sheanswered,“ChaliceandAltar.”
“Verygood,CadetRee.Andcanyoutellmethethemesforwhichthisoperaisfamed?”
Uh-oh.Shecouldhumseveralmelodiesfrom
ChaliceandAltar,butshedidn’tenjoyoperamusic.Thatmadeitdifficultforhertoconnectmusictoplot.
Afteronlyamoment’spause,theprofessorturnedaway.“Memorizingbyrote,CadetRee?Unfortunate.Doesanyoneelseknow?”
ThesoundofThane’svoicefrombehindherpiercedherlikeaknifebetweentheshoulderblades.Hesaid,“Theoperadealswiththe
moralityofself-sacrificeandtherepressionofdesire.”
“Excellent,CadetKyrell.”ItwaslikeCienacould
feelThane’ssmugsmileburningthroughherback.ShegrittedherteethandresolvedtolistentooperaeverysinglenightuntilthenextCultureexam.KendyandJudecouldjustdealwithit.
InDestroyer-LevelCraftOperations:“Allotherefforts
havefailed,”intonedtheprofessorfromthemockcaptain’schairoftheStarDestroyersimulator.“Ourvesselhasbeenboarded,battlesrageoneverylevel,andwecannotletourenemiestaketheship.Thereforewemustself-destruct.Whichofthethreemethodsofself-destructshouldwechoose?”
Thaneswiveledaroundinhisconsolechair.“Weshould
settheautomaticself-destruct,usingthecodesgiventothethreetopofficers.Theautomaticgivesusthelongesttimetodetonation,whichmeansmoreofourtroopswillbeabletomakeittoescapepods.”
Theprofessorsteepledhishandsinfrontofhim.“Aninterestingchoice.DoesanyoneseeanyproblemswithCadetKyrell’sscenario?”
Cienaliftedherheadfromherviewscreen.“Yes,sir.Iftheshiphasbeensothoroughlyinfiltratedbytheenemy,thereisnoguaranteethatthethreetopofficerswillallbeonthebridge,orevenalive.Also,theextratimetodetonationwillonlygiveourenemiesagreaterchancetoescape,aswell.”
“Verygood,CadetRee.Whatwouldyousuggestinstead?”
“Notthecoreenginemethod,whichwouldrequireustohaveeasyaccesstotheengineroom—again,notguaranteedduringintrashipcombat.Insteadweshouldgoforthecaptain’s-wordmethod.Thecaptainsignalsforalltoabandonship,sealsherselfonthebridgewithaspecificpasswordorphraseknownonlytoher,andremainswithintofireweaponsatenemyvessels
andprovidecoverforescapepods.Shethenpilotstheshipintothenearestplanetaryobject,star,orsingularity.”Cienaliftedherchininthinlyconcealedpride.
“Thatmeansthecaptainmustdiewithhership,”theinstructorsaid.
“Yes,sir,”Cienareplied.“ButallImperialofficersshouldbepreparedtosacrificetheirlivestodotheirduty.”
“Excellent,CadetRee.”Theinstructorsmiledather.Thatoldcreepneversmiledatanybody.“YouransweristheoneIfindidealinatacticalsense—andamoralsense,aswell.”
Thaneclenchedhishandsaroundtheedgesofthecontrolpaneltokeephimselffrommakingagesturerecognizedonmostworldsasextremelyrude.
Moral.Whatwasmoral
aboutblowingyourselfup,whenyoucouldjustaseasilyescapewithyourlifeandcomebacktofightanotherday?Thanefumedoverthattherestoftheafternoon,includinginHand-to-HandCombat,wherehistemperfueledhispunchesuntilhehitVedtoohard.ThatmeanthenotonlygotademeritbutalsohadtopromiseVedallhisdessertcreditsforaweektomakeamends.
ScrewingupinHand-to-Handwashisownfault,andThaneknewit.Buthecouldn’thelpfeelinglikeitwasyetanothermesshe’dgottenintobecauseofCiena.
MaybeshestillboughtintotheideaoftheEmpireastheperfectstate,everysingleplanet’spopulationsingingitspraisesnonstop.Thanehadlearnedbetter.Althoughtheofficialinformationchannelsspokeofbuildingprojects,
successfultradenegotiations,andendlesseconomicprosperity,heknewthatshinewasmostlygloss.TheEmpirebuiltnewbasestosolidifyitscontrol.Its“tradenegotiations”alwaysseemedtoresultintheEmpire’sgettingeverythingitwantedontermsthatcouldn’tpossiblyhavebenefitedtheplanetinquestion.Andasforthemoodofthepopulace,eventheofficialinformation
channelshadbegunspittingvenomaboutasmallgroupofterroristswhoplottedevilandcalledthemselvesrebels.
Thanehadnothingbutcontemptforterrorists,buthealsounderstoodthatsuchdissidentfactionsrarelycameoutofnowhere.TheywereareactiontotheEmpire’sincreasingcontrol—anoverreaction,definitely,butproofthatnoteverybodyacceptedtheEmperor’srule.
Despitehisdisenchantment,ThanehadnoplanstoleaveImperialservice.Howelsewouldhegettoflythegreatestshipsinthegalaxy?Smalleremployerscouldalsobecorrupt,andtheworkwouldbelesscertain.WiththeImperialfleet,Thanewasguaranteeddecentpay,accesstotop-of-the-lineships,andregularpromotions.Bestofall,he’dneverhavetoliveon
Jelucanagain.Soitwaswithoutenvy
thathesawCienaReeassignedtocommandtrack.Hisowntrack—eliteflight—suitedhimfarbetter.HeevenwelcomedthefactthatheandCienasharedfewerclassesaftertheydividedintotracks.Thanefeltrelievedthathedidn’thavetoseehereverydayanylonger.Sometimesevenlookingatherhurt—
No.Itirritatedhim.
Angeredhim.Itdidn’thurt.Orsohetoldhimself.All
Thaneknewwasthatsincetheirriftoverthefakesabotageincidentmorethantwoyearsprior,heandCienahadneverbeenabletopatchthingsupcompletely.Thehumiliationhe’dfeltwhenshebroughtuphisfather—thatshewouldsuggestanythinghedidcamefromhisfather—itstillstungeverytimehesawJudeEdivon.
(Judehadalwaysbeenextranicetohimsincethatday,whichonlymadethingsworse.)Cienahadstoppedconfidinginhim,whichfeltcoldandstrange;hewonderedifshe’dbecomesofanaticalaboutherImperialdutythatshetookhisdistrustoftheacademy’smethodsasapersonalinsult.Howstupidwouldthatbe?Norcouldheforgetthatshe’drefusedtochallengetheirsuperior
officers,leavinghisclassrankseverelydamaged.
Itwasn’tasifhehatedCienaoranything,andhedidn’tthinkshehatedhim,either.Butneitherofthemcheeredfortheotherinracesanylonger,orofferedcongratulationsafteratournamentwin.Theydidn’thangoutduringthescantfreetimeacademyrigorallowed.
Butoccasionally—attheleastconvenientmoments—
theenduringconnectionbetweenthemwouldmakeitselfknown.Asheswouldbecomeembers.
Oneday,onlyafewmonthsbeforegraduation,Thaneheadedbacktotheuniformdispensary,atriphe’dmadeatleastonceeachterm.He’dfinallystoppedgrowing,whichwasarelief,becausehetoppedoutasthethird-tallestmemberoftheirclass,onlyahairbeneath
Nash.Buthisbodywasnowaddingmuscletobone,broadeninghischestandshoulders,whichmeantnewuniformjackets.HewasonlythinkinghowtightanduncomfortablehiscurrentjacketwaswhenheturnedthecornerandsawCienastandingfartherdownthecorridor,stillinherlooseblackshortsandgraytankfromE&Aclass.Insteadofherusualproudbearing,she
leanedagainstthewallandheldonehandtoherface.Evenwithoutglimpsingherexpression,Thaneknewshewasupset.
Inthatinstant,hesuddenlyrememberedsomethinghehadn’tthoughtofinyears—thedayhe’dmetCienasolongbefore.Whentheotherboyshadmockedherasshestoodinthehangarinherplainbrowndress,Thanehadthoughtofheras
anautumnleaf,fallenandfragile.
He’dlearnedCienaReewasanythingbutfragile.Yethethoughtoftheautumnleafnow.
“Hey,”hesaid.Afteramoment’shesitation,hesteppedtowardher.“Areyouallright?”
Cienastartled,straighteningupasshetriedtocomposeherself.Shehadn’tbeenweeping,but
Thanecouldseetheglimmerofunshedtearsinhereyes.“I’mfine,”shesaidhoarsely.“Thanks.”
Youcheckedonher.She’sgood.Dutydone.Getoutofhere.Thanehesitated,onthevergeofturningtogo,butthenhecouldn’t.“Youdon’tlookfine.”
Shemadeastrangesound—halflaugh,halfsob.“It’sstupid.”
“What?”
“…Igotaholofrommyparents.Themuunyakdied.”
“TheoneyouusedtorideuptotheFortresssometimes,whenwewerelittle?”ThanehadnotspokenoftheFortressinyears.
Cienanodded.“Yeah.Him.Hewasprettyold,andIknewwhenIcamehereI’dprobablyneverseehimagain—butstill.”Sherolledhereyes,mockingherownemotions.“Stupidtoget
upset,huh?”“It’snotstupid.That
muunyakwasgreat.”Thanehadriddenhimacoupleoftimes,too.Herememberedbeingachildandsittingonthebeast’sbroadfurryback,hisarmsloopedaroundCiena’swaist,bothofthemlaughinginmingleddelightandterrorasthemuunyaknimblywalkedanarrowridgealongsidethemountain.
Shesmiled.Ithadbeena
longtimesinceThanehadseenhersmileathimandmeanit.“Hewas,wasn’the?”
“Yeah.”Theireyesmet,andfora
moment,itwasasifthepastcoupleofyearshadfallenaway—
ButthenCiena’sexpressiondimmed.Herposturebecamemorerigid,andshesaid,formally,“Thankyouforyourconcern.
Ifyou’llexcuseme,IneedtochangeformyAmphibiousBattleTacticsstudygroup.”
Thaneheldhishandsinfrontofhim,apush-backmotion.“You’reexcused.”
Shealwaysdidthat—wentcoldandshuthimoutagain.Hetoldhimselfhewasusedtoit,thathe’dlongsincestoppedcaring.Still,theentirewaytothedispensary,
Thanecouldn’tstopthinkingoftheFortressthey’dcreatedtogetherandhowheusedtositupthere,waitingforhisonetruefriend.
Healwaysdidthat—actednicejustlongenoughforCienatoforgethowhe’dlashedoutather.She’dstartconfidinginhimthewaysheusedto,thencatchherselfassherememberedhow
thoroughlyThanehadshutherout.
Asshesatinherstudygroup,watchingholosofrealamphibiousinvasionsfromhistory,Cienabroodedonthatodd,fracturedencounterwithThane.Shewishedshehadn’tgonesocold—butitseemedlikeeverytimeshetriedtobeherselfwithhim,heturnedaway.
Whathadshedonethatwassowrong?Hewasthe
onewhohadgonecrazyafterthestupidcannonprojecttwoandahalfyearsbefore,assumingtherewassomemassconspiracyatwork.Hewastheonewhowouldhavedraggedthemintoanadministrativehearingbasedonnoevidence,whichwouldhaveresultedintheirimmediateexpulsion.Andsometimesheseemedsooffendedwhenshebeathimontestsorchallengesthat
Cienafeltlikehecouldn’tbelievethatsomeonesoinferiorhadbestedhim.Didhestillconsiderhernothingbutalittlevalleywaif?
Maybehe’dalwaysseentheirfriendshipasanactofcharity.Allthosepracticeflights,allthosestudysessionswithCZ-1—maybetheyhadn’tsharedthoseexperiencesasfriends;maybeinsteadthey’dbeengiftsfromtherichboytothelittlegirl
heexpectedtoworshiphiminreturn.
Thatwastoomuch,andCienaknewit.SheandThanehadtrulybeenfriendsandonsomelevelstillwere—butitwasalevelshecouldnolongerreach.
Herstudygroupleaderkepttalking.Cienasatthere,hearingbutnotlistening,rememberingthewaysheandThanehadsatintheFortressforhours,sharingtheir
secretsanddreamingaboutthestars.
Afewweeksbeforegraduation,thecommandantannouncedthatahandfuloftopcadetswouldattendareceptionandballattheImperialPalace.ThethoughtofittookCiena’sbreathaway.OfcoursetherewaslittlechancetheEmperorhimselfwouldpresideover
thegathering.YettheImperialPalacewasoneofthegrandestandmostelegantstructuresontheentireplanet;apparentlyithadoncebeenatempleofsomekind.Hundredsofseniormilitaryofficerswouldbethere,nottomentionmanymembersoftheImperialSenate.Anycadetsinvitedtoagatheringsuchasthatwerebeingnotedformorethanmeregoodgrades;itwasasignoffavor,
aninvestmentinthosefutureofficers.Theirintroductionstopowerfulpeopleinthemilitaryandinpoliticscouldchangethecourseoftheircareers.
SowhenCienasawherownnameonthelist,shefeltlikecheeringoutloud.Onlymuchlaterdidsherealizewhoelsewouldbeinattendance.
“ThaneKyrellandVedFoslo,”shesaid,flopping
backonherbunk.“Ofalltheguysinourclass,thosetwohadtobeinvited?”
“Anylogicalanalysisofclassperformancewouldsuggestthemaslikelycandidates.”Judeneverlookedupfromhercomputerconsole,herfingersdancingonthescreenasshefinishedherlatestLongformComputerOperationsproject.“Theirinvitations,likeours,wereallbutinevitable.”
“You’rejustrubbingitin,”Kendysaidfromherbunk,good-naturedly.Thisclosetograduation—withtheirfutureassignmentsallbutguaranteed—asenseofcalmhadsettledovertheacademy.Withtheruthlesscompetitionatanend,peoplecould…notrelax,precisely,butstopworryingaboutthehereandnowandstartlookingavidlytowardthefuture.“Justtellmeyou’re
notgoingtowearyouruniforms.”
Cienahesitated.“I—well—dressuniformsareappropriateforallformaloccasions.”
“However,theyarenotrequiredatnonmilitaryfunctionssuchastheball,”Judesaidbriskly.“Undoubtedlyyouwishtowearadressuniformbecauseyoudonothaveadequatecreditsforappropriate
civilianattire.”Thankgoodnessherskin
tonewasdarkenoughthatnobodycouldseeherblush.Cienatriedtosoundfirm.“Theuniform’sfine.”
JudesighedasshefinallylookedupatCiena.“Yourprideisusuallyastrongmotivator,buttherearetimeswhenitonlygetsintheway.Pleaseallowmetopurchaseyourattirefortheevent.”
“Icouldn’t,”Ciena
protested,hacklesrising.Hervalleyupbringinghadtaughthertobeprouderofherragsthanthesecond-waverswereoftheirsilks—evenwhenshehadthoughtthesilkswerepretty.
Moresoftly,Judesaid,“We’refriends.You’vehelpedmetremendouslyduringourtimehere.MymotherholdspatentsonnumerousdevicesusedinBespin’scloud-mining
technology.Assuch,ourpersonalwealthismorethanadequatetoourneeds.Whyshouldn’tIgetyouadress?”
“Myculturedoesn’t—”Uncharacteristically,Jude
interrupted.“Ihaveaculture,too.Wevaluegenerosityandthegracefulacceptanceofgifts.”
Cienasearchedforthewordstoobject,but—ifitwaspartofJude’sculture.“Well…”
Judelookedhopeful.“Idon’tneedtoowna
dress,but—maybeyoucouldhelpmerentone?”
Soshefoundherselfarrivingatthegrandballintheonlyformaldressshe’deverworn.Surelyvanityfueledthehappinessbubblingwithinher,butshecouldn’thelpit.Thesoftviolet-bluefabricsparkledsubtly,andboththeshortcapeandthelongskirtflowedaroundher
asifinanunseenbreeze.Manyofthewomenin
attendance—andnotafewofthemen—worefinerymuchgrander,suchasthicklyjeweledbraceletsorheadbands,oroutfitsmadeofembroideredsilkandvelvet.YetCienaknewshelookedaselegantasanyoneelsethere.Insteadofresortingtotightbraidsasusual,she’dfreedhercurls,softeningthemslightlywithlightfragrantoil.
KendyhadloanedheriridescentcombsmadeofshellsfromIloh,toholdherhairbackatthetemples,andsimplepearlearrings.Cienalookedrightfortheoccasion,andyetshealsofeltlikeherself—notlikeanimpostor,thewayshewouldhaveinoneofthegrand,wide-skirted,elaboratedressesandrobesshesaw.
“Thereyouare,”Judesaid.Cienaturnedtogreether
—thenstared.SinceJudehadn’tsaida
wordaboutherowndress,Cienahadassumedherfriend’spracticalitywouldgovernherchoiceofgown:somethinggrayorivory,perhaps,simplytailored,appropriateforalloccasions.Instead,Judestoodthereintight-fittingorangefabric—atleast,apartfromafewstrategiccutoutsthatshowedherflatbellyandwillowy
back.Hermilitary-shorthairhadbeengelledintospikes,andhergoldearringsdangledallthewaydownherlongnecktobrushhershouldersinawaythatwas,frankly,sexy.
AsCienagaped,Judefrownedinwhatlookedlikegenuineconfusion.“Whatisit?”
“I—youlookgreat.”Judebeamed.“Asdoyou,
Ciena.”Theyflowedwiththe
elegantcrowdintoaninteriorhall,surelyoneofthegrandestpublicspaceswithintheentireImperialPalace.Thevastcorridorstretchedseeminglyintoinfinity,withmassivecolumnsliningeitherside.Brilliantredbannershungfromtheceiling,theirhemsweightedsotheywouldremainmotionless,neverflutteringinanyslightbreeze.Shiny,well-polisheddroidsrolledalongwithtraysof
drinksandhorsd’oeuvres;theyswervedeasilythroughthethrong.Theairitselfhadbeenperfumed,thoughtheheavyscentmadeCienacoughalittleatfirst.Brilliantcrystallinesculpturesstoodonpedestals,shiftingshapefluidlyfromabstractformsintoperfectImperialsymbols.Lightshadbeentrainedonthesculpturessotheywouldsparklebrightestattheexactmomentofthe
transformation.“Thisisastonishing,”
Judesaid.“Thinkofthetroublethismusthavetaken.”
“Andthemoney,”Cienareplied.WhathadbeenspentonthiseveningaloneprobablycouldhaverebuiltanorerefineryonJelucan.…
Butthereshewentthinkinglikeaprovincialagain.Eachworldhadtorebuilditself.Yes,theEmpirewastheretohelpandto
govern,butintheend,Jelucanandworldslikeitneededtobecomestrongontheirown.
CienameanttosayasmuchtoJude,butthatwaswhenshecaughtsightofVedandThane.
VedhadtakenadvantageoftheoccasiontowearCoruscantfashion—alongcape,silkyshirtwidecutatthechest,andsoon.YetCienathoughtitwas
impossibleforanyonetolookatVedwhileThanestoodnearby.Heworehisdressuniform,likeatleastanothertwohundredmeninattendance,yettherestseemedto…fade,nexttohim.Andeventhoughshe’dspentthepasttwoyearswatchingThanegrowolderandtaller,onlythendidsheseehimasaman.
Herreactionconfusedher,butnotnearlyasmuchas
themomentwhenThanerecognizedherandsherealizedthesightofherhadhithimwithequalpower.Thewayhiseyesseemedtodrinkherin—
“Look,”Judewhispered,pullingCienaasideatwhatwaseitherthebestorworstpossibletime.“It’sthejuniorsenatorfromAlderaan—LeiaOrgana,theprincess!”
Cienastoodontiptoe,eagertoseesomeoneso
famous.Shegotasingleglimpseoftheprincess,whowaswearingaslimwhitegown,herlonghairintricatelybraided.ThenthecrowdsclosedaroundSenatorOrganaagain,hidingherfromtheirsight.
“Canyoubelieveit?”Judesaidastheyjoinedtheprocessionintotheballroom.
“Itmakessensethatshe’dbehere.”YetCienafounditintimidatingthatagirlalmost
exactlyheragecouldalreadyholdaplaceintheImperialSenate,couldbesopoised,sophisticated,important.
“Imeantit’ssurprisingthatshecametoanyofficialfunction,givenherspeechintheSenateyesterday.”
Cienarememberedthen:PrincessLeiahadannounced,onherfather’sbehalf,impending“mercymissions”toplanetstheOrganasclaimedtobenegatively
affectedbyImperialpolicies.“Thatwasridiculous,”shemuttered.“Puregrandstanding.Missionslikethatcan’tbenecessary;theEmpirewouldhelpthepeopleonitsown.That’swhattheEmpireisfor!”
Judenoddedinagreementbutsaid,“Weshouldbegenerous.EveniftheOrganasaremisguided,they’reprobablyactingoutofaspiritofkindness.”
Maybeso,butCienacouldn’tresistshakingherheadatthearroganceofanyonewhothoughtsheknewbetterthanthewholeEmpire.
DancingwithpartnerswasoneofthosehabitsCienahadthoughtofassecond-waverdecadencebeforeshecametoCoruscant.Oh,theydancedinthevalleys,butdanceswerefortheentiregroupaspartofcertainkey
rituals.YetCoreWorldsCulturehadtaughthertothinkofthepracticeascivilized—evenbetweencouples,fornopurposeotherthanpleasure.Shewasgratefulforthatnow,evenmoregratefulthattheclasshadalsotaughtherthestepsofthemostcommonlyperformedformaldances.Theglitteringassemblyinthathuge,ornatelytiledandmirroredhalldidnot
intimidateher;shewalkedconfidentlyacrossthefloortoherpositionandawaitedwhicheverpartnerthecomputerswouldassigntoherfirst.
Ofcourse,itwouldhavetobeThane.
Hestoodinfrontofher,amidtheshiftingandsettlingcouplesallaround,notquitemeetinghereyes.“Iguesstheywantedthecadetstobegintogether,”hesaid
shortly.“Guessso.”Cienaturned
herhead,tryingtolookanywhereelse—butwhatsheglimpsedmadehersmile.“Believeitornot,we’retheluckyones.”
Nexttothem,VedscowledupatJude,whostoodmorethanaheadtallerthanhim.Judeattemptedtolookdignified,butCienaknewherwellenoughtotellthatshewasstiflingalaugh.
Thanemusthaveseenwhatshe’dseen,becausesheheardhimlaughslightly.“Youhaveapoint.”
Thentheorchestraplayedtheopeningmeasures—acalenada,Cienathought,recognizingthedance.Sheknewthecorrectpositiontobeginandevenheldherhandsup,butthatdidn’tprepareherforthemomentwhenThane’sbroadhandcurvedaroundherwaist.
Theireyesmet,andthedancebegan.
Thethousandpeopleinthehallallknewthecorrectsteps;theymovedinunison,brilliantspinningcolors,everchangingbutalwaysinsetpatterns,likethebitsofglassinakaleidoscope.Nobodysetonetoeoutofplace.Cienaimaginedthemasjewelsgleamingintheirsettings,claspedtightlyinmetalthatwasallbutinvisiblebehind
theshine.Thanesaid,“Ithought
youconsidereddancing—whatwasit—licentious?Risqué?Apreludetosin?”
Shehadonce,beforeCoreWorldsCulturehadtaughthertobelesssmall-minded.NowitonlyannoyedCienathathewouldremindherofherprovincialways.“Inyourdreams.”
Thatmadehimlaugh—butfromcontemptor
surprise?“Youseemsureofyourself.”
“Iam.”Ithadbeenbanter,not
quiteanargument.Butsomethingshiftedinthatmoment.Cienahadnotrealizeduntilshespokethatshewasineffectdeclaringherownbeautyandattractiveness.ThatgaveThaneanopeningtobenotmerelyirritatingbutcruel.
Insteadhesaid,quietly,
“Youshouldbe.”Theireyesmetagain,and
Cienabecamenewly,vividlyawareofthewarmthofThane’shandclaspinghers,thefeelofhisfingersbracedagainstherback.Theyhadn’tbeenthisclosetoeachotherinaverylongtime.Everymoveinthecalenadarequiredhimtolead,hertofollow,whichaddedanotherlayertotheintimacyofthemoment.Thegaudyswirlofthe
dancersaroundthemfadeduntilitfeltasifthetwoofthemwerealone.
Cienapartedherlipstospeak,thoughshestilldidn’tknowwhattosay—butthen,withaflourish,thesongended.SheandThanestoppedonthebeat,buttheyremainedstandingthere,handsclasped,forafewmomentsaftereveryoneelsehadbeguntoapplaud.Thenitwastimetoswitchpartners,
andThanesteppedawaywithoutanotherword.
Forthenexthour,Cienacontinuedtoplayherroleinthedance,tolaughandsmilealongwiththerestofthecrowd,butshecouldn’thaverepeatedanythinganyonesaidtoher.Shecouldn’thavesaidwhichdancessheperformed,towhichsongs,orwhoherpartnerswere.Herthoughtsracedasshewentoverandovertheriftbetween
herandThane,tryingtosomehowmakesenseofit.
Finally,duringabreakinthedancing,Cienahurriedtowardaserverdroid.Shereachedpastthemanyglassesofwinetograbatumblerofcoolwater.Asshegulpeditdown,sheheard,“Thereyouare.”
Cienadidn’tturntofaceThane.Shecouldtellhestoodveryclose.“HereIam.”
“Listen,weshould’vetalkedaboutthisalongtimeago,andmaybethisisn’tthetimeorplace—”
Shewheeledaroundthen.“Areyougoingtoapologize?”
“Apologize?”Thane’seyescouldburngas-flameblue.“Forwhat?Standingupformyself?”
“Forshuttingmeout!”“You’retheonewho—”Thensomeonestumbled
betweenthem:VedFoslo,alreadysloppydrunk.Helaughedoutloud.“Youguysaresostupid.”
“Excuseme?”Cienawrinkledhernoseasshesteppedback.VedstankofCorellianbrandy,whichwasn’tevenbeingservedatthisparty;hemusthavehiddenaflaskwithinthepocketofhiscape.
“Stupid.You.Thane.Bothofyou.Sostupid.”Ved
shookhisfingeratthem,asiftheywerewaywardchildren.“Youkeeparguingaboutthatlasercannonthing.Whocaresaboutthelasercannonthing?Andyoubothgotitupsidedownanyway.”
Atfirstthewordsdidn’tmakesense.ThenrealizationfloodedoverCienainanalmostdizzyingrushofshockandanger.“Itwasyou?”
ThatonlywidenedVed’sgrin.“No!Me?Whywouldit
beme?Youstilldon’tgetit,doyou?Bumpkinsfromarockontheedgeofthegalaxy—ofcourseyoudon’tknowhowtheacademyandtheImperialfleetreallywork—”
ThaneputonebroadhandagainstVed’schest.Althoughitcouldlooklikeasobermanhelpinghisdrunkfriendtoremainupright,Cienasensedtheveiledthreat.JudgingbythewayVed’ssmilefaded,
hegotit,too.Inalowvoice,Thanesaid,“Whydon’tyouexplainittous?”
Vedtookacoupleofstepsback,outofThane’sreach,beforehereplied.“WeattendtheacademytobecomecitizensoftheEmpire.Theinstructorsdon’tlikeitwhencadetsfromthesamehomeworldstayclosetoeachother—itstrengthensyourtiestoyourownworld.Itweakensyourcommitment
totheEmpire.”“No,itdoesn’t!”Ciena
protested,buthewasn’tgoingtolisten.
“Theysetyouup.”Vedlaughedagain.“Theysetyouupsoyou’dhateeachother,andyouswallowedthebait.”
Thane’seyesnarrowed.“Whenwebothweremarkeddownonthatassignment—youmoveduptonumberone.Atleast,untilJudeEdivonovertookyoutwoweeks
later.”“YoustillthinkIdidit?
Noway.Ican’thacklikethat.EvenJudecan’t.Onlytheinstructorshavethatkindofpower.AndifIweregoingtoframesomebodyforanything,thelastpeopleI’dgoafterwouldbetheOfficeofStudentOutcomes.Myfathertoldmeallaboutthem.”Ved’ssmilewasbothsloppyandsmug.“Thefactthattheywereabletoboost
therankofageneral’sson?I’msurethatwasanextraincentive.Buttheydiditmostlytomakesurethetwoofyouwouldstopclingingtoeachother.AndyouJelucaniidiotsreactedexactlythewaytheythoughtyouwould—exceptyoumadeitworse.Theyprobablyonlymeantforyoutwotobickeraboutit.Notgetall—”Ved’shandmadeawavymotionintheair.“Youdidn’tjustget
angry.Youpracticallystartedhatingeachother.SoIguessthatmakesyoutwotheperfectacademycadets.Again.”
Heseemedtoloseinterestthen,lurchingofftowardtheserverdroidtograbhisnextdrink.CienafeltasifalltheshameVedshouldhavefeltsayingsuchthingshadsettledonherinstead.
Butshedeservedtofeelashamed.Shehadlashedout
atThaneforthinkingtheacademywasresponsible—andhe’dbeenrightallalong.Theacademy’smotiveshaddiffered,but,still,he’dunderstoodthebasics.Andshehadletthatdriveherawayfromthelastpersonsheevershould’veletgo.
Thanedidn’tknowwheretobegin.“Ciena—”
Sheshookherhead,
thoughhedidn’tknowwhatshewassayingnoto:Ved’sstory,theacademy’sguilt,Thanebeingthefirsttospeak,anything.Heputonehandonhershoulder,butshewincedasifhistouchhurt.Whatcouldhesayordo?
Sothenofcoursethedamnedorchestrastartedtuningupagain,andCienaswiftlywalkedawaytohernextplaceinthedance.Sheneveroncelookedbackat
Thane.Hehadlittlechoicebutto
joinin,butthroughouttherestoftheball,Thanecouldthinkofnothingelse.Sometimeshewantedtogobacktotheacademy,gothrougheverysinglecorridoroneverysingleflooruntilhefoundthatOfficeofStudentOutcomes,thenlookwhoeverworkedthereintheeyesandpunchthemintheirfaces,hard.Othertimeshefeltmore
likelocatingatimemachinesohecouldgobackandtellhisyoungerselfnottobesuchatotalidiot.Heevenconsideredwhatsuchaployontheacademy’spartsaidabouttheEmpireandthewayittreateditsofficers.
Morethananything,though,hewantedtotalkwithCienaalone.
Whentheballfinallyended,Thanepushedthroughthecrowds,lookingfor
Ciena’sdarkcloudofhairortheuniqueblue-violetshadeofherdress.Itwashardtoseethroughallthefawningdiplomats,laughingcourtiers,andblack-garbedmilitaryofficers—andwhywasitsostrangetorememberthathewasoneofthem?
HesawJudefirst.Shewasaheadtallerthanmostpeopleintheroom,andhervibrantorangegownstoodout.AsThanewalkedcloser,
hecouldhearJudesaying,“Aswehavenocurfewtonightorassigneddutytomorrow,thisisanidealoccasiontoexplorethefamousnightlifeinthisareaofCoruscant.I’vealwaysbeenquiteinterestedintheclubshere,especiallytheCrescentStar.…”
OnlyJudeEdivoncouldmakeanightofpartyingsoundlikeascienceexperiment.Thanehadto
smileatthethought—butthenhesawCienaandeverythingelseinhismindfaded.“Actually,Jude,”hesaid,seizinghischance,“IwashopingCienaandImight,ah,spendsometimecatchingup.”
Judelookedbackandforthbetweenthetwoofthem,oneeyebrowraised.
Cienatookadeepbreath.“ThaneandIshouldtalk.Ifyoudon’tmind,Jude.”
“Notatall.I’llbewiththeothers.”Judegesturedtowardagroupofyoungerofficers,severalguysandafewgirls,whoseemedtobewaitingonher.
AfterJudewasoutofearshot,Thanesaid,“Whichoneofthemissheleavingwith?”
“Possiblyallofthem.”Cienaturnedtofacehim,herhandsclaspedinfrontofherinagestureThanerecognized
fromthevalleys;hewasn’tsureofitssignificance,butheknewitwasformal,andimportant.“Thane,Ididn’tbelievetheacademytoberesponsibleandarguedwithyouaboutitandineffectchallengedyourhonor.Suchatransgression—”
“No.Youdon’tgettodothat.Thisisn’tonyou,Ciena,atleastnotanymorethanit’sonme.Iguesswewerebothidiotstogether.Butthereal
blamebelongstowhatevermonsteratStudentOutcomesdidthistous.”
Sheblinked,asifinshock.“Theydidn’tintendforittogetthisbadbetweenus.Wedidthattoourselves.”
Gallingasitwastoadmit,Cienawasright.
“Besides,thinkaboutit,Thane,”shecontinued.“GeneralFosloprobablybribedsomeonetodoitandVed’slyingtocoverforhis
father.”That…seemedpossible,
thoughThanewasn’tconvinced.Atthemomentitwasirrelevant.“Eitherway,youwererightaboutconfrontingtheacademyinstructors.”Itstungtoconfesshowwronghe’dbeen,butthisknowledgehadcreptuponThaneoverthepastfewyears,anditwaspasttimeforhimtoadmititbothtoCienaandtohimself.
“Wewould’vebeenexpelledforsure.Ishouldn’thavelashedoutatyouaboutit.”
“Ishouldhaveunderstoodyouwereupset.”
Cienawassodeterminedtoapologize.Thanedidn’twanttohearit.“Mypointis,neitherofusdidanythingwrong.I’msotiredofbeingangrywithyou.Can’twefinallyletitgo?”
Shestoodup,straightandformalagain.“I’mwillingto
restoreourfriendship.”Thatstatementsounded
likeitshouldbefollowedbysomeelaboratevalleyritualofreconciliation,butThaneneitherknewnorcaredwhatthatmightbe.“Can’twejust—talk?Comeon,Ciena.Idon’tcarewhoshould’veknownbetterorwhytheacademydiditoranyofthat.Ijustwantmyfriendback.Therestdoesn’tmatter.”
Itwasn’taseasyforher
toletitgo,heknew,buthealsosawtheshadowofhersmilewhenhetalkedabouthavingherback.“Wheredowestart?”
“Westartwithtonight.”Goingouttonightclubs
wouldmeanshoutingoverdancemusic,nottomentionshakingoffthecountlessguyswhoseemedlikelytoapproachCienawhileshewasinthatdress.Returningtotheacademywasnowayto
spendafreenight.NeitherThanenorCienahadanyotherideasaboutwhatwasavailableinthearea,andratherthansearch,theywoundupsittingontheterracenearesttheballroom,onalowstonebenchbythefountain,talkingforhoursasthecleaningdroidswhirredandbuzzedaroundthem.
Theydidinfactstartbytalkingabouttheballitself,whoandwhatthey’dseen.
Thanegottobrag,“IevendancedwiththeprincessfromAlderaan.Nashisgoingtochokewhenhehearsthat.He’shadacrushonhersincehewasnine.”
“PrincessLeia?Whatwasshelike?”
“Evenshorterthanyou,”Thanereplied,whichgothimanot-very-hardkicktotheshin.Hemimedpainevenashecontinued,moreseriously:“Idon’tknow.Itwasonlya
dance,andshewasn’tevenpayingthatmuchattention.Shewasn’tbeingrude;itwasmorelikeshewasdistracted.Iguesssomeonelikehermusthavealotonhermind.”
Cienaopenedupmorewhentheytalkedabouttheirfutureassignments.“Commandtrackisanhonor.SometimesIthinkabouthavingashipofmyownsomeday,andIjust—”Sheshivered,andnotonlyfor
show;Thanenoticedthegoosepimplesonherarms.“ButthatmeansI’mnotgoingtospendmuchtimeinsingle-pilotfighters,notafterthefirstfewyears,anyway.”
“Whichiscriminal,”Thanesaid.Nearby,agoldenserverdroiduseditsfivearmstovacuumthebrokenshardsofadroppedglass.“You’reaphenomenalpilot,Ciena.Youshouldalwaysbeinthesky.”
He’dforgottenhowsly
hersmilecouldbe.“Iwillbe.Onlyinabiggership.”
Bythetimeitwasnearlydawn,theywereconfidingineachothercompletelyagain.Cienashowedhimhowshekept,inasmallpouch,theleatherbraceletthatstillboundhertohersister.“Ialwayswondered,”hesaidquietly,lookingatthesoftwornbraid.“Itwasn’tregulation,andyou’dneverbreakregulation—butIknew
you’dnevergetridofit,either.”
“No.”Ciena’sfingersclosedsoftlyaroundthesmallpouch;itsrough-wovenfabricmadeThanebelieveshemighthavefashioneditfromascrapofclothtakenfromhome.“Never.”
Bythentheskyhadbeguntoturnpink.Therushofskytraffichadneverceasedthroughoutthenight,buttheshipscamethicker
andfaster.Ciena’sbarefeetrestedonthestonebench;hersparklyshoeslayemptyontheterracetiles.Theserverdroidshadgiventhemfinalglassesofwinebeforesettlingintotheirnightrechargingstations,andasThanedrankthelastswallowofhis,hewatchedCienayawn.Aslateasitwas—asexhaustedastheybothwere—shestilllookedbeautiful.
Hewasn’tgoingtoacton
thatnow.Maybehewasn’tgoingtoactonitever,giventhattheymightbeassignedtooppositesidesofthegalaxywithinacoupleofmonths.Besides,theirreunionwastoonewtoaskforanythingmore.Later,Thanedecided.Laterhe’dthinkaboutCienaandtheirfutures.Thatnightwasenoughonitsown.
“Weshouldgotothetransport,”hesaid,gettingtohisfeet.“Comeon.”
OnceCienahadsteppedbackintohershoes,Thaneofferedherhisarm.Shetookitassherosetoherfeet.Wearyastheywere,heexpectednothingbutsmalltalkabouthowmuchsleeptheywould,orwouldn’t,beabletoget.Instead,Cienasaid,verysoftly,“I’msogladtohaveyouback.”
Later,heremindedhimself,moreforcefully.“Metoo.”
“TODAYMARKSNOTanendingbutabeginning.Everythingyouhavedoneduringyourthreeyearsattheacademy—andinsomeways,everythingyouhavedonethroughoutyourlifeuntilthismoment—wasallforone
singlepurpose:preparingyoutobecomethebestImperialofficersyoucanbe.YouhavealwaysbeencitizensoftheEmpire,buttodayyoubecomeapartoftheEmpireinwaysnocivilianscaneverfullyunderstand.TheuniformsyounowwearserveasasymboloftheEmpire’spower,andyourservicemakesthatpowerevergreater.”
Ciena’sheartsangwith
prideasshestoodthereamidtheranksofcadets—no,newofficers.Sheworeacommand-tracklieutenant’suniformingrayandblack,newinsigniagleaminginbrightsquaresjustbelowhercollarbone.Hernewassignmenthadbeengiventoherthatmorning,onlymomentsbeforetheceremonybegan.ThesunshonebrightinthepaleCoruscantsky,enormousred
bannerswavedgentlyinthebreeze,andshefeltasifthefuturehadbeenlaidoutbeforeherlikeavelvetcarpet,softandplush,definingherpath.
Severalrowsback,theeliteflightgraduatesworeblackTIEfighterpilotgear.Thanefoundthatkindofridiculous.Thearmorwasheavyandhot,too;itwasdesignedtobewornintheupperatmosphereorouter
space,notonthesurfaceonasunnyday.Andthesamehelmetthatfeltsonecessary—andsobadass—whilehewasflying?Ontheground,itlookedridiculous.Still,hisirritationwiththearmordidn’tcomeclosetohisannoyancewiththespeaker’saddress.HetalksliketheEmpirejustswalloweduswhole.Plus,hekeepstalking.CouldhepleaseshutupsoIcangochangeintosomething
else?Thebestpartofthe
ceremony,inhisopinion,wastheend,whenhewasabletofindCienainthecrowd.Oncehe’dpulledoffhishelmet,shethrewherarmsaroundhiminahug;Thanecouldhardlyfeelit,thankstothechestplate,buthegrinnedanyway.“Sowhereareyouposted?”
“AStarDestroyer.TheDevastator.”
“Whoa.That’soneofthetopshipsinthefleet.”Thanewaspleasedforherbutnotsurprised.He’dneverdoubtedthatshe’dgofar.
Ciena’seyesshonewithdelight—andhope.“Andyou?What’syourposting?”
“I’massignedtothedefensefleetforaspacestation.”
“Whichone?”“That’stheweirdpart—I
don’tknow.Apparently,this
stationisbrand-newandstill‘classified.’”
“Exciting,”shesaid.“AndIbetthere’sagoodchancetheDevastatorwillvisitthisnewstation.”
“Yeah.Soundslikeit.”Thanecouldn’thelphoping.Ifthey’deachbeenassignedtooppositesidesoftheOuterRim,hewould’vehadtoacceptthathispathmightnotevercrosshers,atleastinthelineofduty.Butshe’dbeon
oneofthemostimportantshipsinthefleet—andhe’dalreadygatheredthatthisnewstationwastop-of-the-line,thekindofplaceimportantshipswouldbedocked—whichmeanthemightseeheragainbeforelong.Andwhentheyweretogetheragain,notasplaymatesorcadetsbutasfellowofficersandadults—thenwhat?
Thanewasn’tsure,buthethoughthe’dliketofindout.
“Keepmeposted,allright?”“You’dbettersend
messagesandholos.Allthetime.”Cienatriedtomakeitsoundasifshewereteasing,buthecouldheartherealhopeinhervoice.“AndmaybeI’llevengettoseeyoubackhome.”
“Definitely.”Then,quickly,hebentandkissedheronthecheek.Ciena’sfulllipspartedslightlyinsurprise—andpleasure.Thane
realizedheshould’vedonethatalongtimebefore.Hewantedtosaysomethingtoher,buttherightwordswouldn’tcome.Sohestucktothebasics:“Congratulations,LieutenantRee.”
“Congratulationstoyou,too,LieutenantKyrell.”Shehelduponehandassheturnedtogobutgavehimalingeringlookoverhershoulderbeforeshewalked
intothecrowd.Thanewatchedhergo.
Evenamidathrongofhundredsofstudentswearingvariationsonthesameuniform,Cienaremainedseparateandunmistakabletohim.Onlywhenshe’dpassedoutofsightdidheturnaway.
Backhome,hethought.AlthoughhehopedtoseeCienabeforetheirnextfurlough,helikedtheideaofbeingwithherbackon
Jelucan.He’dplannedtoputoffanypostgraduatevisittohisfamilyaslongaspossibleandhopefullyforever;now,however,hefoundhimselfwillingtoreturnatleastonce.ItwouldbedifferentifheandCienatookthejourneytogether.MaybetheycouldevenseetheFortress.Dustwouldhaveblownintotheircavehideaway,butitwouldn’ttakemuchefforttomakeitniceagain.Orthey
couldtraveldowntoValentiatogether,asthey’dalwayspromisedtodobutneverhad.…
ThreeweeksintoherserviceaboardtheDevastator,CienafinallystoppedfeelinglikeacadetimpostorandstartedfeelinglikeatrueImperialofficer.Thechangecamethefirstdayshewasfinallythrownintoactionagainstthe
rebels.They’refiringback?She
couldhardlybelieveit.AtinyblockaderunnertryingtotakeonaStarDestroyer.Itwasbeyondimpossible—itwasinsane.
Thenagain,weren’talltherebelsinsane?
“Closein,”thebridgecommandersaid.“Theirpowerreservesmustbenearlydepletedbynow.Let’spullthemintothedocking
bayandendthis.”Cienaactivatedthetractor
beam,thenlookedupfromthegleamingblackconsoletowitnessthesceneforherself.Thesmallwhiteformoftheshipaheadwashardlymorethanaspeckinthestarscape,dwarfedbythedesertplanetbeneath.Viewscreensprovidedfarmoredetail,buttherewassomethingfulfillingaboutwatchingtherebelship’sdefeatwithherown
eyes.Onceshewould’vetaken
thatdefeatforgranted.Therebelswerearagtagbunchofmalcontentsreducedtoterroristactsbecausetheylackedeitherpopularsupportormilitarymight—orsotheyhadallbelieveduntilrecently,whentherebelshadstruckatthemfromahiddenbase.TotheundyingshameofwhatevercomplacentImperialofficialswere
responsible,therebelshadactuallywontheengagement.NotonlydidtheEmpirehavetobearthatincomprehensibledefeat,butitalsohadlostvitalintelligenceinformation.Althoughthespecificswerenotwidelydiscussed,Cienahadgatheredthattheintelhadtodowiththeplansforanew,secretImperialspacestation.
ThathadtobethebaseThanewasassignedto.If
theserebelshadgottenaway,wouldtheyhaveattackedthatstation,puttingThane’slifeatrisk?
Ciena’seyesnarrowedasshestaredattherebelshipandthought,Youactuallybelievedyoucouldattackusandgetawaywithit.Youknowbetternow,don’tyou?
Theblockaderunnercontinuedtobroadcastitsprotestsaboutbeingona“diplomaticmission,”but
Cienaignoredthat,asdideveryoneelseonthebridge.Withsatisfactionshesawtheshipdisappearfromthewindows,becomingonlyagreenbliponherreadouts.
Anofficernearbysaid,“LordVaderhasgiventheordertoboardtheTantiveIV,sir.”
Thecaptainnodded.“Excellent.They’lltaketheprincessintocustodyinnotime.Standdownonmain
lasercannons.”Cienanodded,swiftly
inputtingthecommander’sorders.ShehadtodisguisehershockatthethoughtofPrincessLeiaofAlderaanasarebel,aterroristandatraitor.ButherfatherhadlongbeenatroublemakerintheImperialSenate,mistakinghisplanet’simportanceforhisown.Toobadhisdaughterhadinheritedhisarrogance.
Today,they’dshownherandeveryotherrebelthattheycouldn’tgoupagainsttheEmpirewithoutpayingtheprice.
OneoftheTantiveIVescapepodslaunched;readoutsshowedfourlife-formsattemptingtoescapetothedesertplanetbelow.Thepodwasshotdowneasily.
Whatcouldtheyhavebeenthinking?Cienawonderedasshequickly
routedthereportsfromtheboardingparties.HowcouldtheyeverexpecttogetawayfromaStarDestroyerwhentheywerealreadytrappedinsidethedockingbay?
Iguesstheyweretooscaredtothinkstraight.Theydeserveeverythingthat’scomingtothem,butIcan’tblamethemforbeingscared.…
Anotherescapepodlaunched,rousingherfrom
herthoughts.TheofficernexttoCienamuttered,“Theregoesanotherone.”
Thecaptainseemedbored.“Holdyourfire.There’snolife-forms.Theymust’veshort-circuited.”Withinmoments,theescapepodwasinvisibleagainsttheyellowsandsoftheplanetbelow.
Shortlyafterward,Cienamanuallydeliveredcopiesoftheauxiliarybridge’shard
datafilestotheISBinternalaffairsofficeronboard;theImperialSecurityBureaulikedtomonitorallinteractionswithsuspectedrebeltargetstoensurenoonebetrayedanylackofloyaltytotheEmpirethroughwordordeed.Onherway,sheranintoNashWindrideratthedoorwaytothemainbridgelift.HewasoneofthefewalumniofherclassassignedtotheDevastator—andwhile
theyhadn’tbeenclosethere,duetothatstupidriftbetweenherandThane,theykneweachotherwellenoughtocountasfriendsnow.Nashstillworehishairlong,thoughtightlybraidedinthebackperregulations.“Don’ttellme,”hestage-whisperedtoherastheliftdoorsslidopenandtheywalkedinside.“You’rerunninganerrandtomakesureyoudon’tgetsenttothatbroilinglumpofsand
downthere.”“Tatooine,”she
pretendedtocorrecthim.Theliftbeganitsswiftascent,theglasspanelsinitsdoorsshowingthemlayerafterflickeringlayerofthevastStarDestroyer.“Itakeitthat’swhereyou’reheaded?”
“No,andthankgoodness.Goingdownthereinstormtrooperarmor’sasgoodasbeingbakedalive.”
Theliftwouldreachthe
mainbridgewithinafewmoments,soCienatookthatchancetosaysomethingthatneededtobesaidtoNashinprivate.Gently,shebegan,“Iwantedtosay,I’msorryaboutyourprincess.Youmustfeelso…betrayed.”
Nash’sgrinfaded.Hedrewhimselfuptohisfulllankyheightandclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.“PrincessLeiacanonlyhavebeenmisledbyhercourtiers.
Ifeelsurethatathoroughinvestigationwillclearherofanyrealwrongdoing.”
“Ofcourse.Ishouldhavethoughtofthat.”Cienadidn’tknowifshebelievedsuchaneasyexplanationwasplausible,butNashknewmoreabouttheprincessthanshedid.Maybehewasright.
Theliftdoorsslidopen,andNashsteppedout.“Untillater,”hesaid,turningawayfromhertoreturntohisduty
station.Cienawishedshehadn’tsaidanythingabouttheprincess.Itwasn’tNash’sfaultifoneofhisplanet’ssenatorshadturnedouttobeatraitor.Shehopedtheinternalaffairsofficerwouldfeelthesameway.
Cienahadonlybeentothemainbridgeoncebefore,onabrieforientationtouroftheshipthedayshe’darrived.Sothesightstillawedher:theimpossiblylongcorridor,
theenormousviewscreen,thecountlessmonitorsallwhirringandblinkingonthelowerlevelasseniorstaffersworkedfuriouslyinthedatapits.ItwastheheartoftheDevastator,thesoulofthemachine.
Quickly,sheturnedherattentiontoCaptainRonnadam,whowassittingathisstationintheuniquewhite-jacketeduniformoftheISB.“Sir.Thedatapackets,
asrequested.”Ronnadamtookthe
packetswithoutevenglancingbackather;hisfocuswasonlyforwhateverlonglinesoftextwerescrollingdownhismonitor.Cienacouldnotleavethemainbridgewithoutbeingdismissed,soshestoodatattention,waiting.
“You’rebeinglaxinyourprotocols,Ronnadam,”saidadry,crispvoicebehindher.
“Fortunately,theyounglieutenantherefollowsprocedure—andhasbettermanners.”
CienalitupassheturnedandrecognizedGrandMoffTarkinhimself—intheformofahologram,flickeringingray-greenlight.HelookedatCienawithsomeinterest.“Youseemtoknowme,Lieutenant.ButIdoubtwe’veservedtogetherbefore.Whoareyou?”
“LieutenantCienaRee,L-P-eight-eight-eight,graduateofthemostrecentclassoftheRoyalAcademyandnativeofJelucan,sir.”WaituntilItellThaneIsawTarkinagain!
TheGrandMoffnoddedpolitely.“Jelucan.OntheOuterRim,yes?IwasthereforitsannexationintotheEmpire.”
Aresponsewasnotrequired—butitwasn’tforbidden,either,andCiena
couldn’tresist.“Youwere,sir.Imetyouthatday,rightaftertheceremony,whenIwasjustalittlegirl.”
Tarkin’sangularfacestudiedherforalongmoment,andthen,toherastonishment,hesaid,“Thetwochildrensneakingaroundtheshuttlegrounds.Wereyouoneofthose?”
ShehadheardtalesofTarkin’ssharpmemory—thatheneverforgotafavorora
slight—buttheproofmadehersmile.“Yes,sir.YouaskedmethatdayifI’dliketoservetheEmpirewhenIgrewup,andhereIam.”
“Well,well.”Tarkinputhishandsbehindhisback,clearlypleasedwithhimselfandwithher.“Thepowerofdiplomacyinaction.”
“Theboywithmethatdayjustgraduatedfromtheacademy,too,atthetopoftheeliteflighttrack.Now
he’sLieutenantThaneKyrell.”
Tarkin’ssmilewasthinbutunmistakable.“ApparentlyIshouldrecruitonJelucanmoreoften.Ishallmakeapointofkeepingupwithyouboth.”
Cienastruggledtomaintaincorrectmilitarycomposure,butshefeltsureherdelightshowedonherface.GrandMoffTarkindidn’tseemtomind,
however.Asthehologramfadedout,henoddedather—asclosetofriendlinessasanysuperiorofficerwouldevershowtowardamerelieutenant.Ifhe’drememberedthatincidentwiththeLambda-classshuttleallthoseyearslater,he’ddefinitelyremembertolookupherrecords,andThane’s.MaybeTarkinwouldbemorethantheirinspirationforjoiningtheImperialStarfleet;
maybehe’deventurnintoamentor.
CapturingarebelshipandwinningpraisefromaGrandMoffbeforelunchtime?Cienagrinned.Thisdaywasturningouttobespectacular.
Thanehadn’trealizedexactlyhowenormoustheDeathStarwasuntilthefirsttimehehadflownhisTIEfighteronpatrol.Immediately,hehad
hadtoadjustthethrustersforthekindoftakeoffmorecommonwithinaplanetaryatmospherethanonaspacestation—becausetheDeathStar’senormitygaveitheavygravitationalpull.
JustthethoughtofthatmadeThanegrin.He’dneverimaginedbuildingsomethingthatcolossalwasevenpossible.Nowthespacestationhadbecomehishome,andalreadyhedreadedthe
dayhe’dbeassignedsomewhereelse.TheDeathStarwasmeanttofunctionasaworldofitsown,whichmeantithadcreaturecomfortsmostothermilitarypostingsdidn’t:decentfood,recareas,cantinaswithlatest-modelbartenderdroids,commissarieswithselectionsoftreatsandluxuries,albeitatastiffprice.AlthoughThanelivedinacommunalbarracks,apparentlythere
wereenoughprivatebunksthatmostpeoplecouldexpecttoreceiveonewithinthreetosixmonths.Usuallyyouhadtomakelieutenantcommandertoliveinthatkindofluxury.Tobeabletoenjoysuchacomfortablepostingandhavethethrillofdeep-spaceflighteveryday—thatwentbeyondThane’swildestdreams.
Sodidthemessagehereceivedthatmorning.
“You’recomingheretoday,”herepeatedashelookeddownatCiena’sfaceonthesmallscreen.“Asin,now.”
“Seehowwe’recommunicatingwithoutadelay?TheDevastatorshoulddockwithinthehour.”Hereagernessshonethroughthescreen;Thaneimaginedhisdid,too.“Willyouhaveanyfreetime?”
“Yeah.Definitely.I
alreadyfinishedmypatrolfortheday.”Asforthenextday—well,tradingdutyshiftswasn’tagainstrulesifyougotapprovalfirst.He’dflyanyshiftforanyoneifitmeanthecouldspendthewholedaywithCiena.“Wecouldgotooneofthecantinas.Catchup.”
“Nashcan’twaittoseeyou,either,”Cienasaid.
“Right.Definitely.Ofcourse.”Nashmighthave
beenoneofhisbestfriends,butThanehadneverbeenlessinterestedinhangingoutwithhim.Fortunately,Nashwassavvyenoughtoknowwhentoexcusehimself—Thanehoped.
“AndIwanttoseeJude,”Cienacontinued.“She’sonboard,isn’tshe?”
“Yeah,JudeEdivon’sassignedtotheDeathStar,butIhaven’trunintoheronce.Thisplaceisthesizeof
amoon—it’slikeshe’shalfwayacrosstheplanetfromme.”WhenCiena’sfacefell,Thanehastilyadded,“Butwhenyoutellheryou’recoming,she’llfindherwaytoyou.Countonit.”
“Youwill,too,right?”“You’dbetterbelieveit,”
hesaid,smilinglikeanidiot.MaybeIdidn’tlooklikea
totalidiot,Thanethoughtseveralhourslater,ashewentthroughhissecondaryduty
shiftasamaintenancemechanic.Everypilothadtobeabletomaintainandrepairallsingle-anddual-pilotcraft,andbythentwinionengineswereasfamiliartoThaneashisownhands.Sohewasabletogothroughhischecklist,hittingeverypoint,whilestillallowinghismindtorace.Shewassmiling,too.Sothat’sagoodsign,right?
Hedidn’taskhimselfwhatitwasagoodsignof.
TheexcitementhefeltatthethoughtofseeingCienaagainremainedsomethinghepreferrednottoexamineorname.Allheknewwasthathehadn’tdreamedofseeingheragainsosoon,andyetnowevenanotherdayseemedliketoolongtowait.
TheDevastator’salreadyhere.Ciena’sontheDeathStarrightnow.WhydidIhavetopullthisstupidshift?ItradedsoI’dhavetomorrow
free,butwhatifCienacan’tgettimeoffthen?
Thanetoldhimselftostopworryingaboutit.HetookadeepbreathandgotbacktoworkontheTIEfighterinfrontofhim.Thecontrolpanelactuallyneededsomenewwiring,ataskdetailedenoughtokeephimoccupiedforawhile.Justasheputthepanelplatebackinplace,however,heheardtheannouncement:“Allhandsin
sectorfour-seventeentotheauxiliarydockingdoors.”
Thatwashissector.Luckily,Thanealreadystoodnearby,sohewasabletogetintoformationfirst,rightinthefrontline.Hismechanic’sjumpsuitboreafewgreasestains,butthatwasn’tinappropriateforthemiddleofaworkshift.Nonetheless,hefeltshabbycomparedwiththemanyofficersaroundhimineitherofficer’suniformsor
gleamingstormtrooperarmor.Probablythecommander
wouldn’tnotice,though.Hestruttedinfrontofthemasheannounced,“Asoftoday,theDeathStarisfullyoperational—anditisthewilloftheEmperorthatwedemonstrateitspowertotheentiregalaxy!”
Afewcheerswentupfromthegroup.Thaneclappedacoupleoftimes.Heguessedtheyweregoingto
bringthestationcloseenoughtoplanetaryorbitforthepopulacetoseeit;thatwouldwowanyone.He’dfeltthemainenginesatwork,soobviouslythestationhadtraveledsomewhereimportant,maybeCoruscant.…
Thedockingbaydoorsslidopen.AlthoughThanefullyunderstoodtheforcefieldsthatkeptatmosphereinandthehostilechillofspace
out,hestillfeltamoment’sawewhenhelookedoutonthevastdarknessbeyond.Slowly,asthedooropened,aworldappeared.Thesoftbluesphereseemedtoshinewithitsownlight,andasalwaysThanethoughtabouthowbeautifulandyetfragileplanetslookedfromthatdistance.
“BeholdtheplanetAlderaan,”thecommandersaid.
Nash’shome!Thanecouldn’thelpgrinning.WhatlucktobenearthatworldwhiletheDevastatorwasvisitingthestation.HowmanytimeshadNashpromisedtoshowThaneallthesights?Ithadseemedlikenomorethanadream,butnowThanemightactuallygettotakealookatAlderaanforhimselfifhecouldwranglethefreetime.Hefoundhimselfrememberingevery
storyNashhadtoldhimaboutthebestplacestogo,theincrediblenaturalbeautyhisworldwassaidtocontain.Whereshouldwegofirst?CloudshapeFalls?TheIsatabithrainforest?
“Assomeofyouwillknow,”thecommandersaid,“AlderaanisrepresentedintheImperialSenatebyamemberoftheOrganarulingfamily.However,ithasbeendiscoveredthatthesenator,
herfather—and,webelieve,theentiretyoftheupperechelonsofAlderaaniangovernment—havebeensecretlyfinancingandsupportingtheRebelAlliance.”
Ittookamomentforthewordstosinkin.Thanecouldn’tbesurehe’dheardcorrectly.HowcouldtheroyalfamilyofAlderaanbemixedupinterrorism?Hiscynicalnaturetoldhim
nobodywastoopureornobletobecorrupted—butitalsotoldhimpeoplewhobenefitedfromthestatusquorarelytriedtochangeit.
Thecommanderwenton:“Thisstationhasbeenchosentosendamessagetotheentiregalaxy.Weshalldemonstrate,nowandforalltime,thattheEmpire’sstrengthissupreme.LongmaytheEmperorrule!”
“LongmaytheEmperor
rule!”shoutedalltheofficersstandingatattention,Thaneincluded.Hehardlypaidattentiontothewords,whichbynowweresofamiliarastoberote.Hismindwasstilltryingtomakesenseofwhathe’djustheard.
Thenadeepvibrationinthecoreofthestationrippledthroughthedecks,differentandmorepowerfulthananyThanehadsensedinitbefore.Hishairstoodonend,though
hedidn’tknowwhetherthatwasfromfearortheionizationoftheatmosphere.
What’shappening?hewondered—
—andthentheDeathStarblastedAlderaan,andanentireworldexplodedbeforehim.
INSHOCK,ALMOSTNUMB,Cienathought,Lookthroughmyeyes.
ShewassupposedtoletWynnetseetheterribleaswellasthebeautiful.ThatmeantCienahadtoshowherthis.
Ontheviewscreen,fragmentsoftheplanetAlderaanscatteredinathousanddirections,allthepiecesglowingwiththeheatoftheirworld’sdeath.Cienathoughtofthebillionsofpeoplewhohadjustdiedbeforehereyesandthoughtshemightbegintocry—butthenshesawtheofficernexttoherontheauxiliaryassignmentstation.
NashWindriderhadgone
sopaleshethoughthemightfaint.HewasanativeofAlderaan.Hisentirefamily—everyplacehe’deverbeen—hishomehadjustbeenobliteratedbeforehiseyes,fordisloyalty.
Instantly,CienarealizedthatifNashdidfaintorcryorshowanyvisiblesignofemotion,itwouldbeseenasaprotest.HewouldbethoughtguiltyofthesametreasonastheOrganasandcouldbe
throwninthebrig,ifnotstrippedofhiscommissiononthespot.
Shecouldn’thelpanyoneelse,soshewouldhelpNash.Reachingoutwithonehand,CienatouchedNash’sarmtosteadyhim.Herespondedbyclutchingherfingersandsqueezingsotightlyithurt,butshedidnotpullaway.InsteadshewatchedasNashforcedhimselftobreathedeep,evenbreaths,holding
ontoherhandasifitwereatowlinetobringhimtoshore.
Tohome,Cienanearlythought.Butshecaughtherselfintime.
Intheaftermathoftheblast,CienawalkedNashtowardtheliftthatwouldtakehimbacktotheDevastator’sdockingbay,sohecouldboardtheship,gotohisbarracks,andperhapsbealone.Nashsaidnothingtheentiretime.Hedidn’teven
makeeyecontactwithCienabeforewalkingthroughtheliftdoors.Inthelastsecondbeforetheyshutagain,shesawhimleanheavilyagainstthewallofthelift,asifotherwisehemightfall.
Atleastshehadafewhoursfreetocollectherthoughtsandanoldfriendtotalkthingsthroughwith.No,itwasn’ttheoldfriendshe’dmosthopedtosee—butstill,awelcomeface.
“Naturally,Iunderstoodthecannon’sfullpotential,”JudesaidassheandCienasatononeofthesmallobservationdecks,beforealonglineofwindows.“Thesuperlaserisfueledbyanarrayofgiantkybercrystals,whichgivesitnearlyunlimitedpower.ButIhadthoughtitwouldbeusedtobreakupasteroidsforminingpurposes.Oruninhabitedworlds.Notthis.”
Cienaglancedaroundtoseeiftheywerebeingoverheard.“Jude,doyouthink—whatwesawtoday,whattheDeathStardid—isthereanyjustificationforthat?Cantherebe?”
Insteadofansweringrightaway,Judesatverystill,considering.Cienahadalwayslikedthataboutherfriend—thecalm,reasonedwayJudeworkedthingsthrough.Whentheywere
youngcadets,sometimeshergravityhadledherroommatestoteaseher,butnowCienawasgratefulforit.
“EventhoughI’veonlybeeninactiveserviceforafewweeks,”Judefinallysaid,“ithasalreadybecomeevidenttomethattheRebelAllianceisafarlargerandmoredangerousgroupthanofficialbroadcastshaveeveracknowledged.Wedonotoperateasapeacetime
military.Ourpreparationsaremoreappropriateforatimeofwar.”
Cienahadalreadysensedsomeofthatforherself,butwhenJudeputitinthosewords,everythingcrystallized.ThethreatposedbytheRebelAlliancehadbecomeveryreal.
Judecontinued,“TheOrganasareguiltyoftreason,butmostofthecitizenswerenot.”
Atleastitwasquick,Cienathought,buttherationalizationsoundedholloweveninsideherhead.Sheimaginedherselfasachild,lookingupward,seeingtheslate-coloredskyturnredandknowingforonesickeningmomentthatitcouldonlybetheend.ThefearthechildrenofAlderaanwouldhaveknown—thehorror—
“Butitisincorrectto
thinkofwhathappenedtoAlderaanaspunishingthepopulace,”Judesaid,becomingmorebrisk.“Theonlyjustificationforsuchanextremeactisthatthisaloneiscapableofputtingdownanevenmoreseverethreat.Therebelsmustbereckless—evenfoolish—toattempttoconquertheentireImperialfleet.Sohowcantheybemadetoseereason?Tounderstandthelimitationsof
theirpowerandtheinevitabilityoftheEmpire’svictory?Nothingbutademonstrationonthisscalecouldeveraccomplishthat.Surely,now,therebelsseethattheirgoalsarehopelessandtheirtacticsunwise.We’llbesafefromwarnow.Thebillionsofpeoplewhodiedtodaymayhavesavedcountlesslivesthroughtheirsacrifice.”
Thathadtobetrue.No
terroristcellinthegalaxy,nomatterhowzealousorbloodthirsty,couldbelieveithadthepowertodefeattheEmpirenow.ButthatsacrificewasonetheinhabitantsofAlderaanhadneverchosentomake.
Judesighedandstareddownatherdrinkforalongmoment.Forsomereason—thewaythelightfellorthelostexpressiononJude’sface—shelookedyoungerto
Ciena,likethegirlshe’dbeenwhenthey’dmetmorethanthreeyearsearlier.Herimmaculatelypressedandtailoreduniformseemedlikeacostumeforachildplayingdress-up.MaybeCienaalsofelttooyoung,toonew,togotowar.
Nodoubteveryonefeltthatwayatfirst.
Cienasaid,“Sowhathappenedtoday—asmanypeopleaswerelost—even
morewoulddieinamassivegalacticwar.”
“Exactly.”Judenodded.“ThinkofthebillionswhoperishedintheCloneWars.”
“Butbyendingthewarnow,beforeittrulybegins,theDeathStarwillsavemorelivesthanittook.”Thatwasahardthingtothinkabout,thekindofdarkcalculusCienahadhopedwouldneverberequiredofheroutsideCommandEthicsclass.Yet
nowshehadtofaceitanddoherduty.
IfonlytheEmpirehadnotbeenforcedtotakesuchdramaticaction.IfonlytheRebelAlliancehadneverarisenfromwhatevermixtureofdiscontentandarrogancefueleditsleaders.TheseterroristshadgambledonthepropositionthattheEmpirewouldneverstrikeback.Nowatlasttheyhadbeenprovedwrong—butCienawondered
whethertheirleaderswouldevertakeresponsibilityforthehorriblemeasuresnecessarytostopthisrebellion—thiswar—beforetheentiregalaxyhadbeenplungedintochaos.Probablynot.
TheRebellionhadstartedthis.Evenprovokedit.
Cienafeltbetternowthatsheunderstoodwhomtoblame.
Anannouncement
sounded,echoingfromthespeakersasofficerslookedup.“Attention:TheDevastatorwilldepartfromthestationatthebeginningofthenextdutyshift.Allpersonnelshouldbeonboardandpreparedforneworders.”
“Oh,no.”Cienadidn’twanttoleaveJudejustwhenherfriendwashelpingtheworldmakesenseagain.ThelastthingNashneededwasa
newandmoredemandingdutyshiftinsteadofsometimetocollecthimself.Andshehadn’tevenlaideyesonThane,muchless—
“IdoubttheDevastatorwillbegoneforlong,”Judesaid.“WordhasitLordVaderintendstoremainuntilthecurrentcrisishasbeenresolved.TheDevastatorishisflagship,soyouwouldundertakeonlyalimitednumberofmissionswithout
him.”Ofcourse.Ciena’sspirits
brightened.WhatevermissionawaitedtheDevastatorcouldn’tlastmorethanacoupleofweeks,notwithoutDarthVaderonboard.“ThenI’llseeyouagainsoon.”
Theyhuggedgood-byequicklybeforeCienahurriedoutintothecorridor.Shehardlytookintheactivityaroundher;thestation’senormityfailedtoawe.
Alreadyhermindwasonthefuture:helpingNashthroughthenextfewdays,returningforLordVader—anditseemedlikelytheDevastatorwouldvisitthisstationoften,soshe’dhaveplentyofchancestovisitJude.She’dbebacktoseeThanesoquicklyitwouldbeasifshe’dnevergone.
Thanestaredatthescreenof
thecommunicationsmonitor,willingittolightupwitharesponsefromCiena.Onlyblacknessstaredback.
HeknewshewasprobablyontheDevastator,maybeonduty.Howcouldanyonekeepgoingafterwitnessingthemurderofanentireplanet?ButThanehadcontinuedstandingatattentionalongwiththerest,afactthatamazedhimmorewitheverypassingmoment.
Wekilledbillionsofpeople.Weslaughteredbillions,andafterwardwewereexpectedtoapplaud.
AlderaanhadbeenNash’shomeworld.IfThanewassickenedbywhathe’djustseen,howmustNashbefeeling?Theguyhadtobeatthepointofcollapse.Thanedidn’tsendamessagetohim,however.Heknewthecommunicationsrecordmightbelookedoverbytheinternal
affairsofficer,andanycalltoorfromanAlderaanianwouldautomaticallybesuspect.Forhisownsake,Thanedidn’tcare.Heknewhowtochoosehiswordscarefullysothelistenerwouldhearwhathadtoremainunspoken;itwasaskillmostpeoplecultivatedattheacademy.ButNashhadtobefurious—andinhisgriefandrage,hemightsaysomethingthatwould
incriminatehim.No,Thanewouldhaveto
reachouttoNashlater,whenitwassafer.Anyway,itwasCienaheneededtotalkto.She’dalwaysbeenhistouchstone.Ifhewerewithher,hethought,hewouldn’tfeelsonauseatedandangry.He’dfeelasifhecouldbreatheagain—
Thecommunicationsmonitorlitup,andThane’sspiritsroseforthesplit
secondittookhimtorealizethemessagewasn’tfromCiena.Instead,itwashiscompanycommander,orderingthemtoreportforduty,immediately.
“Dantooine?”herepeatedtooneofhisfellowofficersastheyboardedthetrooptransport.“That’sinthemiddleofnowhere.”TheplacewasnearlyasobscureasJelucan.
“That’sthewholepoint,”
saidtheotherofficerassheclimbedtheentryramp.“Whereelsecouldtherebelshide?”
They’dbetterhide,hethought.Nowthatthegalaxyhadlearnedwhatthisspacestationcoulddo,surelynobodywouldriseupagainsttheEmpireagain.
AtleastThanehadacoupleofmomentsbeforeboardingwascompletetorecordamessage,oneCiena
couldlistentowhenevershegotoffshift:“Badnews—someofusarebeingshippedoutonalast-minutepatrol.That’sonlygoingtotakeadayortwo,butIdon’tknowhowmuchlongertheDevastator’sgoingtobedockedonthe—station.”
ThewordsDeathStarwereharderforhimtosaynowthatthedeathwasreal.
“IreallyhopeIgettoseeyou,”hesaid,willingherto
hearhowdeeplyhemeantit.“Ifnot—nexttimeonJelucan.Ipromise.Soyouhavetopromise,too.Allright?Kyrellout.”
ProbablyheshouldhavesentNashamessage,aswell,buthestillhadnoideawhattosay.Duringthetrooplander’svoyagetoDantooine,ThanekeptwonderingwhattodoforNash,buthecouldthinkofnothingmoreusefulthansittinghisfrienddown
withabottleofCorellianbrandy.
Oncetheyreachedtheplanet,scanspickedupevidenceofarebelbasefairlyquickly.BeforeThanecouldgetintobattlearmor,however,wordcamethatthebasewasdeserted.They’ddoasweepforintelbutnomorethanthat.Soundedlikethey’dcomealongwayfornothing.
Butthenthetrooplanderarrivedattheabandonedbase
intheheartofDantooine’sgloomybadlands,andThanesawnotsomeramshacklehangarorscrubbysmuggler’sdenbuttheremnantsofarealmilitaryorganization.
Theycould’vehaddozensofsmallstarfightersinthisareaalone,hethoughtashescannedthevastenclosure.Datascrollingpastonhisscreentoldhimtheinstallationhadalsohelddozensofdroid-charging
ports,sophisticatedcommunicationstechnologythatwouldallowfornear-instantaneouscross-galacticinformationtransfer,andbunksforseveralhundredrebels.Andthereseemedtobeatleastadozenstructuressimilartothatone.Plustheyfoundevidenceofextensivediggingunderground,soapparentlytherebelshadatonepointplannedtoexpandthebase.
Thiswasnosmallbandofmalcontents.TheRebelAlliancewasanarmy.
No,theirfightingforcewasnowherenearthescaleoftheEmpire’smight.ButThanehadtakenenoughtacticsclassesattheacademytoknowthatanenemydidn’thavetobeyourequal;aslongasitsforcesreachedacertaincriticalmass,theyhadthepowertocauserealdamage.Itlookedtohimlikethe
Rebellionwasnearlythere.Hisusualtrainofthought
abouttherebelsbegan:They’reterrorists,they’rethugs.TheEmpirehasitsflaws,butsodidtheRepublictheseguysworship.Youcan’ttrustpowernomatterwhat.Itdoesn’treallymatterwho’sincharge.
He’dthoughthewasbeingsoworldlyandwise.Now—withtheblazeofAlderaan’sdestructionstill
glowinginhismind—Thaneknewhowhollowhisrationalizationshadbeen.Terrorismcouldneverbetheanswer,butasofthatday,theEmpirewasasguiltyofactsofterrorastheRebelAlliancewas,ifnotmore.
Histourofduty,postgraduation,wasfiveyears.Afterthat,technically,Thanecouldresignhiscommissionandtakewhateverworkhechose—but
thevastmajorityofImperialofficersremainedinserviceuntiltheyhitmandatoryretirementageordied,whichevercamefirst.He’dalwaysfiguredhewouldbealifer.Nowitfeltlikehecouldn’twearthatuniformanotherfiveminutes.
Howmanytimeshadhesaidhe’dstayintheImperialStarfleetjustsohe’dgettoflythegreatestshipsinthegalaxy?Thewordssounded
socallownow.Juvenile,even.
Youdon’treallywanttowalkout,Thanetoldhimselfashecontinuedtakingreadings,hisexpressioncarefullyimpassive.Whatyou’veseentodayproveswe’reonthebrinkofgalacticwar.Theyneedyou.
Butwhenhethoughtofthey,hewasn’timaginingtheEmperorandhisadmiralsneedinghim.Heimagined
protectinghisfellowtroops,thepeoplearoundhimhe’dalreadybeguntothinkofasfriends.AndNash.
AndCiena.
AlthoughtheDevastatorhadlefttheDeathStarbehind,theStarDestroyer’screwhadbeeninstructedtoremainlinkedtothestation’sdatafeeds.Thedesignatedviewscreenswereslightlyto
theleftofCiena’sstation,sofromthecornerofhereyeshecouldseethefebrilesurfaceofYavin,animmenseredgasgiant.Otherscreensshowedoneoftheworld’smoons,Yavin4,apparentlythereallocationoftherebelbase.
SotheysentThaneawaytoDantooinebasedonbadintel.Fornothing.Shelongedtotalkwithhimabouttheterribleeventsofthepastcoupleofdays.Talkingwith
JudehadhelpedsteadyCiena,butshestillcouldn’tsleep.Overandoveragain,inhermind’seye,shesawAlderaanexploding.
Nowshemightbeabouttowatchthedeathofasecondworld.
Butthisisamilitarytarget,sheassuredherself.Nocivilianswillbehurt.
Thatexplanationwouldmakesensetohereventually.Atthemoment,hergutached
atthethoughtofseeinganotherplanet’sdestruction.ItwastoosoonafterAlderaan;hernerveswereraw.
Therebelsrealizedtheirdoom,andtheyfoughtback—butinthemostabsurdwaypossible.
“Unbelievable,”mutteredacommanderstandingnearherdutystation.“TherebelssentahandfulofstarfighterstotargettheDeathStar?That
littleuprisingmustbeonitslastlegs,ifthat’sallthepowertheycanmuster.”
It’suninhabited,sheremindedherself.TheonlypeopletherearemembersoftheRebellion,theoneswhoaretryingtostartawar.Theychosetheirpathwillingly.Thisiswhatwarmeans.
Yetshethoughtoftheanimalsthatlivedthere,smallinnocentcreatures,andeventhetrees—
OnemonitorshowedX-wingfightersracingthroughatrench,withTIEfightersinpursuit.ShewonderedwhytheyhadevensenttheTIEsoutagainstsuchapitifulattack.Thenagain,evenminordamagetothestationwouldhavetoberepaired.Theshipszoomedpastatsuchspeedthatthefirefightwasoutofsightagaininmoments.Maybeanothercamerawouldpickitup.
Instead,ashorttimelater,shesawanX-wingandaclunkyoldfreighterheadedbacktowardYavin4attopsublightspeed.Cienareported,“Sir,therebelshipsareflyingawayfromtheDeathStar.”
“Trackthem,”hercommandersaid.“WewillwanttoprovidethemostcompletereportpossibleforGrandMoffTarkin.”
Shecontinuedlogging
everydatapacketthatarrivedfromtheDeathStar,importantorincidental.Theauxiliarybridgecontinueditsbuzzofactivity,butvoicesdroppedandtasksslowed.CienakneweveryonewaswaitingforthemomentYavin4wouldexplode.Nauseawellinginside,sheattemptedtobraceherselfforthesuddenblazinglight—wheninsteadeveryscreenconnectedtotheDeathStar
wentblack.Instantly.Simultaneously.
Cienarealizedthestreamofdataflowingfromthestationhadstopped,too.
“Didthecircuitsfail?”someonesaid,checkingoutthosemonitors.Hethoughtthescreensthemselveswereatfault.Sheknewbetter.
“TheDeathStarhasgonesilent,sir,”shereported.“Noincomingdata.”
Hercommander’sface
tookonastrangeexpression,bothconfusedandangry.“That’simpossible,Lieutenant.Therebelshavecreatedsomeformofinterference,orthosefightersweresenttoknockoutthestation’scommunications.”
X-wingfighterscouldn’tdothattoaspacestationthesizeoftheDeathStar.Couldthey?
Buttheonlyalternativewas—unthinkable.
“THAT’SIT?Theydon’tknowanythingelse?”
“TryagaintogetthroughtoCoruscant.”
“Everycommunicationnetworkiscompletelyjammed—”
Voicesechoedthroughout
theabandonedrebelbaseonDantooine,whichhadbecomeforthetimebeingamakeshiftImperialstation.Groupsofofficershuddledaround—somestillinfulllandingarmorbutmostbythenwearingonlypiecesoftheplating.Althoughtheirtroopcommanderremainedincharge,forhoursnoordershadbeengiventoanyonebutcommunicationsofficers.Therewasnothingforthem
todobutwaitandbeafraid.Thanepacedthelengthof
thehall,whichseemedtohavebeenblastedfromsolidrock,makingitfeelabitasiftheywerehuddlinginacave.Thepiecesofinformationthey’dbeenabletogathersofarwerecontradictory,confusing,andominous.SomesaidtheDeathStarhadbeendestroyed;othersclaimeditwasdamagedandunabletocommunicate;still
otherssaidthenewshadtobefalse—aploymeanttocoaxtherebelsoutofhidingsotheycouldbemoreefficientlyslaughtered.
Mostofthesoldiersintheroomseemedtobelievethelastscenario,whichhadledtoalotofcursingandbigtalkabouthowwhentheywereincharge,they’dneverinitiateanactionlikethatwithoutproperlyinformingandpreparingeveryonedownthe
chainofcommand.Afewothersprotested,sayingthatspiescouldbeanywhere.IfevenamemberoftheImperialSenateasillustriousasPrincessLeiaOrganacouldturntraitor,anyonecould.Sothisbigdiversionhadtobekeptsecretuntilthelastpossiblemoment.
Noteveryonewasconvinced,though.Thanehadexchangedglanceswithahandfulofotherswho
remainedtenseandsilent.TheDeathStarcan’thave
beenlost.ItwouldtakeadozenStarDestroyersandattackcruiserstomakeanyimpactonastationthatsize.TheRebelAllianceisclearlymorepowerfulthanoursuperiorofficersletusknow,butiftheyhadafleetthatlarge,theywould’veprovokeddirectactionbeforenow.ThatpartofhisanalysisfeltrocksolidtoThane;
however,therestwaslesscertain.IftheDeathStarhasbeendamaged,howbadly?It’sthesizeofanentiremoon,sohowcanallthecommunicationssystemsbedown?Andwhywouldn’ttheshipsdockedtherebeabletorespond,either?
IftherebelshadattackedtheDeathStarwithafleetcapableofcausingrealdamage,thebigImperialshipswouldhavebeen
launched.Theywouldhavegoneintobattle.
Thaneleanedagainsttherough-hewnstonewalloftherebelbase,canteenofnutritivemilkinonehand.HethoughtoftheDevastatorinallitsmajestyandpower,andheimagineditslasercannonsblastingtherebelfleettoshreds.Hepictureditoverandover—theshardsofmetal,thespinningdebris,thebriefpulsesofflamebefore
theyweresnuffedoutbythevacuumofspace.
IfheimaginedtheDevastatorwinning,hedidn’thavetoimaginewhatelsemighthavehappenedduringthebattleheenvisioned—totheship,toNashWindrider,ortoCiena.
Afterafewhoursatherpost,Ciena’searsrangwiththesquealsofbadlyfiltered
transmissions.Herheadswamwiththeendlessamountsofdatashehadtoprocess,fast.FornowshehadtogivehershipandherEmpireeverythingshehad.
TheDevastator’sseniorofficerswereinconference,astheyhadbeenforwhatseemedlikehours.IfanyofthemknewthereasonbehindtheDeathStar’ssudden,terrifyingsilence,theyhadnotyetshareditwiththe
crew.ForthetimebeingCiena
coulddonomorethancontinuetosortthroughtheendlessdatapacketssentfromtheDeathStarbeforeitwentquiet.Manyofthesecontainednousefulinformationwhatsoever,butuntiltheyhadafullexplanation,shecouldaffordtoignorenothing.
WhensherecognizedJude’snumberononepacket,
sheopeneditimmediately.Shedidn’tcarewhetherthisonewasimportantornot;CienaneededtoknowwhatJudehadbeendoingbeforetheDeathStar—becamedamaged,orinfiltrated,orwhateverhadgonesohorriblywrong.
ButJude’sdatawasimportant.CienareadareportfromJudeEdivontohersuperiorofficerandalllocalcommandersinwhichJude
explainedthatheranalysishadshowntherebelattackwithsmallstarfightersdidinfactposeathreattotheDeathStar.She’dfoundaflawnobodyelsehadsuspected—somethingtodowithanexhaustport—andhadsensedaweaknesswhereeveryoneelsesawinvulnerability.
Althoughthelikelihoodofadirecthitisremote,Judehadwritten,theconsequencescouldbehighlydestructiveto
thestation,evenfatal.Ifanyonehadsenta
responsetoJude’swarning,Cienahadnotyetfoundit.
Fataltothestation?TotheDeathStar?No.Judemusthavemeantonlythatofficerswouldbekilledinsomeresultingsmallexplosion.ThatmadefarmoresensethantheideathatanX-wingfightercoulddestroysomethingthesizeofamoon.
Yetthedarknessandsilenceremained.
ShortlyafterCienahadsentthisinformationtocommand,shereceivedamessagetoreporttodockingbayforty-seven.Nashshotheralookasshewalkedout,clearlyascuriousasshewasaboutwhatcouldpossiblybegoingon.Shehopedtobeabletofillhiminsoon.
Instead,shefoundshehadanewassignment.
Astone-facedcommandertoldherandtheotherpilot,“LieutenantRee,LieutenantSai,you’retotakeaGozanticlassfreightertotheYavinsystemtorendezvouswithLordVaderandbringhimbacktotheDevastator.”
Itwasasthoughsteelbandshadbeentighteningaroundher,thenweresuddenlyloosed.Cienamanagednottosighoutloud.DarthVaderisalive.Hewas
abletocontactourship.SowhateverhappenedontheDeathStarwasn’ttheworst-casescenario.Shestillhadn’tallowedherselftofullycontemplatewhatthe“worst-casescenario”mightbe.
Thecommandercontinued:“Youaretodiscloseyourmissiontonoone—notduringyourjourneyoratanytimeafterward.Youwillmaintaincommunicationssilence
unlessotherwiseorderedbyLordVader,orif…therendezvousdoesnottakeplaceasplanned.”
Whatwasthatsupposedtomean?Cienaglancedsidewaysatherfellowpilot,whoseexpressionmightaswellhavebeencarvedinstone.
Oncetheywerealoneinthefreighter’scockpit,however,LieutenantSaiprovedtobeanythingbut
stoic.“Whatarewesupposedtodo?”shesaidjustaftertheirshiphadgoneintohyperspace.“FlyuptothetotallysilentDeathStarwithoutaskingthemanyquestions?Orevengettingpermissiontodock?”
“It’sgoingtomakemoresensewhenwegetthere,”Cienasaid.
“Whyareyousosure?”“Becauseitcan’tmake
anylesssensethanitdoes
now.”Thatearnedheralaugh.
“True.Bytheway,I’mcalledBerisse.”
“Ciena.”Berisseturnedouttohave
graduatedfromtheacademyonLothaltheyearbefore.Herbrilliantsmileshonebrightlyagainsthertanskin.Shewasasstoutasregulationsallowed,withdark,shininghairshekeptevenmoretightlybraided
thanCiena’s.WhenshelearnedthatCienahadbeenontheDevastatoronlyafewshortweeks,shepromisedtoshowheraround,andevenofferedsomesympathyforNash.“That’srough,”shesaid.“Imaginefindingoutyourentireplanetturnedtraitor.”
Eventhatcan’tbeasbadasseeingitcompletelydestroyed,Cienanearlysaid—butthatwaswhenthe
sensorsbegantochime.“Yavin,”shesaid,swingingbackintopositionatthecontrols.“Droppingoutofhyperspace.”
“Droppingoutofhyperspace,”Berisseconfirmed.She,too,wasbackinofficialmode.
ThedreadCienahadkeptatbaybychattingwithBerissereturned,strongerthanbefore.Shetoldherselfthatatleastnowshewould
knowhowbadthesituationwas.Shewouldn’thavetoworryaboutJudeanylonger.Nothingcouldbeworsethannotknowing.
Thefreighterdroppedoutofhyperdriveandintohell.
Berissegaspedoutloud.Cienacouldn’tevencatchherbreath.Theywereontheoutskirtsofavastdebrisfield,twistedmetalfloatingineverydirection.Somepieceswereenormous—thesizeofa
lightcruiser—butotherswerefragmentsevensmallerthanahumanhead.Splintersconnectedwiththefreighter’swindowsandstucktothetransparencyinpatternslikefrostorcracks.
“Ican’tbelieveit,”Berissesaid,voiceshaking.“It’sgone.It’scompletelygone.”
TheDeathStarhadbeendestroyed.
Jude’swarningechoed
louderinCiena’shead.Fatal.NowsheknewJudewasdead.
AfewotherclassmateshadbeenstationedaboardtheDeathStar;atleastadozenpeopleCienaknewhadbeenmurderedthatday.Thousandsuponthousandsofsoldiers,mostofthemnotevenrousedtobattlestations—theywouldhavebeensleeping,eating,gettingadrinkinoneofthecantinas,
withnoideathatmomentwasoneoftheirlast.ButJudehadknownthedanger.Wasshefrightened?Inherlastterriblemoments,hadJudeknownitwastheend?TheideamadeCiena’sthroattightenandhereyesfillwithtears.
“LordVader’ssignal.”Berissesnappedoutofhershocktogetbacktowork.“Let’sgo.”
Numbly,Cienasteeredthefreighteraroundtheedge
ofthedebrisfield.Shewantedtocry;shewantedtoscream.Thecommandofficershadtohaveknownwhathappened.Whyhadn’ttheytoldthefleet?Theentiregalaxy?Butmaybetheyhadbelievedthisasimpossibleasshehad.CienafinallyrecognizedthathermissionwasnotonlytoretrieveDarthVaderbutalsotoconfirmthattheworsthadhappened.Theyhadsenthertobearwitness
toanothermassacre.HersorrowforJude
floodedherminduntilshecouldn’tfeelanything.CienawentthroughthemotionsastheyapproachedLordVader’sdamagedTIEfighter,gratefulforthetrainingthathadtaughtherhowtorespondevenwhenshewasfallingapart.
Vader’sshipslowlytookforminthedarkness.Shefirstsawthestrangerotationof
severalpiecesofdebris,asiftheywerebeingshovedbackbyrepulsorbeams.ThenshesawtheformofaTIEfighterwithangledwings.Vaderwasflyingjustbeyondtheever-expandingdebrisfield.
“Initiatingairlocksequence,”Cienasaid.ShewasgratefulBerissedidn’tknowherverywellyet,soshewouldn’thearhowstrainedandunnaturalhervoicehadbecome.“Three—
two—one.”Berissehitthecontrols
thatwouldreleaseoneofaquartetofdockingumbilicalsfromtheship’sbelly.Carefully,theyextendedthetubetothetopoftheTIEfighter’ssphericalcockpit.
“MetLordVaderyet?”Berissesaidlightly.
“I—uh,no.”Cienacouldhardlyfocusenoughtospeak.
“I’mgoingtoletyougobackthereandgreethim.”
Normally,Imperialofficersstrovetobethefirsttotalktoanyoneofhigherrank.Thosewereopportunitiestostandoutfromthepack.Cienahadnevercaredlessaboutadvancement.AndyetshehadtheimpressionBerissewasn’tdoingherafavor.
Theysayheisagreatman,sheremindedherselfasshestoodattheairlock,waitingfortheallclearto
enterthebay.ThathehastheEmperor’sfavor.AndtheysayhecanbendtheForceitselftohiswill.ThoughCienabelievedintheForce,shewasdoubtfulthatanyonecouldcontrolitsocompletely.Shewonderedifshewouldbeprovenwrong.
Cienaneededasuperiorofficershecouldrespect.Someonewhowouldtakecharge,someoneinwhomshecouldputhertrust.She
walkedintotheairlockcorridorjustasthepressuredoorhissedopen.Reassured,shesteppedforward—
—thenstoppedasshesawVaderforthefirsttime.
Blackarmorsheathedhimentirely.ThiswasnoTIEpilot’sgear,however;insteadCienarecognizedalife-supportsuit,onemorecomprehensivethanshe’deverseenorimaginedbefore.NothingofVader’shuman
skinorfaceremainedvisiblebeneathhisgleamingcarapace,andablackcapeshroudedhimfromshouldertofloor.Ashesteppedforward,sherealizedhowtallhewas—tallerthananyotherhumanshehadeverencountered.Inthecrampedcorridor,hisstaturewasevenmoreintimidating.Butworstofallwasthesoundofhisbreath.Theharshraspofhisrespiratorsystemechoeduntil
itseemedtofillthespace.Whatishe?Ciena
wondered.HersplinteredmindrefusedtoacceptLordVaderashuman.Heseemedmorelikeanightmarevision,oracreaturefromthescarystoriesMummausedtotellaroundthekindredgatheringfires.Evilseemedtooozefromhim,topoolwithinthespaceuntiltherewasnomoreair.Ciena’suniformcollarfelttootight.
Onlyafewmomentsbefore,she’dbeendeterminedtogreethersuperiorofficerwithdignity.Nowsheonlyhopednottofaint.
AsDarthVadersteppedawayfromtheairlockdoor,sheheardhisdeepmetallicvoiceforthefirsttime.“AreyouherebytheEmperor’scommand?”
“Wereceivedourordersfromthecommandstaffof
theDevastator,sir,”Cienamanagedtorespond.ShehadtofighttheinstinctiveneedtodrawawayfromVader.“IhavenoinformationregardingtheircontactwiththeEmperor.”
Vadertookthisinforwhatseemedtobeaverylongtime.Ciena’snervousnesscontinuedtogrowuntilheordered,“Youandyourfellowpilotwillremainintheholdforthe
remainderofthevoyage.IwilltakecommandofthisfreighteruntilwehavereturnedtotheDevastator.”
“Yes,sir.”Shedidn’tcareabout
beinghauledbacktoherStarDestroyerlikesomuchcargo.Cienawasgratefultosinkdowntothefloor,putherheadonherknees,andtakedeepbreaths.Atleastnowshedidn’thavetoact.Eventothink.Shetriedtoforget
she’deverseenDarthVader,andalmostsucceeded.Herbatteredmindcouldholdontonothingbutthesceneofdevastationshe’dwitnessed,andhergriefforJude.
AthousandmemoriesofherfriendshoneinCiena’smemorylikecandles:thetimesthey’dlaughedandtalkedintheirbunkslateatnight,howJudehadrushedtodefendCienawhenshe’dbeenaccusedofsabotaging
Thane’slasercannonandthencomfortedheraftertheargumentthatfollowed,evenhowunexpectedlyglamorousJudehadlookedatthereception.Oneofthebestfriendsshe’deverhad,orwouldhave,hadbeenannihilated.Blastedtoatoms.
BerissewasapologeticwhenshejoinedCiena.“LordVadercanbealittle—overpoweringwhenyoufirstseehim.”
“Yeah,”Cienasaidfaintly.
“Ididn’tfeellikeIcouldtakeit.Doesn’tmeanitwasanyeasierforyou.Sorry.”Berisseleanedbackagainstthewalllikeapuppetfreedfromitsstrings.“Iknowhe’sjustwearingalife-supportsuit,andit’sstupidtobefrightenedofsomeonewhohasdifferentneeds,right?Butthatrespirator—”
“Hecouldbemonitoring
usrightnow,”Cienapointedout.Berissefellsilent.
WhentheyreturnedtotheDevastator,Cienawasgratefultofinallybeoffduty.Shewenttothedeckwherehercrewquarterswerelocated.Shefreshenedup.ShespentafewminutescryingintoatowelforJude.Thenshepulledherselftogetherandwalkedback
towardherbunk—onlytopauseasshesawanotherjuniorofficerinthecorridorheadingtotheauxiliarybridge.“Nash?”
NashWindridernodded.Hestillmovedslowly,abitlikeamansleepwalking,buthisuniformwasregulationneatandhisvoicecalm.“Allhandsareneeded.”
“You’resureyou’reready?”
“Ihavetobe,”hesaid
simply.Sheputonehandonhis
arm.“Areyoupositive?You’vebeenthroughalot.”Howinadequate.Hisentireplanethadbeendestroyedinthehopesthatitwouldendawar,andthosehopeshadprovedfutile.Nashhadtobeprofoundlydevastated.
Hisvoicelow,hesaid,“TheEmpireisallIhaveleft.Ineedtobeofuse.Iwanttoserve.”
CienastillwonderedwhetherNashcouldhandleit,butshedecidedtostopfightinghim.Hedeservedthechancetotry.“Okay.I’llwalkyouupthere.”
Nashnodded,hissilenceperhapsatacitacknowledgmentthatheremainedontheemotionalbrink.
Shenoticedthenthathe’dcuthishair;thelongbraidshe’dworntiedatthenapeof
hisneckthroughouthisacademyyearshadbeenshorncompletely.MaybethebraidshadcarriedmeaningonAlderaan,ormaybethechangewassymbolicforNash—somethinghe’ddoneasakindoffarewell.Regardless,Cienaknewbetterthantoask.
ThecorridorsoftheDevastatorwereeerilysilent;onlyafewcourierdroidsandahandfulofguardswalked
alongthemetal-meshfloors.Withouttheusualbustleofactivity,thefewsoundsremainingwereamplifiedtostrangeeffect:theechoingoftheirfootsteps,eventhefainthissoftheship’sventilationsystem.Despitehermiseryandfury,sherealizedthatdeepwithinherwasasmallsenseof—reassurance.
TheDeathStarwillneverdestroyanotherworld.
Shewouldalwaysmourn
JudeandtheotherswhohaddiedaboardtheDeathStar,wouldalwaysrecognizeitsexplosionastheactofterrorismitwas.YetCienatooksomecomfortfromthefactthatnootherplanetwouldsufferAlderaan’sfate.ItsdestructionhadbeentheEmperor’slast-ditchefforttoendabloodywarbeforeitbegan;thatefforthadfailed.Warhadcome.Thedevastationtofollowwould
nodoubtbeterrible;Cienaexpectedtoseeconstantcombatandwarreadinessforalongtimetocome.Shewouldhavetokillandriskbeingkilled.
Butthatwaswar.Thecombatantswouldbesoldierspreparedforbattle.ThatCienacouldaccept.
Shortlybeforetheyreachedtheauxiliarybridge,Nashsaid,“Ciena?”
“Doyouneedoutofthis
dutyshift?”ExhaustedthoughCienawas,shewouldvolunteertoworkthenextfewhoursinNash’ssteadifitwouldhelp.
“No.It’sjust—beforeIleftmycabin,IwasthinkingofThane.Iwantedtotalkwithhim.SoIsearchedforinformationabouttheDantooinetransport.”Nashhesitatedbeforefinishing.“They’dreceivedorderstoreturntotheDeathStar.”
Thebloodinherveinsfroze.Cienastoodstock-stillinthecorridor,unabletotakeanotherstep.Sheswallowedhard.“AndThane?”
“Hewould’vebeenaboard.Doyouknowifthetransportdockedbeforetheexplosion?”
“No.”Allthattime,Cienahad
keptgoingbypromisingherselfthatshe’dbeabletotalkabouteverythingwith
Thanesoon—byremindingherselfthatatleastherbestfriendintheworldhadescaped.
Butwhatifhehadn’t?WhatifThanehadbeenkilled,too?
Ittookalmostaweek—thelongestandmostagonizingofhislife—forThane’sshiptoreceivenew,definiteorders.Hisvessel,ashort-haul
transport,hadn’tbeenstockedwithnearlyenoughprovisions,sothey’dhadtocommandeerfoodstuffsfromthenearesttown.Althoughtheshiphadbunks,theywereintendedmoreforemergencyusebytheinjuredthanforactualsleep.Ratherthanlieonthose,Thaneandseveralothershadmovedintothebunkstherebelsleftbehind.
Howstrangeitfelttolieontheenemy’sbed,tosee
wheresomeonehaddrawnacrudefigureofanX-wingfighteronthewall,andtoknowanX-winglikethathadbeentheweaponthatdestroyedtheDeathStar—andmaybeCienawithit.
SoThaneshouldhavebeenrelievedtobebackaboardhisownship,fullyarmoredandwithhisblasterathisside.Nothingwasworsethannotknowing,he’dtoldhimself.Oncethey’d
rendezvousedwiththeImperialfleet,hewouldfinallyfindoutforcertainwhathadhappenedtoallhisfriends.
Butwhenhetriedtoimaginewhathe’ddoiftheytoldhimCienawasdead,hismindwentblank.Itwasasifhisbrainrefusedtoshowhimanythingbeyondthatpoint.
“Kyrell,”hiscommandersaidastheypreparedforlightspeed.“Didyounotsend
familymessagesconfirmingyoursurvival?Ishowyouasayes,butwe’vegotnoresponses.”
“Youwouldn’t,”Thanesaid,withoutmuchemotion.Hedidn’tthinkhisfamilyactuallywantedhimdead—thoughmaybeDalvenwouldn’thaveminded—butwritingbackwasapparentlybeyondtheirinterests.
WhatdidIeverdotothem,besidesbeingborn?he
thoughtforthethousandthtime.
YetthinkingofthatmadehimwanttotalktoCiena,theonlypersonwho’deverreallyunderstoodhowscreweduphisfamilywas.Thepitoffearinhisbellygrewheavier,andhespokehardlyonewordontheirwaytorendezvouswiththefleet.
Whenthetransportcameoutoflightspeed,afewpeoplemutteredandone
personemittedalowwhistleofsurprise.OutsidehoveredmoreshipsthanThanehadeverseeninoneplace,evenoverCoruscant.TIEfightersswarmedlikegnatsscurryingoverthesurfaceofeverylargervessel.CountlesstransportsandsmallershipshadbeenpulledintoroughformationaroundthedozenorsoStarDestroyersthatobviouslyformedthenewcoreoftheImperialStarfleet.
WasoneofthoseStarDestroyerstheDevastator?Fromtheoutsidetheshipswereasidenticalasslicesofthesamepie.
Evenastheirtransportroseintothemaindockingbay,theircommanderwasshoutingtheirneworders.“N-O-Seven-One-Eight,you’retoreporttotheStarDestroyerEliminatorimmediately,toLieutenantCommanderCherik.N-Y-
One-One-Two,sameorders.A-V-Five-Four-Seven—”
Thaneliftedhishead.“Youtransfertothetroop
shipWatchtowerfortransportanddeploymenttoKerevDoi.”
Hewasbeingsenttoaspice-miningworld?TheordersoundedabsurdtoThanefortheinstantittookhimtoputthepiecestogether.Whereverspicewasacommodity,finances
becameshady.Ifyouwantedtohidemoney—vastsumsofit,thekindoffundsthatcouldsupportanentirerebelarmy—KerevDoiwasoneoftheveryfewplacesinthegalaxytowhichyoucouldturn.Theywerebeingsenttoshaketheplacedown,maybetocuttheRebellionoffatthesource.Thatmadesense.YethefoundhimselfthinkingofKerevDoiinaverydifferentlight.Spiceworldswere
heavilytraffickedbyshipsbothlegitimateandcriminal.Evenmanyofthelegitimatevesselsdidn’tkeepcarefulrecordsabouttheirtripsthere.Everystorybookorholoaboutrunningawayfromhomefeaturedoneofthespiceworldsandcolorfulimagesoftheexoticshipsandtraderswhomightwhiskanyoneawayfromthelifetheyhadknownbefore.
KerevDoiwasaplace
wherehecouldgetlost.Thanecaughthimself.It
wasn’tlikehewasactuallyplanningonleavingtheImperialfleet,atleastnotyet.Notuntilhe’dlearnedwhathadbecomeofCiena,Nash,andtherest,andmaybenotever.Buthewasperhaps…testingtheidea.Gettingusedtoit.
IfCienahaddied,whatwasleftforhimthere?Nothing.
“Sir?”hesaidtohiscommandingofficer,wholookedannoyedattheinterruption.“WhichStarDestroyeristhis?”
“Doesitmatter,LieutenantKyrell?”
“Itdoestome,sir.”Hiscommandingofficer
wasn’timpressedbyanyshowofindependence.“You’reontheDevastator.Butifyou’renotontheWatchtowerwithinthehour,
you’reoutofthefleet.”TheDevastator.Thane
breathedout.Okay,Ciena’sprobablyfine.Shewassafeandsoundonhershiptheentiretime.
UnlessmaybeshestayedbehindontheDeathStarforadutyassignment—orshewasvisitingJudeandtheDevastatorpulledouttooquicklyforhertorejoinit—
Hedisembarkedwithonlyawristcommunicatortotell
himwheretofindtheWatchtower’sdockingberth.Fromthelooksofthings,hedidn’thavemuchtime,butmaybeenoughtostopatacommunicationspanel.Evenifthesysteminformedhimshewasonduty,itwouldbeproofshewasalive.HowwashesupposedtogetonanothershipandflyawayfromtheDevastatorwithoutevenknowing?
“Thane!”
HeturnedandsawCiena,halfwayacrossthecrowdedbay,anditwaslikethehardshellaroundhimcrackedandcrumbledaway.HeforgotaboutKerevDoi,aboutescape.Itwasimpossibletothinkaboutanythingbutthesightofherthere,then,alive.“Ciena!”
Thenallthatmatteredwaspushingthroughthecrowd,shoulderingasidestormtroopergruntsand
seniorofficersalike,sohecouldgettoher.
CienaflungherarmsaroundThane’sneck,andheembracedherbacksotightlythatshecouldbarelybreathe.Shedidn’tcare,notnow.
“You’realive,”shesaid,hervoicebreaking.“You’realive.Wedidn’tknowwhetheryourtransporthadreturnedtotheDeathStar—”
“Ididn’tknowiftheDevastatormadeit,andnobodyknowswhatthehellisgoingon—”
“It’ssoterrible—”“Didyou—?”Theystoppedtryingto
talkovereachotherandjustlaughedforamoment,outofpurejoy.CienalookedupatThane,andshesawthemanhehadbecome,theoneshewasinsomewaysonlybeginningtoknow—andyet
whowasalreadyasmuchapartofherasherboneorblood.
“I’msupposedtoreporttotheWatchtowerwithinthehour,”Thanesaid.“Areyoufree?”
Shecould’vegroaned.Alreadyshewaslatetoreportforhernextshift—butthen,totheside,shesawBerissegesturingather,clearlysaying,Goon!I’vegotit!CienaturnedbacktoThane.
“Ihaveafewminutes.”Theyworkedtheirway
throughthebusydockingbaytoasidecorridor;itledtoarecreationareaand,assuch,wascurrentlydeserted.Thoughtheroarofactivitycontinuedonlyafewmetersaway,therethetwoofthemcouldbenearlyalone.
“Areyouallright?”Thanebrushedaloosecurlbackfromhercheekasheframedherfacewithhis
hands.Cienaknewhewasn’t
talkingaboutbattleinjuries.“NashWindriderissafe.He’stornupaboutAlderaan—”Itwashardeventosaytheplanet’sname.Thanewincedwhenheheardit.“Still,he’sonduty.ButJudediedontheDeathStar.”
“I’msorry.”Hepulledherbackintohisarms,andsheleanedherheadagainsthischest.
They’dnevertouchedeachotherlikethat;nodoubtThanewasasvividlyawareofthatasshewas.Andyetembracinghim,beingheldbyhim,feltnatural.Right.
“IreallythoughtI’dlostyou,”shewhispered.“EverythingelseIcouldhandle,becauseIhadto,butwhenIrealizedyoumighthavebeenkilled—IknewIcouldn’tgetthroughthat.Notever.”
Cienaexpectedhimtosaysomethinglike,“Ofcourseyoucould;you’restrong”or“Don’tworryaboutme.”Instead,Thanefoldedherdeeperinhisembrace.“Thiswholeweek,Ididn’tknowifyouweredeadoralive.TheEmpirehasbeenturnedupsidedown,andwe’regoingtowar,andnotonedamnbitofitmattered.YouweretheonlyoneIcouldthinkabout.”
Cienastoodontiptoeto
hughimtighter.Thane’sfingerstracedalongherjawlineashebrushedhislipsagainstherforehead,thentiltedherfaceuptowardhis.ButitwasCienawhobroughttheirmouthstogetherfortheirfirstkiss.
Oh,shethoughtastheirlipsopenedagainsteachother.It’snotwhetherhe’smyfriendorsomeoneIlove.He’sboth.Thane’salwaysbeenboth,sincethe
beginning.Thiswasn’tthestartof
something;itwastheirdiscovery,theiradmission,ofwhathadbeenbetweenthemforaverylongwhile.
Whentheypulledapart,Thanetookadeepbreath.“Thatwas—very—”
“Yeah.”Thentheybothlaughed,moregentlythistime,andhekissedherforeheadagain.
Sheslidherarmsdown
hisshoulderstotakehishandsinhers.Thane’scrookedsmilemadeCienafeelasifsheweremeltinginside.Whycouldn’tthishavehappenedatamomentwhentheycouldreallybealone?
Butafewstolenminutesinanoisydockingbaywerealltheyhad,andshedidn’tintendtowastethem.“Listentome,”Cienasaid.“Ascrazyasthingsare,we’llbe
togetheragain.Idon’tknowwhereorwhen,butit’sgoingtohappen.”
“Itwill,”heanswered,brightening.“Nomatterwhat,I’mgoingtofindyou.”
Thatwasastrangewaytoputit.Oncetheyworkedpastthisinitialconfusion,Imperialrecordswouldbeabletoconnectthetwoofthematanytime.ButCienadidn’tcare.Shewastooovercome,alreadyyearning
forthenexttimethey’dbetogetherbeforethey’devensaidgood-bye.“HowcanImissyouwhenyou’restillhere?”
“BecauseIalreadymissyou,too.Butit’snotforever.Notevenforlong.”
Thanekissedheragain,andafterdaysofholdingstrongagainstloss,grief,andterror,Cienaletherselfsurrendertoamomentofhappiness.
Thenshewalkedhimtohistransport,kissedhimoncemoreattherampasafewofficersinsidewhistled,and,finally,ranlikehellforherdutystation.
Whenshegottoherconsole,Berissesteppedasidewithamotionlikeawaiterpresentingthedessert.“Ioweyouone,”Cienabreathedasshetriedtosteadyherself.
“Youowemewaymore
thanone,”Berisseanswered.Cienaglancedsidewaysat
Berisse;thetwoofthemstartedtosmileatthecrazinessofitall.Amazinghow,insituationslikethat,youcouldbecomegoodfriendsinonlyacoupleofdays.Shegotbacktowork,butononeviewscreenshebroughtupthedockingbayfeedsoshecouldseetheWatchtowerdisengageandsetofffortheinfinityof
space,takingThanewithit.
INTHEADVENTUREstoriesandswashbucklingholo-seriesThanehadwatchedasachild,spiceworldswereexoticlandspeopledwithbeautifuldancers,wisecrackinggangsters,anddaringpilots
whoflewsouped-upstarshipsastheyoutranthoseno-goodOldRepublicenforcers.
Thestoriesallsuggestedthatspicesmugglerslongedforadaywhentheycouldtradetheirgoodsfairly—andthattheEmpirehaddeliveredthespiceworldsfromtheirmoredangerous,yetcolorfulpast.ThanenolongerbelievedintheEmpireasanyone’ssalvation,andheknewhe’dlearnedallthat
fromtalestoldtochildren;yettheromanceofspiceworldslingereduntilthemomenthesetfootonKerevDoi.
Hedidn’tknowwhathe’dexpected,butitwasn’tthis.
KerevDoi’spinkskiesnolongerspreadovervastopenland;insteadtheyhadturneddarkerandhungoveragrim,disheartenedpopulace.Peopledidn’twearfancyoutfitsortradequips;theyhid
withinheavycloaksandsaidaslittleaspossible.Spicefarmsdominatedthelandscape.Everythingabouttheplanetthatwasn’tordinarywasprofoundlydepressing.
Okay,soyourchildhoodstoriesdidn’tpanout,Thanetoldhimselfroughly.Getoverit.Thisisreality.
Hisdutywouldhavebeeneasierifhe’dhadmoretodoonKerevDoi,butthe
Watchtower’srolewasprimarilytoferrytheofficialsinchargeofshakingdowntheplanet’snotoriouslycorruptbankingsystemandtoprovideashowofstrength.SoThane’staskswerelimitedtotakingouthisTIEfightereverydayandflyinglowoverareasthatneededareminderoftheEmpire’spowerandreach.
Once,Thanemightatleasthavefounditfunny,the
waypeoplecoweredandscatteredasheflewoverhead.AfterAlderaan,seeingpeoplescaredoftheEmpire—well,henolongerfeltlikelaughing.
Onafreenight,hewentouttotheBlueConvor,alocalnightclubfamousfrommanyoftheholos.Thatwaswhereheroesandheroinesmeteachother,exchangedsoulfulglancesoverdrinksthatglowedintheradiant
light,andmadeplansthatwouldearnthemmoneybeyondimagining.Thaneheldoutlittlehopefortheplace;atworstitwouldbeasseedyandrun-downasmostofwhathe’dseenofKerevDoisofar.Atbestitwouldbeatouristtrap.
ButsomehowtheBlueConvorturnedouttoberelativelyclosetowhatThanehadpictured.Theambiancewaslow-key(helpedalongby
thenewrulethatonlyImperialofficerscouldbringtheirblastersinside).Lowcoucheswerecushionedindeeporangeandrichpink,andhangingplantsdangledtheirlushbloomsoverhead.Levitatingcandledroidsilluminatedonlytheirimmediatesurroundings,leavingplentyofinvitingshadows.Themusicwasexcellent,lowsultryrhythmsplayedbyalong-snoutedguy
atacircularkeyboard.Thane’sdrinkcameinatallglassandwasjuststrongenoughtosoftentheedges.
I’lltellCienaaboutthisinmynextmessage,hethought.Sheusedtolikethoseholos,too,whenshegottoseethem.ItwouldmakeherhappytoknowatleastonethingaboutKerevDoiisjustasgoodasweimaginedit.
Thanefelthimself
grinningandtriedtostop,buthecouldn’t.EventhethoughtofCienablewhismindthesedays.
EversincethatdayontheSkyLoopwhenThanehadfirstrealizedthenewpotentialinhisrelationshipwithCiena,he’dresistedit.Evenwhenhehadn’tbeenangrywithheraboutthatdumb-assincidentwiththelasercannon,he’dbeenafraidofwhatwouldhappenifthe
bondbetweenthemchanged.Butithadn’tchanged.
Thatwastheamazingthing.They’dalwaysbelongedtoeachotherinwaysthatweredifficulttodefine;Thanefeltasthoughthey’dsimplyacknowledgedwhathadbeentruefromthestart.
Andshe,too,wasconsideringleavingtheImperialStarfleet.
Thatmadesense,ofcourse.Cienadefinedherself
byherhonor,andtherecouldbenohonorinwhattheEmpirehaddonetoAlderaan.Obviously,theRebelAlliancewasnobetter;ithadblownuptheDeathStarwithnearlytwomillionpeopleonboard.Butonewrongdidn’texcuseanother.Shehadprobablythoughtaboutabandoningherpostevenbeforehehad.
Onceagain,Thanereplayedthosefewincredible
minutesinhismind—theoneandonlytimehe’dbeenabletoholdCienainhisarmsandkissher.Shehadsaid,We’llbetogetheragain.Idon’tknowwhereorwhen.
Shewouldn’thavesaidthatifshethoughtthey’dbothremainintheImperialNavy,wheretheycouldfindeachotherthroughanydatabase.Surelyshe,too,wantedout.
Butwantingoutandgettingoutweretwodifferent
things.Whatexactlywashesupposedtodoifheabandonedhispost?Hewouldimmediatelybecomeawantedcriminal.Alow-prioritycriminal,maybe—especiallywiththerebelsoutthereasamoredangerousthreat—buthe’dstillbeatriskofbeingthrowninthebrigthefirsttimeanImperialofficerperformedascanandrealizedhewasadeserter.PlusCienawouldfindit
incrediblyhardtobreakherpromisetoservetheEmpire.Shebelievedinbothoathsandhonorassacred.Whathappenedwhenthoseoathsandherhonorwereatodds?
Iguesswehavetowait,hethoughttiredly.Doourfiveyears.Trytogetassignedtothesamestationorshipforawhile.MaybeputdownthisdamnedrebellionandavengeJude,beforeourtoursofdutyareup.Thenwecanresign
andwalkaway.Andafterthat…Thane
didn’tknow.Theywouldn’treturntoJelucan;thatmuchwascertain.Butitwasabiggalaxy.Thepossibilitieswereendless.Alltheyhadtodowassearchfortheirfuturetogether.
Hesippedhisdrinkanddaydreamedaboutthisnightasascenefromoneoftheholos.Nowhewasaswaggeringspicepirate,all
egoandcharm.Cienacouldslinkindressedlikeoneofthoseclassicfemmefatales—inadeep-redrobethatclungtoherbody—andwhispertohimthatsheneededhelpfromamanwhowasafraidofnothing.
“That’sme,”hewhisperedtotheCienainhismind.Heimaginedkissingheragain,andthenextdaydreamslastedhimuntilhehadpaidforhisdrink,leftthe
club,andreturnedtohisbunk.
Thane’sfive-yearplanfellaparteightdayslater,whenheflewovertheLower-SeaProvince.
Hedidafewdramaticswoopsanddivesforthebesteffect.ThedistinctivescreamofaTIEfighter’sengineswouldechointhecanyons.Noonewhohearditcould
doubtthattheEmpireremainedstrongandomnipresentthroughoutthegalaxy.Bythetimehelandedtomeetwiththelocalgarrisonandgrabhismiddaymeal,Thanewasfeelingfairlypleasedwithhimself.
ButashewalkedtowardthelocalHQ,hissmilefaded.
Alineofworkerstrudgedalongthetrailleadingupfromtheminecrevasse.Inmostofthespicemines
Thanehadseenupuntilthen,droidsandlesserautomatonsservedasthemainlaborforce.There,however,theminerswereallsentientbeings.Heevenrecognizedtheirspecies:apalereptilianpeoplecalledtheBodach’i.TheirplanethadcontinuallyresistedImperialregulations—everyoneknewthat,astheBodach’ihadbeenopenintheirdefiance—butsomemonthsbefore,ithadbeen
announcedthatorderwasrestoredandnewsanctionslevied.
Thanehadimaginedthat“sanctions”meantfinesortradingpenalties.Hehadnotrealizeditmeantslavery.
TheBodach’iworerestraintcollarsandwristlets.Ontheirown,therestraintswerenomorethanheavyandcumbersome;however,anydeviationfromtheprogrammedtasksorpaths
wouldresultinelectricshocksorevenmetalspursjabbingintothewearer’sflesh.
Ithoughtthoserestraintswereforviolentcriminals,notfor…regularpeople,Thanesaidtohimself,dazed,ashewalkedslowlyalongtheborderoftheImperialoutpost.Beyond,theBodach’istaggeredundertheirburdens,unabletostopandrest.Theywere
monitoredbyImperialstormtrooperswhostoodmanymetersapartalongthelinethatseemedtostretchintoinfinity.Afewtownspeoplewatched,eitherinsilentfearorcompleteapathy.Thanecouldn’ttellthedifference.
NauseatightenedhisthroatandbellyashesawtheBodach’istruggling.Mostofthemweren’tevenfitlaborers.Therewere
younglingBodach’ithere,hardlybigenoughtocarrytheburdensthey’dbeengiven.Elders,too,theirscalesgonedustywithage.
Thiswaswrong.Worsethanwrong—evil.IftheBodach’ihaddefiedtheEmperor,sanctionsmightbeappropriate,butnotthis.Nothingcouldjustifypunishinganentireracethisway.
Enslavingthem.
Whydoesn’tsomeonehelpthesepeople?Thanewonderedashescannedtheblankexpressionsofthelocals.Theircollarscouldbeunfastenedduringthenight,theirescapescoveredup.…
Thenithithim.Nobodyhelpedthe
Bodach’ibecausethesepeopleallfearedtheEmpire.AndwhenThanehadflownoverhead,showingoffhisTIEfighterandlettingthe
populacehearitsenginesscream,hehadmadethemevenmoreafraid.
Thecrushingweightofthattruthsettledonhim,andforamomentThanefeltasifhecouldhardlybreathe.
OneofthelocalchildrenhadbegunjeeringattheBodach’i.“That’swhatyouget!YouthinkyoucanpushtheEmperoraround?Showedyou!”Oneofthestormtroopersnoddedin
approval,thenpattedthechild’shead.
Thatboycouldbenomorethansevenoreightyearsold—theageThanewaswhenhe’ddecidedtojointheImperialfleet.Thatwashowevilmagnifieditself:ittookrootintheyoungandgrewalongwiththem.Eachgenerationprovidedthenextlevelofabuse.
We’reteachingchildrentoapproveofslavery.We’re
teachingthemcrueltyisavirtue.
Buttheworstpartwas—Thanehadbeenthatkid.He’dsatinthepilot’sseatofashuttleandfeltproud.Feltbig.AllbecausehemightbepartoftheEmpiresomeday.He’dfollowedthepaththatledfromthere,andwherehadittakenhim?Nowheflewshipsonlytofrightenpeople,inthenameofanEmpirethatslaughteredentireworlds.If
hecouldgoback,wouldhehavethestrengthtochooseadifferentpath?
DoIhavethestrengthtodothatnow?
AnotherstormtroopercuffedoneoftheBodach’i,whostaggeredtotheside.Shehadlostmanyscalesandhertaildraggedalongthesand,eventhoughtheroughterrainhadtohavenickedandbruiseditcountlesstimesbythen.Thecreature’sweakness
lancedThanethrough,especiallybecausetherewasnothinghecoulddo.Absolutelynothing.Notagainstanentiregarrisonofstormtroopers.Hehadtojuststandthereandwatch,andknowhispartintheevilhebeheld.
Thatnighthepaidtheexorbitantamountofcreditsittooktobuyaholonet
message.IfCienadidn’tgetthesignalintime,orwasn’tfreetorespond,he’djusthavetotryagainthenextday—buttoThane’srelief,shesignedinalmostimmediately.Hetookhisseatinthedarkholo-booth,feltthewarmbeamsoflightscanninghisfaceandbody—
—andCienamaterializedbeforehim.
Herhologramwasnearlylife-size.Thesoftbluelight
caughteveryfacetofher—thecurlshalf-loosedandfallingdownherback,herfulllips,thewayshesmiledtoseehim.“Iwasn’texpectingthis,”shesaid,hervoiceonlyslightlyblurredbythetransmission.Sheworeuniformtrousersbuthadstrippeddowntohersinglet,exposingherarmsandshoulders.“Ican’tbelieveyousprangfortheholonet—butI’msogladyoudid!It’s
sogoodtoseeyou.”“Evenbettertoseeyou.”
Thesightofhernowhadlostnoneofthepowerofthatfirstmomenthe’dglimpsedherontheDevastator.Thanestillfeltjustasgratefulandhumbledatthemerefactshewasalive.“Ineededtotalk.Ididn’twakeyouup,didI?”
“No.Myshiftjustended,andmyroommate’sout.”
Onewordofthatstruckhimasodd.“Roommate,
singular?”Ciena’sgrinbeamedat
himthroughthedarkenedholo-recordingbooth.“You’retalkingtoLieutenantCommanderRee,asofyesterday.”
“That’samazing.”Aslittleaseitherofthemcaredaboutadvancementatatimelikethis,ThanecouldstillappreciatewhatthepromotionmeanttoCiena.Itwasproofshe’ddoneher
duty,andbrilliantly.“It’snotsurprising,though.Notforsomeoneasgoodasyouare.”
YetthatmadeCiena’sfacefall.“It’snotonlyaboutmyperformance.Notevenmostlyaboutthat.IgotpromotedbecausetheEmpirelostsomanypeopleontheDeathStar.”
Ofcourse.Thestationhadbeenhostingmanyofthetopofficialsofthefleetandtheirstaffs.Nowtherewasa
powervacuumatthetop.“Everythinghaschanged,”hesaid,carefully.
Cienanodded.Onestrapofhersingletslippedoffhershoulder,andtheillusionofthehologramwassostrongthatThanewantedtoleanforwardandnudgeitbackintoplace—ormaybenudgetheotheroneoff,too.Buthehadtostayfocused.Hehadtothink.Holonetmessageslikethesewouldn’tbedirectly
monitored,buttherewereprogramstoscourwhattheysaidandlookforsuspiciouswordsorphrases.
SoThanecouldn’tcomeoutandsayexactlywhathewasthinking.Neithercouldshe.Butmaybetheycouldmakeeachotherunderstand.
Cienasatontheedgeofherbunk,drinkinginthesightofThane’sholograminfrontof
her.Inthedarknessshecouldalmostpretendhewasreallythere.
“Areyouallright?”sheasked,speakingassoftlyasshecould,rightintotheholo-receiver.“AshappyasIamtotalkwithyou,Iknowyouwouldn’thavesurprisedmelikethisfornoreason.”
Thane’sfacewasetchedingoldenlight,onlyashadelighterthanhisred-tingedhair.Initshecouldreadthe
deepestconcernandsorrow.“It’shardtoknowhowtogoonafteratragedylikethis,”hesaid.
AgainCienathoughtofJude,andshehadtoblinkbacktears.“Ican’tgetitoutofmyhead,either.It’sliketheexplosionplaysoverandoverinmymind,andIwanttosavethembutIcan’t.Ijust…can’t.”
“Doyoufeellikewehavetowaitandseewhathappens
withthiswar?”Thanesaid,hiseyessearchingherssointenselythatitwaslikehetrulywastherewithher.“Ordoesthischangehowwegofromhere?”
Herheartachedtothinkofhimsystemsaway,tryinginvaintoimaginetherightstrategythatwouldgivethemaquickvictoryandpreventfurtherbloodshed.Thosedaydreamswereonlynatural,butthatwasalltheycould
everbe:dreams.“Wecan’tjuststandaside
andletsuchthingshappen,”Cienaremindedhim.“Notwhenwehavethepowertomakeadifference.Whateverwehavetodo—howevermuchwehavetosacrifice—thenwe’llfacethatasitcomes.Together.”
“Together,”Thanerepeated,andhissmilethenwassosadthatshecouldfeelhisvulnerability,andhers,as
surelyandpainfullyasanywound.
Cienareachedouttotouchthehandofthehologram;Thaneresponded,andtheflickeringlightofhisfingerspassedslightlythroughherrealhand.“Imissyou,”shesaidoncemore.Thewordsweresoinadequate;nothingshecouldpossiblysaywouldcommunicatewhatshefelt.
“Itwon’tbelongbefore
we’retogetheragain,”Thanepromised,soconfidentlythatshehadtobelievehim.Infact,heseemedsosurethatCienawonderedifhe’dalreadyreceivedhisnextorders—whetherheknewsomethingshedidn’t.
Thanelookeddownatherhand,carvedofflickeringbluelight,reachingtowardandthroughhim.
“Ihopeyou’reright,”Cienasaid,hervoiceechoingslightlywithinthebooth.“Iwishitwouldonlybeafewdays.No—aslongasI’mwishing,Iwishyouwerewithmerightnow.”
“Metoo.”Themeterbegantoblink,signalingthattheirtimewasalmostup.Thanewantedtostuffmorecreditsintoitandbuyanotherfewminutes—butthey’dsaidalltheycould,andnowmore
thanever,heneededtosavehismoneyformoreimportantthings.“Gottago.I’msorrythecall’ssoshort,Ciena—”
“It’sallright!I’msogladIgottoseeyou.”Cienakissedherownfingertips,thenheldthemoutuntiltheyseemedtobrushhislips;Thaneimaginedhecouldfeeltheenergyofthebeams,electricandwarm.“Good-bye.”
“Good-bye,”hesaidin
thelastinstantbeforeherimageblinkedout.
Ashewalkedfromtheholo-boothbacktohisbarracks,Thanekeptreplayingtheirconversationinhishead,marvelingathowthey’dmanagedtosayeverythingandnothing.CienahadagreedwithhimaboutthetragedyofAlderaanandfeltthesamedesperate,futilelongingtosavethelost.Morethanthat,she’dagreed
theycouldn’tjusthangaroundinImperialservice,doingwhattheyweretold.Theyhadtotakeactionimmediately.
Thanehadalreadyknownwhathispathmustbe,butnowthatheknewCienawaswithhim,nothingcouldholdhimback.
Thenextday,hecompletedhismorningflightpatternasusual,thenmanagedtoswitchtoanight
flightinsteadofhisusualafternoonrun.Heusedthoseafternoonhourstowithdrawasmanycreditsaspossiblefromhisaccount,tradetheminforspice,andthentradethespiceinforunmarkedcredits.Thaneusedthemoneytobuycivilianclothes—adarkbluejacket,blackpantsandboots,andagrayshirtthatwouldlookathomeonanyworldinthegalaxy.
Thenandonlythendidhe
gotothespaceportandfindanindependentfreighter.
“IwanttogettothenearestHubworld,”Thanesaid,tryingtosoundasconfidentandcocksureasthecharactersinthoseholosfromlongago.“That’sallyouneedtoknow.Asknoquestionsandyougettwo-thirdsofthefeeupfront,one-thirdatlanding.”
ThereptilianFalleenpilotlaughed.“Sillyhuman.I
don’taskquestionsanyway.Youreadytogo?Weblastoffwithinthehour.”
ForonemomentThanehesitated,thinkingofCiena.Wouldsheknowwheretofindhim?
Ofcourseshewill.ShemightevenhavelefttheEmpirebeforeIdid,andgottherebeforeme.We’rebothheadinginthesamedirection.Nothinginthegalaxycanstopus.
“Yeah,”Thanesaid.“I’mready.”
AsCienalayinherbunkafewnightslater,shewhispered,“DoyouthinkweshoulddosomethingforNash?”
“Ughhhh.”Berisse’svoicewashoarsefromsleep.“Youdorealizethisisthemiddleofmydownshift,right?”
“Sorry.I’mjustworriedabouthim,that’sall.It’slikeNashissleepwalkingthroughhisduties.Onlyhalfalive.”
“Soundsaboutright,afterwhathappened.”Berisseleanedovertheedgeofhertopbunk;herlongblackhairstreamedaroundherupside-downface.“You’rethinkingaboutNashmostlybecauseit’stheonlythingthatkeepsyoufromthinkingaboutThane,aren’tyou?”
“Itisn’t!”Cienarolledoverononeside,flippingbackhergrayblanketsoshecouldgestureforemphasis.“I’vehardlybeendaydreamingonmyshifts—theyevenletmehandleauxiliarynavigationyesterday.”
“Ididn’tmeanonthejob.Putyouatyourdutystationandyou’reflawless.It’sonlyeveryotherwakingmomentthatyou’rededicatedto
Thane.”“You’rejustteasingme
becauseIwouldn’tstoptalkingabouthisholotheothernight.”
“Exactly.Soshutupandletmesleep.”Berisse’sfacevanished,andaboveCienaheardtherustleofblanketsandmattress.
Still,Berissewouldn’tbeasleepagainyet.“WereallydohavetodosomethingforNash.Imeantthat.He’s
hurtingterriblyandwon’tadmitit.”
“He’sdoingaboutaswellascanbeexpected.Nashispickingupextrashifts—keepingbusy.Bestthingforhim.”
Probablythatwastrue.“Still,wecouldfigureoutotherwaystofillhistime.Maybeinvitehimtoworkoutinthegymsomeday,playgrav-ball,thatkindofthing.”
“Sure.Giveitatry,”
Berissemumbled.Bythenshewasdeeplydrowsy,barelyconscious.NodoubtshehadnoideawhatCienahadevensaid.
Grav-ball.ThesuggestionwassotrivialitembarrassedCiena;thatwasnoconsolationforthelossofaworld.Thenagain,whatwas?Nashwouldhavetorebuildhislifedaybyday,evenhourbyhour.Fornow,asafriend,allCienacoulddowashelp
fillsomeofthosehours.Sherolledoverand
clutchedherpillowasshetriedtosettledown.ButsheremainedworriedaboutNash,miffedthatBerissehadaccusedherofthinkingaboutnothingbutThane—
—andhappytokeepthinkingaboutThane.
Thatwasthetimetothinkofhim,though.Noduty,nodistractions,onlythememoryoftheextraordinaryholo-
messagefromafewdaysbefore.Cienasmiledtoherselfasshethoughtofthewaythey’dsaidsomuchinsofewwords.Thanehadagreedwithheraboutstickingtotheirduty,concentratingonfightingthewartothebestoftheirability,andfindingwaystobetogetheragainasoftenastheirservicewouldallow.
Shefellasleepamidavisionthatwashalfhope,half
dream—ThanetransferredtotheDevastatorasaTIEpilot,flyingalongsideLordVaderhimself,comingbacktoherattheendofeveryshift.Thatdreamsuffusedherentirenight,whichwasonereasonwhythenewsthenextmorningcameassuchawretchedshock.
“Therehastobeamistake,”Cienasaid,staringatNash.“Yougotthenameswrong.”
“Iwashisroommateforthreeyears.Trustme,Iknowhisname.”Nasheventurnedthetabletaroundsoshecouldseeforherself.Theystoodoutsidethecommissary;nobodywasaroundtooverhearexceptafewgroggypilotsstaggeringintogettheirbreakfastandcaf.“LieutenantThaneKyrell,designationA-V-five-four-seven,deserteddutyasofthreeKerevDoidaysago.”
SheclutchedatthesleeveofNash’suniform.“Hewouldn’tdesert.Hisshipcrashed—orhe’sbeentakenprisonerbysomelocalroughs,somethinglikethat.”
“You’dthinkhissuperiorswouldhavecheckedthatout.Butperhapsyou’reright.It’snotlikeThanetorun.”Nashsteppedclosertoher,loweredhisvoice.“Ididn’ttellyouthistofrightenyou.OneoftheISBofficers
questionedmethismorningaboutThane’sloyalties,politicalbeliefs,alltherest.IwasabletoassurethemthatThaneisnorebel,butIcantellthey’renotsatisfied.”
Cienaunderstoodnow.Theywouldquestionhernext.
SoshewalkedstraighttotheofficeoftheseniorISBofficeraboard,CaptainRonnadam,andhadherselfannounced.Shestoodinfront
ofhimatattentionasshesaid,“I’vecometovolunteerwhatinformationIhaveaboutLieutenantKyrell,sir.”
“OurvagabondonKerevDoi.OronceonKerevDoi.”Ronnadamsquintedather.“Doyouthinkhe’satraitorormerelyadeserter?”
“Heisnotraitor,”sheansweredwithasmuchforceasshedared.Itwasimportantthatthegeneralunderstandtheywereonthesameside—
allthreeofthem.“Thane—LieutenantKyrellhasrepeatedlydescribedtherebelsasterrorists,sir.Inourlastcommunication,heexpressedhisdeepsorrowandanguishaboutthedestructionoftheDeathStar.”
“Thenwhy,LieutenantCommanderRee,hasheabandonedhispost?”
“Icanonlythinkthatheis—indespair,sir.Overcome
bythelossofsomanyfriends.”Cienahesitatedbeforecontinuing.ThiscameclosetobetrayingThane’ssecrets,andshehadalmostdonethatoncebefore,whenshe’dmentionedhisproblemswithhisfatherinfrontofJude.ButsheneededtosaveThaneandhiscommissionnow,anywayshecould.“LieutenantKyrellgrewupinextremelydifficultcircumstances.Hisfamily
providesnosupportwhatsoever.Sohisfellowofficers—we’rehisfamily.Allhehas.Thatlosshasaffectedhimprofoundly.”
“He’snottheonlyonewholostpeople,”Ronnadamsnapped,butthenhisexpressiongrewmorethoughtful.“Andhe’snottheonlyofficerwe’veseenfalter.Thesameoffensesthatwouldhavegottenamancashieredtwoyearsagoarenow
handledonacase-by-casebasis…fornow.Therewillofcoursebeapenaltytobepaid,butifLieutenantKyrellreturnstodutyinshortorder,hecancontinuehiscareerwithoutunduedifficulty.”
Cienabreathedoutinrelief.AtleasttherewasstilltimetosaveThanefromaterriblemistake.
“Doyouknowwhereheis,LieutenantCommanderRee?Ifso,yourealizeyou
mustreportthatinformation.”“No,sir.Idon’thave
LieutenantKyrell’scurrentlocation.ButIknowwheretobeginlookingforinformation:ourhomeworld,Jelucan.”
“Verywell,LieutenantCommander.I’llputthroughordersforyoutotraveltoJelucanonthenexttransport.”
Hereyeswidened.“Me,sir?”
Ronnadamsnapped,“Doyouthinksuchdutyisbeneathyou?”
“No,sir!Isimplythought—anISBofficer—”
“Ouragentsarebusiernowthanatanyothertimeinourhistory.You’realreadyfamiliarwiththearea,sosendingyouinsteadisabetteruseofresources.”Hisvoicehadacquiredadangerousedge.“Unless,ofcourse,youhavesuperiorideas?”
Cienawasalmostgladforthemisunderstanding;betterifRonnadamdidn’trealizehowbadlyshewantedtobetheonetofindThane.“No,sir.I’llleaveforJelucanimmediately.”
“Searchforhimhighandlow.Usewhateverresourcesyoumust.”Ronnadam’seyesnarrowed.“AndifyouhearsomuchasonewhisperofKyrell’sinvolvementwiththeRebellion—youwillfollow
thatwhisperwhereveritleadsandreporteveryword.Doyouunderstand?”
CienahadachancetorescueThanebecausetheEmpirewantedtouseherasaspy.She’dneverwantedtoinformonanyone,foranyreason.Dutydemandedloyalty,butloyaltywasowedtofriendsaswellassuperiors.Forthefirsttimesherealizedhowdarkthetasksthatfelltoherinthis
warmightbe.Butthatwasthepriceof
findingThaneagain.“Yes,sir,”shesaid,
thinking,Whateverittakes.
ITWASTHEFOURTHandfinalfreighterhaulthatgottoThane.
He’dkepthisheaddown,remainedquiet,andmadeitoffKerevDoieasilyenough.Theshipshehadboardedforthenextfewtripsgavehim
notrouble,either.Onapassengership,hewould’vehadlittleprivacyandanoverlyinterestedcrewtodealwith.Onafreighter,however,thefewextraberthsweresoldtoworkerswhowantedcheaptransportandnofrills.Thanedidn’thavetoworryaboutbeingnoticedthere.
ButwhenthelastfreightercameoutofhyperspacenearJelucan,Thanegrabbedhisbagand
headedforthedisembarkationarea.Longmetalbenchesboltedtothewallshadafewharnessesforthoseworriedaboutabumpyridedown;hestrappedhimselfinandwaited.Anotherpassengerdidthesame—thenanother—andafourth.
NoneofthesepeoplebehavedmarkedlydifferentthanThanehimself.Theyworethesortofnondescript
clothingthatcouldbepurchasedonalmostanyworld.Theyshowednoundueinterestinthepeoplearoundthem.
AndyetanyoneofthemcouldbeanImperialspy.
TheidealatchedontoThanesohardhecouldscarcelybreathe.Thewomanwiththelongsalt-and-pepperbraid—hadshejustglancedathisface?TheOttegan,withhiswide-seteyes—whoknew
whathemightbeobserving?OrtheVolpaithere,withallthefingersonallfourofhishandstappingathisdatafeed—washereportingThanetotheauthoritiesevennow?
Everywhereelse,Thanehadknownhepossessedtheadvantageofsurprise.TherewasnowayfortheEmpiretopredicthisearliermoves,buttheymighthaveguessedhe’dreturntoJelucan.Sosomeonecouldhavetracedhimtothat
freighter.Oranentireplatoonofstormtroopersmightbewaitingforhiminthelandingbay—
Instead,thefreighterlandedwithoutincident.TheotherfourpassengersdispersedwithoutevenlookingatThane.Helaughedathisparanoiaasheshoulderedhisbag.You’reonfamiliargroundnow.Soonyou’llfeellikeyourselfagain.
Yethedidn’t.
AtfirstThanebelievedhewasonlysufferingfromreversecultureshock,thestrangenessofhomeafteralongtimeaway.Valentia,thegrandcityhe’dadmiredasaboy—ofcourseitwouldlooksmallandprovincialafterhe’dspentthreeyearsonCoruscant.Ifpeopleseemedguardedandlessfriendly,probablythatwasbecausehewascontrastingtheirreactionstothesmallboy
he’dbeenwiththemorereservedreceptionthey’dgiveanadult.Andhewasstillonedge.Hisuneasedeepenedtheshadows.
Butthelongerhelookedaround,themorecertainhewas.Hisworldhadchanged.TheEmpirehadchangedit.
ThesenatorialbuildingeveryonehadbeensoproudofonthedayJelucanjoinedtheEmpire—thathadbeentakenoverbythemilitaryto
sequestertroops.Thanekepthisdistance,buthecouldtellthatitwasnoshort-termemergencymeasure.Alreadyengineerswereconstructingahighsurroundingwall,andtheperimeterforcefieldoverheadglintedwhensunlightbrokethroughthegraysky.
ValentiamightneverhaveapproachedCoruscant’spolishandsophistication,butithadbeenavibrant,bustling
city.Nowtheentireplaceseemedmorecrowdedandemptieratthesametime.Ramshackle,makeshiftshantieshadbeenbuiltnexttotheolder,stone-carvedbuildings;theseclearlyservedashousingforitinerantworkers,whohadcomeoutofthemountainslookingfornewopportunitiesthatnevermaterialized.
Orhadthesepeoplebeenforcedout?Thanewasn’t
sure.Hecouldtellfromtheclothestheyworethatbothvalleykindredandsecond-waverswereamongthenewvagabondpopulation.Yetthetwogroupswerehardertotellapartthanthey’dbeenbefore.Boththebrilliantsilksandplainhomespunclothhadbeguntobereplacedbycheapmass-producedgarments.Adense,stultifyingsamenesshadsettledovertheland.
Eventheentertainmentwasaffected.Thane’srentedroomstoodonthehigherfloorofabuildingthatalsohousedacantinaatgroundlevel.Whenhewasaboy,hisfatherhadsometimestakenhimintosuchestablishments,promisingtohave“justonedrink.”SoThanehadspentmanylonghourssittinginafarcornerwatchingpodracesorthespice-worldholosheenjoyedsomuch.
Thecantinaswereroughernow—lessneighborhoodpub,moreseedybar.Mostofthepatronswerenotlocalcharacters;outworldersseemedtohavecrowdedthemout.AsThanenursedhisale,hestaredatthescreensindisbelief.EverysingleprogramwasImperialpropagandaofsomekindoranother:adocumentaryostensiblyabouttheEmpire’s
successful“buildingprograms”onThurhannaMinor(reallyenormouspowerfacilitiesthatsquattedoveronce-prettycountryside)wasbrokenupbyrecruitingcallsforstormtroopers(“DiscoveradventureandserveyourEmpire!”)ornewsitemsaboutEmperorPalpatinereceivingguestsashesmiledandnodded.Worstofallwasanadforaspecialreportscheduledtoairsoon,
inwhichthe“fullextentofthetreasonousactsofseditionontheplanetAlderaanwillfinallybeexposed!”
ThanehadthoughteveryonewouldbetalkingaboutAlderaan.Noonedid.ThesilenceaboutanentireCoreWorldplanet’sdestructiontoldThanemorethananygossipwouldhave.Everyoneisthinkingaboutit.Everyoneisafraid.IftheEmpirewoulddestroya
worldasimportantandprosperousasAlderaan…noplaceinthegalaxywassafe.
(TheImperialbroadcastswerevagueabouttheDeathStar’sdestruction,speakingonlyofan“unprecedentedattackbytheRebelAlliance.”ThanehadfirstthoughttheEmpirewouldplayitupasarebelatrocity,butthenherealizedthatitwasmoreimportantforthepopulacetobelievethattheEmpirecould
destroyanotherworldatanymoment.)
Whenhewalkedoutside,hewasdisturbedevenbythecolorofthesky.Jelucan’satmosphereusuallyshoweditselfasmoregraythanblue,buttheairhadalwaysbeenclearandsparkling,andthegrayoverheadhadthesheenofafinemineral.Nowtheskiesweredarkerevenwhentheywerecloudless,asifexpectingastormthatnever
came.Hadtheminingbeguntoaffecttheatmosphere?
Thanehadarguedwithhimselfaboutwhetherornottocontacthisfamilywhenhearrived.LittleashisfathercaredforhimandasmuchashismotherwantedtocurryfavorwiththeEmpire,hecouldn’tbelievethey’dactuallyturnhimin.Eveniftheywouldn’thaveprotectedhim,theywouldn’thavewantedtoenduretheshame.
Athomehecouldhavesavedhiscredits,takenhistime,andwaitedforCiena.
HecouldevenhaveriddenhisoldlinedowntotheFortress,tidieditup,madeitnice.Itseemedsorighttomeetherthereagain—
Intheend,though,Thanehaddecidedagainstcontactinghisparents.Hehadnoneedforhisfather’sdrunkencontemptorhis
mother’soutrage;leastofalldidhewanttohearthemtalkingabouthowDalvenwasdoing.
(GiventhesevereshortageofImperialtroops,evenanoaflikeDalvenhadprobablyreceivedapromotion.He’dbefoolenoughtotakeprideinit,too.)
Butasthedayswenton,hisspiritssunklower.Cienastillhadn’tappeared.Whatif
she’dtriedtodesertbutbeencaptured?Thethoughtofherinjail,feelingshamedandhopeless,sickenedhim.(Hedidn’tgiveintodespair;Cienawastoosmart,toocapabletobeeasilycaught.She’dwaituntilthemomentwasright,butthatmomentmightnotcomeforawhile.)ThescantfundsThanehadmanagedtoescapewithhadmostlygonetopayforhisfreightertrips.Hisrentonthe
tinyroomalreadyseemedliketoomuch,andhewaslivingonnothingbutstreetfood—thinslicesofsuspiciouslysourcedmeatcookedonsmallmakeshiftgrillersoutsidetheshanties,orthin“stews”thickenedwithgroundgrain.
Likemostcadets,Thanehaddreamedofhavingafewdaystosleeplate,ignoremilitarydiscipline,anddowhateverhewanted.Yet
withoutthestrictframeworkhe’dlivedwithinforthepastfewyears,hefoundhimselfrudderless—bewilderedandirritatedbymorefreedomthanheknewwhattodowith.Insteadoffulfillinghisassignedtasksatapresetschedule,hedid…nothing.Stubbleappearedonhisfaceasthebeardsuppressantworeoff,andbuyingmoredidn’tseemworththecreditsitwouldcost.Everynighthe
hadnightmares—aboutAlderaan,theDeathStar,hisfather,orCienaindanger.Theonlythingthatseparatedhimfromthedown-and-outersaroundhimwasthatThanedidn’tspendallhismoneyonale,thoughbynowheunderstoodwhysomepeopledid.Witheachdayhesunkdeeperintomelancholy.
Atfirsthe’dthoughtitwouldbeeasytofindsomekindofemployment;there
wasalwaysworkforpilots,evenunlicensedones.Butnowherealizedhecouldn’tdothatonJelucan.TheEmpire’spresencetherewastoostrongforadesertertowanderthroughtheportsaskingforajob.Nodoubthecouldindenturehimselftooneofthelesssavoryfreightersthatpassedthrough—theyneverlookedintopeople’sbackgrounds—butthatwasonlyonestep
removedfromsellinghimselfintoslavery.
Veryfewthingsseemedworthtryinganylonger.Itfeltasifhisentirelifewerefrozenintime,waitingforCienatoarrive.Andifshenevercame,hedidn’tknowwhatwouldbecomeofhimanddidn’tmuchcare.
Thanehithislimitonenightabouttwoweeksin,ashesprawledonhisbedinhissleeptunicandpants.The
paleplasterwallsofhisroomwereblank,hiscoverletalightbeigewithoutanypattern.Givenitsprice,thespacewassurprisinglycomfortable—butThanefeltasifitweretauntinghimwithitsemptiness.
Intheacademy’sSecurityProtocolsandInterrogationTechniquesclass,they’dtaughtthatoneofthemosteffectivemethodsforbreakingapersondownwas
simplytomakethatpersonstareataplainwallwithouteversleeping.Thesleepdeprivationandboredomdidwhatpainandthreatscouldnot.Aprisoner’smindwouldsplititselfopen,spillingeverywordhiddeninside,justtoendtheexhaustingmonotony.Thanehadneverunderstoodhowthatworkeduntilnow.
Acommotionoutsidemadehimsitupright.It
soundedlikesomeofthestreetmerchantswerefoldinguptheirnot-quite-legalwaresinahurry.Thanewenttotheonesmallwindowinhisroomandpulledbackthescreen.Onthegroundafewfloorsdown,hesawanImperialpatrolcruiserthathadobviouslyjustpulledup.
Then,onthestairsoutside,heheardthethumpofbootsassomeoneheadedhisway.
Allright,thinkfast.That’sasingle-personcruiser.Theyonlysentoneguy.Youcantakeoneguyout.Notwithoutaweapon,though.Wasthereanythinghecoulduse?Butthefewitemsintheroomwerealleithertoobigtobeliftedortoosmalltodoanymeaningfuldamage.
Maybeheisn’tcomingforyou.Therearedealersintheneighborhood.Prostitutes.
Smugglers.Plentyofpeopletoarrest.Butthenthey’dsendoneofthelocalparamilitaries,notanImperialofficer.
Thanetookadeepbreathasheranhishandsthroughhisshorthair.He’dhavetobluffhiswaythroughitasbesthecould.IfhedeniedbeingThaneKyrellandactedcompletelyconfused,hemightthrowtheguyoffforaminute—longenoughtograb
theofficer’sblaster.Butcouldheshootaguy
whowasjustdoinghisjob?Someonewhohadbeenhisfellowofficerjustafewdaysago?
AfistthumpedonThane’sdoor.Hemussedhiscoversasifhe’dbeenasleep,wenttothedoor,andsaid—asifgroggy—“Mmhmmn.Yeah?Whoisit?”
Thereply:“I’mhereonofficialbusiness.”
Heknewthatvoice.Instantly,Thaneopened
thedoorandsawCienastandingthereinuniform.Thesightofherfeltlikethefirstbreathhe’dtakeninyears.
“Youmadeit.”Hepulledherinsidehisroom,lockedthedoorbehindthem,andhuggedhertightly.Ashebreathedinthescentofherskin,hehadtomarvelatCiena’sbrilliance.Shehadn’t
deserted;she’dcomehereonofficialbusiness,makingsuretheEmpirewouldpayherwayanddelayinganyotherpursuit.“You’reagenius,youknowthat?Ikeptwaiting,andIthoughttheymighthavestoppedyou,buthereyouare.Hereyouare.”
Thanekissedherthen,longanddeeply.Thatdamnedgrayuniformwastoostiffagainsthishands,buttheycouldworryaboutthat
later.Cienakissedhimbackjustaspassionately—butwhentheirlipspartedshelookedsotroubledthathewonderedifhe’ddonesomethingwrong.
Ormaybeshewasworriedabouttheirsafety.“DidtheEmpiresendanyoneelse?”
“No.Theyweresureyou’dgosomewherebesidesJelucan.Iknewyou’dguessthat,soofcourseyou’dcome
here—”Thanegrinned.She
understoodhimsowell.ButCienalookedeven
moredistressedthanbefore.“Thane,whathaveyoudone?”
Andthenhefinallybegantorealizehowfaraparttheystillwere.
Anhourlater,CienasatwithThaneinthecantinabelow.
She’dbeenafraidtheywouldbeoverheard,witnessed,maybeeventurnedin,butThanehadshakenhishead.“Trustme,”he’dtoldher.“Thekindofpeoplewhocomehere?TheygiveImperialofficersawideberth.Nobodyweknowislikelytoshowup.”
“It’snotworththerisk,”she’dsaid.
ButThane’ssquarejawhadsetinthewaythatshe
knewmeantcompletedeterminationorjustplainstubbornness.“IfIdon’tgetoutofthisroom,Iamgoingtoloseit.Trustme.We’llbesafe.”
Sureenough,theyhadtheentirecorneroftheplacetothemselves.Mostofthepatronswerenewcomerstotheplanet,notnatives,andtheycrowdedatthefrontneartheviewscreens.SheandThanesatattheirsmalltable
alone.Merelybeinginarun-downcantinalikethatwouldhaveunnervedherafewyearsagoorevennow,ifsheweren’tsowrappedupintryingtostopThanefrommakingtheworstmistakeofhislife.
“Youcancomeback,”sherepeated.“Iknowyouthinkthey’llarrestyou,andatanyothertimetheywouldhave,buttheybadlyneedqualifiedofficersafterwhat
happened.”“Idon’twanttocome
back,”hesaid,notforthefirsttime.
Cienastillrefusedtobelieveit.“Threeyearsintheacademy—allthatwork,allthateffort,fornothing?”
“YouthinkI’mhappyaboutthis?I’mnot.ButafterwhatI’veseen,whattheEmpireisdoingtotheBodach’i—afterAlderaan—Ican’twearthatuniformany
longer.”Thaneleanedoverhisglassofale,headinonehand,likeamanwithaheadache.“Ithoughtweagreedaboutthis.”
“IthoughtweagreedthatafterwhathappenedtosomanyofourfriendsaboardtheDeathStar,weneededtostandtogether.Therebelskilledthousandsofourfellowofficers.TheykilledGrandMoffTarkin—”
“Tarkinwasnicetous,”
Thaneadmitted.“Meetinghimchangedourlives.”
“—andtheykilledJude,”Cienacontinued.“Doyoucondonethat?”
“I’mnotjoiningthedamnedRebellion,Ciena.I’mnotcondoningwhathappenedtotheDeathStarorwhathappenedtoAlderaan.Areyou?That’simpossible.You’dneverthinkdestroyinganentireworldwastherightthingtodo.”
Miserably,sheshookherhead.“No.IunderstandthethinkingthatledtotheattackonAlderaan—butIdon’tcondoneit.Thethingis,Idon’thaveto.”Cienaleanedcloser,lookingintoThane’sblueeyesandwillinghimtounderstand.“TheEmperorandtheMoffshavetosee,now,thatdestroyingAlderaandidnogood.Itdidn’tstoptheRebellion;ifanything,itmadetherebels
moredesperate.”“Sotwobillionpeople
diedinvain,”Thanesaid.“Andnearlyamillion
aboardtheDeathStar.”CienarefusedtoignoreJude’sdeath.Shestillhadnightmaresofrunningthroughthestation’scorridors,screamingforJudetogetonashuttlecraft,butneverfindingherfriend.“NowtheDeathStarisgone.EveniftheEmperorwanted
todosomethingsodrasticagain,hecouldn’t.Besides—theonlyreasontoattackAlderaanwastopreventanevenmoredevastatingwar.Thewarhasbegunanyway.It’stoolatetosavethegalaxyfromthat.AllIcandoisfightonthesideoflawandorderandstability.”
Thane’slaughwasharsh.“Thingsfallapart,Ciena.OurparentssawtheRepublicself-destruct.TheEmpiremight
lastanotheryearoranotherdecade,buteventuallythere’sgoingtobeabrand-neworderandbrand-newlaw.Whowillyouservethen?”
“Youdon’thavetobecrueljustbecauseIwon’t—becauseIcan’tdesertmypost.”Shecouldn’tevenbeangrywithThane;hersorrowwastoogreat.OfcoursehewouldrageagainstAlderaan’sdestruction,butthatdidn’thavetochange
everything.Andofcoursehehatedslavery—shedid,too—buttheEmpirehadscarcelyinventedthepractice.Whatcountednowwasbiggerthananyindividualincident.Thiswasamatterofthedeepestprinciple.“Wetookanoath.WesworeourselvestotheEmpire’sservice.Wecan’tbreakthat,notever.”
Thaneshookhishead.Theamberlightsinthecantinapaintedhishaira
deeperredandcastshadowsonhisfacethatshowedhowmuchhewasstruggling.“You’restillthegirlfromthevalleys.Youwon’tgoagainstyourword,evenwhenyou’vepromisedyourselftoaleaderandafleetthatdon’tdeserveyou.”
“Andyou’restillthesecond-waver.Youfinditeasiertobreakyourpromisesthantokeepthem.”ButCienawasashamedofthe
wordsassoonasshe’dspokenthem.Thatwasherfather’sprejudicetalking,andherownmiseryatthethoughtoflosingThane.
Hewasn’toffended.Insteadhewhispered,“It’snoteasyformetoleaveyou.It’sthehardestthingI’veeverdone.”
Sheturnedaway,unabletolookathimanylonger.
Thaneseemedtothinkshewasreactingoutofanger
ratherthangrief,becausehespokemoreformallywhenheasked,“Willyoureportme?”
“I—”Whatcouldshesayordo?ShewastrappednowbetweenherloyaltytoThaneandherloyaltytotheEmpire.AsangryasshewaswithThanefordesertinghiscommission,shecouldn’timaginesendinghimtojail.Howcouldsheeverdosomethinglikethattothepersonsheloved?“Idon’t
know.”“Youdon’tknow.Great.”
Heranonehandthroughhishair.“Doyouatleastknowifyou’regoingtoreportmetonight?”
Somethingwithinherbroke.“Ofcoursenot.”
Thane’svoicehadturnedharsh,cutting.“Thatwon’tbebreakingyouroath?Destroyingyourprecioushonor?”
“Sometimeswe’reloyal
tomorethanonething.Whenthere’saconflict,wehavetochoosewhichloyaltytohonor.”Cienahadbeguntrembling;shefeltasifshewerebeingtornintwo.“Idon’tknowwhatI’mgoingtodotomorrow.Buttonight,rightnow,Ichoosemyloyaltytoyou.”
AlltheangermeltedawayfromThanethen.Hishandcuppedthesideofherface,andshecouldn’tholdback
anylonger.Cienaleanedcloser,clutchingathisjacketsohewouldn’tgetawayfromher.Shewantednothingbutforhimtostaywithhernow,tonight,howeverlongtheycouldhave.Shewantedtobelievehewouldn’tgoaway.
Thanekissedheragain,moredeeplythanbefore.Cienaclosedhereyes,woundherarmsaroundhim,andimaginedthatshecouldstoptime.Thismomentwouldbe
crystallizedandeternal—hischestpressedagainsthers,thesoftraspofhisstubbleagainsthercheeks,thelowroughsoundhemadeashishandfoundthecurveofherwaist.
Whentheypulledapart,breathinghard,sheleanedherforeheadagainsthisandwhispered,“Upstairs.”
IttookThaneanothercoupleofbreathstoanswer.“Areyousure?”
Inthatmomentshefeltasifshecouldbesureofnothing.Thane—oneoftheconstantsinherlife,herpolestar—wasleavingforever.Theworldhadturnedupsidedown,andshesuspecteditcouldneverbeputfullyrightagain.
Butthatwaswhyshewasdeterminedtotakeeverythingshecouldhave.Tolivecompletelyinthismoment,thisnightwithThane.Tostop
time.“Yes,”shewhispered
againsthismouth.“Yes.”
Thanecouldn’tsleep.Itwasthedeadofnight
andhewaswornout,butitdidn’tmatter.AllhecoulddowaslookatCiena.
Shedrowsedagainsthisshoulder,notentirelyasleeporawake.Hertightlycurledhair,setfree,spreadaround
herheadonthepillowlikeadarkhalo.Herfulllipswereswollenfromtheirkisses.Andeventhoughhe’dspentthebetterpartofthelastthreehourslearningabsolutelyeverydetailofherbody,itstillexhilaratedhimtoseeherlyingnexttohim,wearingnothingbutacornerofthesheet.
Ashelaybesideher,Thane—forthefirsttime—askedhimselfifhecoulddo
whatCienaasked.Couldhereturntobase,admittoamomentofweakness,andgobackintoservice?ProbablyCienawasrightaboutthecurrentcrisisabsolvingmanysins.Whatwould’veearnedhimmonthsinthebrigayearagowasnowlikelytobenomorethanasmudgeonhisrecord.
Ifhereturnedrightnow,hecouldstaywithCiena—
Buthecouldn’tgoback.
Notafterwhathe’dseen.He’dspenthisentirechildhoodsufferingunderthecrueltyofonehypocrite;herefusedtoinflictsufferingonbehalfofanother,evenifthatpersonwastheEmperor.
ForCienaitwasdifferent.Herloyalty,oncegiven,wasabsolute.TheEmpiredidn’tdeserveher,yetithadherinitsgraspforever.Shedidn’tremainapartoftheEmperor’smachinebecause
shewasambitiousorcorrupt.No,theEmpirehadfoundawaytouseherhonoragainsther.Thestrengthofhercharacterwastheexactreasonwhyshewouldremainintheserviceofevil.
Itwasasifshewerealreadygoneforever,evenashefelthersoftbreathagainsthisshoulder.Thanehuggedhertighter,burrowinghisfaceintothecurveofherneck.Cienasighedsoftlyas
shecameclosertoconsciousness;herhandslippedaroundhiswaisttodeepentheirembrace.
“Youawake?”hemurmured.
“Mmm-hmmm.”Thenshestirredagainandansweredmorebelievably,“Iamnow.”
“Iloveyou.”Hecouldn’tbelievehe’dneversaiditbefore.Itwaslikestatingthattheskywasoverhead—so
obvious,sofundamentallytrue,thatverbalizingitoughttobeunnecessary.
Sheliftedherfacetohis.“Iloveyou,too.Alwayshave.Onewayoranother.”
“Iloveyouineveryway.”
“Yes.”Cienasmiled,buttheexpressionwassosadthatithurtThane—aliteralacheinthecenterofhischest.“Ineveryway.”
“IfIbeggedyoutostay
withme,itwouldn’tmakeanydifference,wouldit?”
Sheshookherhead.“IfIbeggedyoutogetonthenexttransportbacktoCoruscant,youwouldn’t,wouldyou?”
Hedidn’thavetosayanything.Theybothknewtheanswer.
“Sothat’stheend.”ThewordscameoutmoreharshlythanThanehadintended,buthetrustedCienatounderstandhisangerwasn’t
aimedather.“TheEmpiretakesusfromeachotherforever.”
“Ifitweren’tfortheEmpire,wewouldneverhavecometogetherinthefirstplace.Thinkaboutit.Wouldyouhaveevermadefriendswithagirlfromthevalleysanyotherway?”
ThanehadbeensosmallwhenJelucanwasannexedbytheEmpirethathisearliermemorieswerejumbledand
unsure.Insomeways,itfeltlikehislifehadtrulybegunthatday,withhisdreamofflyingfortheEmpire,andwithCiena.“Iguessnot.”
Cienasatup,asifshewasgoingtogetoutofbed,butThanepulledherback.Shewouldn’tlookhiminthefaceanylonger.“Ishouldgo.”
“Stay.”“IfIstay,leavingwill
onlybeharder.”“Wouldleavingnowbe
anyeasier?Really?”“No.”Finally,Cienamet
hiseyes.“Thane,youhavetogetoffJelucan,withintheweek.Becauseattheendofoneweek,I’mgoingtoreportyou.”
Thanefeltitlikeastabwoundbetweentheribs.“Whathappenedtochoosingwhichloyaltytohonor?”
“Ichoseyoutonight.IwishIcouldalwayschooseyou.ButifIcoveredforyou
forever,myoathofloyaltytotheEmpirewouldbeworthless.Thisistheonlytime,doyouunderstand?”Bynowhervoicehadbeguntoshake.“Thisisthefirsttimeandthelast.”
Somehow,deepinside,ThanehadstillbeenconvincedhewouldseeCienaagain.Hewantedtobelievetheycouldfindeachothernomatterwhat.Butnowherealizedthatwas
foolish,thedreamofachild.“Doyouunderstand?”
Cienarepeated.“…yes.”Thewordwas
bitter.“Soyou’dthrowmeinamilitaryprison,evenafterthis.”Thanegesturedattherumpledbed,theirdiscardedclothesonthefloor.Herinsigniaplaqueshoneslightlyinthedimlight.
“Igaveyoufairwarning,justnow!Besides,youhavetogetonthemovesooneror
later.Howmuchtimehaveyouwastedhere?”
“Wasted?Iwaswaitingforyou.”Hehadn’tknownhecouldbesoangryatsomeoneandstillloveher.“Iguessthatwaswastedtimeafterall.”
Cienawincedbutshekepton.“Youcan’tgetajobonJelucan.Catchthenextfreightertoanindependentworld—anddon’teventhinkaboutindenturingyourself,
okay?FindyourselfsomeworksomewhereelseintheOuterRim,wherethey’llneverlookforyou.”
“Idon’tneedyouradvice—”
“Youneedsomeone’sadvice.Otherwiseyou’rejustgoingtostayhereinValentia,mopingandlosingyourway.”
Thatstung,butThanebegantorealizeshewasn’tcompletelywrong.“Okay,
fine.I’llshipoutofheresoon.”
“Withintheweek.”Becauseafteroneweek
shewouldreporthim.ThewomanhelovedwouldreporthimtotheEmpire.“Yeah,”hesaidflatly.“Withintheweek.”
Shetookadeepbreath.“Sothere’snothingmoretosay.”
ButCienamadenomovetoleave.Insteadshebrushed
herpalmagainsthischeek;herthumbtracedthelineofhischeekbone.
Heoughttotellhertogetout.TotellherhewasdonesharinghisbedwithsomeonewhocaredmoreabouttheEmpirethanshedidabouthim.CruelwordsliketheoneshisfatherandDalvenusedcameintohismindfullyformed,asifthewickednesshe’dknownfromthemhadbeenburieddeepinside,
waitingtohatch:I’vealreadyhadeverythingIwantfromyou.Gaveitupeasy,didn’tyou?
Buthesaidnoneofthat.Insteadheaskedhimselfwhathe’dregretmore—leavinghernoworgoingtobedwithheragain.Eitherwaywasgoingtohurt.
Theirgazesmet,andwhensheleanedcloser,hecuppedhishandaroundthebackofherheadtobringher
inforakiss.ThetimeThanehadleft
withCienacouldbemeasuredinmerehours.Theywouldn’twasteit.
Ronnadamscowleddownatherreportonhisscreen.“You’requitesureofthis,LieutenantCommanderRee?”
“Ascertainasanyonecanbewithoutfindingabody—
andinthecrevasses,it’sdifficultforevenscannerdroidstosearch.Theskyburialtakesthedeadwithindays,sir.”
“Skyburial?”Cienawishedshecould
havetakenbackthosewords;herthoughtsweretoomuchonJelucanandallshehadleftbehindthere.“OnJelucan,sir,weputourdeadinopencairnsathighaltitude.Birdsdevourthebody,takingboth
thefleshandthesoulofthedeceasedintotheskywiththem,forever.”
“Barbaric,”Ronnadamsaidwithasniff.Shemanagednottoflinch.“ButIsupposethesamethingwouldhappenwithanaccident—orsuicide,asitseemswehavehere.”
Cienanodded.“LieutenantKyrellwasovercomewithgriefafterthelossofsomanyfellow
officersandfriendsaboardtheDeathStar.BasedonmyinterviewsonJelucan,Ibelievethatheoriginallydesertedandreturnedtohishomeworldinanefforttorestorehiswilltolive,butitdidn’twork.Heleapedfromoneofthehighercliffsinourhomeprovince,leavinghisridgecrawlerbehind.Stillrunning.”
Sheshouldn’thaveaddedthat.Lieswerebestkept
simple,orsoCienahadbeengiventounderstand.Butshehadliedsolittleinherlife.Thedishonestytastedfoulinhermouth.
Whenshe’dpartedfromThane,Cienahadfullyintendedtoliveuptoherwordandreporthisdesertionafteroneweek.Aweekwaslongenoughforhimtogethisacttogether,escapetosomeobscureworld,andvanishfromherlifeforever.
Thatalsogavehertimetogohometoherparents,whohadbeenhappyandsurprisedtoseeher—andnodoubtevenmoresurprisedwhensheburstintotearsatthedoor.AlthoughCienahadpulledherselftogetherwellenough,andhadsaidnotonewordaboutThanetoherfamily,sheknewtheysensedthatthiswasnoroutinevisit.Mummahadsatupwithherlateintothenight,askingno
intrusivequestions,simplybraidingCiena’shairthewayshe’ddonewhenCienawasalittlegirl.Hermother’stouchhadbeencomforting,butnothingcouldassuageCiena’smiseryatthethoughtofturningThanein.
Intheend,shehadn’tbeenabletodoit.IftheEmpiremadeanyefforttotrackhimdown,howeverminimal,itwaspossibletheywouldfindThaneandbring
himbacktostandtrial.Soshechoseherloyalty
tohimonceagainandprotectedhimwiththebestlieshecouldcreate.
“Verywell.”Ronnadamsignedoffonherreportwithoutevenfullyreadingit.HadThanedesertedatanylessdesperatetimefortheImperialfleet,Cienarealized,herstorywouldhavebeenscrutinizedmuchmoreclosely.NowallRonnadam
wantedtodowascrossataskoffhislist.“Youhandledthiswell,LieutenantCommanderRee.”
Thepraisefeltlikestonesonherback,growingheavierthroughouttheday.Cienaburnedwithshametohavebeencommendedbyasuperiorofficerforviolatingheroathofloyalty.
Neveragain,shepromisedherself.Fromthatdayon,herservicetothe
Empirewouldbemorethanherduty:itwouldbeheratonementforlovingevenonepersoninthegalaxymorethanherhonor.
SevenMonthsAftertheBattleofYavin
THANETURNEDDOWNtheblue-whiteflameoftheweldingtorch,liftedhisgoggles,andfrownedatthe
snarlofmetalhewasattemptingtofix.TheindependentfreighterMoahadbeenoldbeforehewasbornbutkeptgoingthankstoaseriesofmakeshiftupgradesinstalledoverthedecades.Rightthenhewastryingtomakeasixty-year-oldpowercellworkinsideatwenty-year-oldprocessor—withlimitedsuccess.
Cursingunderhisbreath,heshutoffthetorchand
walkedthroughtheMoa’scorridorsuntilhereachedthebridge.Itwasn’tthedark,angularkindofspaceThanehadlearnedtoexpectonImperialvesselsbutasmall,brightlylitchamberwhereconsolepanelsglowedinfivedifferentcolors,eachtestifyingtoacompletelydifferentorigin.Everythingontheshiphadbeenpiecedtogetherfrompartstosuittheveryparticularneedsofthe
Moa—or,moreprecisely,theshipeveryoneonboardusuallycalledtheMoa.Thatwasonlyanacronymforitsfullname,MightyOakApocalypse,atitlethatapparentlysoundedalotmorebadasstoWookiees,suchastheircaptain.
“I’mstillonlygettingsixtypercentcharge,”ThanereportedtoLohgarra.“WhenwedockatZeitooine,we’vegottopickupabetterpower
cell.”Lohgarragrowled,
wantingtoknowwhere,exactly,theywouldgetthecreditsforanewpowercell.
“Iknowwe’rebroke.”Technically,Thanewasonlyahiredcopilotandnavigator,butLohgarratreatedhercrewmemberswithrespect—likemembersofateam.Hecouldbringupobjections;hecouldsaywe.“Butitdoesn’thavetobeanewpowercell.Just
onethat’snotquiteasold.”Lohgarraaskedwhether
Thanethoughtalloldthingsshouldbethrownout.Thatwasajokeatherownexpense;shewaselderlyevenbythestandardsofthelong-livedWookiees,herfurbythenalmostentirelywhite.
Thaneleanedagainstthewallandsmiled.“Mostthingsdon’tageaswellasyoudo,Lohgarra.”
Thatearnedhima
dismissivewaveofherhand.SheagreedtogivehimabudgettosearchforanewerbatteryfortheaftsensorarraybutwarnedhimwithagrowlthatZeitooinemightnotbethecheapestplacetopickoneup.
“Iknow.Butwe’renotgoingtodomuchbetterinthisareaofspace.We’dfindsomethinglessexpensiveintheOuterRim.”
BeingwithintheInner
RimoftheEmpiremadeThaneuneasy.He’dsignedontotheMoapreciselybecauseLohgarraandhercrewmostlystucktotheOuterRim,ortheExpansionRegion.Workingforherhadseemedlikeagoodwaytohideoutforawhile.Lohgarratransportedonlylegalcargo,butsheoperatedonthefringes,whereImperialoversightwasrarelyanissue.AlthoughThanehadn’t
outrighttoldLohgarrathathewasanImperialdeserter,hecouldtellshe’dguessedrightaway,andthatshedidn’tcare.Eventhoughherdarkblueeyeshadgoneslightlymilkywithage,hervisionandmindwerestillsharp.
Lohgarrahiredcrewmemberswhowerenotonlycompetentbutalsoeasytogetalongwith—andnotdriventomakemoneybyanymeanspossible.Thejobstheytook
weredeterminedmorebyLohgarra’scharacterthanbyanyquestforriches;alucrativerunofluxurygoodsmightbefollowedbyazero-sumhaulofemergencygeneratorstoatroubledoutpost.Shesaidsheneededpeoplearoundherwhocouldbetrusted;privately,Thanebelievedshewastootrusting,butitwashershipandherbusiness.She’drunafreighterforacoupleof
centurieswithouthishelp,sohefiguredshecouldsizepeopleupwellenough.Ashe’dlearnedtounderstandShyriiwookbetter,he’drealizedhowintelligenthiscaptainwas.AndwhenLohgarrareallytookacrewmemberunderherwing—asshehadThane—shecouldbeaffectionatetothepointofactingmaternal.Itwasalittleridiculous,buthedidn’tmind.Atleastheworkedfor
someonehecouldrespect.Alwaysperceptive,
Lohgarrahadobviouslypickeduponhisunease.SheremindedhimbrisklythatZeitooinewasajungleplanetwithonlyahandfuloflargecities,andnotanactivetradingcenter.
“Yeah,Iknow,”Thaneadmitted.“We’llbefine.”Buthestillfeltuneasyandprobablylookedit,too.
Theonlyother“crew
member”onthebridgeatthemomentwastheirastromechdroid,aJJH2modelinpurpleandblack.ThanewasgratefulthatnobodyelsewouldseehisdiscomfortatthethoughtoflandingonaworldwithanImperialpresence.Lohgarrahadtoremaintheonlyonewhoreallyunderstoodwhatwasgoingon.
Concerned,sheleanedforwardtopeeratThane,squintingherblueeyes,then
saidhe’dbecometoothinandaskedifhewasgettingenoughfood.
Hemanagednottorollhiseyes.“Yes,I’meating.”
ButLohgarraknewitcouldbedifficult,findingrationsthatwouldprovideadequatenutritionforallthedifferentspeciesaboard—
“IpromiseI’mfine.Don’tworry,allright?”Thaneturnedtogo.
Asthebridgedoorslid
openagain,Lohgarrawhinedonalow,scoldingnote.
Helaughedinexasperationashewalkedout.“Mycoatisplentyshiny!”
Ashewalkeddownthecorridor,hethought,Ijustcalledmyhair“mycoat.”BeforetoolongIoughttospendsometimewithotherhumansagain.
Eventhen,hedidn’tconsiderreturningtoJelucan.
Hehadnoreason.Everyonceinawhilehe’dwatchnewsholosfromhome,butneveroutofasenseofnostalgia,onlytomakehimselfevenhappierhe’dneverhavetogoback.Hisfamilywasnodoubtgladtoberidofhim,andCiena—hehadtoclosehiseyesforamomentwhenhethoughtofher—shewouldn’tbethere,either.NotgiventheintensifyingwarbetweentheEmpireandthe
RebelAlliance.HedoubtedCienahadgottenmorethanthreedays’leaveinarowsincethey’dsaidgood-bye.
IfThaneeverwentbacktoJelucan,hewouldimagineCienaasalittlegirlinanyofthesmallfliersdartingthroughtheskies.ThemountaintrailswouldremindhimofhowtheyhadexploredtogetheraschildrenandhadfoundthecavethatbecametheFortress.AndValentia
wouldneverbeonlyacitytohim;itwouldalwaysbetheplacewherethey’dcometogetherforonenight—andwheretheyhadpartedforever.
It’sbeenawhilenow,hetoldhimself.Yououghttobeoverit.
Thatwasalie.Youdidn’tgetoverlosingyourfirstlove,yourbestfriend.ButThanehadthoughtitwouldn’talwayshurtasbadly
asithadthatlastterriblemorninginValentia.
Sofarhehadbeenwrong.
Zeitooinewasacoldworld—notoneoftheonestrappedinperpetualwinterbutchillyenoughthatThaneandhiscrewmatessteppedoutintoahardfrost.Thespaceportstoodattheedgeofthecity,sointhedistancehecouldseetalldeciduoustrees,all
bareoftheirleaves.Hisbreathmadecloudsintheair.
“Timeslikethis,it’sgoodtohavefur,”saidBrill,theirTarsuntengineer,whohaddyedherlong-hairedpeltshockingpink.“Don’tknowhowyouhumansdoit.”
“SometimesIwondermyself.”Thaneturnedupthecollarofhiscoat.“Let’sjustgetthisjobdone,okay?”
Thatwasmetwithathumpingpurrofagreement
fromMethwatTann,theIthorianmaintenanceofficer.HisenormouscurvedheadandneckwerewrappedinascarfspeciallyknittedforhimbyLohgarra,buthe,too,wasshivering.
TheirjobonZeitooinewassimpleenough:deliveryofseveralconstructordroids.ThanehelpedMethwatandBrillunload,thenhurrieddeeperintothespaceporttolocateavendorof
secondhandparts.Usuallyyoucouldfindoneortwohangingaround.Afterafewminuteswithoutanyluck,hefinallydaredtoasksomeone,whotoldhimthenearestplacewastenminutes’walkaway.Hefrowned,checkedhischrono,anddecidedtogoforit.Bettertorunalittlelateandgetchewedoutforitthantoworkwiththatdamnedantiquatedpowercellanylonger.
Sohecutthroughthetown,goingasquicklyashecould,untilhecametoacrowdedtownsquare—andstopped.Nobodywaswalking,orevenmoving,andthenhesawwhy.
“You’reunderarrest,”astormtroopercaptainsaidinaboredvoiceasatleastadozenofhismenstoodaround,usingtheirblasterstokeepeveryonebackfromthesceneaspeopleweredragged
outofanearbyhouse.Afamily,Thanerealizedwithajolt.Thedaughtercouldn’thavebeenmorethanthirteen,andsheweptasastormtrooperpulledherafterhimsofastshecouldbarelywalk;hisfistwasclenchedinherhair.
“Please,”themothersaid,onherkneesinfrontofthecaptain.“Please.We’llpaythefines—youcansellourhouse,allourpossessions—”
Thestormtroopercaptainsoundedbored.“Repeatedviolationsoftheprohibitionagainstindependentpublicationsarepunishedwithimprisonmentwithoutterm.”
Anotherstormtrooperbroughtoutanevenyoungergirl,perhapsonlyfive,smallenoughtobetuckedunderhisarm.Thisgirldidn’tcry;shewastooterrifiedforthat.Insteadherwideeyesstared
intothecrowd,asiflookingforsomeonetohelpthem.
Nobodymadeamove.Thestormtroopers’blasterssawtothat.
Lessthanayearago,Istoodbywhileslaveswerebeaten,Thanerealized.OnceagainherememberedprowlingtheskyinhisTIEfighter,allsothepeopleofKerevDoiwouldbeafraid.
Themothercontinuedbegging.“Notthechildren.
MyhusbandandI,wedidthis.Thechildrenareinnocent.Whyshouldthey—”
Herwordschokedoffasthecaptainsmashedthebuttofhisrifleintoherface.Shefelltotheground,crying,asanotherstormtrooperbentdowntocuffher.
Dosomething!ButThanewaspowerless.Hecouldn’tactagainstthatmanyarmedmen.Hecouldn’tevenspeak
up.BydesertingtheImperialStarfleet,hehadputhimselfinapositionwherehecouldneverdrawattentiontohimselforstepoutoflineagain.Theinvisiblecagearoundhimwasofhisownmaking.
Sickened,heturnedawayandheadedbacktothespaceport.AshewalkedtowardtheMoa,Brillcaughtsightofhim.“Hey!Where’sthatnewpowercell?”
Thanesnapped,“Theydidn’thaveanythinginourpricerange.Okay?”
Behindhimhecouldhearhermutter,“SorryIasked.”
Thatwasn’thowyoumadefriendswithyournewshipmates.ButThanedidn’twanttomakefriends.Hewantedtolockhimselfinhisbunk,turnoffthelights,andtrytoforgeteverythinghe’dseen,orbeen.
CienastaredatthescenebeforeherontheplanetIvarujarandthoughtthatthiscouldonlybehell.
Inthedistance,thevolcanocontinuedtospewashintotheair,sofarupthatnooneonthisworldwouldbeabletoseetheskyforyears.Lavaglowedorangeandominousonthehorizon;alreadythecapitalcityhadbeencompletelyoverrun.WhenCienalookedthrough
herquadnoculars,shecouldseeyetmorebuildingsblackeningastheycrumbledtoashfromtheheatalone.
Astheclosestshipinthesector,theDevastatorhaddispatchedseveraltrooptransportstoevacuatetheImperialgarrisonsonIvarujar.Theirownshipshadbeenbadlydamagedintheoriginaleruption,sotheyweretrapped—and,ifshedidn’treachthemsoon,
doomed.Cienahadbeenputinchargeofthetransportflyingclosesttothevolcanoitself.Hazardousduty,butshefoundherselfenergizedbytheexperience.Itwasn’tthatshedidn’tlikeworkingonthebridgeofaStarDestroyer…butshe’dbeenoverduetogetherbootsontheground.
“LieutenantCommanderRee,wehavevisual,”saidthestormtrooperpilot.Sheturned
backfromthetransportwindowtoseethescreenimageofstormtroopersatopabuilding.Theystoodinformation,rigidandmotionlessastheyawaitedrescue,thoughbythentheheathadtohavebeenunbearable.
“Goodwork,”shesaid.“Bringusin.”
Thepilothesitated,thendouble-checkedhisinstruments.Ciena
understoodwhyhewasuncertain;theintenseheatwasstartingfires,creatingbackdrafts,andwhippingupwindsthatcoulddestabilizealargercraftthantheirtransport.
Yougotstrangewindsupinthemountains,sometimes.
“Here.I’lltakethehelm.”Cienamotionedhimoutofthechair.
“Ma’am—I’mcapableoftheflight—”
“Iknowyouare.ButyouhavethestrengthtocarryanyinjuredmenontothecraftandIdon’t.”Well,notmorethanoneortwo.
Assuredhewouldn’tbereportedforcowardice,thepilotjoinedtheotherstormtroopersintheback.Cienatookthetransportinlow,throughurbancanyonswherelavaranoverwhathadrecentlybeenstreets.Thehellishredlightfrombelow
contrastedwiththeblacksky.Althoughitwasabumpyride,shecouldstabilizethemwellenough.
Clunkything,shethought,wishingbrieflyforashipwithsomeagilitytoit.Still,thetransportcouldenduretheheat,andnothingelsemattered.
Shesetthetransportdownontheroofofthegarrisonbuilding,andassoonasthey’dopenedthedoors,
thetroopsbegancrowdingin.Theirarmorhadgonegrayfromvolcanicash,andseveralofthemcoughedandstumbled.Withinanotherhalfhourorso,theywouldhavepassedout,ordied.Cienarememberedthemstandinginformation—holdingtruetodisciplinetothelast—andfeltsuchprideherheartcouldhaveburst.
“Allright,”shesaid,andshewasabouttoutterthe
wordsMovingoutwhenshesawanotherbuildingfartheraway.Peoplehadhuddledonthatroof,too—Ivarujariancitizenswhomusthavefailedtomakeittotheciviliantransportsintime.Ormaybetherehadn’tbeenenoughroomforeveryone.…
“LieutenantCommander?”Thepilothadreturnedtothecockpit.“Arewereadyfortakeoff?”
“Yes,”shesaid.“We’re
goingtomakeonestopbeforereturningtotheDevastator.”
“A…stop?”Noordershadtoldhershe
couldrescuecivilians,butnoordershadtoldhershecouldn’t.“Makeasmuchroombackthereasyoucan.We’repickingupmorepassengers.”
WhenCienatookoffagain,shecouldfeeltheunsteadinessoftheair
currentsaroundher.Bitingherlowerlip,shetookthetransporthigherupsothey’dhavetodiveintotheworstofitonlyattheveryend.Thevolcanorumbledagainsoloudlythatthesoundvibratedthroughtheentireship;they’dbeengivenwarningsaboutapotentialsecondaryeruption,whichseemedasifitcouldhappenatanyminute.
Youdon’thavetheright
toriskthelivesyou’reresponsiblefortosavethoseyouaren’t,shethought,heroldacademytrainingkickingin.Afteramoment,though,Cienashookitoff.Liveswerelives—andbesides,shecoulddothis.
Onceagainshealightedonthecornerofabuilding,andthensheleftthecockpittohelpciviliansonboard.Theywerecoughingevenharderthanthestormtroopers,
sincetheyhadn’tbeenwearinghelmetswithventilationmasks;afewofthemwereonlysemiconscious.Cienaheldherarmsoutforasmallchild,liftedhimintotheship,thenputherhandouttohelpthefatherin,too.Aroundher,thestormtroopersdidthesame,followingtheircommandingofficer’sleadasalways.
Bythetimethelastpersonhadbeenpulledon
board,theshipwasfilledtocapacityandthensome.Cienahadtopushherwaybackthroughtothecockpit,wherethepilotwasnolongerevenattemptingtofly.Hestoodaside,saying,“Atthisweight,Idon’tknowifwecan—”
“Wecanandwewill,”Cienasaid,withmoreconfidencethanshefelt.Thetransportwascapableofcarryingthatmuchweight,
butitsmaneuverabilitywouldbecompromised—aseriousriskwhendealingwithsuperheatedgale-forcewinds.
Shetooktheenginestofullpowerandsoaredintotheair.Atfirstthetransportrockedbeneathher,soviolentlythatshenearlyfellfromherchair;shecouldheartherescuedIvarujarianscryingoutinfearfromthehold.Bythenbuildingswereflaringintoflamelikestruck
matches.Inanothermoment,itwouldbecomeatruefirestorm—andhershipcouldbecaughtinthemiddleofit.
Cienapointedthenosestraightup.Theywereascendingmoreslowlythantheyshould,buttheyweremoving.…
Onthehorizonshesawflameswhipuphigher,thenhigher,thenbegintoswirlinacycloniccurrent.Ifthetransportgotcaughtinoneof
those,theyweredead.Butsheremainedsteady,
fightingtheterriblewindseverycentimeteroftheway,untilatlasttheywereoutofdanger.Cienabreathedoutwithrelief,andfromthebackofthetransportsheheardcheers.
Ifshecouldn’tresistasmile—whocouldblameher?
Theanswerturnedouttobe“CaptainRonnadam.”
“Youweretaskedwith
retrievingthesoldiersinthatgarrison,”hesaid,pacingthelengthofhisofficewhileshestoodatattention,stillinhersoot-grimeduniform.“Notwithacivilianrescue.”
“Myordersdidnotforbidmefromdoingso,sir.”
Ronnadam’seyesnarrowed.“Lookingforloopholes,Ree?Adangeroustrait.”
“No,sir!Imean—Ireactedinstinctivelyandsaw
noobstacletodoingso.”“Youreacted
instinctively,”hesneered.“Inotherwords,youfailedtoclearyourplansthroughyoursuperiorofficers!”
Wehadnotime,shewantedtoprotest,butsheknewbetter.“I’msorry,sir.Ishouldhaveclearedmymissionbeforeundertakingit.Iwon’tmakethatmistakeagain.”
“Seethatyoudon’t.”
Ronnadamstaredherupanddownbeforeaddingstiffly,“Youhavenootherdemeritsonyourrecord,soyourpunishmentwillbelenient—onlyfiveweeksofdouble-dutyshifts.Nexttime,however,wewillnotbesomerciful.”
“Therewon’tbeanexttime,sir.”Andfiveweeksofextradutywasasmallpriceforfortylives.
Asshewalkedoutofhis
office,Cienabreathedoutinrelief.Atfirstshe’dbeenangrythattheyplannedtoreprimandherforsavinglives—butnowsheunderstoodthattheyweredispleasedonlybecauseshe’dsubvertedthechainofcommand.Itwasn’tasifshehadactuallydonesomethingwrong,rescuingthosepeople.TheEmpirewouldneverobjecttothat.
Besides,thatwassomeof
thebestflyingshe’ddoneinherlife.IfonlyshecouldtalktoThaneaboutit.InCiena’smindshecouldseehisfaceasshetoldhimaboutthecyclonicfire.Hewouldhavebeensojealoushedidn’tgettoflyinthathimself.
EventhethingsshewasproudestoffelthollowwithoutThanetotellthemto.
EighteenMonthsAftertheBattleofYavin
THEMOA’SCARGOholdswerefilledwithmedicalsuppliesforthefarsouthernpeninsulaofOulanne’ssingle
megacontinent.Amonthbefore,amassiveearthquakehadstruck,devastatingvirtuallyeverystructureoveravastradius.However,theEmpirehadsentnomedicalaid—aneconomicallyunimportantplanetdidn’tmeritsuchattention.AfewwealthierOulannistswholivedonotherworldshadofferedwhattheyhad.Themedicalsuppliesthefreightercarriedwereonlyafraction
ofwhatwasneeded,buttheywouldhelp.ThanestronglysuspectedLohgarrahadagreedtodotherunforfree.
Astheycameinthroughtheveryhighestlevelsoftheatmosphere,Thanecheckedtheclimatologicalsensorsandwhistled.“Notgood.”
Lohgarrawantedtoknowwhattheywereinfor.
“We’relookingatamassivestorm.Amegahurricane,coveringa
goodquarterofthelandarea.”
JJH2confirmedthis,beepinginalarm.Methwatmadeavibratosoundofdismay.
“Likethesepeoplehaven’tgotenoughtroublealready,”Brillsaid,shakingherfurrypinkhead.
Thaneadded,“Andnowwe’vegottrouble,too.”Normallystormsweren’tanissueforspacecraft;anything
thatcouldtaketheravagesofspacecouldhandlealittlerainandlightning.However,acargoshipasoverladenastheMoacurrentlywascouldbecomeunwieldyintheatmosphere,andwindsthisextremewouldhavethepowertooverwhelmtheirstabilizers.(Onlyforafewminutes—butthatwasmorethanlongenoughtoplowashipintothedirt.)
Theycouldsimplyhave
headedtothenearestsafeport.Inthiscase,though,thatmeantbeingthousandsofkilometersawayfromthedisaster.Themedicalsupplieswereprobablyneedednowmorethanever.
SowhenLohgarraaskedThaneifhecouldlandinthoseconditions,hesaid,“DamnrightIcan.”
MethwatturnedtowardThanewithaworriedlookonhisface;hewastoopoliteto
questionanyoneoutright,butitwasclearhedidn’tlikethelookofthis.
“Trustme,”Thanesaid.Withthathestrappedintohischairandtooktheshipin.
Theblacknessofspacebrightenedintosky—stillbluebutnotformuchlonger.Beneaththemswirledthestorm,theominousspiralcloudsprawledoutlikethetentaclesofsomevastoceancreature.Asthewindsbegan
buffetingtheship,thehullshudderedaroundthem.
Lohgarragrowledforallcrewmemberstobracethemselves.JJH2swiftlyfedThane’sstationalltheatmosphericdataitcouldhandle.
Brillmuttered,“Hopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,Kyrell.”
“Thatmakestwoofus.”Hedivedintotheeyeof
thestorm—thecalmpatchat
thecenterofanycyclone.AsthebroadwhitewingsoftheMoastretchedoverthechurningsea,theviewscreendisplayedthesurrealimage:sunlightonthewaterastheyspedtowardblackcloudsandsheetsofrainsothicktheyblindedThanetotheworldbeyond.
Thesensorswouldtellhimallheneededtoknow.Healignedtheship,decreasedspeed,andtook
themsolowtheycouldmakeoutthewhitecapsontherestlesswaves—andthenthedebrisstrewnontherockyshorebelow.
Theentireshiptiltedhard,asifithadbeenpunchedbyagiantfist.Damn!ThewindshearwasevenworsethanThanehadthought.“Comeon,”hewhisperedashesteeredthemintotheanglewherethatcurrentcouldworkfortheminsteadofsinking
them.“Wecandothis.”“Areyoutalkingtothe
shiportome?”Brillsaid.Insteadofanswering,
Thaneasked,“Didyoulockthesystemontothehangarcoordinates?”
Brill’spinkhairstoodonend.“Youwanttotakethisinonautonav?”Fromhercaptain’schair,Lohgarragrowledherdisbelief,andJJH2whistledthehighnoteofdroidpanic.
“Notjustautonav!”BythentheMoawasshudderingsostronglythatThanehadtoshouttobeheardabovetherattlingandgroaningofthehull.“Thisboat’ssooldwe’vecribbeditssystemsfromadozendifferentspacecraft.Soturningontheautonavdoesn’tdeactivatethemanualnavigation.We’regoingtousethembothatthesametime.”
Brill’sfingerstappedon
thecontrols,doingwhatThaneasked.“Yourealizeifyoucan’tsyncyourmovementswiththeautonav,you’llripusintwo.”
“I’vegotit.”Thanefelttheautonav
kickin.Itwasabitlikehavinganotherpilottrytowrenchthecontrolsawayfromhim.
Buthe’dspentmostofhischildhoodlearninghowtoflywithapartner.Youdidn’t
fightforcontrol;youbuiltittogether.
Theautonavremainedlockedonitstarget,oblivioustoseverewindconditions;thatmadeitThane’sjobtotiltandsteertheshipinwaysthatwouldfightthatwindwhiletheystayedthecourse.Atonepointthedisconnectbetweenthetwojerkedtheshiphard,shakingeveryoneviolentlyenoughthatevenmild-manneredMethwat
yelped.ButThanegotthembackinsyncwithinafewmoments.
Whenthehangarappearedonthehorizon,Thanefinallyfeltlikehecouldbreatheagain.Dampers—slowthrust,hoverdown—andtheMoasettledsafelyontotheground.
AsBrillandMethwatbegantoapplaud,Thanefoldedhisarmsbehindhisheadlikehehadn’tbeen
worriedatall.“That’sright,”hesaid.“I’mgood.”
“You’relucky!”Brillinsisted,butwithahugegrin.
“Allright,I’mlucky.Whateverworks.”
Youwouldn’thavebelieveditifyou’dbeenthere,heimaginedsayingtoCiena.Thenagain,ifyou’dbeenthere,youwould’veinsistedontakingthecontrolsinsteadofme—andprobablywould’vebroughtusinforan
evensmootherlanding.Thanekeptstoringup
anecdotestotellhersomeday,eventhoughheknewthatdaywouldnevercome.He’dtriedtostop,buthecouldn’thelpit.
LohgarratoldThaneshewasvery,veryproudofhimandwrappedherhugefurryarmsaroundhiminahug.Thensheshowedthehighestformofpraiseandaffection,foraWookiee:shestarted
groominghim.Thanesighedasshegotto
workonhishairinearnest.Thiswasn’thowtheydidthingsintheEmpire.
Thenextday,thestormhadmovedalongfarenoughthattheycouldstartdistributingtheirsupplies.ToThane’ssurprise,anothergroupofpilotshadlandedafewdaysbeforewithasubstantialhaul
ofmedicalgearandemergencyrations,sotheywoundupworkingsidebyside.
“Youbroughtthatshipinyesterday?”saidtheirleader,ablack-hairedmanafewyearsolderthanThane.“Thatwasanicepieceofflying.”
“Thanks.”“Youdoalotofhauls
likethis?Toworldsintrouble?”
“Sometimes.Lohgarra
getsthecreditforthat,”Thanesaidasthetwoofthemunloadedcrates.“ButIlikethatshedoesit.”
“Lessmoneyinitforyou.”
“Nevercaredmuchaboutmoney.”
“Whatotherrunshaveyoubeenon?”
Thanehesitatedbeforeanswering.IfhewassuspectedofdisloyaltytotheEmpire,hecouldbe
reported…buttherewasnowaytotalkhonestlyabouthisexperiencesofthelastseveralmonthswithoutmakinghisfeelingsclear.
He’dknowntheEmpirewasrotten,buthehadn’trealizedhowdeeptherotwent.TheplightoftheBodach’ihaddisturbedhimdeeply,andyetnowheknewtheywereonlyoneofhundredsofentirespeciestheEmpirehadsubjugatedfor
labor.He’dflowntheMightyOaktoworldsminedsosavagelythatnewseashadbeencarvedintowhatwereoncecitiesandfarmlands.He’dlookeddownatcitiesstrafedtorubbleandashbyImperiallasercannonsaspunishmentforevenmilddefiance.
“Zeitooine,”Thanesaid.“AndDinwaPrime,andArieli.Morerecently,IveraX.”Hespokeevenlybutwas
awarewhathe’dsaidwasineffectalistoftheEmpire’swarcrimes.
Theothermanmethiseyesevenly.“Thenyou’veseenalot.”
“Yeah.”“Whenwegetdonehere,
youandIshouldhaveachat.I’vebeentoseveralofthoseworlds.Goodtohearwhatotherpeoplebelieveshouldbedone.”
Ishethinkingabout
reportingme?Thaneknewitwaspossible,buthisguttoldhimno.Slowly,henodded.“Sure.We’lltalk.I’mThaneKyrell,bytheway.”
Theblack-hairedmansmiledandheldouthishandtoshake.“WedgeAntilles.”
Theywoundupsharingacoupleofrationtraysjustinsidethehangardoors.Theworstofthehurricanehadpassedthroughbythattime.Heavy,silverysheetsofrain
stillfell,butthewindshaddieddownuntilthepalmsandjungletreesmerelyswayed.Thesoundofrustlingleavesandraindropsonthemetalroofremainedloudenoughtodrownouttheirconversationifanyoneattemptedtolisten.
“Youshowedcourage,”Wedgesaid.“Leavinglikethat.”
Thaneshrugged.“Ilaunderedmycreditsandsneakedaway.Notthe
bravestthinganyone’severdone.”
“YoudefiedtheEmpirealone.Yougaveupthelifeandcareeryou’dbuiltratherthanviolateyourprinciples.I’dcallthatbrave.”
“Stoptryingtogetonmygoodsideandsaywhatyou’retryingtosay.”
Thiswasmetwithasharplook—apparentlyWedgeAntilleswasn’tusedtonotbeingtakenathisword.
MaybeThanewasbeingunfair,butsowhat?Hehadtobecarefulaboutwhomhechosetotrust.LohgarraandtherestoftheMoacrewhadearnedthat;Cienawouldalwayshavehisloyaltytosomedegree,evenifheneversawheragain.
Butthisguy?Heneededtocomeoutwithitalready.
Evenly,Wedgesaid,“WecouldusepilotslikeyouintheRebelAlliance.”
Therebels?Here?Thanewouldn’thavedreamedthey’ddareshowthemselvesonlytohelpaplanetindistress.ButheknewWedgewastellingthetruth.“No.Sorry.”
“YouhatetheEmpire.Afterwhatyou’veseen,youcouldn’thelpit.”
“True,”Thaneadmitted.“ButIdon’tcaremuchforyourrebellioneither.”
“We’refightingtofree
thegalaxy—”“Youstartedawar,anda
lotofpeoplearegoingtodiebecauseofit.”
Wedge’sdarkeyesblazedwithintensity.“Palpatinebeganthewar.We’regoingtoendit.”
Thestrengthoftheman’sbeliefwasslightlyunnerving.“AgainsttheEmpire?I’llgrantyouthismuch—you’rebrave.Butyou’refoolingyourselvesifyouthinkyou
cantakeonaforceliketheImperialfleetandwin.”
“WedestroyedtheDeathStar,didn’twe?Withahandfulofsingle-pilotfighters!Iflewonthatmission,andI’mstillhere.AlotofImperialofficerscan’tsaythesame.”
“Includingsomefriendsofmine,”Thanesaidquietly.Hehadn’tbeenthatclosetoJudeEdivon,butherememberedhowkindshe’d
been,howbright.She’ddeservedalongerlifethanthat,andabetterdeath.Andthefellowofficershe’djustbeguntoknow,youngguyslikehimwhowerestartingtheircareerstogether—sometimestheirfacesflashedthroughThane’sheadatnightwhenhewastryingtosleep.“Listen,Igetwhyyoudidit.IknowtheDeathStarhadtobestopped.Butdon’tfoolyourself.Thatwasbloody
work.”“Iknow,”Wedgesaid
quietly.“It’slikeyousaid:theDeathStarhadtobestopped.JustastheEmpiremustbedestroyed.Ifthat’sgoingtohappen,someofushavetogetbloodonourhands.Wehavetobewillingtokill,andwillingtodie.It’snoteasyanditneverwillbe.ButIcantellyouthismuch,Kyrell.It’seasierthanstandingbyanddoing
nothing.”Thanerememberedthat
dayonZeitooineandthefamilyhe’dseendraggedawaytoprison.He’dfeltsouseless,sopowerless.AslongasheremainedarefugeefromtheEmpire,hewouldneveragainbeabletoactonhisbeliefs.Hewouldneverbeabletostandupforanyoneagain.
Unlesshedidnotstandalone.
Latethatnight—afterhoursofwork,hoursmoreoftalkingwithWedge,andacoupleofCorellianales—ThanereturnedtotheMoa.Hewalkedtowardhisbunkquietly,knowingbothMethwatandBrillwouldbeasleep,butLohgarrasatinthegalley,munchingonanenormousslabofcheese.
“Hey,”hesaid.“Can’tsleep?”
Lohgarraadmittedshe’d
wokenuphungry,thensaidThanelookedworried.
“‘Worried’isn’texactlytheword.”Thenumberofpeoplehetrustedenoughtosharethiswithcouldhavebeencountedononehand,withfingersleftover—butLohgarrawasamongthem.“LieutenantCommanderAntilles,fromthe,uh,unaffiliatedgroupearliertoday?Hewantsmetoflywiththem.”
Thatearnedaroarofindignation.Howdarethatmantrytostealherbestpilot?Takingadvantageofacrisislikethatwasunthinkable.She’dseetoitthatThanegotaraise,ifthatwaswhatittooktokeephim—
“No,no,Lohgarra,youdon’tunderstand.”Thaneloweredhisvoice.“They’rewiththeRebellion.”
Shefellsilent.Wasthat
shockordisapproval?Heleanedforward,trying
toputhisthoughtsintowordsnotonlyforhersakebutalsoforhis.“IneverthoughtaboutjoiningtheRebellion.Youknow,IunderstoodtheEmpirewascorrupt,butIthoughtsowastheOldRepublicbytheend.Sowouldbewhateverothergovernmentmightfollow.Itoldmyselfitwasallthesame.ButwhatI’veseen
thesepastseveralmonths—itgoesbeyondcorruption.TheEmpirewrecksworldsandenslavesentirespeciesanddoesn’tgiveadamnaboutanyoneunderitsrule.Imean,asrichasCoruscantis,theycouldn’tsendanyhumanitarianaidhere?”
LohgarraquietlysaidtheneedonOulannewasgreat.
“Exactly.TheEmpiredidn’tcomehere,buttherebelsdid.Theseguysare
fightingawar,alwaysontherun,andtheystillsharedtheirsupplies.”NoneofitmadesensetoThane.Mostpeopledidn’tdotherightthingevenwhentheyweren’tindanger—
—buthe’dlearnedfromCienathattherewereactuallyafewidealistsoutthere.
Hecontinued,“Ci—ThisgirlIknewbelievedtheEmpirewouldneverdestroyanotherworldoncethe
Rebellionhadbeendefeated,butthat’sbecauseshe’ssogoodshecan’tevenrecognizeevilwhenit’sstaringherintheface.Imean,whywouldtheEmpiregotothetroubleofbuildingaspacestationthatcoulddestroyplanetsifitwasn’tgoingtouseit?AndiftheEmpirewoulddothat,there’snothingitwouldn’tdo.”Thanestraightenedandtookadeepbreath.“Idon’tknow
whatcomesaftertheEmpire.Ican’tsaythatwhoevergetspowernextwillbeanybetter—butitcan’tgetanyworse.That’snotpossible.Ifthere’sevenachanceIcandosomethingthathelpstaketheEmpiredown,IfeellikeIhavetodoit.”
Afteralongmoment,LohgarraquietlysaidthatherownpeoplehadbeenenslavedbytheEmpire.Kashyyykhadbeensucha
beautifulplacewhenshewasyoung.Nowithadbeenturnedintoahell.Shefounditdifficulttospeakofherhomeworld’stragedy,butsheneverforgotit.
ThanethoughtaboutthesheerlevelofbrutalitynecessarytoconqueraspeciesaspowerfulastheWookiees.“Isthisyourwayoftellingmeyou’rejoiningtheRebellion,too?”
Sheshookherhead.The
Moawashardlyinshapetohaulcargo,muchlessgointobattle—andforBrillandMethwat,itwasnotonlyashipbutalsotheirhome.AdecisiontojointheRebellionwouldhavetobeunanimous,andLohgarrafeltThaneknewaswellasshedidthattheyweren’tthereyet.
Thatwastrue.But—“Wecouldputinsomewhere,refurbishtheship.Talktotheothers.Nobodyherehasany
lovefortheEmpire.Inamonthortwo,Ibetwecouldbringthemaround.”
Probably,Lohgarraadmitted.AfterapausesheaskedifhewantedtowaittojointheRebellion,ifhewasn’treadyrightaway.
Thaneflushed.“I’mnotacoward.”
Hermassivehandpettedhishead.Lohgarraknewhewasbrave.YetshealsosuspectedThanehadother
reasonstohesitate.AllthosemonthsThane
hadtriedsohardtokeephispast,andhisfeelings,tohimself.Heshould’veknownhiscaptainwastooperceptivenottoguessatsomeofthetruth.“It’sjustthatIusedtoserveintheImperialStarfleet.AlotofmyfriendsandclassmatesarestillwiththeEmpire,includingsomeonewhoI…whomeansalottome.Onsomelevel,
attackingtheEmpirefeelslikeattackingthem.”
LohgarrapointedoutthathehadacceptedtherisksofcombatwhenhejoinedtheImperialfleet,andsohadeveryoneelse.
“Yeah,Iknow.”Heleanedbackinthecreakyseatandtookadeepbreath.“ButjoiningtheRebellion—leavingtheEmpireisonething,buttakinguparmsagainstitisanother.The
friendsIservedwithbeforewouldneverforgivethat.EspeciallythewomanIwastellingyouabout,Ciena.She’dneverspeaktomeagainifsheknew.Notthatshe’slikelytoanyway,Iguess.”
Withasoftwhine,LohgarratoldhimtheForcehadawayofbringingpeopletogetherwhenthetimewasright.
Oh,great,theForce.My
bestbetisthiscrazymagicoldvalleykindredstillbelievein.ButThanesaidnothing,knowingLohgarra’sbeliefswereimportanttoher.Insteadheasked,“Isthisyourwayofsayingit’sallrightformetogo?Since‘theForce’willmakesurewemeetagain?”
Hisanswercameintheformofabighugthatenvelopedhiminwhitefur.AshehuggedLohgarraback,shetoldhimtopromiseher
hewouldeatwell.Hehadtolaugh.“I
promise.”I’mreallydoingit,he
thought.Itstillseemedunreal.I’mgoingtowaragainsttheEmpire.I’mjoiningtheRebelAlliance.
“YOURSERVICETHESEpasttwoyearshasbeenexemplary,LieutenantCommanderRee.”
CienastoodatattentioninfrontofAdmiralOzzel,handsheldfirmlyathersides.Juniorofficersdidnotmake
eyecontactwithsuperiorsduringevaluations,soshestaredfixedlyatthemetal-tiledwallbehindhim.
“YoufrequentlyvolunteerforextrashiftsortohelptrainnewerofficersonStarDestroyerprotocols.AsidefromtheunfortunateincidentonIvarujar,youhavereceivednopunishmentsorreprimands—anditdoesnotescapemynoticethatyouroffensethenhasneverbeen
repeated.You’veneverevenbeenadmonishedaboutyouruniform.”
TheleatherbraceletshecarriedforWynnetremainedinitsclothpouchinherpocket.Noregulationsaidshecouldn’tkeepsomethinginherpocket.
“YouweretransferredtotheExecutorfromtheDevastatorattherequestofLordVaderhimself.Ahighhonorindeed.”
Cienadidnotrespond.Privately,shethoughtVader’srequesthadbeenmorethreatthanreward.Shehadseenhimadriftinspace,nearlyhelpless.Hewouldnotwantanyonetothinkofhimasvulnerableinanyway.SohehadtoremindCienathatsheremainedforevervulnerabletohim.
Ozzelcontinued:“AlthoughyouarefartooseniorforTIEfighterduty,
youputinthesimulatortimetomakesureyourpilotinginstinctsstaysharp.”
Cienadecidedshecouldspeak.“Weneverknowwhatacrisismaydemandofus,sir.”
ShealsolovedflyingforitsownsakeandsometimesdreamedallnightofswoopingthroughthecanyonsofJelucanwithThanebyherside.Butitwasn’tagainstregulationsto
lovewhatshedid—ortorememberwhatshehadlost.
“Verywellsaid.”AdmiralOzzelcameasclosetosmilingasshe’deverseenfromhim.“Inshort,LieutenantCommanderRee,yourperformanceaboardtheExecutorexceedsexpectationsoneverypoint.Keepthisupandyou’llmakecommanderbeforelong.”
Commander.Cienawasn’taswrappedupinthe
ideaofadvancementasshehadbeenthreeyearsago,butshecouldtakesatisfactioninhavingdoneherdutysowell.EvenwiththeunnaturallyfastrateofpromotionfollowingtheDeathStar’sdestruction,makingcommanderlessthanfiveyearsoutoftheacademywasamajorachievement.“Yes,sir.Thankyou,sir.”
Afterward,asshewalkedthroughthedarkmetalcorridorsoftheExecutor,she
mulledoverherlikelypromotion.Itoughttohavebeencauseforcelebration;sheshould’vemessagedNashandBerisseimmediately,tellingthemtomeetherlaterforacuportwoofale.Instead,thepraisefromhersuperiorofficeronlyremindedherofhowshehadfailedtheEmpireonce—whenshehadliedtoprotectafriend.
Worstofall,Cienaknew
ifshehadtomakethesamechoiceagain,shewouldstillpickThane.
Asshewalkedpastoneoftheobservationdecks,shelookedoutatthestarsandwonderedwherehemightbe.Surelyhe’dleftJelucanasshe’dtoldhimtodo.Theirworldwasdangerousforhim;thosesnakeshecalledfamilywouldturnhiminforatwo-creditpiece.YetCienaremainedhauntedbythe
visionofThanetrappedwhereshe’dseenhimlast—broke,stuckinatinyroomaboveaseedyValentiabar,withthatlostlookinhisblueeyes.
Stopit,shetoldherself.Thane’ssmart.He’satalentedpilot.Bynow,surely,he’sfoundworkandagoodplacetolive.Probablyhe’shappy.
You’renotsmallenoughtobegrudgeThaneahappy
lifewithoutyou.Right?Cienastraightenedupand
smoothedherhandsdownthefrontofheruniformjacket.TheshadowyreflectionshesawsilhouettedagainstthestarsinthewindowwasonceagainthatoftheperfectImperialofficer.Theexcellenceofherservicehadlongsinceceasedtobeonlyamatterofhonoringheroath.Shealsothoughtofitasthepriceshepaidforgiving
Thanehisfreedom.Noonewouldeverbeabletosayshehadn’tpaidinfull.
Iknow;I’lltellMummaandPappaImightbepromoted.MostImperialofficerslimitedtheirmessagestoandfromhomeasasymboloftheircommitment,butCienafiguredthatwaseasierforpeoplefromCoreWorlds,whocouldexpecttoseetheirfamiliesinpersonmorethan
onceeveryfiveyears.Shestillcommunicatedwithherfamilyatleastonceatenday,tellingthemabouteverythingfromgrav-balltournamentstoBerisse’sjokes—well,thejokesthatwererepeatable.
TheonlysubjectherfamilyneverdiscussedwasThaneKyrell.Cienadidn’twanttolietoherparentsabouthim;also,sheknewthey’drealizeshewaslyingrightaway.Thefewerpeople
whosuspectedthetruthaboutThane,thebetter.
Herparentsalwaysseemedhappytoreceivehermessages,especiallyMumma.Butlately,Cienahadbeguntonoticethattheirreplieswerealmostentirelyaboutherlife,nottheirs.Theynolongerknewallthevalleygossip,ornolongercaredtoshareit.Mummawouldsometimesspeakabouthersupervisoryjobatthe
mine,butovertheyears,hertonehadshiftedfrompridetoamatter-of-factweariness.Maybethatwasonlynatural,butCienacouldn’thelpnoticingit—aswellasthefactthatherfatherrarelymentionedanythingabouthisownlifeorthegreatervalleyatall.…
“Thereyouare,”saidapleasant,culturedmalevoice.CienaturnedtoseeLieutenantNashWindrider
walkingtowardherwithaslightsmileonhisface.DuringthethreeyearssinceAlderaan’sdestruction,hehadgraduallyrecoveredsomeofhisoldwitanddash.No,hewouldneverbethesameagain—butshenolongersawtheterribleshadowsunderhiseyesthathadscaredhersointhebeginning.BothheandherfriendBerisseSaihadbeentransferredfromtheDevastatortotheExecutor
whenDarthVaderchoseitashisnewflagship;theywerealsopostedtothesamequadrantwithinthevessel,soshesawthemoften.“I’vebeenlookingforyou,Ciena.”
“Why?IsthisaboutBerisse’sbirthday?”Cienafoldedherarmsandglaredathim.“Youruinedthesurprise,didn’tyou?”
“Youdon’tgivemenearlyenoughcredit—eitherformyexpertisewithsurprise
parties,whichisconsiderable,orforknowingwhat’simportantenoughtomeritpullingyoubackontothebridgewhenyou’reoffduty.”
Thehairsonthebackofherneckprickledwithasenseofbothdangerandexcitement.“What?”
“OneoftheprobedroidspickedupaveryinterestingsignalontheiceworldofHoth,”Nashsaidwithrelish.“Wemayhavefinallylocated
therebelbase.”Cienasuckedinasharp
breath.“Andwe’regoingin?”
Nash’sgrinwidened.“WithfiveImperial-classStarDestroyersbyourside.”
TheimageofJude’ssmileflashedthroughCiena’smind.AtlasttheyhadachancetoavengethemselvesonthepeoplewhohaddestroyedtheDeathStarandmurderedherbestfriend—
andtostampouttheRebelliononceandforall.
Thanegroanedastheyopenedthebaydoorsagainandablastoffrigidairsweptpastthem.“I’mgoingtofreezemychoobiesoff.”
Theguyshowinghimaround—DakRalter—laughedasheunsaddledanotherofthetauntauns.“Thereareeasierwaysto
switchgenders,youknow.”“Ididn’tmeanIwantedto
freeze’emoff.Ijustmeant—it’ssocold.”AfterachildhoodspentinthehighmountainsofJelucan,Thanehadthoughtheknewhowtohandlebeingcold—butHothwasonanotherscaletogether.
“Don’ttalkaboutit.Don’teventhinkaboutit,”Daksaidearnestly.“Justkeepyourpantsonandfocusonthebigpicture.”
“Iknow,Iknow.WemadeourbaseonthisfrozenhunkofrockbecausetheEmpirewouldneverthinktolookhere.Becausewhointheirrightmindwouldsubjectthemselvestothis?”Thane’sgesturetookintheicewallsoftheirbase,thebitterchillthatpiercedtothebone,andthepungentodorofthetauntaunstheywerecurrentlyfreeing.“Nobodycouldeversaywejoinedthe
Rebellionforthefunofit.”“Nobodywouldsaythat!”
DakRalter’sfacefellasifsomebodyreallyhadaccusedthemoffightingawarjustforkicks.“Orthey’dbetternot.Anybodywhodoesn’tthinkweneedtostanduptotheEmpire—”
“Takeiteasy.Iwasjustjoking.”
DakshotThaneareprovinglook,asiftosaythiswarwasfartooserious
foranythingaslowbrowashumor.Someofthenewrecruitswerelikethatatfirst—soidealisticthatspendingtimewiththemfeltlikebitingintopuresugar.
Orsothelong-timerssaid.ThaneoutrankedDakbyagrandtotalofthreeweeks.ButhefeltlikehewastwodecadesolderthanDak,ratherthantwoyears.Thanehadneverbeenoneoftheidealists;he’daccepted
WedgeAntilles’sinvitationnotbecausehebelievedtheRebellionwaspuregoodbutbecausehe’dlearnedtheEmpirewaspureevil.Evenforhim,though,theadjustmentfeltstrange.SmallastheMoawas,everycrewmemberlivedinaprivatecabinofhisorherveryown;eveninImperialservice,he’dneverhadtobunkwithmorethansevenotherguys.IntheRebellion,Thanesleptinan
enormousbunkerwithacouplehundredotherpeople,themajorityofwhomseemedtosnore.Rationswerescanty,theoddsterrible,andtherisksevengreaterthanThanewouldhaveimagined—andsofarhe’dbeeninnoneoftheepicbattleshe’dbeenanticipating.Instead,hehadmadeafewsupplyrunswhileavoidingImperialbordercontrols.He’dhelpedsetuptheHothbase.Andnowhere
hewastakingitdownagain:settingtheirpackcreaturesloosesothey’dbelonggonebythetimetheEmpirearrived,becauseapparentlyaprobedroidhadfoundthemalready
They’djustgottensetuponHoth,too.HehalfwantedtoaskRebelCommandhowtheyweresupposedtowinawarwhentheEmpirecouldfindtherebelbaseswithinamonth.
Helookedoverthebackofthegruntingtauntaunnearesthimtotakeintheentirebasearoundhim.Mechanicsworkedfeverishlyonfighters,theirbluish-whiteweldingtorcheslightingthemurkyrepairbay.PrincessLeiaspokeintentlytoGeneralRieekan,herintensityobviousevenatthatdistance,Thanethought.(They’dpassedeachotherincorridorstwicewithouther
recognizinghimfromthatlong-agodance.)Droidswhirredthroughthefrayasnoncombatpersonnelranforthefirsttransports;boardinghadbegunalready.Thaneknewonlythathisgroup—CoronaSquadron—wasn’tupyet.Fornow,hejusthadtokeepfreeingsmellytauntauns.
Dak’schatterbrokehisreverie.“Istillcan’tbelieveIgotassignedasgunnerto
LukeSkywalker.TheguywhosinglehandedlydestroyedtheDeathStar!”
“Somebody’sgoingtobehisgunner.Mightaswellbeyou.”Thanewasmostlygladitwasn’thim.Yes,Skywalkerhadshownincrediblecourageandmadeanear-impossibleshot—hedeservedrespect—butthatparticularactofheroismwasoneThanepreferredtoadmirefromadistance.
“AndtheysayhehopestobecomeaJediKnight,justlikeintheoldendays,”Dakcontinued,talkingasdreamilyasaschoolkidwithacrush.“Doyouknowhehasareal,truelightsaber?HeevenlearnedhowtousetheForcefromthegreatGeneralKenobi,thelastoftheJedi!”
ItwasallThanecoulddonottogroan.Please,notmoresuperstitiousnonsenseaboutthe“Force.”Inhisopinion,
therebeltroopsneededtobemotivatedbytheharshtruthabouttheEmpire,notcrazyreligiousbeliefs.
ThenherememberedCiena’svoicesovividlythatitwasasifshe’dwhisperedinhisear.Believinginsomethinggreaterthanourselvesisn’tcrazy.It’sproofwe’resane.Lookhowvastthegalaxyis.Don’tyouhavetoadmitwecan’tbethegreatestpowerwithinit?
ShehadsaidthattohimduringoneoftheirfinaldaysonJelucan,beforetheyleftfortheacademy.He’dlaughedatherforsuggestingthatmaybetheForcehadmadesuretheywenttothesameschoolonCoruscant,tokeepthemtogether.Bynow,evenCienawouldhavetoadmittheyweren’tluckyenoughtoshareadestiny.
Sowhywasthememoryofherstillmorerealtohim
thanthepersonactuallystandingameteraway?
“Let’sjustgetthisdone,allright?Wedon’twanttorunoffandleavethesethingstostarvepennedupinhere.”Thanepattedonetauntaunonthenosebeforeslippingoffitshalter.Thebeastboundedaway,eagertofindapackandburrowdownforwarmth.“Wehavetohauloutofherewithintheday,Rieekansays.Idon’twanttogetstranded
onHothbecausewedidn’tfinishtauntaundutyintime.”
“Sorry,”DaksaidsoearnestlythatThanefeltatwingeofguilt.
Sohegentledhistone.“Bytheway—youmusthaveimpressedsomebodytogetassignedtoflywithSkywalker.Theywouldn’tpairhimupwithjustanyone.”
“…really?”“Definitely.”
HeglancedoveratDakandsawthatthekidwassmiling.Withthat,theyclearedthestallofthefinaltwotauntauns.Asthebeastsranintothesnow,leavingonlytheirstinkbehind—
—everysirenonthebasewentoffatonce.
Theshriekingechoedwithinthecavewalls;Thanejerkeduprightanddroppedtheharnesseswithinthefirstsecond.Dakyelled,“What
doesthismean?”Asgreenashewas,Dak
knewtheanswer.Hejustdidn’twanttobelieveit.Thaneshoutedoverthedin:“TheEmpiregotherefasterthanwethought.They’vefoundus!”
AfteraquickbriefingfromPrincessLeia,itonlytookThanefourminutestosuitupandruntohissnowspeeder.
Fourminuteswasalmosttoolong.
“HaulyourJelucaniassuphere!”shoutedYendor,Thane’sTwi’lekcopilotandafellowmemberofCoronaSquadron.He’dalreadydonnedhisspeciallyfittedhelmet,whichallowedhisbluelekkutotraildownhisback.“We’vegotmultipleImperialwalkersmarchingin.”
“Itrainedonwalkersat
theacademy.”Thaneswungintohisseat.Evenasheputonhishelmet,theoverheadcanopydescendedandlocked.“Iknowtheminsideandout.”
“Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthesethings?”Yendorflippedtheswitchesthatwouldpreparethemfortakeoff.
“They’rethemostheavilyarmoredgroundvehiclesintheImperialArmy.”
“…sowhatyou’resayingisthatyouhaveathoroughknowledgeofjusthowscrewedweare.”
“Prettymuch,”Thanesaid.“Lookatitthisway.IfeventheDeathStarcouldfall,there’snothingtheEmpirehasthatwecan’ttakedown.”
Yendorreleasedtheclamps.“Let’stestthattheory.”
Thaneputhishandstothe
controlsandfelttheenginessurgetolifebeneathhim.“Herewego.”
Thesnowspeedershotoutofthebaseandintothefray.Laserboltsstripedthesilver-whitesky,andrebelshipsscatteredwidetofacetheintrudingarmy…becausethatwaswhattheyhadhere.Notastriketeam.TheywereupagainstthefullgroundforcesoftheEmpire,atleast.Howmanysnowtroopersaredown
there?Thanewondered.Andthey’llprobablysendflametroopersintothebasetoburneverythingstillinside—andeveryone.Worstofall,hecouldalreadyseefiveAT-ATwalkersonthehorizon.Eachonewouldcarrydozensofsoldiersandcountlessarmaments,nottomentionthedeadlycannonsmountedinfront.
Itwouldn’tmatterhowfarthewalkersmadeitifthe
rebelscouldjustgetthetransportsaway,Thaneremindedhimself.Actuallydestroyingoneofthosemonsterswouldbeabonus.
Yendorsaid,“Didyourclassesattheacademytellyouhowtodealwiththewalkers’heavyarmor?Becauseourblastersaren’tworthadamnagainstthesethings.”
Thanetookthespeederinfastandlow,sendingflurries
ofsnowoutinaplumebeneaththem.“Noteveryplacecanbefullyarmored.Thinkaboutit.Thelegsarevulnerableexactlywhereanycreature’slegswouldbe.”
“Gotcha,”Yendorreplied.“Targetingthejoints.”
Theentiresnowspeedervibratedwiththepowerofthefiretheyshotatoneofthewalkers,specificallyits“ankles.”Whiletheirblastersdidn’thavethestrengthto
destroythosealloys,itmightbepossibletoweakentheboltsandfrysomeofthecircuitry.
Wecanmakethemunstable.Slowthemdown.Anythingtohelpthetransportsgettosafety.
Eachofthosetransportswouldcontainnearlyahundredrebelsoldiers,theheartoftheirfleet.IftheEmpiretriumphedtoday—ittrulycouldbetheendofthe
Rebellion.ButYendor’saimwas
sureandsteady.HekepthittingtheAT-AT’slowestjointsintheexactsamespots,maximizingthedamage.AsThanezoomedinwithhissensors,herealizedtheyevenhadachancetotakeoneofthefeetoffthething,whichwouldstopitdead.
“Keepitup!”ThaneshoutedtoYendor.“I’mtakingusallthewayin!”
“Icanactuallytargetquitewellfromadistance,youknow,”Yendorjoked,evenashestartedfiringfaster.
Bythenthelowestsectionofthewalkerloomedlargeintheviewscreen.Thanelookedupwardtoseethethingforreal.Atfirsthewishedhehadn’t—themonsterslookedbigenoughwhenyouwereinthem,butfrombelowtheyseemedtooutweightheentire
sky.Butthenhetoldhimself,
They’renotasbigasthemountainsbackhome.Youflewthroughthose.Youcanmakeitthroughthese.
Soheaccelerateduntilthesnowylandscapewasnomorethanablur,bringingthembackinasfastaspossible.Yendorkeptfiringwithpinpointaccuracy,everyhitnowwinningapuffofblacksmokeorashowerof
sparks.Theywerewithintwo
hundredmeters—onehundredmeters—
Thanemadethedecisioninaninstant.Atthelastsecondhecould’veswerved,hedidn’t.
Yendoryelped—stillfiring—asThanesteeredtheirsnowspeederdirectlyattheAT-AT’sfeet.Inthefinalmomentsbeforeimpact,hejerkedthespeedersideways
untilitwasperpendiculartotheground,slidingbetweentheAT-AT’slegsuntilhespunoutbehindit,stillinonepiece.
Thatwasmorethanhecouldsayforthewalker,nowhobblingonburning,damagedfeet.Oneofthelegsliftedminusitsfoot,thenfroze;thatAT-ATwasn’tgoinganywhere
“So,thatwasnotasuiciderun?”Yendorsaid.
Thanelaughedashetookthesnowspeederaroundforanotherpass.“Iusedtoturnsideslipslikethatthroughmountainstalactiteseverydaybackhome.Youweresafeasababythewholetime.”
“Remindmenevertohireyouasababysitter.”
AsThanezoomedbacktowardtheconflict,herealizedthatsomebodyelsehadmanagedtobringa
walkerdown—asin,allthewaydown,flatinthesnow.Theheadblewashewatched,acoughofblacksmokeagainstthewhiteground.Foramomentheimaginedhimselfinsidethewalker.Itwould’vebeensounbearablyhotjustbeforetheexplosion;theheatmust’vecookedthoseguysintheirarmor.…
That’sright,hetoldhimselfsavagely.We’reheretokillthem,justlikethey’re
heretokillus.Betterthemthanyou.
Yendorsaid,“GotwordfromCommanderSkywalker.Theyloopedthewalker’slegswithatowcable.”
“That’sfaster,”Thanesaid.“Andsavesourenergyforlater.”
“Anddoesn’tmakeusdothatdamneddeath-somersaultthing—”
“Don’tknockthemovethatjustsavedourbutts,”
Thanesaidasheheadedstraightforthenextwalker.“Justgetthetowcableready.”
Astheyspedbackintothethickofthebattle,Thanesawatransportrocketthroughtheatmosphere,preparingforitsleapintohyperspace.Weretheyactuallygoingtoescapethismessafterall?
Someofthemwould.Buttherewerecrashedsnowspeederslyingonthe
ground,cindersblowinginthewindaroundthem.Nomatterhowmanytransportsgotaway,theRebellionhadtoleavebehindatremendousamountofshipsandmaterial.Andalltheworkthathadgoneintobuildingthebasehadbeenwasted.Nowthey’dhavetowanderthroughthegalaxyagain,lookingforsomeplaceevenmoreobscureandunlivablethanHoth…ifsuchaplanetevenexisted.
MaybetheRebellionbrasshadalong-rangeplanthatwouldrendertheday’sbattlemeaningless,butfornow,theEmpirewasmakingthempaydearlyfortheirdefiance.
Thanegrittedhisteeth.ThelargerstrategyoftheRebellionwasn’tuptohim.Hehadonejobonly:tocoverthetransports.
Forthenextlongwhile,heallowedhimselftothinkofnothingbutthetargets,todo
nothingbutflyinascloseaspossiblesoYendorcouldmakeeveryshot.Thegroundtroopsbeneaththeirspeederweresometimesnomorethanshadows,theirwhitesnowtrooperarmorrenderingthemalmostinvisibleagainstthewintrylandscape.Oncethelastwalkerwentdown,theotherrebelscheered.Thanestaredupatthebleakskyabovethem.Whataretheygoingtosenddown
next?Nothingcame.Nomore
Imperialshipsdescended.Thatmeanttheywerewaitingabovetheatmospheretopickofftherebelfightersonebyone.
Themomentthefinaltransportstreakedintothesky,ThaneandYendorrushedtheirsnowspeederbacktobase.Bynowtheyhadmereminutestogettheirindividualstarfightersoffthe
ground.AllThanehadtodowas
flysafelyoutofplanetaryatmospherebeforegoingtolightspeed—butfirsthehadtooutruntheTIEfightersthathadjustzoomedintorange.
Damn!Ifhe’dtakenofffiveminutesearlier,theTIEswouldhavemissedhimentirely.NowThanewouldhavetoshoothiswaytofreedom.
ButTIEfightersweren’t
assturdyaswalkers.Theyprovidedalmostnoprotectionfortheirpilots—whichwasthemainreasonwhybeingaTIEpilotwassoreveredintheImperialStarfleet.Flyingoneofthosethingstookguts.
Knowingthatdidn’tmakeiteasierforThanetoshoottheTIEfightersdown,buthediditanyway.AshisblasterboltsrakedacrossoneoftheTIEs,ashowerofgreensparksflumedintotheair,
andthentheshipwasspiralingdown,wingsclipped,fallingtoitsdoom.
ThanehadexperiencedthatinTIEfightersimulators.Heknewwhatitlookedlikefromtheinside.
Thiswasawar.They’dallchosentheirsides.SoThaneacceleratedupward,notbotheringtowatchonsensorsastheTIEfightercrashedtotheground.
Assoonasthespace
outsidehisX-winghadturnedblackandthesensorsshowedallclear,helaidinacoursefortherendezvouscoordinatesandpreparedfortheleaptolightspeed.OnlyinthelastmomentsdidheseetheImperialfleetamassedoffhisstarboardside,soenormousthateventhedarknessofspacedidnotdwarfit.Therewasnotimetostudyitindetail,hardlyevenaflashofsilverbeforethe
starschangedfrompointsintoatunnelandhisengineswhinedashisshipleapedintolightspeed.
Thanefeltasifhecouldn’tbreathe.Heknewwhathe’dseeninthatfinalsplit-secondviewoftheImperialfleet:aSuperStarDestroyer.
WhenIleft,CienawasassignedtotheDevastator.They’dneverposthertoanyshipsmallerthanaStar
Destroyeragain.Bynowsheprobablyisn’tassignedonTIEpatrolsveryoften,butshecouldbe—andshe’dvolunteerjustforthejoyofflying.
Hewasbeingridiculous.OfthemanyStarDestroyersundertheEmperor’scontrol,whatweretheoddsthataparticularonewouldbeassignedtothatbattle,onthatday?
Buthoweverremotethe
chanceswere,thepossibilitywasreal.Andnow,sickenedbyfear,ThanerealizedtheTIEpilothe’djustkilledcouldhavebeenCiena.Itwasnolesslikelytobeherthananyotherpilotinthefleet.Ifso,hehadn’tevenbotheredtowatchherdie.
Theworstpartwasthathewouldneverknow.
THEMETALLICRASPofLordVader’sbreathingechoedthroughouttheExecutor’sbridge.Cienaknewbetterthantoglanceupwardorgiveanyotherindicationthatsheevenrealizedhewasthere,
standingonthehigherlevelonlyacoupleofmetersabove.Althoughshedidn’tbelievesomeofthewilderrumorsaboutDarthVader’svindictiveness,bynowsheknewitwaswisestnottodrawhisattentionforanyreason.Hisrageswhenhewasdispleasedwerelegendary.
Rightnow,hehadtobedispleasedintheextreme.
Howcouldsomanyrebel
transportshavegottenaway?Evencomingoutofhyperspacetooearlyshouldn’thaveunderminedtheirentireattack.TheImperialStarfleethadsentdownastrikeforcethatshouldhavebeenabletoparalyzetheenemy’sdefenses.Butinsteadofvictory,theyhadthreedemolishedAT-ATs,onebadlydamagedone,severaldozendestroyedTIEfighters,
andseveralhundreddeadsnowtroopers.Thehighnumberofrebelcasualtiesthey’dinflictedwassmallconsolation.
Later,Cienaresolved,shewouldwatchtherecordingsoftheBattleofHothandstudytherebels’tacticsindetail.TheEmpirepossessedeveryadvantageintermsofmanpowerandfirepower.TodayoughttohavebeenthedaytheydealttheRebelliona
final,fatalblow.Instead,theirvictorywasincomplete.IftherebelscouldavoidbeingcompletelycrushedbyanImperialstrikeforceledbysixStarDestroyers,thensuperiororatleastsurprisingtacticalmoveshadtobethereason.AnalyzingthoseingreaterdepthmightgivetheImperialstheinformationtheyneededtofinallyendthisgruesomewar.
Fornow,though,Ciena
andeveryoneelseontheExecutorhadanother,farmorevitalpriority:capturetheMillenniumFalcon.
Ifanyoneonthebridgeunderstoodwhyitwassoimportanttocatchthatantiquepieceofjunk,nobodysaidso.LordVaderwantedtheshiptowedaboardanditspassengerstakenalive.SoinsteadofsimplyblowinguptheMillenniumFalcon—somethingtheycouldhave
doneinaninstant—theyhadtotrytopluckitfromthesky.
Unfortunately,whoeverwassteeringtheFalconwasonehellofapilot.He’dgoneintoanasteroidfield,apparentlychoosingsuicideovercapture.Nosmallshipcouldhopetoemergefromanasteroidfieldintact.Therebelshipatleasthadshields;TIEfightersdidn’tevenhavethatmuchprotection.
Yetfourofthemhadbeen
sentin.WhileCienasattheretryingtofathomthepurposeofthatsuicidemission,CaptainPiettsaid,“Ree,provideauxiliarynavigationalassistance.”
Herheartsankevenasshesaid,“Yes,sir.”
Shewenttotheaux-navpostinthedatapitandlookeddownatthefourscreensthatshowedhertheTIEfighters’designationsandcoordinates.Anyassistanceshecould
providewouldbeminimal—butifshecouldgivethosepilotsachance,shewould.HerfingersflewasshesetthetriangulationsbetweentheirshipsandtheMillenniumFalcon,andthensheyankedontheheadsetthatwouldlethertalktothepilotsdirectly.“O-L-Seven-Zero-One,adjustthirty-sevendegreesstarboardanddown—N-A-Eight-One-One,followbutgoup—”
NA811wasaguycalled
Penrie,whomshetalkedtoonceinawhile,agraduateoftheacademyonLothal.Whenhelaughed,noonecouldhelplaughingwithhim,andsinceheseemedtofindeverybody’sjokeshilarious,thelaughterwasconstant.AlthoughPenriewasacoupleofyearshersenior,hesoundedyoungerashesaid,“Affirmative.”
“C-R-Nine-Seven-Eight,pullup—pullup!”But
Ciena’sorderhadcometoolate;oneoftheTIEfightersvanishedfromthegrid.
Thatwasonedeadmanonherwatch.Please,nomore.
“O-L-Seven-Zero-One,newtrajectorylinkingtoyournavcomputernow—”
“Gotit.”“J-A-One-Eight-Nine,
yourcomputerisn’tlinkingup—”
“Ican’t—”Thenaburst
ofstaticaccompaniedthewildspinningofanotherTIEonherscreengrid.“Clippedoneofmyengines!Can’tsteer—needatractor—”
LouderstaticwasfollowedbysilenceastheimageofJA189’sTIEfighterfadedawayforgood.
SweatmadeCiena’sgrayjumpsuitsticktoherskin.Shekepthereyeslockedonthegridandhervoiceasevenasshecouldmanage.“O-L-
Seven-Zero-One,N-A-Eight-One-One,you’regettinginreallyclosetooneofthelargerasteroids—”
“Targetseemstobelookingforcover.We’reonhim.”ThatwasOL701.ThroughtheNA811uplink,Cienaheardonlybreathingthatwastooshallow,tooquick.Penriehadjustseentwootherpilotsexplodeinfrontofhiseyes.
ToCaptainPiett,shesaid,
“Sir,iftheMillenniumFalconlandsonalargerasteroid,wecouldfocusourlasercannonsonthatandblowitaway.We’dtaketheFalconoutintheprocess.CanIordertheTIEfightersback?”
Piettstoodverystill,obviouslywaitingforLordVadertocountermandtheorder.Vadersaidnothing.Hedidn’teventurnaround.Finally,Piettsaid,“Very
well,Ree.”Hoperushedthroughher.
Atleastshecouldsavetwoofthepilots.“N-A-Eight-One-One,O-L-Seven-Zero-One,abortpursuit.Chartyoursafestcoursebackand—”
“He’sinoneofthecanyons,”OL701replied.“We’vealmostgothim—”
CienawaitedtohearfromPenrie.Insteadhescreamed—aterribleshortsoundcutofftoosoon.Inthatinstant,
bothoftheremainingTIEfightersdisappearedfromherviewscreen,leavingitdark.
Fourpilotsdead,anditwaspartlyherresponsibility.WouldPiettreprimandher?Worse,wouldVader?
Whatifthoserumorsweretrue,abouthowVadertreatedthosewhodispleasedhim?
Butnobodypaidanyattentiontoher.PiettandVaderactedasifshehadn’t
letanyonedown,asiffourloyalofficershadn’tjustdiedfornoreason.TherewasnothingforCienatodobutreturntoherusualstationandgobacktomonitoringthesituation.
Tothecommanderwhosatbesideherinthedatapit,shewhispered,“Whyaren’tweatleastfiringontheasteroid?”
“Noclearshot.Thetargetcouldjustaseasilyhave
changedcourse.Wenolongerhaveitonvisualsorsensors.”
Awaveofnauseasweptthroughher.ThosefourTIEfighterpilotshaddiedfornothing.NoonewouldeverhearPenrie’slaughagain.Incommand-trackcoursesattheacademy,theteachershadcounseledthemthattheycouldn’tthinkoftheirtroopsasindividuals;todosowouldleadonlytohesitationand
thusdefeat.Theyprotectedtheirpeoplebyforgettingtheywerepeople,insteadviewingthemaspiecesinavast,elaborategame.Itwastheonlyelementofcommand-tracktrainingthathadevergivenCienapause.Sheknewnowthatshewouldneverbeabletodothat,notthewayPiettandVaderdid.
YetVadercouldnothavebeentotallydevoidofemotion,becausehethen—
unbelievably—orderedtheExecutorintotheasteroidfield,too.
Impactsbegantosendshuddersthroughouttheship.Cienawincedasifthedamageswereactualinjuriestoherbody.WhatStarDestroyershadinsheerpower,theylackedinmaneuverability;theywouldtakecountlesshitstoday.WhatregisteredasminordamageonaSuperStar
Destroyercouldmeanthedemolitionoftwoentiredecksdownforafewthousandmeters—andallthepeoplestationedonthosedecks.Moreofficersandstormtrooperswoulddieneedlessly,allbecauseLordVadercouldn’tletonerattyoldshipgo—
No,Cienaremindedherselfsternly.Thedeathsshe’dseenthatday,theuselessriskanddamage—
thatwasallbecausetheRebelAlliancehadstartedawar.
Whenhershiftended,Cienastoodtogoandwinced.EverymuscleinherbodyhadtensedsobadlyduringtheTIEfighterflightsthroughtheasteroidfieldthatshefeltassoreasifshe’drunthirtykilometers.Thedoorsslidopentoletherwalkout—or,asitturnedout,toletPiett
return.Immediately,shestoodatattention,awaitingthereprimandshenodoubtdeserved.
Piettsaidonly,“Welldonetoday,LieutenantCommander.”
“But—”Washethinkingofsomeoneelse?“Ilostallfourpilots,sir.”
“Theyhadnochance,really.Youkeptthemalivelongerthantheycouldhavemadeitontheirown.”
Hewastellinghershe’ddoneagoodjob.Ononelevelsheunderstoodwhyhesaidso,butitdidn’tchangehowwretchedshefelt.Therewasnothingelseforhertosay,though,except—“Thankyou,Captain.”
“Oh.Yes.Youweren’tonthebridgeyetfor—when—”Piettdrewhimselfup.“Ihavebeenpromotedtoadmiral,effectiveimmediately,assumingAdmiralOzzel’s
command.”Whathappenedto
AdmiralOzzel?Thequestiondiedonherlips.IntheImperialStarfleet,sometimesitwasbettertobeabletobelieveyoudidn’tknowtheanswer.“Yes,Admiral.Congratulations.”
Piett’sexpressionlookedbleak.“Thatwillbeall,Ree.”Withthathereturnedtothebridge,theblackdoorsslidingshutbehindhim.
Cienafelttooexhaustedtomove,muchlessputinextrahours.Yetinsteadofreturningtoherbunk,shewenttoaspareanalysisboothandpulledupallthefootagefromtheBattleofHothavailabletosomeoneatherclearancelevel.Sheintendedtogoovereverysinglesecondofit,untilshefiguredouthowabunchofpoorlyarmed,ragtagrebelswereoutwittingthegreatest
militaryforcethegalaxyhadeverseen.
Wasitarrogancetothinkshecouldcomeupwithananswerthathadeludedtheadmiralty’sfinesttacticalminds?No,sherealized.Itwasdesperation.Shewantedthiswartoend—neededittoend—sothatthebloody,mercilessmethodsofwarwouldend,too.Strongasshewas,determinedasshewastoseethisthrough,Cienaknew
shecouldn’tendureyearsmoreofsendingpeopletofutile,meaninglessdeaths.
It’snotlikePenrieandIwerefriends,buthewasmorethanacallnumber.Irememberhislaugh,hisbirthmark.SoIcan’tforgetthathewashuman,thatsomewhereouttherehehasamotherandfatherwhowanthimhome.Whentheyhearthetruth,itwilldestroythem,assurelyasitwilldestroy
MummaandPappaifIdieduringmyservice.That’sjustonelittletragedy.Multiplythatanguishandlossbythebillionsofpeoplealreadydeadinthiswarandit’sunbearable.
WheneverCienaspokeinherheadlikethat,shealwaysenvisionedthesamelistener.IfonlyshecouldtalktoThaneforreal—hewouldknowhowtoadviseher,howtocomforther.Evenifhe
coulddonothingelse,hewould’vetakenherinhisarmsandletherholdontightlyuntiltheworstofthepainhadebbedaway.Sometimesshecouldn’tfallasleepwithoutimaginingtheonenightsheandThanehadspenttogether—notthesex(well,notonlythesex)buttheafterglow,thewayhehadtenderlykissedherhairandcurledhisbodyagainsthers.Shecouldn’trememberany
othertimeshehadfeltsosafeandwarm.
Cienabitherlowerlip;thepainbroughtherbacktothehereandnow.EveryfewmonthssheresolvednottothinkaboutThaneeveragain.Hehadchosenhispath.Whereverhewasinthegalaxy,shehopedhewaswell,andhappy.Shewouldneverknowforsure,andsheneededtomakeherpeacewiththat.
Soconcentrateonwhatyou’redoing,shetoldherself.CienabeganplayingbacktheHothfootage,takingnotesonherdatapadthewholetime.Abandonedsnowspeeders—meanstheylostshipsandvaluablematerialwhenweranthemoff—possibletosimplychasethemuntilresourcesrunout?Warofattrition?Andthenextfootageshowedtherebellasercannons.The
armamentsthemselveswereamatchforImperialstandard,orverynearly,but—Inadequatebodyarmorforsoldiersappearstobestandardthroughouttherebelforces.Lookatweaponsthatexpelshrapnel,possiblyrazor-edgedmicrodroids?
NextwasfootageofthedestructionoftheImperialwalkers.Cienacould’vegroanedwhenshesawhoweasilytheharpoonsand
towlinestookthefirstAT-ATdown.Surelytherehadtobesomekindofdefensetheycouldinstallforthat.Thesecondoneseemedtoexplodefrominside,sothatwasprobablytheImperials’faultratherthantherebels’.Mechanicalmalfunction?Apossiblesaboteur?shejotted.Andthenanotherwalkerfellpreytoarebelpilotwhosomehowknewoneoftheonlyvulnerablespotsinthe
armor—Hermindwentblank.The
beepingandbuzzingofthecomputersaroundherturnedintosomuchwhitenoise.Astonishmentandbetrayalrippledthroughherlikeanearthquakeanditsaftershocks.ButCienashookherhead.Iimaginedit.Musthave.Becausethere’snoway.
Quickly,sheputthefootagebackinandwatched
again.Shehadn’timaginedit.Therebelsnowspeederkeptfiringattheidealtargetsonthelowestjointsofthewalker’slegsasitzoomedforwardatsuicidalspeed—then,attheverylastmoment,itspunsidewaysthroughthenarrowgapthatledtosafety.
Justlikeflyingthroughthestalactitesbackhome.
Anynumberofpilotsinthegalaxymusthavelearnedthatmove.Cienaknewthat.
Butitdidn’tchangewhatshewasabsolutelysureshe’djustseen:
ThaneKyrellhadjoinedtheRebellion.
THANEWENTTHROUGHthemotionsasblanklyandautomaticallyashisastromechdroid:reachrendezvouspoint,inputcodestoreceivelocationofthenextrendezvouspoint,leapintohyperspaceagain,andfinally
connectwiththeirnewbaseship,theMonCalamaricruiserLiberty.
TheLibertywasfarlargerandmoresophisticatedthanmostofthevesselsinthemotleyrebelfleet.However,itwasdesignedforthecomfortoftheMonCalamari,nothumans.Temperatureswerehigher,andthehumidityintheairwassointenseThane’sskingrewdampwithinminutes.
Heneededsomedistractionfromthediscomfort,Thanedecided.Betternottobealonewithhisthoughtsanyway.HekeptseeingthatTIEfightertumbledown,keptimaginingCienadyingintheheartofit—andhehadtostopthatsomehow.
Firsthesoughtoutfriends.WedgeclappedThaneontheback,andThanemanagedtosmileastheycongratulatedeachotheron
thewalkersthey’dtakendown.ButWedge’sfacefellwhenThaneaskedaboutDakRalter.“Dakdiedduringthebattle.Theirsnowspeederwashit;onlySkywalkermadeitout.”
Onlyhalfadaybefore,ThanehadbeenteasingDakabouthero-worshipingLukeSkywalker.NowDaklaydeadandabandonedonHoth,hisbodycrushedbyanAT-AT.
Thekidhadn’tevenbeennineteenyearsold.
“Ifit’sanyconsolation,”Wedgesaid,studyingThane’sexpression,“LukesaidDakdiedfromtheblast.Instantly.”
“Consolation,”Thanerepeated.“Right.”
Wedgelookedlikehemightsaymore,butThanedidn’twanttohearit.Heturnedandwalkedthroughthelaunchingbay,watching
theactivityaroundhimasifhe’dneverseenanyofitbefore.Pilotslaughedandjoked,becausethatwashowyoudealtwithunendingmortaldanger:youpretendeditdidn’texist.Onlyahandfuloftherebelsstandingaroundshowedanyevidenceofgrieforshock.
TheywereprobablyimaginingscenesasterribleastheoneplayingoverandoverinThane’smind—Ciena
andDak,bothdead,theirbodiesbrokenastheylayonthesurfaceofHoth.Soontheywouldbecoveredbythesnow,nevertobeseenagain.
“Hey,areyouallright?”Yendorfellinstepbesidehim,hisbluelekkuhangingdownhisback.
“I’mfine.”“Ifthisiswhat‘fine’
lookslikeforyou,Ireallydon’twanttoseeyourversionof‘bad.’”
“DakRalterboughtit.”“Sorrytohearthat,”
Yendorsaid.“Hewasagoodkid.”
“Yeah.”“Didn’tthinkyouguys
werethatclose,though.”“Weweren’t.”It’snot
justDak.ImighthavekilledCienatoday—andIrealizeitalmostcertainlywasn’ther,butitcould’vebeenherandI’llneverknow—“Skipit,allright?”
Yendorwassmartenoughtomoveon.“Consideritskipped.Comehelpmegetthenewrecruitssetupwithsomegear,whydon’tyou?AcoupledozenofthemwereontheirwaytoHothwhenthealertwentout.”
“Sure,”Thanesaid.Itwassomethingtodo.
Heevenhadonepleasantsurpriseashehandedouthelmets,blasters,andcommunicatorstotherookies
—afamiliarface.“Lookwhatthegundarkdraggedin,”saidKendyIdele,abroadsmilespreadingacrossherface.Herdarkgreenhairhunginalongbraiddownthebackofherwhitecoveralls,afewdampstrandsclingingtoherforehead.“ThaneKyrell.NeverthoughtI’dseeyouhere.”
“Kendy.IthoughtyouwereintheImperialStarfleetforlife.”
“Showshowmuchyouknow.”Kendylaughedoutloud.Sheseemedalittlehappiertoseehimthanhewastoseeher.ItwasgoodtofindKendyagain,insomeways;theyhadn’tbeengoodfriendsattheacademy,buthe’dalwaysadmiredher.Inparticularherememberedhowdeadlyshe’dbeenonthepracticerange,howshecouldtakedownthreetargetflierspersecondwithherblaster.
TheRebellionneededpeoplewhocouldshootlikethat.
ButshehadbeenoneofCiena’sbunkmatesandbestfriends.Thanecouldn’tevenlookatKendywithoutexpectingtoseeCienaatherside.
Nothingmuchwouldgetdonethatdayexcepttakingnames,takingstock,andsweating.EchoBasecommandcenterhadbeenhit,whichmeantdisorganization
anduncertaintyhadtakenover.Severalvitalpersonnelweremissing,apparently.NotonlyhadLukeSkywalkerfailedtoshowattherendezvouspoint,buttheMillenniumFalconhadgonemissingalso,withPrincessLeiaOrganaaboard.GeneralRieekanhadcalledanemergencyconferenceoftheseniorofficersattachedtothisportionofthefleet,whichWedgegotpulledinto.That
lefttherestofthemtofixdamagetotheirstarfighters,haulequipmentintosomethingvaguelyresemblingregulation,andwaitfornewordersandtheirnextdestination.
Soitwasn’tthatsurprisingwhenoneofthetransportpilotsmentionedthatthey’dbrewedalittleengine-roomhooch.
Makingjetjuicewasoneofthosethingsthebrass
officiallybannedbutinfactturnedablindeyetoaslongasneitherthemanufacturenorconsumptioninterferedwithduty.Forthenextdayortwo,beforetheymigratedtotheirnextlocation,theywereasfreefromdangerasitwaspossibleforarebelarmytobe:iftheImperialStarfleethadanyideawheretherebels’rendezvouspointswere,itwouldhaveimmediatelyfollowedthemin
force.Anygoodofficerknewsoldiersneededachancetoblowoffsteam,particularlyafterabigbattle—sonobodysaidawordwhenthecupsstartedbeingpassedaround.
Thanegulpeddownhisfirstsoquicklyhiseyeswatered.Whateverelseengine-roomjetjuicemightbe,itwasn’t“mellow.”Butassoonashe’dfinishedcoughing,heheldouthiscupforarefill.
“Hittingithardtonight,”Yendorobserved,onelekquirkinginquisitively.
“Whynot?”Thanesaid.Hedidn’tmeetYendor’seyes.
Itwasn’tasifThaneneverdrank.He’dhadacoupleofcupsofhoochonoccasion,andhedidn’tmindanaleortwo.Overtimehe’devendevelopedatasteforAndoanwine.Butheavydrinkinghadneverinterested
him,notevenwhenhewasakidonJelucanandtheotherboysinhisschoolwouldgetcompletelywastedonfestivalnights.
HehadnevereventriedanyinebriatesbeforethateveningintheFortress,withtheflaskofvalleywineCienahadsmuggledinherrobes.Theyhadbeennomorethanfourteen.Bothofthemhadhatedthesticky-sweetstuffandwounduppouringmost
ofitout.Herfulllipshadstillbeenstainedberrydarkasshehadrinsedouttheflask,laughing,sayingtheyshouldn’tevenhavetosmellitanylonger—
Ciena.AlwaysCiena.DidThanepossessamemoryworthhavingthatshewasn’tapartof?Couldhedrinkenoughtoblotouteventhethoughtofher?
Apparentlynot.Buthedidn’tfailforlackoftrying.
Anotherdrink.Thenanother.Thane’sexperienceoftheeveningbecamefragmentedandsurreal.HeknewKendyhadtoldthestoryofhowherentirepatrolhadmutiniedonMiriatin,andhowonlyone-thirdofthemhadmanagedtoescapewiththeirlives.Herememberedagameofsabaccbutnoneofthecardshe’dheld.MaybesomeguysfromOrdMantellhadsunganobscenesong
abouttheuniquepleasureseachspeciescouldprovideinbed.Atsomepoint,YendorhadaskedThanewhetherhedidn’twanttolayoffandgotosleep,butThanehadtoldhisTwi’lekfriendtomindhisownbusiness.Whentheroomspunaroundhim,ThanesimplybracedhimselfagainstthesideofthenearestX-wingandkeptgoing.
Thatwashowhefoundhimself,atsomeunknown
hourofthenight,stumblingthroughtheunfamiliarbasealoneandtryinghardnottofallflatonhisface.
C’mon.Youcanfigureoutwherethebunksare.Theyshowedyouearlier.ButhisdrunkennesshadfoldedthestrangecorridorsoftheMonCalamarishipintoevenstrangerangles.Thewallskeptshowingupwherethefloorshouldbe,andviceversa.FinallyThanedecided
sittingdownwouldbeagreatidea.
Ashisbacksliddownthewall,hefelthisstomachturnover,athreatofwhatwastocome.He’dneverdrunktothepointofvomitingbefore.Thatwasnotanexperiencehe’dbeeneagertotry.Firsttimeforeverything,hethoughtinahaze.
Thensomeonehelpedhimtohisfeet,awomanhe’dnevermetbefore—orhe
thoughthe’dnevermetbefore—butsheseemedkindassheputoneofhisarmsaroundhershoulders.ThatseemedasgoodareasonasanyforThanetotellherhislifestory.
“Imean,reallyI’monly—onlytellingyouthepartsaboutCiena,”hemumbledasthewomansteeredhimtowardthenearesthead.“Butthat’sprettymuchmywholelife.Thegoodpartofmylife,
anyway.”“Soundslikeit.Here,sit
down.”Shepouredhimintoa
chair.Thanelethisheaddroopbackward.“IknowIprobablydidn’tshootherdowntoday.ButIcould’vedoneit.Oranyoftheotherguys—theycould’vedoneit,andthey’reonmyside,youknow?They’remyfriends,andweallhatetheEmpire,butifIeverfoundoutoneof
themhadkilledCiena—andit’scrazy,because,youknow,sheturnedmeintotheEmpire.Canyoubelievethat?Shegavemeaheadstart,butsheturnedmein.SometimesIthinkaboutthatandIgetsoangryIcould—butitstillkillsmetothinkabouthergettinghurt—”
“Shhh.”Thewomanlaidsomesortofcool,damptowelacrosshisforehead.Thiswasthebestideaanyone
hadeverhad.Thanedecidedshewassomekindofgenius.
Somaybeshecouldhelphimfigureoutwhatwasgoingon.
“Whathappensif—whatifsomedayI’minbattleagainsttheEmpireagainandIfreezeup?WhatifIcan’tfirebecauseIknowCienacouldbeinanyoneofthoseTIEfighters?WhatifIdofireandsheisinoneofthem?”Thanebecameawarethathe
wasonthevergeoftearingupandmanagedtostop.Hemightbeasloppydrunk,buthe’dbedamnedifhe’dbreakdown.“Idon’twanttokillher.AndIdon’twantotherpeopletodiebecauseI’mafraidofhurtingthisonepersonintheentireImperialStarfleetthatIlove.”
“Iunderstand,”thewomansaid,puttingacupinhishands.“Drinksomewater.You’llthankmelater.”
Afterthat,thingsbecameevenblurrier.Atsomepoint,Thanemusthavefoundhisbunk,becausehedimlyperceivedcrawlingintoitfullyclothed,downtohisboots.Andthatwaswherehewokeupthenextmorning,hatinglife.
“Thisiswherealesserbeingwouldsay,‘Itoldyouso.’”YendorgrinnedasThaneleanedoverthenearestbucket.
“Pleaseshutup.”“NotuntilItellyouthat
oursquadronhasabriefingwiththetopbrassin,oh,halfanhour.”
Thanerolledhiseyesathisownstupidity,thenwinced.Hehadn’tknownrollinghiseyescouldhurt.“Canyougetridofhangoversbydunkingyourselfinabactatank?”
Yendorconsideredthat.“Huh.Youknow,that’snota
badidea?We’llhavetotestitsomeday.Rightnow,though—you’reoutoftime.”
“Great.Justgreat.”Throughwhatfeltlike
superhumaneffort,Thanemanagedtoshowerandgetintouniform.Thedarkcirclesunderhiseyesandthefaintreddishstubbleonhischeeks—well,peoplehadshowedupforrollcalllookingrougherthanhedid.Thesurgicaldroid2-1Bgavehim
aninjectionthatwouldrestorehisbloodchemistrytobearablelevelswithinanhourortwo.AllThanehadtodowasmakeitthroughthebriefing.
Whentheentiresquadronstoodatattention,GeneralRieekanenteredtheroom—buthewasn’talone.Behindhimwalkedacomposed,majesticwomanwithdarkredhair,dressedallinwhite.
“Idon’tbelieveit,”
Kendywhispered.“Meeither,”saidYendor,
whostoodbyThane’sside,ahugegrinonhisface.“WefinallygettomeetMonMothmaherself!”
MonMothma.OneoftheonlysenatorstoopenlydefyPalpatineasherosetopower.“MostWanted”oneverylistofcriminalstheImperialStarfleetkept.OneoftheleadersoftheRebelAlliance.
Andthewomanwhohad
spentthepreviousnightlisteningtoThanespillhisguts,literallyandfiguratively.
Howcouldhehavefailedtorecognizeher?He’dbeenevendrunkerthanhe’dthought.OfcoursethenewsreportsfromtheEmpireonlyshowedimagesofMonMothmafrommanyyearsbefore;shehadbeenundergroundforsometime.ButThanehadbeentoo
intoxicatedtorecognizethewomanevenwhensheheldhisheadoverabasinashepukedhisgutsout.
Great.Justgreat.Ifonlyhecouldhavesunkintothefloorandletitclosebackoverhimtohideanyevidencethathe’deverexisted—butThanehadtostandthereandpretendeverythingwasnormal.
“Goodmorning,”shesaid,hervoiceascalmand
steadyasithadbeenthenightbefore.“ItisanhonortomeetmoreofthewarriorswhohavehelpedtheRebelAlliancestaystrongduringthesedarktimes.”
Priderippledthroughthesquadron,evengettingtoThanedespitehisshame.TothinkthattheleaderoftheentireRebellionwouldsayitwasanhonortomeetthem.HedoubtedtheEmperorhadeversaidsuchathingtoany
ofhistroops.Mothmacontinued,“All
ofyouunderstandthatobviouslywemustbeonthemovesoon.”Hereyesstudiedeachofthepilotsinturn;Thanewonderedhowavoicethatgentlecouldbelongtothesamepersonasthatsteelygaze.“However,CoronaSquadron,youwillnotaccompanytherestofthefleettotheirnewrendezvouspoint.”
Everyoneexchangedglances.Wasitsomekindofpenaltyfortheircarousinglastnight—orsomeother,moresignificantinfraction?Buttheyhadn’tdoneanythingworthanykindofpenalty,sofarasThaneknew;infact,theywereoneofthetopsquadronsinthefleet.
MonMothmathensaid,“Wehave…importanttasksforyou.”
Nofurtherwordswerenecessary.Shemeantintelligencework.Thatalsomeantdanger.ButThanehadn’tjoinedtheRebelliontoplayitsafe.
“You’vebeenchosenforthisworkeventhoughmanyofyouarenewtotheRebellion.However,youhavetherightskillsforthetaskstocome.”MonMothmatookaseatattheonedeskinthesmallspace.Somehowthe
sheerpowerofherpresencetransformedtheroomintoachamberofstate.
She’salreadytheEmperor’smatch,Thanethought,evenifPalpatinedoesn’tknowityet.
GeneralRieekanspokeup.“Fortheforeseeablefuture,CoronaSquadronwillremainbasedontheLiberty.You’llgetpermanentbunkassignmentswithinthenextfewhours.”
“Aw,man,”Yendordeadpanned.“IalwayshopedI’dgettoliveinasaunasomeday.”
Rieekanraisedaneyebrow.“Excuseme,PrivateYendor?”
“Imeant,IalwayshopedI’dgettoliveinasaunasomeday,sir.”
Thatmadetheotherslaugh,andevenRieekansmiled.MonMothma’sfaceremainedimpassive—butnot
disapproving.Thesameminorinformalitywould’velandedanImperialofficerinthebrig;intherebelfleet,disciplinecouldcoexistwithhumanity.
“Bothgroupandindividualassignmentswillbediscussedastheyarise,”MonMothmacontinuedassmoothlyasthoughtherehadbeennointerruption.“Butyoualldeservetoknow—theriskswillbeconsiderable,
evengreaterthanthoseyoualreadyface.Itispossiblethatanyorallofyoumaybeaskedtogoonmissionswithlittleornochancethatyouwilleverreturn.Ifyoufeelyoucannotacceptsuchmissions,speaknow.Thereisnoshameindoingso.”
Everyoneremainedsilentandatattention,wordlesslyacceptingthedanger.Thanekepthisgazestraightforward,notdirectlylooking
atanyoneintheroom.ButhecouldfeelMonMothma’sgazeonhim.
Whenthequiethadgoneonlongenough,Rieekannodded.“Good.Fornow,getyournewmembersuptodateonourprotocols”—thatwasaccompaniedbyanodtowardKendy,thenewestofthemall—“andawaitfurtherinstructions.”
“Thankyouforyourcourageousservice,officers,”
MonMothmasaid.“Youaredismissed.”Aseveryoneturnedtogo,andjustasKendyleanedtowardThanetoaskaquestion,Mothmaadded,“LieutenantKyrell,I’dliketohaveaword.”
Andhe’dbeensoclosetomakingacleangetaway.
Thaneturnedaround,againatattention,tofaceMonMothma.FromthecornerofhiseyehecaughtaglimpseofGeneralRieekan;
thegeneralseemedsurprised.AtleastMonMothmahadn’tsharedthetaleofThane’sdrunkenmopingwiththeentireRebelCommand.
Notyet,anyway.Thedoorsslidshutafter
thelastoftheothersleft,andThanewasalonewithMonMothma.Undermostcircumstances,juniorofficerswaitedfortheirsuperiorstospeakfirst.Thanethoughtthismightbeanexceptionto
thatrule.“Ma’am.Iapologizeformy—improprietylastnight.Obviously,Ioverindulgedinour,uh,celebrations.Itwon’thappenagain.”
MonMothmaleanedbackinherchair,mouthquirked.“LieutenantKyrell,ifIdrummedpilotsoutoftheserviceeverytimeoneofthemhadalittletoomuchoftheengine-roomhooch,therewouldbenoRebellion.”
“Yes,ma’am.”Butwhythenhadshesingledhimout?Herememberedsomeofwhathe’dsaidlastnightaboutfreezingup,andhishorrordeepened.“Ifyou’reconcernedthatI’llfailtodomydutyononeofthespecialmissionsforCoronaSquadron,youdon’thavetobe,ma’am.”
“Myconcernsareirrelevant,”shesaidcrisply.“Theproblemhereisthat
you’requestioningyourself.Self-doubtwillcrippleyoumoresurelythanfearevercould.Ihearyou’reanoutstandingpilot,Kyrell.Momenttomoment,Ifeelcertainyou’lldoyourduty.However,ifyoufallapartaftereverymajorengagement,you’llself-destructbeforelong.”
Thanecouldsaynothing.Heknewshewasright.
Shecontinued,“Many
peopleintheRebellionhavefriendsorfamilywhoservetheEmpireinsomecapacity,oronplanetsorshipsthatmayfarebadlyinthiswar.Youaren’ttheonlyonewithconflicts.”
Yendorsometimesspokequietlyofhisson,Bizu,leftbehindonRyloth.Kendy’sentirefamilybackonIlohwouldnowbeatriskbecauseofherdefection.“Yes,ma’am.Irealizethat.”
MonMothmarosetoherfeet,andasshesteppedcloserThanesawinherexpressionthekindnesshe’dsensedthroughhishazethepreviousnight.“It’sallrightifyoustilllovesomeoneontheothersideofthiswar—aslongasyoulovewhatyou’refightingforevenmore.”
Hehadneverthoughtofhimselfasfightingforanything.ThanehadjoinedtheRebelliontofightagainst
theEmpire,notfortherestorationoftheRepublicoranyoftheothergrandschemespeopletalkedabout.AslongastheEmpirefell,he’dfigured,therestcouldsortitselfout.Now,however,hefinallyaskedhimselfwhathisdecisionreallymeant.
FightingagainsttheEmpiremeantfightingforgalacticauthoritythatvaluedjusticeandvalormorethanrawpower,thattreatedthe
governedwithrespectinsteadofendlessdeceptionandmanipulation.FightingagainsttheslaveryoftheBodach’iandtheWookieesmeantfightingforindividualstohavetherightofself-determination.FightingagainstthosewhohadcallouslyandbrutallydestroyedAlderaanmeantfightingforeveryotherinhabitedworldintheentiregalaxy.
Thanebelievedinallthosethings,enoughtodieforthem,andyetheknewthatwasn’twhyhewasinthefight.He’djoinedtheRebelliontotakedowntheEmpireandremainedunmovedbyallthosestarry-eyednotionsoftheNewRepublictocome.JustbecausehethoughtthenextgalacticgovernmentwouldbebetterthantheEmpiredidn’tmeanhethoughtitwouldbe
good.Intheenditwouldbeanotherbureaucracy,anothergroupdominatedbytheCoreWorldswhiletheOuterRimhadtohandleproblemsonitsown—superiortotheEmpireineveryway,ofcourse,butthatwasn’texactlyahighbartoclear.
Sohisanswerwasno.Hedidn’tlovetheRebellionmorethanhelovedCiena.
Buthecouldbewillingtodieforonlyoneofthose
things,andheknewwhichonehehadtochoose—nomatterhowmuchithurt.
MonMothmasaid,“Canyoudoyourduty,Kyrell?”
“Yes,ma’am,”hesaid.Thanefeltthefullweightofhiswords.Hehadjustsworntodowhateverittook,uptoandincludingtakingCiena’slife.
Yetheknewhewouldneverhesitatetofireinbattleagain.
JUDEHADNEVERmentionedthatBespinwassobeautiful.
Cienastareddownattheviewscreendisplayingtheimagesofround-edged,clay-coloredbuildingsseeminglyaloftintheclouds.Itwasso
likeJudenottohavementionedthewaythefilteredsunlightturnedtheskyaneternalsunsetpink,ortheeleganceofCloudCity’sstructures,whichbloomedaboveslenderunipodcablesasthoughtheywereparasolsunshadesdanglinginmidair.Instead,whenevershehadtalkedaboutherhomeworld,Judehaddiscussedthegeologicalreasonstibannagasminingwassodifficultor
theaerodynamicpropertiesoftheglidersshe’dflownasachild.Nomatterwhat,Judehadalwaysbeenascientistfirst.ShehadsearchedfortruthasavidlyasthosebountyhuntershadsearchedfortheMillenniumFalcon.(HowgallingtohavethatscumsucceedwhereImperialofficershadfailed.Yetsmallcivilianvesselshadtheadvantageofpassingthroughspacelargelyunnoticed—the
onethingnoStarDestroyercoulddo.)
AlthoughCienawouldhavelikedtohavegonedowntoCloudCity,perhapstomeetJude’sparents,sheremainedaboardtheExecutor.ThestriketeamtaskedwithcapturingthecrewoftheFalconcomprisedonlyafewindividuals—includingLordVader,whousuallypreferredtooverseeoperationspersonally.
Whateverelsewashappening,allthethousandsofotherpeopleassignedtotheExecutorhadlittletodobutwait.
Cienawouldhaveappreciatedataskatthemoment—anytask,nomatterhowdifficultortime-consuming.ItwouldhavebeenadistractionfromherfuryatThaneKyrell.
Bespinmadethingsworse,becauseBespinmeant
Jude.EventhinkingofherlostfriendremindedCienaofthewayJudehadhelpedfigureoutthetruthaboutthatstupidlasercannonproject.
ThatincidenthadprovedthatCienaandThanecoulddisagree—asdidhisdecisiontoleavetheImperialStarfleet.AsupsetasCienahadbeenwhenThanedeserted,shehadatleastunderstoodhisdecision,evenifshewouldneveragreewith
it.ButjoiningtheRebellion?HowcouldThaneever
havebecomeaterrorist?He’dalwaysheldtheRebelAllianceinasmuchcontemptasshehad—whenhadthatchangedandhow?HadheforgiventhedestructionoftheDeathStar,andofthehundredsofthousandsofpeopleaboard?Yes,Alderaanhadbeendestroyedfirstasagambittoendthewarbefore
itbegan,andthatgambithadfailed.Butthatwasonespacestation,oneplanet,oneterribleday.Therebels’attacksonImperialshipsandbaseshadneverceased,asiftheycouldnotspillenoughbloodtoslaketheirthirst.IftheyfoughtforaprincipleinsteadofmindlesshatredoftheEmpire,theywouldproposepeacetalksorattempttoclaimanindependentstarsystem
wheretheycouldliveunderwhatevergovernancetheychose.Butno.Insteadtheykilledagain,andagain,andagain.ForallThane’sstrength,forallhisskillincombat,hehadneverbeenaviolentman.Sohowcouldhebeapartofsuchhorror?
Maybehisfatherdidthistohim,CienathoughtasshewalkedthroughthecorridorsofCloudCity.AfewgruntingUgnaughtshurried
pasther,butshehardlyevenregisteredthem.Inhermind’seye,shestoodbehindThanethedayhe’dcollapsedontheE&Aobstaclecourse,whenshehadbandagedhimafterward.Atthetimeshehadbeenmovedalmosttotearsbytheevidenceoftheabuse,theknowledgethathisfather’scrueltyhadbecomephysicalaswellasemotional—andbythefullrealizationofhowbravelyThanehad
enduredhisinjuriesuntiltheverymomentofhisfall.
Thosewhowerebrutalizedsometimesbecamebrutalinreturn.WasThanenowlashingoutattheworldthathadhurthimfirst?
No.He’dalwaysswornhewouldbenothinglikehisfather;Cienahadalwaysbelievedhim.Butthatleftherwithnoanswersatall.
“Idon’tbelieveit,”saidNashWindrider.
Startledfromherreverie,Cienasawshe’dreachedthelandingplatform,whereherfriendstoodinfrontoftheMillenniumFalcon.TheirpreyhadflownstraighttoBespin,asLordVaderhadpredicted.Sowhydidweevenbotherwiththeasteroidfieldchase?shethought.Wecouldjusthavecomehereandsetthetrapforthemevenearlier.
ShewalkedontotheplatformwhereNashstood,
handsonhishipsashelookedatthecapturedship.“WhenIsawitduringtheinitialchase,Icouldn’tunderstandwhythatthingwasn’tinthejunkyard.NowthatIstudyitupclose,Irealizenojunkyardwouldacceptit.”
“It’samiraclethethingstillrunsatall.”ShefeltasparkofgrudgingadmirationfortheFalcon;assomeonewho’dlearnedtoflyonaV-
171,occasionallyshegotsentimentalaboutclunkyoldships.“Ourorders?”
“We’retodisablethehyperdrive.”
“Whyarewedisablingashipwe’vealreadycaptured?”
“LordVaderhashisreasons,”Nashsaid,raisingoneeyebrow.Thesubtextseemedtobe,Doyouwanttotellhimhe’swrong?
Cienanodded.“Gotit.”
SheandNashworkedtogetherforseveralmomentsinsilence.EveninthetightconfinesoftheengineeringpitwithintheFalcon,itseemedtoherthatNashstoodcloserthannecessary.ButmaybeshewasimaginingthingsbecauseshewantedsomuchtobealonewhilesheworkedoutherthoughtsaboutThane.
Disablingthehyperdriveprovedsimple.Beforelong
sheandNashwereontheshuttlethatwouldtakethembacktotheExecutor;theywereclearedtoflyopenlynow,becauseanotherpilotsoughtbyDarthVader—anothertargetluredintothistrap—hadjustlanded.Withinminutes,thisentirechasewouldbeover.PrincessLeiawouldstandtrial.Herfellowrebelswouldbemadeanexampleof.PerhapstheRebellionitselfwouldbe
exposed……andThanewithit.Shemovedthroughthe
shiponautopilot,reportingtoherbridgeshiftwithgratitudethatthenextfewhourspromisedtobeuneventful.Thatpromisedidn’tcometrue;Vader’ssuspicionsdid.Sureenough,theMillenniumFalconzoomedoffitsplatform,nearlymadeitsescape—theninexplicablyheadedbacktoCloudCity
anddivedbeneathit.“Wheredotheythink
that’sgoingtogetthem?”Nash’slongfingershitthetogglesthatwouldfocusallsensorsontheFalcon.
“Whoknows?”Shecouldalmostpitythesepeople,believingintheirfreedomwheninrealityDarthVaderhadbeentwostepsaheadofthemtheentiretime.
AlthoughthebridgeoftheExecutornowbuzzed
withrenewedactivity,Cienacoulddolittlebutmonitorthesefinalmomentsofthehunt.Stillshefeltoddlydetachedfromeverythingthatwashappening,evenwhenLordVaderreturnedtothebridge.
AdmiralPiettsaid,“They’llbewithinrangeofthetractorbeamwithinmoments,mylord.”
Throughtheheavyraspofhisrespirator,Vadersaid,
“DidyourmendisablethehyperdriveontheMillenniumFalcon?”
“Yes,mylord.”“Good,”DarthVader
said.“Preparetheboardingpartyandsetyourweaponsforstun.”
Cienawouldnormallyhavefeltalittlethrillofprideatherservicebeingrecognized.Insteadshefeltdetached,asifthiswereonlyadrill,oramemory—until
thehorrifyingmomentwhentheFalconleapedintohyperspaceandvanished.
Howthehelldidtheydothat?
Nashgapedatherindisbelief.Cienamighthavesharedhisoutrageifshehadn’tcaughtaglimpseofAdmiralPiett’sface.Hehadturnedashen,andevenfromherplacedowninthedatapits,shecouldseetheknotinhisthroatbobashe
swallowedhard.We’reabouttobekilled,
shethought.Theadmiral,NashandI—Vaderwillmurderusall.Wecompletedourassignmentbutitdoesn’tmatter.
Foryearsshe’dbeenthankfulshe’dneverseenoneofVader’s“eliminations”inperson.Nowitlookedasifthefirstoneshe’deverwitnesswouldbeherown.
ButVadersimplystood
thereafewmomentslonger,insilence,thenturnedandwalkedoffthebridgewithoutanotherword.Whenthedoorsslidshutbehindhim,Piettsaggedforamoment,likesomeonewhohadputdownaheavyburdenandwhosebodystillfelttheweight.Nashleanedontohismonitors,headinhand.Cienawaitedtofeelrelief,too,butthedreadonlydulledanddeepeneduntilitfeltasifit
hadsunkintoherverybones.
Thatevening,astheysatinacornerofthequadrantcafeteria,emptyplatesinfrontofthem,Cienaasked,“WhydoyouthinkpeoplejointheRebellion?”
Berisseshrugged.“ThesamereasonotherpeoplecommitrobberyorgointobusinesswiththeHutts.Theycan’tfitintoanynormal
society,sotheyhatethoseofuswhodo.”
Thanehadbeenatthetopoftheeliteflighttrack.Ifhe’dstayedintheservice,Cienahadnodoubthe’dbelookingatanearlypromotiontocommander,too.She’dhavetofindanotheranswer.“Whatdoyouthink,Nash?”
“Whocareshowscumlikethatgetstarted?”hesaid,toolightly.“Ionlywanttoseethemfinished.”
“Whydoyouask?”Berissetookanothersipofhernutritivemilk.Whilemore“regular”mealswereavailableuponrequest,onlythemostseniorofficerscouldindulgewithoutbeingthoughtsoft.Cienahadeatenherlastpieceofbreadmorethantwoyearsago.
Cienashrugged.“Noreason.”
“You’reinanoddmoodtoday,”Nashsaid.Hiswarm
browneyesstudiedhers.Hehadbecomesothinsincethey’dgraduatedfromtheacademy,hisframegoingfromwirytogaunt—buthiseyes,atleast,werethesame.“What’swrong?”
Shedidn’tdaretellthewholetruth,butifanyonecouldhelpherunderstandThane’schoice,itwouldbeNash.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutThanealotlately.”
Berisseslidanarm
aroundCiena’sshoulders;Nash’ssmilefadedintosadness.“Istillcan’tbelieveit,”hesaidsoftly.“ThanewasthelastpersonIeverthoughtwouldcommitsuicide.”
“AftertheDeathStar,noneofuswereourselves,”Berissesaid,shakingherhead.
“Buthehadsomuchtolivefor.Hiscommission,toprankingasapilot,revengeagainsttherebels,and—and
hehadyou,Ciena.”Nashstumbledoverthelastpart,thoughhecovereditwellenough.“Thatoughttobeenoughforanyman.”
Cienadidn’tmeethiseyes.“Ikeepwonderingwhyhefeltsohopeless.”
OnlyamanwithouthopewouldgofromtheEmpiretotheRebellion.ItwasonethingforThanetowalkawayfromhisoathbecausehefelthecouldnolongerkeepit.
Buttojoinagroupofnihilisticguerrillawarriors?Hewasnoidealist,sohecouldn’thavebeenconvertedtowhateverbizarrepoliticaldogmatheyusedtoswaythegullible.Thanecouldonlybegoingthroughthemotions,nomore.
“DidThanehaveanyotherclosefriendsaboardtheDeathStar?Maybesomeoneyoudidn’tknowabout?”Berissehesitated,tuckinga
loosestrandofblackhairbackintoherregulationbun.“Like—well—agirlfromtheacademy?Frombeforehefellforyou,Imean!Hecouldstillhavebeenupsetbyherdeath.”
ItwasNashwhoanswered.“Hewasneverwithanyonewhilewewereatschool.Idon’tsupposetherewasanyonebackonJelucan?”
“No.”Cienahad
occasionallyseenhimwalkingoutwithsecond-wavegirls,butneverthesameonetwice.
Withashrug,Berissesaid,“Maybeitwassomethingthathappenedonyourhomeworld.HewasupsetaftertheDeathStar,helefthisdutybutmeantonlytogohomeandcollecthimself—andthenthevisitwentterriblywrong.”
“Ialwayshadaninkling
hisrelationshipwithhisfatherwasstrainedatbest.Abusiveatworst,”Nashsaid.“Oh,don’tgivemethosewideeyes,Ciena.IlivedinthesameroomasThaneforthreeyears.YouthinkIneversawthescarsonhisback?”Hisexpressionhadbecomeset,hard.“I’llbethisfatherlitintoThaneattheworstpossiblemoment.Drovehimovertheedge.”
“Iwouldn’tputitpast
Thane’sdad.”Thatmuch,atleast,wascompletelytrue.ButbythenCienarealizedNashhadnoanswerstooffer.Thane’schoicetojointheRebellionwouldremainaninfuriatingmystery—anarrowlodgedinherflesh,onethatcouldn’tbepulledfreeandsokeptthewoundopenforever.
SheremainedlostinthoughtuntilNashhadescortedheralmostallthe
waybacktoherroom.Herdoorstoodatthefarendofthelongestcorridorofthebarrackssection,sotheywerefarawayfromanyoneelsewhenheputonehandonherarm.
“Goingtobedalready?”hesaid,histonelight.Butnobodycouldmisshistruemeaning.
Cienahadsuspectedthismightbecoming,butinherpreoccupationhadfailedto
seeitwouldbetonight.NowonderBerissehadexcusedherselfearlier;shewasgoingtobeinserioustroubleforenablinghim.“Nash—it’sabadidea.”
“Onthecontrary,it’sawonderfulidea.”Hiseyesdancedwithmischiefandanticipation.“Don’tyouthinkwedeservetohavealittlefun?”
Asgentlyasshecouldmanage,Cienaanswered,“I
thinkyouwantmorethanfun.AndIcan’tgiveittoyou.”
Nashtiltedhishead,notdisagreeingwithherbutnotwithdrawing,either.“CouldIperhapspersuadeyoutospendmorerectimetogether?SowecouldgettoknoweachotherwithoutBerisseorourotherfriendsintheway?Irealizetheshiftfromfriendsto,well,more—itcanbetricky.ButIthink
it’sworthtrying.Andforyou,I’dbewillingtowait.”
Shetookastepawayfromhim.Herbackbumpedagainstthemetalmeshofthewall.Howridiculous,tobeasbashfulandclumsyasaschoolgirl.Morefirmlyshesaid,“Ican’t.”
Hisfacefell,andshecouldseehe’dgonefromflirtytoaghastinonlyseconds.“WhatanidiotI’vebeen.Weweretalkingabout
Thaneonlyanhourago.Ioughttohaverealizedthisishardlythetime.Pleaseforgiveme.”
“It’sokay.Really.”“Imisshim,too,you
know.”NashlookedsostrickenthatCienafoundherselffeelingguilty.Thelieshe’dtoldaboutThane’ssuicidehadsavedhislifebutwoundedhisotherfriendsforever.“Ididn’tmeantomakelightofhowyoufelt
abouthim.”“Iknowyoudidn’t.”
Cienamanagedtosmile.“Solet’ssaygoodnight.”
Nashsighed.“Let’s.”Hesqueezedherhandonce,justforamoment,andthenwalkedaway.
Asherbunkdoorsslidshutandlocked,Cienasaggedontoherbed,sotiredshefeltasifshe’dpulledthreeshiftsinarow.
Shetoldherselfthatshe’d
turnedNashdownbecauseshehadnoromanticfeelingsforhim.Sofarasitwent,thatwastrue.
Butshecouldn’tdenythatabigpartofthereasonwaswhatshestillfeltforThaneKyrell.
Ishouldhatehimnow.Ihavetolearntohatehim.ButIcan’t.Inevercould.
Thesmallcommunicatorunitinhercornerofthebunkblinked—thebluelightthat
meantthemessagewasfromanon-Imperialsource.ForCiena,thatcouldonlymeanaholofromhome.Herfingershadalmosthitthebuttonbeforeshecaughtherself.ShouldIwatchthisrightaway?
ShouldIwatchitatall?ShestillmissedJelucan.
Eventhoughshedrankhernutritives,shelongedforapieceofbreadeverysingletimeshewalkedintothe
cafeteria.Shespoketoherfamilyregularly,byholo,insteadofrelyingonthebimonthlycommuniquéssuggestedbytheinternalaffairsofficer.
Fromherpocket,CienapulledthesmallpouchinwhichshekepttheleatherbraceletthattiedhertoWynnet.Ithadbeenalongtimesinceshe’dlastaskedherdeadsistertolookthroughhereyes.
Toolong,shethoughtwithasurgeoffeelingthatmadeherfingersclosetightlyaroundthepouch.Idon’thavetochoosebetweenbeingJelucaniandbeingagoodImperialofficer.Icanbeboth.
Cienawassmilingasshestartedtheholoandsawherpappa’sfacelookingoutather.Afteronlyafewwordsofhisprerecordedspeech,hersmilefaded.
Ronnadam’sgrayeyebrowswerearchedsohightheynearlyreachedhisrecedinghairline.“Youwanttoreturntoyourhomeplanetforan…undefinedperiodoftime.”
“I’veaccruedsevenweeksofleavetime,sir.IstronglydoubtIwillusethemall.”
IdealImperialofficersusednoleavetimewhatsoever,unlesstheyhadtorecoverfromaserious
illnessorinjury.Cienahadneveraskedtotakeasingledayuntilnow.
Ronnadamrosefromhisdeskandclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.Hisgreeneyeshadastrangelymilkyquality,asiftheybelongedtoafarolderman.“Yourdecisiontouseyourleavetimeisyourown.ButIamnotquestioningthelengthofyourabsence.I’mquestioningyourmotivation
toreturntoyourhomeplanetatall.”
“Mymotherwillbeputontrialforembezzlingfundsfromthelocalminewheresheworks—workedasasupervisor.”ThewordsalonesoundedsurrealtoCiena.Hermother,athief?Itwasimpossible.Shecarednothingforphysicalpossessionsbeyondthefewthingstheyalreadyowned,andherpromotionattheminehad
madethemallsoproud.“InthevalleysofJelucan,tohaveone’shonorquestionedisthemostseriouscrisisanindividualcanface,sir.Thosewhobelieveinthatperson’shonormustgatheraroundthematthattime.Itisasacredduty.”
“‘Sacred,’indeed.”InRonnadam’smouth,thewordbecameasneer.“Youdorealize,LieutenantCommanderRee,thatthe
chargesagainstyourmotherwouldhavebeenbroughtbythelocalImperialauthority.AreyouquestioningthejudgmentofafellowservantoftheEmperor?”
“Ofcoursenot,sir.Butmymothercouldhavebeenframedforthecrime,ortheremaybesomeothermistakethathasledtoa…misunderstanding.”
Ronnadampursedhislipsinsympathy,anexpression
thatwasmeanttomockCienamorethanconvinceher.“Doyouhearyourownrationalizations,Ree?”
“Idon’twanttojudgebasedonincompleteinformation,sir.Imustinvestigatethisformyself.”Shemanagedtolookhimintheeyes.“Nomatterwhatthetruthmaybe,Iwillfaceit.”
Slowlyhenodded.“Yes.Thiscouldbealearningexperienceforyou.”He
pacedinfrontofher,stepbymeasuredstep.“Takeyourleave,LieutenantCommander.Witnessyourmother’strial.”
Cienatriedtoimaginehermotherstandingbeforeajudge,handsshackled.Shecouldn’t.
Ronnadambegantosmile.“Andwhenyoureturn,reporttomeimmediately.Letmeknowthefinalrulingonherguiltorinnocence—and
tellmewhetheryoubelievethatjudgmenttobejustified.”
Nomatterwhatthejudgeruled,Cienawouldbeexpectedtosupportit—evenifhesenthermothertoaprisoncamp.…
Thatwon’thappen.Itcan’t.Thejudgewillmaketherightdecisionintheend.
Soshetoldherself.Shewantedtobelieveit.
Butforthefirsttime,heroathtotheEmpiredidnot
sustainCiena.Thefeelingshehadworkedhardtokeepatbayforthepastthreeyears—theoneshehadneverallowedherselftoconsciouslythinkofbefore—couldbeheldbacknolonger:
Doubt.
THANEANGLEDHISX-winglow,untilitnearlyskimmedthethickcanopyoftreescoveringthesurfaceofD’Qar.Inthetwilighthecouldseeleavesthrashingbeneaththeothershipsasifcaughtinawindstorm.If
anyonewereonthegroundbeneaththem,CoronaSquadronwouldbedetectedwithinminutes.
We’renotgoingtobeherethatlong,Thaneremindedhimself.Heopenedthesecurechannel.“CoronaFive,thisisCoronaFour,doyoucopy?”
“Copy.”Kendyreplied.“Negativereadingshere.I’mnotpickingupanyartificialpowersources.”
“Samehere.”CoronaSquadronhad
beensenttocheckoutD’QarforanypossiblesignofanewImperialoutpost.Apparently,deep-coverspiesonCoruscanthadreportedmassiveamountsofmaterielbeingprocessedfortheImperialStarfleet;nobodyknewpreciselywhatitwasbeingusedfor,buttherewererumorsofanewlarge-shipconstructionfacility…
ButiftheEmpirehadbegunbuildingnewStarDestroyersorsomeotherkindsofsuperweapons,itwasn’tdoingsoonD’Qar.They’drunscansoneveryhemisphere,searchedplanetaryandsolarorbits,andcomeupempty.
Thanerealizedhe’dratherhavefoundsomething.Atleastthenthey’dhavelearnedwhattheEmpirewasplanning,andtheycouldhave
takenmeaningfulaction:sabotagingthefactories,placingafewsurveillancedroidsinkeylocations,andsoon.Fornow,hesimplyhadtoendurethesuspense.
Hesaid,“CoronaTwo,doyoualsoreadnegative?”
“Confirmed.CompletenegativeonImperialactivity,”Yendorreplied.“UnlesstheEmpire’sdraftingsmallwoodlandcreaturesallofasudden.”
“Doubtit.”Thaneconsideredforamoment.“Weshouldlistthisplanetasapotentialbaseinfuture.TheEmpire’snotinterested,notmuchspacelanetrafficinthisarea,andthere’splentyofwater.”
“PlusitbeatsHoth,”Yendorsaid.
“ThebellyofasarlaccbeatsHoth.”Thanebeganpunchinginthenavigationalcodesthatwouldtakehim
backtotheLiberty.CoronaLeaderapparently
agreed.“Let’sgetoutofhere.”
Oncetheyhadreturnedtotheirship,therestofCoronaSquadronwentthroughmaintenanceontheirX-wingsinthemuggyrepairbayoftheLiberty,tradingtheusualbanterbackandforth.“Comeon,”Yendorsaidtothesquadronleaderandtheeldestpilotinthegroup,a
statelywomanwhowasaddressedonlyastheContessa.“Youcan’ttellmethisisn’tmorefunthanlifeinapalace.”
Shegavehimalook.“Youneedtospendmoretimeinpalaces.”
“Youknow,Ido,”Yendoragreed.“Youcanfixmeupwiththat,right?”
“Honestly,”theContessahuffed—butnotwithoutaffection.“Youcouldlearn
fromSmikeshere.Heneverpretendswe’rehavingabettertimethanweare.”
“We’reneverhavingagoodtime,”SmikessaidfrombeneathhisX-wing.HehadabandanatiedaroundhisforeheadtocombattheendlesssweatsufferedbyanyhumanwholivedonaMonCalamariship.“We’reinawar.What’sfunaboutthis?”
“Socranky,”Yendorsaidamiably.“SomedayI’m
goingtohearyoulaugh,andIhopeaprotocoldroidisaroundtorecordit.”
“Don’tbesohardonSmikes,”Kendysaid,tossingherdarkgreenhairoverhershoulder.“He’sjustgrumpy.”
“I’mnotgrumpy,I’marealist,”Smikesinsisted.Hewasinfactalwaysgrumpy,butagreatpilot.
Thaneshookhisheadashelookedatallofthem—asmixedupacrewasyouwere
likelytofind,peoplewhowouldn’thavespenttimetogetheroutsidethissquadronorthiswarunderanycircumstances.Butatleasttheyhadhisback.
Unlikesomepeople.Muchlater,once
everyoneelsehadfinishedup,Kendysaid,“Ihavetoadmit,intelligenceworkisalittlelessglamorousanddramaticthanIalwaysthoughtitwouldbe.”
Thanedidn’tlookupfromtheopenpanelinhiswing.“Myguessisthatthedramaticstuffiswhat’smostlikelytogetyoukilled.Wecandealwiththatwhenwecometoit.I’lldowhateverwehavetodo,butI’mnotsuicidal.”
Noreplyfollowedforafewminutes,duringwhichThaneremainedengrossedinhiswork.He’dalmostforgottenheandKendywere
evenspeakinguntilshesaid,inalowvoice,“Youknowthat’swhatCienareported.”
Heremainedwherehewas,staringintothewiresandchipsthatpoweredhisship.Thewrenchinhishandremainedpoisedabovethecouplingheintendedtoworkon.Hedidn’tlookupatKendy.“WhatdidCienareport?”
“SheidentifiedyouasaprobablesuicideonJelucan.I
heardaboutitthroughsomeotherclassmatesofours—andIsentaholotoCienarightaway,becauseIcouldn’tbelieveit.Shedidn’treallywanttotalk,though.AtthetimeIthoughtitwasbecauseshewashurting.ThenwhenIrealizedyouwereherewiththeRebellion,Ifigured,hey,Thanecoveredhistracksprettywell.ButthemoreIthinkaboutit…youcould’vefooledanyoneelseinthe
galaxymoreeasilythanCiena.Thetwoofyouknoweachothertoowell.Shecoveredforyou,didn’tshe?”
“Yeah.”ItwasasifThanewerebackonJelucan,shuttingthedoorbehindCienaassheleft.He’dbelievedshewouldturnhiminnomatterwhat.“Shedid.”
Kendywhistled.“CienaReebrokeanoath?”
“Sometimeswe’reloyaltomorethanonething.”He
spokefrommemory,haltingly,butstillsure.“Whenthere’saconflict,wehavetochoosewhichloyaltytohonor.Iguess—Iguessshechoseme.”
Cienahadcoveredforhim.She’dorchestratedthatelaboratelie—whensheneverlied—allforhim.Knowingherashedid,knowingwhereshecamefrom,Thanerealizedwhatithadcosthertodothat.The
hardknotofangerhe’dbeencarryinginhischestforthepastthreeyearsfinallywentslack.
Butthatmadeitworse,becausehisangerhadbeenhisonlyshieldagainstlosingher.
ThethumpofbootshittingthefloorofthehangarmadeThanelookupfromhisX-wing.Kendyhadhoppeddownfromherownstarfightertostandbeneath
his,handsonherhips.“Thenwhyisn’tshehere?”
“—Ciena?”“Shealwayssaidanoath
wasforever,apromiseisapromise,youhadtobetruetoyourpersonalhonor,”Kendysaid,andshehadbeguntosoundangry.“Ididn’teventhinkshecouldlie.NowIdiscoverthatshebrokeherwordtosaveyou,butshestillservesintheImperialStarfleet.Howcanshedo
that?Ifshecoulddefythemforyoursake,whywon’tshedoitforthesakeoftheentiregalaxy?”
“CienawasneverdisloyaltotheEmpire.”Thanehatedthatbutknewittobetrue.“Onetime,backthen,shechoseherloyaltytome.Thatdoesn’tmeanshesetasideheroathtotheEmpire.”
“Idon’tseethedifference.”
“That’sbecauseyou’re
notfromJelucan.”Andyoudon’tknowCienalikeIdo.Thecouplingcouldwait.Thaneshutthepanel,stowedhistools,andsliddowntofaceKendy.“Listen.YouandIwereintheImperialStarfleet,too,remember?Goodpeoplecanwindupintheserviceofevil.”
Kendyshookherheadasshefoldedherarmsacrossherchest.Theairsmelledlikeweldingtoolsandengine
grease;herdarkgreenhairglintedintheharshhangarlights.“GoodpeoplecanstarttoservetheEmpire.Butiftheystay,theystopbeinggood.Youdoonethingyouthoughtyou’dneverdo—followoneorderthatmakesyoufeelsickinside—andyoutellyourselfit’stheonlytime.Thisisanexception.Thisisn’tthewayit’salwaysgoingtobe.”
Thanerememberedhow
he’dtriedwillinghimselfnottonoticethepitifulslaveryoftheBodach’i.“Yeah.Iknow.”
“Butyoukeepgoing,”Kendycontinued.Hergazehadbecomedistant.Bynowshespoketoherselfmorethantohim.“Youmakeonemorecompromise,andthenanother,andbythetimeyourealizewhattheEmpirereallyis,you’realmosttoofardownthatroadtoturnback.I
managedtodoit,butiftheothershadn’tfeltthesameway—ifI’dhadtoleaveonmyowninsteadofgettingawaywithagroup—Imighthavestayed.AndIdon’tlikethepersonIwouldhavebecome.”
BynowThanehadrealizedthatKendywastryingtowarnhimthattheCienahehadknown,theonewhohadsavedhim,mightnotevenexistanylonger.
Probablythatwastrue.BynowCienamighthaveparticipatedinoneofthepunitivemassacrestheEmpireinflictedonnoncompliantworlds.ShecouldhavebeeninoneoftheStarDestroyersintheBattleofHoth,coollyaimingtheirlasersatthemanyrebelstarfightersthatnevergotaway.TheEmpirehadprobablycorrodedherhonorintostiffness,snobbery,and
ruthlessness.Knowingallthatdidn’t
makeiteasiertoaccept.Thanesaidonly,“Guess
we’llneverknow.Notlikeeitherofusisevergoingtoseeheragain.”
Intheinstantbeforeheturnedtowalkawayfromthehangar,heglimpsedtheexpressiononKendy’sface.Itwaspity.
Althoughhecontinuedworkingthroughouttheday,
ThanebroodedenoughthatYendorfinallyaskedhimwhodied,andevenSmikestoldhimtocheerup.Afterthey’dfinishedthefullbriefingaboutD’Qar,heexcusedhimselffromtheusualgroupmealandafter-shiftcardgames.InsteadheholedupinoneoftherareemptycomputerbaysontheLiberty,sohecouldbealone.
Solitudewasarareluxuryforarebelpilot—justasit
hadbeenforanacademycadet.Herarelygottobealonewithhisthoughts.Asaboy,ifhe’dwantedtobealone,hewasalwaysabletosneakouttotheFortress.SometimesCienahadbeenthere,butherpresencehadneverdisturbedhim.Beforetheyweretenyearsold,they’dknownwhentoleteachotherremainsilent,howtobeclosetoeachotherwithoutintruding.Howmany
peopleeverunderstoodsomeonethatwell?
Wewouldn’tunderstandeachotheratall,now,heremindedhimself.She’sbeenanImperialofficerforyears.EverythinggoodinsideCienagotpoisonedalongtimeago.Ifwemetupagainnow,shewouldn’tcoverforme;countonit.Ineedtomoveon.
Thanestretchedout,wipedhisbrow,andpulledupthenewsfeedsfrom
Jelucan.Seeinghisnativeworldmadehim…whatevertheoppositeof“homesick”was.Theplanetchangedmonthbymonth,alwaysfortheworse;itwasimpossibletoreadthereportswithoutrealizingthattherugged,primitiveworldhe’dgrownupondidn’treallyexistanylonger.Thegirlhe’dknownandcometolove,theCienawhohadbeen,wasaslostastheoldJelucan.
Soheletthefirstfewgloomyimagesplayoutinfrontofhim,thedesolationironicallyeasingtheachehefeltinside—
—untiltheyreportedontheupcomingtrialofVerineRee.
Thanesatupsofasttheholorippledintostatic,unabletoassesstheidealdistancetoprojectfromitsviewer.That’snotpossible,hetoldhimself.Iimagined
thatbecauseKendyandIjusttalkedaboutCienaandI’vegotheronmymind.ButthenthefaceofCiena’smotheragaintookshape.ThelabelhoveringbeneathherimagereadTHEACCUSED.
Embezzlement?Impossible.Someonefromthevalleysmightsnapinafitofrageandhitorkillyou.Crimesofpassiontookplacetherethesamewaytheydidanywhere.Perhapstheyalso
fellpreytoothercriminalimpulses—stealingfromshopkeepers,thatkindofthing.Butacrimeaspremeditatedandcorruptasembezzlementwentagainsteverythingtheybelieved.
Surelytherewerehypocritesamongthevalleykindred,butnotanyoneinCiena’sfamily.HeonlyhadtoknowCienatobesureofthat.
Thane’slipspressed
togetherinahard,tightline.IfanythingremainedoftheCienahe’dknown,itwouldn’tsurvivethis.OnceCienacondonedherownmother’sconvictionandimprisonment,shewouldtrulybelostforever.AslosttohimasifhereallyhadkilledherthatdayaboveHoth—
Good-bye,hethought,rememberingthelittlegirlinherplainbrowndress,the
fallenautumnleaf.Itwastimetoleaveherbehindforever.
Thiscan’tbeJelucan,Cienawantedtosaytohershuttlepilot.You’vebroughtmetothewrongsystem.
Yetsheknewtoowellthatshewasontherightplanet.Itwasjustthateverythinghadchanged.
Thickfogseemedtohave
settledpermanentlyontheground,andtheairwasthickwithgrimysoot.Theminesthathadcarvedgougesinsomanyofthemountainsdidnotattempttofilterthebyproductsofthework,sopeoplesimplywalkedthroughit,coughing,somewithkerchiefsorlightmasksovertheirmouthsandnoses.
AtfirstCienathoughtthemaskswereconfusingher,makingitharderforherto
tellvalleyfolkfromsecond-wavers.Althoughshe’dseenmoremass-producedclothingthelasttimeshe’dbeenhome,thetwogroupshadstillbeendistinct.Nowitwasimpossibletodiscernanydifference.She’dneverthoughtshewouldmissthegaudylongcoatsofthesecond-wavers,butshesearchedinvainforevenoneflashofcrimsonorcobalt.Noshaggymuunyakswandered
thestreetsanylonger;peopleeitherroderidgecrawlersorwalked.
Valentiahadseemedgreatlychangedtoherthreeyearsago,butithadatleastbeenrecognizablethen.Nowthemigrant-workershantieshadmultipliedtothepointthattheoriginalbuildingscarvedofstonewerealmostinvisible.ThesenatorialbuildingthathadbecomeanImperialgarrisonwasnowa
fullmilitaryoutpost,ringedbyaforcefieldthatglowedasicklygreenandwithaconstantflowofofficersandstormtrooperswalkingthroughitsgates.
Jelucanipeoplewalkedmorequicklypasttheoutpost,Cienanoticed.Theydidn’twanttoattractnotice.Nobodywouldmeethereyes.
“Ishouldn’thaveaskedyou
tocome,”ParonReerepeated,justoutsidethedoorofheroldbedroom.“Ithoughtofmyself,andnotofyou.Whatwillyoursuperiorofficerssay?”
“They’llsayamistakehasbeenmade,becauseithas.”Cienatossedasideheruniformjacket,whichlandedatophertrousersandboots.Heroldclothesstillfitandwereonlyslightlymusty.Themauveleggingsandtunic
seemedsoimpossiblysoft;hadshereallywornthingslikethiseveryday?Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedintothemainroom,whereherfatherstoodwithhishandsclasped,asifpreparingtogiveaformalreport.Shetookholdofhisshouldersandsqueezed.“It’sallright,Pappa.Thetruthwillcomeout.”
Herfather’sfaceremainedtenseanddrawn.
“Therealculpritisunlikelytobeidentifiedbytheauthorities.”
“Becausetheyhaven’tfoundhimyet?Well,we’llseeaboutthat.”Ifonlyshe’dalreadymadecommander!Thatrankmighthavedonehersomegoodwhenshewenttospeakwiththemagistratethenextday.“Forgivemysayingit,Pappa,butyoudon’tlookgood.Haveyoubeeneating?”
“Withyourmothergone,I—losetrackoftime.”
Cienapaused.Shehadn’trealizeduntilearlierthatdaythathermotherremainedjailed,andshecouldn’tbelieveherfatherwhenhesaidMummacouldn’tevenhavevisitors.Thatwasanotherthingtotakecareofwiththemagistratethenextday.She’drequestedanaudienceforfirstthinginthemorning,sosurelyshewould
hearfromhisstaffshortly.Surely.Herfatherhadsomemeat
androotvegetablesintherefrigerationunit,soshestartedthrowingtogetherabasicsoup.Shehadn’tcookedinsolong,butshestillrememberedwhichherbstocrushandthewaythescentclungtoherfingersafterward.Herstomachgrowled,eagerforsomething—anything—thatwasn’t
Imperialnutritives.(Cienahadtakenacoupleofbottlesofnutritivedrinkwithher,but…bettertosavethoseforthetriphome.)
Whenthebrothbegantobubble,Cienasteppedawayfromthehearthandsatonthefloorcushionsbesidethelowtable,acrossfromherfather.Onlyaftershe’dtakenherplacedidsherealizeitdidn’tfeelawkwardatall,evenafteryearsofeatingathigher
tables,sittingonbenchesorinchairs.Homeremainedhome.
Paronshookhisheadslowly.“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,mygirl.”Hetouchedthesideofherface,justforamoment.
“Ishouldhavecomeearlier.”
“No.Iknowthere’sawaron.Youdowhatyouhavetodo.”
Thenewgrayhairathis
templessurprisedCiena,butnotasmuchashisdemeanor.Herfatherhadalwaysbeenherrock—unyieldingandoftentough,butinvariablyfair.Foreverstrong.Nowhisspiritwasweary,somuchsothatshecouldseeitasclearlyasshecouldseethenewlinesonhisface.
“Therearen’tanyflagsoutfront,”Cienasaid.“Arethekindredrefusingtoacknowledgethecharges?”
Thatwasanactofdefianceagainstauthority—anathematothoseinthevalleys—andyettrulyunjustaccusationssometimesearnedthatresponse.
“Theyacknowledgethem.”Herfather’svoicetightened.“Butnoonehascome.”
Thatcouldn’tberight.“Noone?”
Henodded.Sherememberedthedays
she’dremainedatthehomeoftheNierrefamily,standingbythemintheirdarkesthours.TheyhadallcelebratedtogetherwhentheaccusershadfinallybackeddownandacceptedtheImperialversionofevents…thoughnowthatmadeCienawonder.“HowcouldanyonewhoknowsMummathinkshewouldeversteal?”
“Theyknowshedidn’ttakethemoney!”herfather
snapped.“Theyallknowit,butnotonewillsayso.”
“But—torefusetostandbysomeonewronglyaccused—”
“TheEmpireaccusesher.WeoweourallegiancetotheEmpire.Tostandagainstitwouldbethemostbasedishonor!”
“Youcan’tstandagainstMumma.”Cienastaredatherfatherinshock.“…canyou?”
“Yourmother
understandsthedemandsofhonor,asdoI.Haveyouforgottenthem,Ciena?”Hispiercinggazecaughthershort,andshedaredsaynomore.
Butwhataboutthetruth?shethought.Howcouldthetruthnotmatteranymore?Whendiditbecomehonorabletoacceptbald-facedlies?
“Forgivemytemper,”hesaid,andhesoundedeven
moreexhaustedthanbefore.“Thesedayshavebeendifficult.”
“Iknow.I’msorry.ButI’mherenow.”
Anhourpassed.Theyatesoupandbreadinsilence,andallherfearandworrycouldnotkeepCienafromrelishingthetasteofrealfoodinhermouth.Sittingnearherownhearth,beingwithherfather,evenhearingthecriesofsalthawks—atmomentsshe
couldimaginethatshehadneverbecomeanofficer,neverevenleftJelucan.Thatitwasalladream.
Butshecouldn’tindulgeindaydreamingforlong.Realityweighedonhermoreheavilywitheveryminutethatpassed,becausetheansweringmessagefromthemagistrate’sofficenevercame—andneitherdidanyonefromthevalleykindred.Notonesoul.The
lowtrenchofsandoutsidetheirhomeremainedempty,advertisingthedepthsoftheReefamily’sshame.
TheskyhadgonecompletelydarkoverheadbeforeCienadaredtoask,“Pappa,whyareyousosurenoonewillfindwhoreallydidthis?”
“Youknowtheanswer.Don’tinsultusbothbymakingmetellyou.”
Shehadalreadydrawn
themostlogicalconclusion:theembezzlerwasanImperialofficial,someonewhorankedhighenoughtofalsifytherecords.“Themagistratewon’tpubliclyquestionImperialofficials?Eventhen,prosecutingMumma—”
“Ciena,listentome.YouareamemberoftheImperialStarfleet,andI’mproudofthat.AllthatisgoodintheEmpirecomesfromyouand
thoselikeyou.”Hepattedherhand.“Buteveryrule,andeveryruler,hasitsbadsideaswell.HereonJelucan,we…haveseenmoreofthebad.Butweshallnotwaverinourloyalty.”
Shethoughtagainofthesootyskies,themountainsscarredwithdeepgashesthatlookedliketheclawmarksofsomemonstrousbeast.Herfatherrefusedtogivewayevenwheneverythingaround
himspokeofcorruptionandruin.
It’sonlyJelucan,theresultofonedishonestgovernor.Higherofficialsdon’tknowthetruth,becauseiftheydid,they’dtakeaction.
SoCienatoldherself.Butevenwithinherownmind,therationalizationssoundedsolaughablethatshecouldnotbelievethem,muchlessspeakthemaloud.ShekeptthinkingofRonnadam’sface
ashe’dgrantedherleave,andhowhe’dbeensocompletelycertainthattheImperialcourtswouldmaketherightdecision.Heknewthatbecauseheknewthe“right”decisionwouldnotbetheonethatarrivedatthetruth;itwouldbetheonethatjustifiedanyactionstakenbyImperialofficials.Theappearanceoffairnessmatteredmorethanthereality.
Andyet.“Notonepersonfromthekindred,Pappa?”
Hegesturedtowardtheemptysand,thelackofflags.
Afterthat,thereseemedtobenothingmoretosay.Cienamovedthroughthehouseasifinatrance,puttingawaytheextrasoupandcleaningthepots.Onceagainhalfherworldseemeddreamlike,butnowitwasherownhomethathadbecomesurrealtoher.Howcouldshe
beinsuchbelovedsurroundingsandstillfeelsosmallandsickinside?ShealmostlongedtobebackontheExecutor,wheretherecirculatedairsmelledofozoneandnobodyeverdeviatedfromthesafetyoftherules.
ThefinaltransportjourneytoJelucanhadtakentenhours;Cienahadbeentooagitatedeventothinkofsleepingduringthetrip.Now,
anothertenhourslater,wearinesshadmorethancaughtupwithher.Herheadswamandhereyesstung.Butduringtimesoftrial,someonealwaysremainedawakeatthehouseoftheaccused.Normally,loyalfriendsandfamilymemberstookturnsfortheovernightvigils,butCienaandherfatherwerealone.Astiredasshewas,sheknewPappawasevenmoreworndown.
“Gotobed,”shesaidquietly.“I’llkeepthevigil.”
“Youneedyourrest.”“Andyoudon’t?”“Afteryoumadethetrip
allthewayhere…”Butherfather’svoicetrailedoff.Helackedeventhestrengthtofighther.
Outsidesheheardthehummingofaridgecrawler.Shewassoeagerfortheapproachofafriendthatthesoundmadeherearsprickup,
butimmediatelyshechastisedherself.Manypeopletravelthiswayfartherdownintothevalleys.Theyhaven’tcomeforyou.
Butthentheridgecrawlerstopped.NextCienaheardfootstepsand—oh,thanktheForce—theunmistakablesoundofastickbeingthrustintosand.
Smilingtriumphantly,Cienapattedherfather’sshoulderandrantothedoor.
Atleastonepersonhadbeenfaithful.Onepersonstoodbythemnomatterwhat.WoulditbeoneoftheNierres,paleskinblushingscarletastheyapologizedforcomingsolate?Woulditbeoneoftheelders,sayinghetooktheriskofdefyingtheImperialofficialsonbehalfofallthekindred?
Sheflungopenthedoorevenbeforetheirvisitorcouldknock—thenfrozeinshock.
Itwasimpossibletomove,oreventospeakanywordbesideshisname.
Cienawhispered,“…Thane?”
ASOFTENASCienahadthoughtaboutThane,eventhoughheremainedapartofher,shehadgenuinelybelievedshewouldneverseehimagain.Andyettherehestoodinfrontofher,unsureofhiswelcome,hispaleblue
eyesunfathomable.Herfatherspokethen.
“Yes?”“Mr.Ree.It’sThane
Kyrell.IheardaboutCiena’smotherand—Iwantedtostandvigilwithyou.Ifyou’llhaveme.”Thanegesturedtowardthetroughofsand,wherealoneflagstood.“Cienatoldmeoncethatpeoplefromoutsidethekindredcouldbringaplainredflag,sincewedon’thave
familybanners.Atleast…Ithinkthat’swhatshetoldme.”Hehesitatedforthefirsttime,andtheuncertaintyshebrieflyglimpsedinhimmadeThanelookmorefamiliar,liketheboysheremembered.Butthatmomentdidn’tlastlong;thatboyfadedaway,leavingastrangerbehind.“DidIremembertheritualcorrectly?”
“Youdid.”Thewordscameoutmoreevenlythan
Cienawouldhavethoughtshecouldmanage.
Thanenodded,acknowledgingherwordsasrigidlyashe’donceacknowledgedorders.“ThenmayIstandwithyou?OrshouldIleave?”
Theobvioussubtext:AreyougoingtoturnmeintotheEmpire?
Shehadsworntodoit.Heroathofloyaltydemandednoless,especiallynowthat
sheknewThanehadjoinedtheRebelAlliance.
Butthesanctityofstandingvigilwassupreme.Anyonewhostakedhishonoronyoursdeservedtheprotectionofyourhouse.Sowhenherfatherglancedather,eyebrowraised,shenoddedandtookastepbackfromthedoorsoThanecouldwalkinside.
Hehadbeenlisteningmorecarefullythanshe’d
thoughtbackinthosedaysintheFortress,whenshe’dtriedtoexplainthebeliefsandritualsofthekindredtohimastheywhiledawaythehours.Headdressedherfatherproperly,bowinghisheadslightlyinrespect.“ParonRee,Ibelieveinthehonorofyourfamily.”
“Ithankyouforyourdecisiontostandvigilwithus.”Herfatherhesitated—hehadmetThaneononlyafew
occasionsandhadneverseenhimasanythingbutaprivilegedrichboywhopiggybackedhiswaytosuccessonCiena’sshoulders.CertainlyhehadnevershakenThane’shandbefore,buthedidsonow.
Cienashutthedoor,herhandssonumbwithshockthatshefumbledwiththebolt.Ithadbeenthreeyearssincethey’dsaidgood-bye.She’dmadeitdownto
groundlevelthatnightbeforeshe’dbeguntocry;shedoubtedThanehadlastedmuchlonger.
ItoldhimIwouldturnhiminifIeversawhimagain.ItoldhimifheeverreturnedtoJelucan,hewouldbecaptured.Imprisoned.Possiblykilled.Evenlessertreasonshadbecomecapitalcrimesinthepastfewyears.
ButThanehadreturnedanyway.
“Allright.”Thanestoodinthecenteroftheirmainroom,tallandimposinginadomedroomthatseemedtoosmallforhim.“Whatdoyouneedmetodo?”
Herfathergesturedtothetable.“Yourpresenceisenough.Haveyoueaten?Wehavesoup,thankstoCiena.”
“Idon’twanttoimpose—”
“You’restandingvigil,”Cienasaid.Thewordscame
outmoresharplythanshe’dintended.“Youstandwithourhouse.Thatmeansyou’reentitledtoourhospitalityandourprotection—whileyou’rehere.”
“ThenI’llhavesomesoup.Thankyou.”Thaneloweredhimselftothefloor,foldinghislonglegsbeneaththelowtablewithsomedifficulty.
PappatookituponhimselftogetThane’smeal,
bothaspartoftheritualwelcomeoftheironeallyandbecausehemusthavefeltCienaandThanewantedtotalk.Theyshouldtalk;Cienaknewthatmuch.Butshehadnoideawheretostart.
Besttobeginwithwhatmatteredmost.“Thankyou,”shesaid.“Forstandingwithourfamily.”
Thanenoddedtowardthetroughoutside.“Ididn’tseeanyotherflags.”
“Thekindredhaveabandonedus.”Abittersmiletwistedherlips.“Nooneelsecame.Onlyyou.”
Hehesitatedbeforesaying,“Iknowyourmotherisinnocent.Nobodyfromthevalleyswouldeverdosomethinglikethat—leastofallanyoneconnectedtoyou.”
Theireyesmetforalongmomentbeforetheybothturnedaway.
Whenherfathersetthe
bowlofsoupinfrontofThane,shesawhowslowlyPappamoved.Hecouldn’thaveknownonemoment’speacesincehermother’sarrestmorethanaweekago.“Remember,I’mstandingthevigiltonight,”Cienasaidtoherfather,puttingherhandonhisarm.“Gotobed.”
“Icandoit,”Thanesaid.“Someonehastostayawakeuntildawn—that’sright,isn’tit?Ifso,itoughttobeme.”
Pappa,apparentlyassumingthematterwassettled,kissedCienaonthecheekandwenttohisroomwithoutanotherword.Shehopedhewouldliedownandfallasleepimmediately,bothbecauseheobviouslyneededtherestandbecauseshedidn’twanthimtooverhearanythingsheandThanewereabouttosay.
Theyremainedsilentuntilherfather’sdoorhadclosed.
Ciena’skneesfeltwateryasshetookherplaceonthecushionnexttoThane’s;beingthatclosetohimremindedhersopowerfullyoftheonenighttheyhadspenttogether.He’dlostthelastofhisboyhoodsoftness,andinsteadhadbecomealmostaggressivelymasculine—broadshoulders,solidmuscles,andathickshadowofreddishstubblealongthestronglineofhis
jaw.Butsheturneduntilshecouldnotseehisfaceandsaidonly,“Youknowit’sdangerousforyouhere.”
“I’vebeencareful,”hesaid.“Ididn’tleavemytransportuntilafterdark.Rentedaridgecrawlerunderafakename,camestraighthere.I’llleaveatnight,too.SoI’mnotgoingtoseeanyonewhodoesn’tcomeintothishouse.I’msafe—unlessyouturnmein.”
“BynowyouknowI’mnotgoingto.”
“BecauseI’mowedthe‘protectionofthehouse’?”Thaneasked.Theobvioussubtext:Ordoyouhaveanotherreason?
Shegavehimnodirectanswer.Wrappingherarmsaroundherselfinahug,shesaid,“I’llkeepthevigiltonight.”
“You’reexhausted—it’sobvious,”hesaid,soharshly
itseemedlikeajudgment.“Isleptonthetransport,soI’vegotafewhoursinme.”
“Ican’tletyoudothat.”“It’snotaritualthing,is
it?Ifitwere,yourfatherwouldhavesaidso.Sowhy?”
Shewastiredenoughtotellhimthetruth.“BecauseIdon’twanttooweyouanything.”
Helaughed,notinhumorbutsurprise.Thanehadn’texpectedhertobethisangry;
obviouslyhe’dhadnoideasheknewthetruthabouthisinvolvementwiththeRebelAlliance,thoughheprobablysuspecteditnow.Butheseemedtobenearlyasangrywithher—despitethefactthatthelasttimethey’dseeneachotherthey’dhadtotearthemselvesapart.
“Lookatitthisway.”Thanespokeveryquietly,andalmostagainstherwillCienalookedupathimagain.“I
alreadyoweyouone,forfakingmysuicideinsteadofturningmein.SoifIkeepthevigiltonight,we’llbeeven.Nobodywilloweanyoneanything.Okay?”
Inherchildhood,Cienahadreadhorriblestoriesofthecruel,barbarouspunishmentsusedintheoldtimes,backbeforeherpeoplehadeverlefttheiroriginalplanetorknewthatotherslivedamongthestars.She’d
hadnightmaresaboutoneinparticular,whereaperson’sfourlimbswouldbetiedtofourseparatebeasts,whichwouldthenbedriveninoppositedirectionsuntilthevictim’sbodywastornapart.Thattorturehadhauntedher,andshehadgiventhanksthatitcouldneverhappentoher.
Nowitwashappening,nottoherbodybuttohersoul.
Shehadswornanoathof
loyaltytotheEmpire,hadmadefriendstherewhowouldbewithherforalifetime,andhadservedwithdistinction.Yettheshadowsshehadglimpsedlongagohadlengthenedanddarkened—theuselessdeathsofsomanypilots,theincreasingpressuretoputasideeverythingshehadbeen,thecorruptionanddevastationhereonJelucan.And,aboveall,shecouldnotforget
Alderaan,aworlddestroyedinanefforttopreventawar,aneffortthathadutterlyfailed.
NoneofthatdividedherheartasbrutallyassimplybeingwithThaneagain.Notonlyhadheabandonedhisduty—andher—buthehadalsojoinedtheRebellion.ThepeopleresponsibleforJude’sdeathandthiswretchedwar.Itwasthemostcompletebetrayalshecouldimagine.
Butwheneveryoneelsehadfailedher,Thanehadriskedhislifetostandbyherside.
Cienarosefromthetable.“Goodnight,Thane.”Shedidn’tthankhimforkeepingthevigil.Shesimplywalkedtoherbedroomandclosedthedoorbehindherwithoutlookingback.Inherexhaustion,shethoughtshewouldfallasleepinstantly,butinsteadshelayawakefor
nearlyanhour,listeningforthefaintsoundsThanemadeashemovedaboutthehouse.Cienaknewhewouldnotcometoher,nordidshewanthimto,butshecouldn’tstopwantingtohearhim.Toknowwherehewas,andbesurehewasnear.
Thenextmorning,whenParonReerose,Thaneexcusedhimselfforaquick
nap.Bythattimehewastiredenoughtosleepdespitethequestionsburninginhismind,thesameonesthathadplaguedhimallnightlong.
Suchas,WhyisCienafuriouswithme?Hesuspectedshe’dlearnedhehadjoinedtheRebellion,whichwasbadnews.DidthatmeantheEmpirehadadossieronhim?Theycouldn’tunlesstheRebelAlliancehadintelligence
leaksofitsown.MaybeCienahadbeenpunishedforcoveringuphisdesertion;that,too,wouldexplainwhysheseemedtofinditdifficulttolookathim.
Another:WillIbeabletorejoinmysquadronwhenIreturn?ThanehadreportedhisupcomingabsencetoGeneralRieekanbuthadgivennodetailsandbeengivennoneinreturn.Probablyhisrelaysforthe
Liberty’scurrentcoordinateswouldstillbegoodwhenheleft—butiftheRebelliongotevenahintthattheEmpiremightbecomingaftertheship,theywouldmoveon.ThenThanewouldhavetogothroughthelaboriousprocessofreconnectingwiththeRebelAlliancefromscratch:soundingoutpilotsinvariousspaceports,travelingtoworldsknowntobesympatheticinhopesof
hearingtherightwhispers,andsoon.Itcouldbealengthyprocessandwouldcertainlybeadangerousone.
ButthequestiontrulytearingThaneapartwas,WhatamIdoinghere?
ThanehadtoldhimselfKendywasright—theEmpirewantednotonlyitsofficers’servicebutalsotheirsouls.Yearsofthoughtcontrolandmoralcompromisewouldhavewornawayeverything
he’dlovedaboutCiena,leavingonlyoneofPalpatine’screationsbehind.
Thenhe’dseenthenewsreportaboutCiena’smother.Instantly,he’dknownCienawouldreturntoJelucan.Andjustthatquickly,he’dknownhehadtocomeback,too,andfaceheronemoretime.
IftheEmpirehadhollowedherout—leftnothingbehindbutacold,emptyshell—thenThane
couldfinallyletgo.Ifshe’dstillbeentheexactsamegirlheremembered,thenThanewouldhaveturnedintothemostzealousrecruitertheRebellioneverhad.
Neitherofthoseextremeshadcometopass.Heknewthatmuch.ButhecouldlooknofurtherintoCiena’sheart.Shehadbecomeamysterytohim,onehedidn’tknowhowtosolve.
Herosefromhisnapin
whathethoughtmustbemidmorning.Itwashardtotellnowthatthepollutionintheairhadbecomesothick.Whenhewalkedintothemainroom,Cienaliftedherheadtolookathim.Shesatononeofthefloorcushions,inleggingsandawhitetunic;shehadn’tbraidedherhair,sothecurlsfluffedaroundherfacelikeacloud.Thatwashowshe’dwornherhairthenighttheydancedtogetherat
theImperialPalace.He’dbeensosurethat
yearsofImperialservicewould’vehardenedher.Hadtriedtoenvisionheronlyasastiff,sharp-edgedImperialofficer.InsteadCienaremainedgraceful,gentle—evendelicate,thoughThaneknewthatwasappearanceratherthanreality.Herememberedthefirmnessofmusclealongherlimbsandherback,justashe
rememberedwhatithadfeltliketogazeintoherdarkbrowneyesasshelaybeneathhim.…
Snapoutofit,hetoldhimself.
No“goodmorning”seemedtobeforthcoming,soThanedidn’tofferone,either.“Where’syourfather?”
“Atwork,”shesaid,motioningtosomebreadandcheesethatmusthavebeenmeantforhisbreakfast.
“Pappa’sanadministratoratthegarrison.Hedoesn’tgettimeoffbecausehiswifeisindangerandhisheartisbroken.Hecan’tevenbelate.”
WasthatangerwiththeEmpireheheard?Thanewantedtofeelhopeful,butCienaremainedasstillandunreadableasshe’dbeenthenightbefore.Hehelpedhimselftosomebreadandmanagedtositatthe
damnablyshorttable.“Whatdoestheritualrequireofustoday?”
“Nothingmuch.Someoneshouldbehereconstantly,watchingthehouse—butsinceonlyonepersonstandswithus,thatruledoesn’tmatter.”Cienahesitated,thenadded,“Irequestedameetingwiththelocalmagistrateyesterday,thenagainthismorning.There’sbeennoreply.Idon’texpectone.”
“You’retellingmewecouldleave,butwehavenoplacetogo.”
Noresponse.Hergazewasfixedontheoneroundwindowinfront,wherehismakeshiftredflagflappedinthewind.Thesootintheairwouldstainitdark,soon.He’dfollowedJelucan’sdegenerationovertheyears,butthatdidn’tmakeiteasiertowitnessfirsthand.Ifonlytheycouldtravelbackintime
towhentheywerekids,whentheirworldstillfeltlikehomeandtheyunderstoodeachotherwithoutwords…
Thenheknewexactlywhathewantedtodo,exactlyhowhewouldknowifshewasstillhisCiena.
Hesaid,“Flywithme.”Sheturnedtolookathim.
“Youwanttofly?Now?Today?”
“Wecantaketheridgecrawlerstomyfamily’s
hangar.IbettheoldV-171’sstillinthere.”
“Ifyourparentssawyou—”
“IcheckedbeforeIleftthespaceport.They’rehalfwayacrosstheplanetonbusiness.We’reclear.”
Cienalookeddoubtful.“TheV-171mightnotbeskyworthyanylonger.It’sbeenafewyears.”
“Sowecheckherout.Ifshe’sbrokendown,okay,
we’redone.Butmaybesheisn’t.”
Thanewatchedherstruggletofindareasontosayno.Finally,shesighed.“Okay.”
Hegrabbedhisdarkbluejacketandcapwithmoredreadthanoptimism.Cienaremainedclosedofftohim,andThanewasn’tsurethingsweren’tbetterthatway.Yettheyhadrarelybeencloserthanwhentheywereinthe
airtogether.Thatwaswheretheyhadtaughteachother,learnedabouteachother,andexploredtheirworldasone.Sothatwaswherehe’dfinallyseewhethertheycouldstillcommunicateatall.
TheridetothehangarprovidedmoresuspensethanThanehadexpected.Whilethetrailstothatareahadbeenobscureyearsago,they’dcomeintocommonuse.Eachtimetheypassedanother
ridgecrawler,hisguttightened.Hehalfexpectedeachdrivertobeastormtrooperwhowoulddrawablasteratanymoment.Butnobodygavethemasecondglance;heandCienawerejusttwomorefiguresclimbingthemountain,shroudedinmorningfogandgrittyminingash.Herridgecrawlertraveledinfrontofhis.Hefeltlikehershadow.
WhateverDalvenwasuptothesedays,hewasn’tvisitinghome,oratleasthehadn’tbeenbythehangarinyears.Thedoorshadalmostrustedshut,andwhenThaneandCienatuggedthemopen,cloudsofdustswirledoutandmadethemcough.Unsurprisingly,theV-171wasdusty,butwhenhehitthecontrolpanels,theylitup,glowinggreen.
Hepattedthesideofthe
ship,absurdlyproud.“Allsystemssaygo.”
“Thenwego.”Cienaheldoutherhandforlizard-toad-snakebeforesheconsciouslyrecognizedwhatshewasdoing—tojudgebyhersuddenembarrassment.Thanesimplyheldouthishandaswell.One,two,three:hewentfortoad,butshechosesnake,andsnakeatetoad.
“Youalwayswereluckier
withthisthanIwas,”hemuttered.
Thatwonhimasmile,fleetingbutreal.“Toobad,Kyrell.”Shesoundedlikeherselfagain.“You’recopilottoday.”
Thefamiliarrhythmsofpreparationandtakeoffcameasarelief.Theyknewhowtotalktoeachotheragain,andwhattodo.Withinmoments,theV-171hadhoveredofftheground.AsCienaeasedthem
outofthehangar,hesaid,“Comeon.Let’sgrabsomesky.”
“Yougotit.”Andtheysoareduptowardthesun.
Theyfellintosyncimmediately.Perfectly.Thaneknewwhichwayshe’dwanttoturnbeforeshedidit;Cienarespondedtoeverymovehemadealmostbeforehewasfinished.Itshockedhimhowmuchtheyhadn’tchangedinthisoneway,even
astherestoftheirliveshadbeenturnedupsidedown.Theystillknewhowtoflyasone.
Severalthousandmetersup,thepollutionthinneduntiltheyweresurroundedbythesamebrightnessherememberedfromwhentheywerechildren.Thecloudsshonewhite;theruggedpeaksofthehighestmountainsrosethroughthem,lookinglikeislandsinsnow.
Thosealtitudescouldn’tbemined;theyremainedpristine,untouched.
FromherehecouldalmostbelieveJelucanwasstillbeautiful.
Cienawantedtolingerintheskyasmuchashedid;Thaneknewthatwithouthavingtobetold.Togethertheydrewloopsintheair,circledthefamiliarmountainranges,caughttheupwindsthatstillblewfromWavers’
Peak.Whenshetiltedthewingstocatchthatdrift,Thanehadalreadybeguntoleanwithher,andhelaughed.“Youlovethis.”
“Sodoyou.”Hecouldhearthesmileinhervoice.
Thisisn’tatruce.You’restillwiththeRebellion;she’sstillaloyalImperialofficer.Wecannevershareanythingmorethanastolenhour,oneflight.
SoThanetoldhimself.
Yethecouldn’tmakehimselfbelieveit.
Evenwhenastormbegantoblowin,theypostponedcomingdownaslongastheycould.Oncethewindspickedupenoughchop,though,theywordlesslyagreedonthemomentwhentheV-171hadtodescend.Inthetinycraft,theycouldevenfeelthewayeachother’sweightshiftedastheyrespondedtotheshear.
Hestillknewhowshe
moved.“Comeon!”Theywere
tenandCienawantedtoweavethroughthestalactitesforthefirsttime.“Wecandoit!”Hesentthemspiralingdowntowardtheirgoal,thesuddendizzinesssweepingoverthembothatthesamemomentandmakingthemlaugh.
TheirspeederbikeswerelockedtogetherastheysoaredthroughCoruscant,
eachofthemleaningtowardtheotherastheyaimedfortheexactcenterofthefinalReitgenHoop,andvictory.
“Likethis?”HecouldfeelthewarmbreathofCiena’swhisperagainsthisbareshoulder.Tooovercometospeak,Thanehadonlybeenabletonod.
TheytooktheV-171inbeforetherainsbegan.Cienapowereddowninsilence;whateverrapportthey’d
regainedintheairhaddisappeared.Astheydisembarkedandleftthehangar,theymighthavebeenanytwocoworkersinacommercialspaceport.
ButCienadidn’treturntoherridgecrawler.Insteadshewalkedtothefaredgeofthehangar’sterrace,towardthenarrow,rockypaththatledawayfromthemainroad—towardtheFortress.Shepausedforamomenttolook
overhershoulder,clearlydaringThanetofollow.
Henevercouldresistadare.
NeitherofthemspokeuntiltheyhadclimbedinsidetheFortressitself.WhenCienaturnedononeoftheoldlightsthey’dleftupthere,Thanelookedaround,blinkinginsurprise.He’dexpectedadustyruin;instead,thesurfaceswereclean,theblanketsbeaten.A
fewoftheirtoyspaceshipsstilldangledfromthewiremobilethey’dbuiltwhentheywerenine.Hesaid,“Thisplaceheldupwell.”
“Icamehereyesterday,”shesaid.“Myshiplandedbeforemyfathercouldleavework,andValentia—Icouldn’tbeartostaytherelong.ThiswastheonlyplaceIwantedtobe.Itneededsomecleaning,butlessthanyou’dthink.”Cienaturnedto
facehimthen,andintheapproachingdarkofthestorm,hecouldnotreadherexpression.“Somuchhadstayedthesame.”
Thanetookasteptowardher.“Ciena—”
“YoujoinedtheRebellion.”Thewordsburstoutofher,likewaterafteradambroke.“Howcouldyoudothat?They’reterrorists!TheykilledJude!”
“Wearenotterrorists.If
anyone’saterroristit’sPalpatinehimself,becauseherulesbyfear—”
“Yousaidyouweren’tgoingtotherebels,youtoldmethattomyface—”
“ThatwasbeforeIrealizedjusthowbadtheEmpirereallyis.Therebelsmightnotbeperfectbutsomebody’sgottodosomething!”
“SoyoudecidedyouhatetheEmpire.You’rewillingto
killthepeopleyouwenttoschoolwith—yourfellowofficers,yourfriends.”Cienatookastepclosertohim,herhandsinfistsathersides.“You’reevenwillingtokillme.”
“Don’tyouthinkthatnearlydestroysmeeverysingletimeIgointobattle?Don’tyouknowI’dratherdiefirst?ButIcan’tstandasideanddonothing,Ciena.Ican’t.”
Sheshookherhead.“Youhadtostopbeingacynicnow?”
Thanewantedtoshakeher.Hewantedtopleadwithhertolisten.Morethananythinghewantedtobebackintheair,wheretheystillunderstoodeachother.Butthestormwasonthemnow.“That’sallyouhavetosay?Youdraggedmeupherejusttoyellatme?”
“No.”
“Thenwhat—”Cienapulledhisface
downtohersandkissedhim,hard.
Thenextfewmomentswereafeverishblur—hersmallhandsreachingbeneathhisjackettosplayacrosshischest—thefeelofherinhisarms—thetasteofherlips.Hecouldn’tbecloseenoughtoher.Evennow,entwinedtogether,theyweretoofarapart.
Thaneembracedhertightlyenoughtoliftherfeetfromtheground,thenbackedheragainstthewall,pinninghertherewiththeweightofhisbody.Hecoveredheropenmouthwithhis.
Whentheypartedlongenoughtogaspforbreath,Cienawhispered,“Don’tyoudarestop.”
Hedidn’t.
HOURSLATER,CienasatatthemouthoftheFortresscave,wrappedinablanketasshewatchedthelastofthestorm.Thewindshaddieddownawhileago,buttherainstillfellacrossthelowerrangesinsilverysheets.How
hadsheforgottentheviewcouldbesobeautiful?
Thishadalwaysbeentheplacewhereshewenttodream.Imperialserviceallowedsolittletimeforthat—nohoursinwhichtoletyourmindwander,toimagineanythingyouliked.
CienaroseandwalkedbackinsidetheFortressonlegsthatstillfeltpleasantlywobbly.Thefursandblanketswerepiledinthe
back,neartheoldheaterthey’ddraggeduptheretenyearsbefore,andonlythefaintestlightshonebackthatfar.ShepausedforamomenttotakeinthesightofThanesprawledfacedown,moreasleepthanawake,almostcompletelyuncovered.
Sheleanedoneshoulderagainstthewallasshewhispered,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”
Thatmadehimstir.Thane
rolledoverandsmileddrowsily.“You’reshowingyoursisterthis?”
“I’msupposedtoshowherthemostbeautifulandextraordinarymomentsofmylife.Thisqualifies.”
Heheldonearmouttoher,andshecurledbyhisside,drapingherblanketoverthemboth.Despitethesmallheater,theairinsidetheFortressremainedcool—butThanekeptherwarm.Ciena
wishedtheyneverhadtoacknowledgetheworldbeyondtheFortress—thatitcouldalwaysbethetwoofthemtogether,inseparable.
“Youprobablyknowthis,”shesaid,“butIstillloveyou.”
“AndIloveyou.Everythingelsemightchange,butnotthat.”
Cienarolledovertolookathim.Itwassohardtosaythiswithoutanger,butshe
hadtospeak.“IfyoucouldjointheRebellion,you’vechangedmorethanIwouldhavethoughtpossible.”
“DoyoustillbuytheImperialdogmathatthey’re‘terrorists’?They’reidealists,really.TheybelievetheNewRepublicwillbeallthegrandandgloriousthingstheOldRepublicneverwas.I’mnotthatkindoffool.Neverwillbe.ButtheEmpiremustfall.”
“Youtookanoath—”
“Enoughwiththeoaths,Ciena!”Thanepauseduntilhehadahandleonhistemperagain.“I’msorry.Iknowwhatyourhonormeanstoyou.Butthisisn’taboutwhetherornotwe’vekeptfaithwiththeEmpire.It’saboutwhethertheEmpirehaskeptfaithwithus.”
Toomanyofherowndoubtsrespondedtothosewords.InCiena’smindshesawtheofficersdyingin
vain,heardPenrie’slastscream,watchedAlderaanexplodeagain.Andnow,evenhermotherhadtosuffer.
SheburiedherfaceagainstThane’schest.Itfeltsafertospeakwithinthewarmthofhisarms.“IseethedarknesswithintheEmpire.HowcouldInot?”
Hewoundoneofhercurlsaroundhisfinger,hisplayfultouchescontrastingwiththegravityofwhathe
said.“Ifyouseethat,thenIdon’tunderstandhowyoucankeepservingtheEmpirejustbecauseofapromiseyoumadeyearsago,whenyoudidn’tknowthewholetruth.”
“Nobodyeverknowsthewholetruth.That’swhypromisesmeansomething.Otherwisethey’dbetooeasy,don’tyousee?Welooktowardtheunknownfutureandpromisetobefaithfulnomatterwhatcomes.”Ciena
sighed.“Myoathmatterstome,butthat’snottheonlyreasonIstay.”
“Thenwhy?”“BecausetheEmpireis
morethan—thancorruptionandbrutality.”Itcosthertosaythosewords,butThaneforcedhertobehonestwithherself.“It’salsothestructurethatkeepsthegalaxyfromcollapsingintochaosagain,likeitdidduringtheCloneWars.Andforeverypetty
bureaucratmakinghimselfrichbyskimmingprofits,there’salsosomeonelikeNashWindrider,who’sgenuinelytryingtodotherightthing.Ifthegoodpeopleleave,doesn’tthatmakeeverythingworse?Don’twehavearesponsibilitytostandourgroundandchangetheEmpire,ifwecan?”
“Stillanoptimist.”Thanehesitatedbeforeheasked,“HowisNash?”
“He’sdoingbetternow.ThefirstyearafterAlderaanwashard,buthecamethrough.Ithinkhe’sstilllonelysometimes.”CienarememberedthenightNashhadpropositionedherinfrontofthedoortoherbunk—butshehadsaidno,anditwasnothingThaneneededtohear.“Hetalksaboutyoufromtimetotime.Ihatethathehastokeepthinkingyou’redead.”
“Metoo.”Theylaytogetherin
silenceforawhileafterthat,herheadpillowedagainstThane’schest.Cienathoughtbacktothosefirstfewmonthsattheacademy,whenthey’dallbeensotrusting,sosureoftheirplaceinthegalaxy.Couldthathavebeenonlysixyearsago?Itfeltlikeanotherlifetime.
“Ciena?”Thanesoundedwary.“Iwanttoaskyoua
questionthatyoumightnotlike.Hearmeout,okay?”
Shefiguredthatifshehadn’tkilledThaneforjoiningtheRebellion,hewassafenomatterwhat.“Ask.”
“What’shappeningtoyourmother—haveyouaskedyourselfwhetherthisisallatest?AnotherofthemindgamestheEmpireplaysonitstroops?”
Ifonlyshecouldstillbelievethose“tests”were
meanttostrengthenthem,thattheyservedagreaterpurpose.HadshereallyoncebeenangrywithThaneforsuggestingotherwise?Thememoryofhernaivetyembarrassedher.Intheyearssince,CienahadlearnedthattheEmpireadministeredextremetestsofloyaltysometimes.Maybeforpersonnelbeingconsideredforsensitivepositions,thosetestscouldbejustified.Butto
toywiththefriendshipbetweentwoyoungcadets,onlytodivorcethemfromanytiestotheirhomeworld…thathadbeenalmostchildishinitscruelty.
MaybetheEmpirewastestingherbyputtinghermotherontrial,butCienadoubtedit.WhatwashappeningtoMummawasmorelikelysimple,stupidprovincialcorruption.Everyoneinvolvedknewit,
andnoonewouldsaysobecausetheywerealltooafraidofwhattheImperialofficialswoulddotothem.
FromtheEmperordowntothelowliestadministrator—somuchhadtobetransformed.Wherecouldtheyevenbegin?
“Idon’tthinkwhat’shappeningtoMummaispartofanylargerplot,”shesaid,andleftitatthat.“Doyoutrustyoursuperiorsinthe
RebelAlliance?”SheexpectedThaneto
saynoimmediately;heputhistrustinsofewpeople,andsurelythedregsthatrantheRebellionwouldn’tqualifyforthehonor.Cienawasshockedwhenhesaid,“Someofthem.Mostofthem,actually.YouknowIdidn’tevenhavetoaskpermissiontocomehere?TheytrustedthatI’donlyleaveforagoodreason,andbelievedI’d
return.Sure,theydreamsomecrazydreamsaboutthisperfectgalaxytheythinktheycanbuild—butatleasttheyrespectthepeoplewhoserve.”
Cienacouldhardlybelievewhatshe’dheard.ThaneKyrellhadfinallyfoundauthorityfigureshedidn’thateandtheywererebels?Surelyhewastalkinglikethisinanefforttoconvincehertoleavethe
Empire;shethoughthemighthavesaidevenwilderthingsiftheywouldkeepherwithhim.“Howlonghaveyoubeenwiththem?”
“Ijoinedupseveralmonthsago.”Histhumbbrushedalonghercheekbone,thetiniestpossiblecaress.“AtfirstIdidsupplyruns,butasthewarintensified—I’mincombatmoreoftennow.”
“IrecognizedyouatHoth,youknow.”
“Youwerethere?”Thane’sfacepaledalmosttowhite.“Itoldmyself—thefleetissohuge—IthoughtthechancesthatI’dfightagainstyouwere—Ididn’tthinkitwouldhappen.”
“Iwasneverindanger,”shesaid,sittingupandtuckingtheblanketaroundherself.Seeinghisfearatthethoughtofhurtingher—shecouldn’tbearit.“Itwasthatmoveofyours,whenyou
spunthroughtheAT-AT’slegs.Iknewthatinstantitcouldonlybeyou.”
“TheonepersonintheentirefleetwhocouldhaveidentifiedmebyhowIflew—”
“MaybetheForceisguidingthis.Bringingustogethereventhoughweoughttobeapart.”
Thatmadehimgrimace.Thanehadn’tchangedenoughtobecomereligious,it
seemed.“Iseemtorememberusingmyownfakeidentificationtocrossthegalaxyandreachyou.NoForceinvolved.”
Shehelduponehand.“Allright,allright.”
Thanesatupbesideherandslidhisarmsaroundherwaist.TheskyoutsidetheFortresshadnearlyturneddark.“Listen,”hesaid.“Iknowyou’renotreadytocomewithmetoday.And
maybeyouwon’tconsiderjoiningtheRebellion.”
“Never.”“ButifIthoughtyou
mightleavetheEmpiresomeday—evenifit’sjusttocomebackhere,orstartyourlifeoveronanotherworld—”
Washepromisingtoleavetherebelsandjoinher,ifonlyshewoulddesert?Cienadidn’twanttoknow.“I’mnotgoingtoleave,atleastnotbeforemytourof
dutyends.Ifthere’sanychancethatthegoodintheEmpirecanoutweighthebad,thenit’sourdutytopreserveit.”
“TheEmpire’srottentothecore.It’sourdutytodestroyit.”
Theywerestillatodds,andalwayswouldbeitseemed.Cienaknewthat.Yetthehardfactsseemedsodistantasheembracedheragain,andsheleanedher
headagainsthim.SheandThanehadneverbeenmoreinlove—orfurtherapart.
Thenextmorning,thetrialofCiena’smotherbegan.
Trial.Thatwordsoundedfartooofficialandgrandforthehasty,sordidproceedings.Cienasatinthesemicircularstandsaroundthejudicialchamber,wearingheruniformwithitsredandblue
ranksquaresproclaimingheranImperiallieutenantcommander.Nexttoher,PappakepthisheadbentasifhecouldnotbeartoseeMummastandinginthedockwithherwristscuffed.
Theprosecutor—amanwithsmallhandsandoiledhair—officiouslyreadtheevidencelinebyline,enteringitallintotherecord.Hehadnotonebitofproofthatcouldn’thavebeendoctored
byahalfwaycompetentdataengineer,apointthatwouldnodoubthavebeenmadebythedefenseifhermotherhadbeenallowedadefense.
Butnowthatwasallowedonlyincivilcases,neverintrialsforcrimesagainsttheEmpire.
CienacouldhearThane’svoiceinherhead,askingiftheEmpirehadkeptfaithwithher.Shedidnotdareanswerhimeveninherown
thoughts.Hehadleftlatethenight
beforetocatchared-eyeshuttle—towhere,shewouldneverknow.Thanehadbidherfatheraformal,correctfarewell;PappahadbeenwiseenoughtoletCienawalkThaneouttotheridgecrawleronherown.Theyhadkissedeachothersolongandsofiercelythatherlipsremainedswollen,thediscomfortwelcomebecauseitwasproof
he’dreallybeenwithher.“Whateverelsebecomes
ofus,”shehadsaid,“thankyouforstandingwithmyfamily.YoutookatremendousrisktobeherewhenIneededyouthemost.Itwasanactof…thetruestloyaltyandfriendship.”
Hissmilehadbeensosad.“ActuallyIcameherethinkingI’dfinallygetoveryou.Should’veknownbetter.”
Cienatriedtocatchhermother’seye,hopingtogivesomecomfortjustbybeingthere.YetMummawouldn’tevenlookatherdirectly.Itwasasifshewereashamed,eventhoughbynoweveryoneinthisshamofatrialhadtoknowthechargeswerefalse.
Thentherealizationpiercedherthrough:hermotherwouldn’tlookatherbecauseshedidn’twanttoendangerCienaanyfurther
bymakinghershowsympathytosomeoneaccusedbytheEmpire.
Imperialrulewasn’tascrueltoeveryworldasithadbeentoJelucan.Ciena’stravelshadtoldherthatmuch.Butitdidn’tmatter,becausethecrueltywasthere,now,destroyingherfamilyandherhome.
“Yourealizewecan’tevermeetagain,”CienahadsaidasThaneheldherclose.
He’dalreadystartedhisridgecrawler,themotor’shumalmostlostinthefiercewinds.
“Wesaidthatlasttime.”“It’sdifferentnow.You
shouldn’thavecomebackthistime,andI—Idon’tknowifI’lleverreturnagain.”
“Wekeeptellingeachothergood-bye,”Thanehadwhisperedintoherear.“WhenamIfinallygoingtobelieveit?”
Shedidn’tanswer,becauseshecouldn’t.EvenifsheandThaneneversaweachotheragain,sheknewthatinsomewaystheirbondwouldendure.Hewastoomuchapartofhertobecompletelylost,notaslongasshelived.
Itwassomeconsolation,butnotmuch.
Themagistratedidn’tevenlookupfromhisscreensashepronouncedjudgment.
“GuiltyofembezzlementandfraudagainstrepresentativesoftheEmperor.Sentencedtosixyears’laborinthemines.”
Cienafelttheverdictlikepoisoninjectedintoherveins—agonizingdowntothebone.Hardlabor?Jelucanhadbannedthatasapunishmentnearlyacenturyago,andeventhenhadlimitedittothoseaccusedofviolentcrimes.Hermotherwasamiddle-agedwoman,
neverparticularlytallorstrong;howwasshesupposedtoendurelongdaysofhaulingheavyore?Withmodernmine-droids,therewasnoneedforanyonetodothatkindofbackbreakingwork.Thesentencewasbothprimitiveandpunitive…andhadbeenleviedagainstawomanthejudgehadtoknowwasinnocent.
VerineReedidn’tevenglanceatherhusbandand
daughterasshewasledaway;Cienarealizedtheywouldn’tbegivenachancetosaygood-bye.
“Thisisimpossible,”shewhisperedaseveryoneelsefiledoutofthecourtroom,leavingonlyCienaandherfatherbehind.“Amockeryofjustice—”
“Saynothingmore.”“Ofcourse.”Therewere
probablyrecordingdevicessomewhereintheroom.“We
can’thavemoretrouble.”“No,Ciena.Youshould
notspeakagainstyourgovernment,ever,underanycircumstances.”
“Pappa—howcanyousaythattoday?”
ParonReefoldedhishandstogetherassolemnlyasavillageelder.“BecausewegaveourloyaltytotheEmpireonthedayJelucanwasannexed.Becausewedonotbetrayourword,even
whenwearebetrayedinreturn.Otherwisewearenobetterthantheyare.”Hiseyesblazed,buthisvoiceremainedlowandcalm.“Thislifehasneverbeenonemadeforfairnessorjustice.Weendure,andweprevailnotascrudematterbutintherealmofthespirit.”
Shehadgrownupbelievingthatsodevoutly,andnowthewordssoundedhollow.Cienacouldnottake
comfortinangerorinfaith.Allshecoulddowasputherarmsaroundherfatherandhopehisbeliefssustainedhimmorethantheydidher.
“AndwasjusticedoneonJelucan,LieutenantCommanderRee?”
“Sir.Yes,sir.”Cienastoodatattentionin
ISBofficerRonnadam’soffice,staringpasthimatthe
smallcircleofstarfieldrevealedthroughhisonewindow.Herhandswereclaspedtightlybehindherback,palmssweaty.
CaptainRonnadamstudiedherforwhatseemedtobetoolongatime.Histhinmustachetwitchedonce,butshecouldnottellwhetherhefeltamusementorirritation.“Yourmotherwasguilty,then.”
“Theevidencepresented
wasveryclear,sir.”“Yousurpriseme,Ree.”
Histonemadeitimpossibletoknowwhetherthatwasagoodthing,andhiseyeswerenarrow.Heheldherincontemptfordoingtheverythinghehadforcedhertodo.Didherecognizehisownhypocrisy?Probablynot.“Verywell.Youhaveusedtwoweeks’leave,butotherwiseyourrecordremainsunblemished.I
believewecanexpectapromotioninyournearfuture.”
Ronnadamhonestlythoughtshewouldbetrayherownmotherjustforthesakeofadvancement.Cienadugherfingernailsintoherpalms,usingthepaintosteadyherself.“Thankyou,sir.”
Doyourduty.Keepthecourse.Thereisgoodhereinsomanyofthepeoplewhoserve.Ioweittothemto
fulfillmyoathandlearnhowIcanhelpsavetheEmpirefromitsowncorruption.
Theywerenoblesentiments,andshemeantthem.YetinhermindsheimaginedsayingallthistoThane,andheonlyshookhishead.
THANEMADEITbacktotheLibertyjustintime.CoronaSquadronwasalreadypreparingtomove—notinthefrenzythatfollowedanythreatofimminentattackbutquicklyenoughthathewouldhavemissedthemifhe’d
returnedafewhourslater.“Mr.Kyrell.Howkindof
youtojoinus,”saidtheContessaasshewalkedthroughthehangar,wherepilotsbusilyloadedastromechdroidsandcheckedrationpacks.Henoddedatherbutdidn’tslowhisstepsuntilhe’dwalkedstraighttoGeneralRieekan.
“Kyrell.”Rieekanhardlylookedawayfromhistablet.Hestoodinthecenterofthe
activity;afireworksprayofblue-whitesparksrosefromanearbyweldingtorch.Theairsmelledofrubberandfuel.“Excellent.You’vegottwohoursuntiltakeoff.”
Thanestoodatattentionwithhischinslightlylifted,thewayhe’dlearnedattheacademy.Theoldtraininghadkickedinthefirstmomenthe’dacknowledgedhemighthavescrewedup.“Sir.Ineedtoreportmy
movementsduringmyabsence.”
“Thisisavolunteerarmy,remember?You’refreetocomeandgoasyouplease,aslongasyouobserveallsecurityprotocols.”
“IreturnedtomyhomeworldofJelucanto—assistafriendintrouble,”Thanesaid.Rieekandidn’tglanceupuntilThaneadded,“MyfriendisanofficerintheImperialStarfleet.”
Thatdidit.Rieekanstared,andallaroundhimthebuzzofworkbeganfallingsilent.Thanecouldalmostfeeltheeyesonhim,ashotassearchlights.
GeneralRieekan’sdecibellevelrosemarkedly.“Youmadecontactwithanenemyofficer.”
“Yes,sir.”Thaneofferednothingmore.Heknewhehadtoreportit,buthe’dbedamnedifhe’dapologizefor
seeingCiena.“That’shighlyirregular,
Kyrell,”Rieekansaid.“ButyouconcealedyouractivitieswiththeRebelAlliancefromthisofficer?”
“…LieutenantCommanderReewasalreadyawareIhadjoinedtheRebellion.Sir.”
Murmursrosearoundhim;bythen,he’ddrawnacrowd.Fromthecornerofhiseye,Thanecouldseeshocked
expressionsonthefacesofYendor,Smikes,andKendy.However,heneverturnedawayfromRieekan.
“Howthehelldidsheknowthat?”Rieekan’salarmwasveryreal.“Dowehaveadoubleagentfeedingthemintel?”
“No,sir.Notregardingthis.She—shehadidentifiedmebasedonImperialbattlefootage.”Nobodywouldbelieveitifheconfessedthat
Cienahadknownhimonlybythewayheflew.Theyweretheonlytwopeoplewhocouldeverunderstandthat.
Rieekanacceptedthisexplanation,whichwasarelief,butThanewasn’toutoftroubleyet.“Areyouabsolutelysurethisofficerlackedanyopportunitytoplaceatrackingdeviceonyourvehicleoryourperson?”
“Itdidn’thappen,sir.”Hewasn’tgoingtogetintothe
manythingsCienahadhadanopportunitytodotohisperson.“Iguaranteethat.AtnopointdidIshareanyinformationaboutRebellionmembers,bases,oractivities.Nordidsheask.Thiswasapersonalmatter.”
“Personal.”Rieekanshookhishead.“We’llscanyouandyourship.Ifthosescanscheckout,we’llletthisdrop.”
“Thankyou,sir.”
“Andwecantakeitasagiventhatyou’renotgoingtomakecontactwithanyImperialofficereveragain?”
Thanerememberedtheirfinalmomentstogetherinfrontofherhouse,thewayherfingershadtightenedaroundthecollarofhisjacketasifshecouldholdhimtherebywillalone.“Yes,sir.”
“Verywell.Justfortherecord,Kyrell?Thegalaxyisfullofwomenwhodon’t
fightfortheenemy.”Withthat,Rieekan
walkedoff.AcoupleofthedroidszoomedinonThane’sX-wingtosearchit.ThatlefthimtofinallyfacetherestofCoronaSquadron.Theotherpilotshadalreadygatheredaround,theirexpressionsdisplayingeverythingfromdisbelieftooutrage.Smikesspokefirst.“Youabandonedyourposttobangyourex?Thelieutenantcommanderin
theImperialStarfleetex?”Thanerefusedtobe
cowed.“They’reabouttopromotehertocommander.”
Peoplegroaned.Obviously,hewasgoingtobetheleastpopularmemberofCoronaSquadronforsometimetocome—aloosecannon,someonewhowouldtakerisksfornoreason.Finebyhim.Aslongastheydidn’tdoubthisallegiance,Thanedidn’tgiveadamn
whattheythoughtofhischoices.
“Weallhavetoputourpastsbehindus.Allofus.Thatincludeseventhepeopleonourside,muchlessImperialloyalists.”TheContessahadnevershowedangerbefore,butshedidnow.
“Thatdoesn’tmeanwe’reneversupposedtoacknowledgethepeopleweloveeveragain,”heretorted.
“Oh,great,”Smikesmoaned.“He’stalkingaboutlove.Thisisgoingnowherefast.”
Yendor,morecalmlythantheothers,leanedagainstthestrutoftheneareststarfighterandsaid,“YourealizethisImperialwomanofyourswouldkillusall,right?”
Thatdidit.ThanegotinYendor’sface.“Youdon’tknowCiena.Ido.Imadeachoicebasedonthat
knowledge.Noneofyouwereendangered,orevenaffected,soit’snoneofyourdamnedbusiness.”
Inthesilencethatfollowed,hebackedawayfromYendor,whosehandswereraisedinthegesturethatmeant,oneveryplanet,Hey,man,simmerdown.Thanefiguredtheonlyproductivethinghecoulddorightthenwasreportto2-1Bforthescans.Butasheturnedtogo,
Kendyspokealmostunderherbreath:“You’regoingtotearyourselfapart.”
Shewasn’twrong.Thanesaidonly,“She’s
stillCiena,”andwalkedoff.Kendywouldunderstand
that,probably.Nobodyelsewould.Hedidn’tcare.Itwashisownbusinessifhecrossedthegalaxy,orbrokehisheart,orsteeredhisX-wingstraightintothecoreofastar.
Therebelfleet’snewbasewasonanuninhabitedplanetsosmallandobscureithadnoname,onlythenumericaldesignation5251977.Thisworld’srotationmovedslowly,meaningdaysandnightseachlastedtheequivalentofseveralweeksonmostplanets;fornow,theRebellionhidintheenduringdarkness.
Thane’sfirstthoughtashetookhisX-wingintoland
wasthatthey’dbuiltamuchlargerhangarthanusualthistime.ThescaleofthestructureremindedhimmoreofImperialfacilitiesthanthehastymakeshiftsetupstheRebelAlliancehadtorelyon.Whenhecameinthroughtheshielddoors,however,herealizedwhythebuildingwassoenormous—ithadtobe.Intheprevioustwomonths,thesizeoftherebelarmadaseemedtohavedoubled.
“Whathappened?”Thaneasked,flighthelmetunderonearm,asCoronaSquadronwenttoreportin.HewonderediftheEmpirehaddestroyedanotherworldorcommittedanotheratrocitysohorrificthatahugeswathofthegalaxyhadfinallyhadenough.
Mostoftheothersignoredhim,butYendorreplied,“Usuallytheydon’tbringthewholefleettogether
likethis.Acoupledivisionsstayseparate,justincase,youknow?Notanymore.Rumorhasitsomethingbigisplanned.”
“Wehavenewrecruits,aswell,”theContessasaid,pointingtoseveralnonregulationshipsthatstoodaroundthem.Whilethesekindsofshipshadalwaysbeenapartofthefleet,thereweredefinitelymorethanusualandmorepeople
millingaroundwhohadnouniforms,onlyRebellionpatcheshastilyappliedtotheircoveralls.Evenasthewargrewmorepitchedandmoredeadly,recruitscontinuedtoflocktotherebelcause.Ifthatkeptup,Thanethought,theymightactuallyhaveashot.Hecouldseeseveralindividualstarfighters,afewDorneangunships,andonefreighterthatseemedtohavebeenput
togetheroutofthepartsofatleastadozenotherships—
AbroadsmilespreadacrossThane’sfaceasheyelled,“TheMightyOakApocalypse!”
TherestofCoronaSquadronturnedtohimwithexpressionssuggestingthathehadwellandtrulylosthismind.Hedidn’tcare,becausenowpeoplewerespillingoutoftheshiptoruntowardhim—Brillgrinningthroughher
pinkfur,JJH2rollingtowardhimandwhistling,Methwatwearinghisversionofasmile,andbehindtherest,roaringherwelcome,Lohgarra.
“Abouttimeyouguysshowedup!”Thanesaid,laughing,ashesubmittedtoawoolyWookieehug.Lohgarragrowledplaintively,andThanesomehowresistedrollinghiseyes.“Iamnottoothin.”
“Werefittedthewholeship,”Brillsaidwithpride.“Newshields,newdampeners.She’stotinggunsfrommorekindsoffightersthanyoucancountonbothhands.Orclaws.Tentacles.Whateveryouhave.”
“Readyforaction,huh?”Nowthathe’dhadamomenttothinkaboutit,hewasn’tsurprisedLohgarraandtheMoahadjoinedtheRebellionatlast.Still,therewas
somethinggreataboutknowingthatsomanyofthepeoplehecaredaboutnowstoodbyhisside.Ittookhimbacktothemomenthe’dchosentojointheRebellioninthefirstplace,andremindedhimwhywhenheneededthatmemorythemost.
AboardtheSuperStarDestroyerExecutor,allofficersandstormtroopers
wereexpectedtokeeptheircombatskillshoned.Butthenumberofcertificationsrequiredlessenedathigherranks.NowthatCienahadmadecommander,shenolongerhadtospendatleastonehouraweekpracticinghand-to-handcombat.However,thatjustmeantshespentmoretimeonthefewskillsstillremaining.
“Icouldlivewithoutusingthisthingeveragain,”
Cienagrumbledassheshoulderedthepracticeflamethrower.“Ifweeverneedthisonthebridge,I’mguessingwe’realreadydonefor.”
“CienaReecomplainingaboutregulations?”Berisseshookherheadinamazement.“Hey,ifyoudon’twanttodothis,you’vegotdayslefttofulfillyourregs.Weshouldtakeadvantageofbeingoutinthe
middleofnowhere.”Technically,theshipwasstillinhyperspaceonitswaytothemiddleofnowhere,butBerisse’spointstood.Sincetheywerebeingcalledontodonothingbutgotoanuninhabitedsystemandsitandwait,alljuniorofficershadmorefreetimethanusual.“WecouldseeifNashandsomeoftheotherguysarefree,headtooneofthecantinas,letourhairdown—”
“I’mstayinghere.Ifyouwanttogoparty,nobody’sstoppingyou.”
“Okay,okay.You’vebeeninamoodforalmostthreeweeksstraight.Isn’tittimeyousnappedoutofit?”
Berissedidn’tknowthereasonsforCiena’stemperandnodoubthadnotguesseditwastheshieldbehindwhichCienawashidingherwretchedness.OnceCienahadfeltfreetoconfidenearly
everythinginBerisse—andshelongedtohearheradvicenow.Berissewassopractical,somatter-of-fact,thatshe’dlistentothewholestorywithoutblinkingandprobablycomeupwiththeperfectwordstohelpCienacope.
Butthatwastherub:probably.
Berissecouldbeirreverentandwasn’tabovebendingaregulationfor
practicality’ssake,butCienahadneverdoubtedherfriend’sfundamentalloyaltytotheEmpire.IfCienaspokeabouttheinjusticeoftheverdictagainsthermother,Berissemightsympathize;ontheotherhand,shemightwellreporttheconversationtoRonnadam.
Ofcourse,Cienacouldn’tadmitthetruthaboutThanetoanyone.Thatheartbreakwasoneshehadtocarry
alone.Still,carryingthatweightwouldhavefeltlessterribleifshecouldhavesharedtherestwithsomeone.
Instead,shewasforcedtoadmitthatshehadnotonefriendintheentireworldshecouldentirelytrust.
“Let’sjusttorchsomejunk,okay?”Cienapulledontheflametroopermaskandreadiedthecontrols.Berisse,obviouslyknowingbetterthantointerrupt,beganthe
holographicpartofthesimulator.Attackersmadeofshadowygreenlightbeganrunningtowardthem,andCienapulledthetrigger.
Explosivefireshotout,incineratingherenemies.Again.Thenagain.Shehadneverrelishedcombatduty—flyingwasherjoyandherpassion—buttodayCienapouredallherbottled-upsorrowandfuryintoeveryblast.Whenthefirst
simulationended,sheimmediatelysignaledforBerissetostartanother,thenanother.Thefeaturelessgreenhologramssimplyvanishedwhentheytookafatalhit;Cienafoundherselfwishingtheprogrammingweremorehonestandgraphic.Shewantedtoseeherkillsforonce.
“Iamreallygladwedon’troomtogetheranymore,”Berissemutteredwhenthe
finalholofaded.“BecauseIdonotwanttobethenextpersonyou’remadat.”
“You’reright.Youdon’t.”Cienaslidupherfacemaskandwipedherwristacrossherforehead.Eventhoughshe’dremainedinfiringpositiontheentiretimeandtheflamethrowerwasn’tunbearablyheavy,exhaustionalreadyrackedherbody.SleephadbeenelusivesinceherreturntotheExecutor.
Despiteherweariness,shemighthavegoneforanotherroundhadshenotfeltthesubtleshiftinthevibrationbeneaththeirfeet.“We’velefthyperspace,”shesaidtoBerisse.
“Neverceasestoamazemehowyoucanfeelthat.”Berissesighed.“Somuchforfreetime,huh?”
Evensittingoutinthemiddleofnowhere—namely,theHudallasystem,notable
onlyforitslargest,massivelyringedplanet—requiredeveryonebackatdutystations.Cienawasrelieved.Nothinghelpedbutkeepingbusy.
Asthetwoofthemwalkedoutoftheirsimulationroom,however,Cienaglancedthroughthetriangularwindowsintospacebeyond.Whatshesawstoppedherwhereshestood.InsteadoftheplanetHudallaorthevoid
ofspace,theviewshowedcountlessImperialships.StarDestroyers,attackcruises,lightcruisers,almostasmanyTIEfightersasstars—
“Whatthehell?”Berissesaid.“DidwegetcalledbacktoCoruscantinstead?”
Cienashookherhead.Onlycaptains,admirals,andLordVaderhimselfknewplansveryfarinadvance,soshecouldn’tsayexactlywhytheHudallasystemhad
suddenlybecomeameetingspotfornearlytheentireImperialStarfleet.
Butsheonlyhadtolookattheassembledshipstoknow:whateverwashappeningwasimportant—andwouldaffectthemall.
CoronaSquadronhadreceivedtheirnextintelligencemissiononlytenhoursafterreaching5251977.
Forthefirsttime,theyhadreceivedtheirordersnotfromRieekanbutfromAdmiralAckbaroftheMonCalamari.
“RemotesensorsdetectedanunusuallevelofImperialactivityintheHudallasystem,”hehadsaid,pacinginfrontofthem.Ackbarwasanimposingman—tallerthananyhumanandwithprotruding,wizenedeyes—sotheentiresquadronremainedfarmorerigidandsilentthan
usual.“NothinginthatareashouldbeofinteresttotheEmpireortoanyoneelse.WhythenistheEmpireestablishingapresencethere?CoronaSquadron,youwillgotoHudalla.ObservetheImperialshipsandobtainasmuchdataaspossible.”
TheyweresupposedtostrollintoanisolatedsystemandtakereadingsontheImperialStarfleet,thengetoutalive?Thanewasn’tsure
whetherAckbarwasadeludedoptimistorsomeonewhodidn’tmindputtinglivesatriskforuncertaingain.
ThenAckbarhaddismissedthembysaying,“MaytheForcebewithyou.”So.Deluded.
AsThanecheckedthesensorsonhisX-wing’spanel,hegavethanksforHudalla’senormousring.Thegasgiantswirledinshadesofredandviolet,butthemost
notableaspectofthisworldwasitsplanetaryrings,whichweresomeofthelargestinthegalaxy.Thoseringscomprisedseveralmillionpiecesofdebris,mostofthemsmallerthantheaverageasteroid—
—andyetjustlargeenoughtohideashipbehind.
LikeeveryothermemberofCoronaSquadron,he’dtetheredhisshiptooneofthelargerrocksonHudalla’s
outerring.TheirX-wingsfloatedthroughthegradualrotationofthecountlesspiecesofdebrisinthefield,thesoftvioletglowofthatsystem’sdistantstarcastingstrangeshadows.Thesloworbitoftheringhadallowedthemtotaketheirpositionsfarenoughawaytoavoiddetection.Nowtheywerewithinscanningdistanceandcouldtakeallthereadingsandholostheyneeded,and
theydidn’tevenhavetoworryaboutbeingscannedinreturn.Withtheirshipsrunningonminimumpowerandwellconcealedbythering’sdebris,therewasalmostnochanceoftheirbeingspotted.
Almost.Thanehatedthatword.HeknewhowthoroughImperialofficersweretrainedtobe.Still,theoddswereontheirsideforachange.He’dtakeit.
“ThisisalmostaslargeastheattackfleettheysenttoHoth,”Yendorsaid,hisvoicecracklingoverthecomms.“DoyouthinktheygotsomebadinteltellingthemweputabaseononeofHudalla’smoons?”
Thaneanswered,“Ifso,you’dthinktheywould’vefiguredoutthemistakebynow.Butthey’vebeenherefordays,withmoreshipscominginallthetime.”
Whatweretheyupto?Thanekepttryingtocomeupwithananswerandfailing.Ifanewhyperlanehadbeendiscoveredinthisareaofspace,theirsensorswouldhavedetecteditbynow.IftheEmpirewereplanninganattack,itwouldn’tneedthismuchtimetoassemble.Nocriticalelementscouldbeminedfromanyoftheplanetsormoonsinthissystem.Themysteryseemedcomplete.
He’daskedforthejoboftallyingsinglestarfighters—anenormouslydetailedandirritatingtask,sothesquadronhadbeenhappyenoughtoletThanehandleit.TheworkkepthimtoooccupiedtothinkmuchabouttheoddsofCienabeingpartofafleetthatlargeortofindoutwhichspecificStarDestroyershadgatheredthere.
It’sliketheybroughtall
theseshipstogetherjusttoshowoff,Thanethoughtsourlyashecontinuedhiscalculations,addinginnewpiecesofdataashissensorsprovidedit.Whyshowoffinthemiddleofnowhere,withoutanybodyaroundtoseeyou?Whatcouldcallforadisplaythisostentatious,aconcentrationoftheImperialfirepowerinaplacewhereitcoulddonogood?
Thenhishandsfroze,
allowinglongscrollsofnumberstospillby.Thanecursedunderhisbreathasherealizedwhatthiswas.
TheEmpiredisplayeditspoweroften,withadegreeoftheatricalityhe’dfoundabsurdevenwhenhe’dbeenapartofit.Butitneverdidsowithoutreason.MostoftenashowofstrengthwasmeanttointimidatethepeoplewholivedunderImperialcontrol,butsometimesofficersand
shipsmadeapointofdisplayingtheirpowertoimpresstheirsuperiors.Thegreaterthenumberofmenorshipsputatacommander’sdisposal,themoreimportantthatcommanderwas.
Thisfleethadbeenassembledtoprovesomeone’simportance.Onlyonepersoninthegalaxywouldmeritthismuchattention,firepower,andawe.
Hewhispered,“The
Emperor.”
CIENAHADNOTregularlyflownTIEfightersduringthepastcoupleofyears,sowhenshereceivedasummonstoreporttothemaindockingbay,shewasbothsurprisedandpleased.Maybesheneededtospend
sometimeflyingthroughthestars;thenshemightfeellikeherselfagain.
Whenshe’dsuitedupintheblackarmor,Cienawalkedintothebaywithherhelmetunderonearmtoseetheotherthreepilotsshe’dbeflyingwith—twostrangersandNashWindrider.Hegrinnedlikeaboywhenherecognizedher.“Whatadelighttobeflyingwithyouagain,CommanderRee.I
hadn’tthoughtyouwouldstillloweryourselftoservingalongsidethelikesofus.”
“Hush.”Sheriskedasmile;Nashseemedtobeteasingherasafriend,notasawould-belover.Thesoonertheyskatedpastthat,thebetter.“Youknow,I’vealwayswonderedhowyoumanagetopilotTIEsatall.Howdoyoufit?”
“I’llhaveyouknowthatIamfullyonecentimeter
belowthemaximumheightforTIEpilots.TIEsaremorecrampedthanawarship,Iadmit,butwhatisn’t?You,ontheotherhand,arefarmorecompactandshouldfoldupnicely.”
“I’mnotthatshort!”NomatterhowmanytimesCienaprotestedaboutthis,nobodyeverseemedtobelieveher,ortheirowneyes.
Nashopenedhismouthforhisnextjab,then
straightenedasAdmiralPiettstrodetowardthem.Theyallcametoattention,helmetsfacingout.
Piettdidn’tbotherwithpreamble.“ScanshavepickedupsomestrangereadingsontheouteredgeofHudalla’sring,includinglifeforms.Possiblyit’snomorethanmetaloresandmynocks.However,ifwehavesomespieslurkingoutthere—well.Youknowwhattodo.”
“Aye,sir,”theysaidinunison.Everyonesalutedandturnedonthebeat,readytoboardtheirships.ButPiettsaid,“Ree,Ineedtohaveawordwithyou.”
Sheturnedback,againatattention.WhywouldPiettneedtospeakwithherspecifically?Herimaginationconjuredvisionsofpsychologicalinterrogations;theywhisperedthatthequestionerscouldsensethe
momentanyonebegantoturntraitor.Hadtheypickeduponherdoubt?
Instead,Piettsaid,“Youhaveanadditionalassignmentonthisflight.”
“Yes,sir?”“Thosearen’tmynocksin
theplanetaryring.They’realmostcertainlyrebelspies.”
Cienanodded,hidingherconsternation.ItmadenosenseforhimtogiveherthisintelandconcealitfromNash
andtheotherTIEpilots.“We’lltakecareofit,sir.”
Pietthelduponewarningfinger.“Oneoftherebelsmustescape.You’retoseetoitthatatleastoneofthepilotsmanagestomakeittohyperspace.Beyondthat,it’sirrelevantwhethertherestliveordie.”
Shewasconfusedforamoment,butthensheunderstood.SeniorfleetcommandwantedtheRebel
AlliancetoknowthatalargeportionoftheImperialStarfleetwasassembling.Why,Cienacouldn’tyetguess.Itdidn’tmatter.She’dbeenentrustedwithadifficultanddemandingtask—andasecretone.Thatmeanthersuperiorsdidn’tdoubther;ifanything,theyheldherinhigheresteemthanever.
Allshe’dhadtodowasdenyhermother’sinnocence.
Cienatriedtocastthat
thoughtfromherhead.“Considerithandled,AdmiralPiett.”
Henodded,dismissingher,andsheheadedtohership.Climbingintothepilot’sseatcameasarelief.Shedidn’thavetothinkabouthermotheranylonger;shewouldn’tbehauntedbyhergrowingdoubtsabouttheEmpire.Sensorsneededtobechecked,thehatchsealed,weaponsreadied.Soonshe
couldflyandforgetallhertroublesindoingwhatshedidbest.
Nash’svoicecameoverthecomm.“Preparedfortakeoff,L-P-Eight-Eight-Eight?”
Cienaloweredtheblackhelmetoverherhead.Nowshehadnoface,noidentity.NownothingremainedofherbutherdutytotheEmpire.“Ready.”
Amongthemanyproblemswithflyingonminimumpower:heatinsidethecabindroppedseverely—notenoughtoendangeranyone’slifebutenoughtobeextremelyuncomfortable.Thane’sbreathhadbeguntomakesmallfrostcrystalsontheedgeofhishelmet’svisor.
AsifhecouldreadThane’smind,Smikessaidovercomms,“Weshould’vewornwinteruniformsforthis
trip.”“Affirmative,Corona
Three,”Yendorreplied.“IcoulddowithmyoldHothparkarightaroundnow.”
TheContessaadded,“AndImissmyfurcoats.Butholdsteady.Inaboutanhour,we’llorbitfarenoughfromtheImperialconvoytoslipoutofhere.”
“Holdingsteady,CoronaLeader,”Thanesaid.Hehadnotyetsharedhistheory
abouttheEmperorwiththerestofCoronaSquadron;iftrue,itwasinformationtoosensitiveforanyopencommchannel.Andafteronlyafewminutes’consideration,hefeltpositivehishunchwasright.YetknowingthattheseshipshadbeenmassedtoformaconvoyfortheEmperorraisedanotherhostofquestions.IthadbeenmanyyearssincePalpatinewaslastseenoffCoruscant.
Whatwoulddrawhimawayfromtheseatofgalacticpower—andwherewashegoing?
Andifthismanyshipshadmassedinoneplace,thatmeantelsewhereinthegalaxy,theImperialfleetmightbestretchedthin.Widelydispersed,atanyrate.Thane’sadrenalinespikedasherealizedtheEmpire’suselessshowofstrengthheremighthavecreated
weaknesseselsewhere.WeaknessestheRebellioncouldturntoitsadvantage…
Hissensorsbegantoflash,andheswore.“We’vegotTIEfightersincoming.Icountfour.”
“Anychanceit’sarandompatrol?”Kendyasked.
Possible.Butnotprobable.TheTIEfighterscameclosereverysecond.
Thanesaid,“I’vegota
badfeelingaboutthis.”
“DoyouseewhatIsee?”Nashsoundeddelighted,asiftheywereheadedtowardapartyinsteadofintocombat.
Cienabitherlowerlipasshestudiedherreadings.“Ireadfiveships,probablystarfighters.SofarIcan’tIDshipmodels,butI’dguesswe’relookingatX-wingsorY-wings.”Whileahandfulof
thosestarfightersremainedincivilianhands,bynowX-wingsandY-wingswereusedalmostsolelybytheRebelAlliance.Piett’sintelhadbeencorrect;theTIEpatrolwouldmoveintoattackmodeatanymoment.
Outoffiveships,sheneededatleastonesurvivor.
Thatwouldbemosteasilyaccomplishedbyhavingfivesurvivorsandavoidingcombataltogether.Nashand
theotherpilotsweretoosmarttomistakewhattheywereseeingforsomethingelse,whichmeantifshewantedtoavoidadogfight,herbestbetwastoflushouttherebelsintimeforthemtoescape.
Shesaid,“IfIbreakuponeofthelargerasteroidsintheplanetaryring,wecouldgetbetterreadings.”
Oneoftheotherpilotsobjected.“Thenthey’llknow
we’rehere!”“Tentoonetheyknowit
bynow.Theirsensorsarenearlyasadvancedasours.”Cienaputherblack-glovedhandsonthecontrols,feelingtheredtriggerbuttonunderherthumb.
“It’sabadidea,”Nashsaid.“Wedon’tneedfurtherreadings,andatthisdistance,they’dhavetimetomakethejumpintohyperspacebeforewecouldengagethem.”
Somuchforthatplan.Nowatleastoneofthe
rebelships—andpossiblyfourofthem—wouldhavetobedestroyed,allforthesakeofsometacticalmasquerade.TheymightwellloseaTIEfighterintheprocess.
Moreuselessdeath.Morefutility.Morewaste.
TheTIEfighterswereunquestionablyzeroinginon
theirlocation.Combatseemedcertain.
TheContessaordered,“Allwings,disengagetethersandreturntofullpower.”
“Don’tthinkwecanescapefromthisposition,CoronaLeader,”Yendorsaid,evenassensorsshowedhimcomplying.
“Wecan’t.They’recominginforafight.”Thanepressedthecontrolsthatbroughthisshipbacktofull
life,thecockpitlightingupinredandgold.“Weaponsready?”
Yendorreportedinfirst.“CoronaTwoready.”
“CoronaThreeready,”Smikesconfirmed.
“CoronaFourready.”Thanekepthiseyesonthesensorsashespoke,incasetheTIEsacceleratedintoattackmode.
AndKendyfinished,“CoronaFiveready.”
ThanebracedhimselfastheContessasaid,“Allwehavenowistheelementofsurprise.Let’stakethefighttothem.”
Cienahadexpectedtherebelstarfighterstoremainhiddenaslongastheypossiblycouldinhopeofavoidingdetection—whichwaswhyshewasastonishedwhenfiveX-wingsburstoutofthe
planetaryringandheadedstraightfortheTIEfighters.
“Evasiveaction!”sheshouted,swingingherTIEaroundtoavoidtheirmainweaponsrange.Therebelshadthemoutnumbered—nodoubtbyPiett’sdesign.Thatimbalancewouldgiveoneormoreoftherebelshipsagoodchancetoescape.Shecouldn’tstandtheunfairnessofaskingTIEpilotstorisktheirlivesinanattempttokill
peopletheEmpirewantedtokeepalive.
Howcouldshepossiblydelayadogfightonthevergeofhappeningthissecond?
Cienaadjustedhercommsuntilshehitbroadcastmode—amultifrequencysignalthatwouldsupersedeallothersinthearea,projectinghervoiceintoeveryshipcloseenoughtohear,includingthoseX-wings.“Unidentifiedvessels,”she
said.“Youarenotauthorizedtoflyinthissector.Pleasereportyourship’sidentificationcodesandthesystemunderwhichyouarelicensedoryouwillbetakenintocustody.Resistandyouwillbedestroyed.”
ShecouldimagineNash’sconsternation,butshehadn’tviolatedprotocol.Insteadshehadfollowedtheprocedureforunknownvessels,usuallysmall-timesmugglersor
pleasurecruisersgoneastray.Iftherebelshadthegoodsensetolie,thedogfightmightbestalledforaminuteortwo,longenoughforthemtogetaway.
ExceptNashwasalreadybringinghisTIEInterceptorupandaroundtocutofftheirmostlikelyescaperoute,andherplanwasruined.
Damn,Cienathought—beforeanothervoicecameoverthecommsandturned
herangerintohorror.Thanesaid,“Thisgalaxy
isn’tbigenough.”
MaybeCienawasright.MaybetheForcewasbringingthemtogether,overandover.
Ifso,Thanedecided,theForcehadasicksenseofhumor.
HehadnoideahowCienawouldanswer—whether
she’dsticktoofficialprocedureorshe’dspeaktohimasahuman,thewayhe’dspokentoher.Whenthecommunitcrackled,hetensed,butthefamiliarvoicecomingthroughwasn’tCiena’s.
“ThaneKyrell?”NashWindrider’sincredulitycamethroughloudandclear.“You’realive?”
“Hello,oldfriend.”Thanerefusedtolethimselfbe
overwhelmed.Cienawasrightthere—inoneofthoseTIEfighterssoaringtowardhim—andNashwasthere,too,andthiswasthelastfightheeverwantedtobein.Kendyhadtobebesideherself,butunliketherestofthem,shehadthegoodsensetokeephermouthshut.
ButCienasurelyfeltthesameway.Nashwould,too.MaybethisconfusionwouldbuyCoronaSquadronthe
timetheyneededtogetaway.Thane’sviewfinder
blurredwithmovement,andhiseyeswidenedasherealizedsomeonehadjustacceleratedaTIEfightertotopspeed.
“Ithoughtyouweredead,”Nashsaid,eachwordlowerandmoreragged.“Youwouldhavebeenbetteroffthatway.”
Somuchforthereunion.
Oneoftherebelsgetstolive.Cienaseizedontothat
factlikeatowlinethatcouldtakehertosafety.SavingThane’slifedidn’tviolateherduty;itwasherduty.Oneoftherebelshadtomakeitoutofthere,andsheintendedtouseeverythingshehadtomakesurehewasthesurvivor.
ButthatmeantshehadtostopNash,withouthisrealizingit.
Nashhadviolatedprotocolbyinitiatingbattlewithoutherorder,butnoonewouldreprimandhimfortargetingrebelshipsatanytime,inanyway.AlreadytheothertwoTIEshadacceleratedtoswoopinrightonhistail.CienathrewherownTIEintomaximumspeedandsethercourse.
IfIcomeinfromabove,itwilllooklikeI’mtriangulatingourweapons.If
Ichoosetherightangle,though,IcangetinNash’swayandstophisfire.
Itdidn’toccurtoCienatoworryaboutThanegettingblastedbeforeshehadachancetointervene.Inadogfight,superiorpilotingkeptyoualive—andnobodycouldeveroutflyhim.Nobodybesidesher…
Theengine’sroarfilledthecockpit,evenpenetratingherthickblackhelmet.Ciena
soareduphighenoughthattheviewfindershowedhertheX-wingsandthedebrisoftheplanetaryringassomuchglowingconfettion-screen—butasshediveddowntowardthem,theshapestookformagain.AlltheX-wingswerenowinfullevasiveaction,butoneofthemmovedwithmoreagility,executingaperfectspinthatthreadedthroughtheouteredgeofthering.Shetookadeepbreath
tosteadyherself.HerjobwasclearnowthatsheknewwhichshipbelongedtoThane.
ButNashhadtoknowit,too.
Thanewovehiswaythroughtheplanetaryring,trustingintheasteroidstotakeafewoftheblastsforhim.“Incomingfromvectoreight-one-two-eight—”Smikessounded
desperate.“Heavyfire!Agreenblasterbolt
shatteredarocksoclosetoThane’sX-wingthatsomeofthedebrissprayedthecockpit;foroneinstant,heimagineditshattering,exposinghimtothefatalvacuumofspace.Itheld.
“Everyonemovetopreestablishedhyperdrivecoordinates!”theContessaordered.
Thaneadded,“Forget
formations,gettherehoweveryoucan!”Formationflyingsometimesprovidedprotection—butinasituationlikethis,scatteringwouldgivethemachancetogetatleastacoupleofpeopletosafety.
Greenblasterfiresurroundedhim,andhefeltthetelltalejoltthatmeanthe’dbeenhit.Thaneheldhisbreathforthesecondsittooktoseethecontrolpanels
holdingsteady—noncriticaldamage.Thenexttimeheprobablywouldn’tbeaslucky.
“Rebelscum,”Nashsnarled.“Ican’tbelieveyou’deverstoopsolow.”
“Ican’tbelieveyou’restillwiththeEmpire,”Thaneretorted.“Theydestroyedyourplanet,Nash!Theykilledyourentirefamily!Howcanyou—”
“NeverspeakofAlderaan
tome!”BynowNash’sfuryhaddrivenhisvoicehalfwaytoascream.“Never!”
OnThane’sviewscreenhesawtheothermembersofCoronaSquadronlockedinbattlewithtwooftheTIEfighters—buttheyhadtheImperialswelloutnumberedbecausetwooftheTIEswereonlycomingafterThane.Hemusthavebeenwronglyidentifiedastheleader.
Whichoneofthegreen
blursonhisscreenwasCiena’sship?Wouldhekillherorseesomeoneelsedoitinfrontofhiseyes?OrmaybethiswasthedayshewouldfinallychoosetheEmpireoverhimbytakinghislife.
ThenaTIEfightercamedownfromabove,socloseThanesawitthroughthecockpitasclearlyasthroughhistargetingdevice—flyingbetweenhimandNash.
Theknowledgehithimsohardhischesthurt:Cienawastryingtosavehim.
“Getoutofmyway!”NashshoutedatCiena.
“Idon’ttakeordersfromyou,Lieutenant.”ShefiredinthegeneraldirectionofThane’sshipbutfiredtomiss.
OnherscreenshesawoneoftheTIEfightersvanish
—anotherpilotlostfornoreason—andthenthequickblurthatindicatedatleasttwooftherebelshipshadleapedintohyperspace.ThenoneoftheX-wingsvanishedaswell;theEmpirehaditsfirstkillofthebattle.
ThanewouldbeheadingdirectlytothecoordinateswherethefirstX-wingshadgoneintohyperspace.Cienaquicklyshiftedtrajectoryagain,intoabelievableangle
forattackbutonethatyetagainwouldinterferewithNash’stargeting.Shewasbetweenthemagain,shieldingThanewithherownship.
Nashfiredanyway.Hedidn’thither—butthe
boltscamecloseenoughtosetoffeverywarningsignal.Thelightsinhercockpitflashedred.Cienaswore.
WasNashangryenoughatThanetokillhimevenifhe
hadtogothroughCienafirst?
ThanesawtheopportunityCienahadgivenhimandtookit.Atfullpowerhespedtowardthecoordinates—sawthelastoftheotherX-wingsshudderintohyperspacejustinfrontofhim—andpreparedforthejumptolightspeed.
HeyearnedtosaysomethingtoCienabeforeheleft.Anything.Sheneededto
knowthatherealizedwhatshehaddoneforhim,andwhatitmeant.
ButsayinganythingwouldonlyexposehertoNashandtheotherTIEpilot.Cienahadprotectedhim;itwashisturntoprotectherbyremainingsilent.
BoltsrakedhisX-wing,andthistimehe’dtakendamage—butnottolifesupportorhyperdrive,sotohellwithit.Thaneset
coordinates,puthishandonthecontrol,andwentforit.
Thestarselongatedintoaninfinitetunnelashespedaway,leavingCienabehind.
ThaneallowedhimselfafewmomentsofsilenceafterwardbeforecheckinginwithCoronaSquadron.“CoronaFourreportingin.Howarewedoing?”
“Confirmed,CoronaFour,”theContessaanswered,hervoiceheavy.
“WelostSmikes.”Smikes—wary,
pessimistic,andyetsocourageous.Thanerealizedhehadnevermadeitclearhowmuchheadmiredthemandespitehiscurmudgeonlydemeanor;nowhewouldneverhavethechance.
“Hey,”Yendorsaidquietly.“ThatwasyourCienabackthere,wasn’tit?”
“Yeah.”
“Isawwhatshedidforyou.So—IgetwhyyouwenttoJelucannow.”
Kendyadded,“Youwereright,Thane.She’sstillCiena.”
ItwastheclosestthingtoanapologyThanewouldevergetforthewaytheothershadshunnedhim,anditwasmorethanhedeserved.
WasCienaintroublenow?Wouldtheyquestionher?Thanewonderedifshe
wouldhavetofacetheEmpire’sinterrogators.Thethoughthorrifiedhim.
Butifanyonewassmartenoughtocomeupwithanexplanationandsaveherself,itwasCiena.Hehadtobelieveinher.
CienatookherTIEfighterinwithoutexchangingonemorewordwithNashWindrider.Nodoubthewouldbelivid;
hewouldreporthertoPiettimmediately.
Thankfully,shecouldsayshehadbeenactingunderorders,andPiettwouldneverknowthedifference.Itoccurredtoher,however,thatPiettmightnotacknowledgetheordershe’dgivenher.Ifthemission’sobjectivehadtoremaincompletelysecret,wouldshebesacrificed,too?WouldtheEmpireexecutealoyalofficerforherloyaltyif
itfurtheredtheirends?OnceCienawouldhave
believedthattobeimpossible.Notanylonger.
Sheremovedherhelmet,tookadeepbreath,andunlockedherhatch.Whateverwouldbefallhernext,shehadnochoicebuttofaceit.
AsshehoppeddownfromtheTIE,shesawNashstridingtowardher,hiseyesblazingwithanger.Cienafoundherselfwishingfora
blaster.InsteadshestoodhergroundasNashcameuptoher,lookedherintheface,andgatheredherinhisarms.
“Ican’tbelievehedidthattoyou,”Nashsaid.“Knowingyoulovedhim,toleaveyoulikethat—tofakehisdeathandputyouthroughyearsofanguish—it’sbeneathcontempt.”
CienasimplyhuggedNashbackaswellasshecouldmanagewithbothof
themstillwearingarmor.Shewasgratefulforthechancetohideherfaceagainsthischest.
“Forgivemeforshoutingatyou.Irealizenowyoumusthavebeensoshaken,soheartbroken—well,itwouldaffectanyone’sflying,evenyours.YouwereevenmoreeagertokillThanethanIwas.”Nashsighedashepulledbackfarenoughtolookherintheface.The
angershe’dseenbeforehadmeltedintopity.“Ishouldhaveletyoudothehonors.IfI’dbeenthinkingstraight,Iwouldhave.”
“Ijustcan’tbelieveit,”Cienasaid,whichwasbothtrueandsafe.
“Thatlowlife.Weneverreallyknewhimatall,didwe?”Nashstraightenedup.“Right,then.We’llhavetoreportin.Thiswon’tgowell.”
Itdidn’t.Theywereshoutedatforsometimeabouttheirfailuretodestroyalltherebelships;PiettacknowledgedCiena’ssecretsuccesswithonlyanodattheend,whennobodyelsewaslooking.Afterward,Cienastrippedoffherarmor,tookaquickshower,andtriedtocalmherthoughts.
Thanecouldhavediedtoday.Nashwouldhavekilledhim.
ShakenasshewastohaveencounteredThaneincombat,Cienawascomfortedbytheknowledgethathe’dgottenawaysafely.Iftheynevermetagain,hislastmemoryofherwouldbethemomentshe’dsavedhislife.Asshestoodtherebeneaththewarmwater,handsbracedagainstthemetal-tiledwalls,shedecidedshecouldbearthat.
ButNash?Howcouldhe
havebeensohomicidallyfuriousatThane?Sheunderstoodthesenseofbetrayal—shehadfeltittoo,thedayshe’drealizedThanehadjoinedtheRebelAlliance.Evenwhenshehadalmosthatedhim,though,shehadstilllovedhim,too.WhereasNashhadmournedhisfriendforyears,discoveredhewasalive,andinstantlybeenreadytokillhim.
Thatwasn’tloyaltytotheEmpire.Thatwas…fanaticism.
Theenginesshiftedagain,changingtheslightvibrationbeneathherfeet.They’djustcomeoutofhyperspace.Cienawaschagrinedtorealizeshe’dbeensocaughtupinherownthoughtsthatshehadn’tevennoticedwhentheywenttohyperspaceinthefirstplace.
Shetoweledoffand
tuggedonheroff-shiftjumpsuitsoshecouldgetalookatwhatwasgoingon.Arowoftriangularwindowslinedthewallclosesttothehead,soCienacouldsimplylookoutsideforherself.Noothershipshadmadethejourneywiththem,itseemed.WhywouldtheyeverleavetheImperialconvoy?
TomakesomethingreadyfortheEmperor’sarrival.Thatwastheobviousanswer.
Butwhat?Cienaturnedherhead,studyingtheentirestarfield,andsawthattheyweredrawingnearaplanet,oneorbitedbyalargemoonsogreenandcloudythatsheassumeditwasrichwithforestlife.Andyetsomethingseemedtobeorbitingthatmoon,somethingvastanddark—
Thensherealizedwhatshewaslookingatandgasped.
Itcan’tbe.Theywouldneverdothatagain.
Buttheyhad.Cienacouldn’tdenywhatshesaw—
—asecondDeathStar.
CIENA’SHANDSHADgonenumb,butstillshestoodthere,palmsagainstthewindow,staringatthenewDeathStar.
Whywouldtheyeverbuildanotherone?Itwasonlytostopthewarbeforeit
began—anditfailed—sowhy?
Sheknewtheanswerbutcouldnotyetacceptit.Insteadshestaredatthemassivehulkofthespacestation,whichonlyseemedtogrowlargerastheExecutordrewclose.Cienahadoftenwonderedhowsuchagargantuanstructurecouldbebuiltinthefirstplace;eventheenormousresourcesoftheEmpirehadtobestrainedby
theconstructionofsomethingthesizeofalargemoon.Nowshecouldseetheprocessforherself,becausethisDeathStarhadnotyetbeencompleted.Greatsectionsremainedunfinished,andshecouldstareintothegutsofthething,anuglycrosshatchofbeamsandstrutssurroundingdeep,hollowdarkness.
HerownwordsinaValentiacantinaechoedin
hermemory,tauntingher:TheEmperorandtheMoffshavetosee,now,thatdestroyingAlderaandidnogood.Itdidn’tstoptheRebellion.…TheonlyreasontoattackAlderaanwastopreventanevenmoredevastatingwar.Thewarhasbegunanyway.It’stoolatetosavethegalaxyfromthat.
Nootherreasoncouldeverjustifythedestructionofanentireplanet,orthedeaths
ofbillionsofpeople.OnlybyrestoringgalacticpeacecouldtheEmpireredeemthosedeaths.
Butnowmoreworldswouldbedestroyedfornoreason—excepttocausepainandfear.
Maybethey’redoingthistofinallyendthewar,Cienathought.Buttheexcusewastoofeebleforhertobelieveevenforaninstant.IftheRebellionhadn’tbeencowed
bythedestructionofAlderaan,thenthedeathsofotherplanetswouldn’tstopit,either.Instead,thiswouldincitemorepeopletojointherebelcause.Thiswouldn’tendthewar;itwouldintensifyitbeyondallimagining.
WheneverCienahadanightmareaboutAlderaan,shescouredawayherdoubtsbyrememberingJude.Herfriend’slosshadalways
helpedCienabalancethescalesinhermind—torecallthatmassivedeathanddestructionhadbeencausedbybothsidesintheconflict.Today,however,shecouldonlythinkthatifJudehadseenthesecondDeathStar,shewouldhaverecoiledfromit.
Shewouldneverhavewantedthisdoneinhername.Never.
Thecoldhadleached
throughtoCiena’sbones.Finally,shepulledherachinghandsbackfromthewindow,rubbingtheminhopesofrestoringbloodflow.Butnomatterhowhardshetried,shecouldn’tgetwarmagain.
OncehershuttlefromtheExecutorhaddockedontheDeathStar,Cienacouldseeforherselfhowmuchhadinfactbeencompleted.From
theoutside,theenormousunfinishedhemispheredominatedtheview.Inside,however,theywereanchoredbyawhollyfunctionaltractorbeam,disembarkedontoadeckthatwasnotonlyfinishedbutpolished,andwalkedintoaspacestationasadvancedasanyotherintheImperialStarfleet.TheyhadpreparedwellfortheEmperor’sarrival.
“Sowe’refinallysenior
enoughtogettoseetheEmperorhimself.”Berissecoveredhermouthwithherfingers,tryingandfailingtoconcealasmile.“Idon’tknowwhatI’msoexcitedabout.We’llbecrowdedinwithanotherfewthousandofficers.Probablywe’llhaveaworseviewthanthebackrowatapodracingarena.”
Nashhad,asusual,falleninstepbesidethem.Eversincethedogfightinthe
Hudallasystem,hehadbeenmoreattentivetoCienathanever.“Still,we’llbeabletotellourgrandchildrenaboutthedaywesawPalpatineforourselves.Andabigceremony—well,itmakesawelcomechange,doesn’tit?Justwhatyouneeded,Ciena.Somethingtocheeryouup.”
She’dbeenhearingvariationsonthateversinceHudalla.Theironywasthatshedidhaveabrokenheart—
justnotforthereasonshebelieved.
YetthatminorirritationhardlymatterednexttoCiena’sconsternation.HowcantheytalkabouttheceremonyfortheEmperor?Howdoesanyofthatmattercomparedwiththefactwe’restandinginsideaDeathStar?
Thenshecheckedherself.Yes,theywerestandinginsideaDeathStar,surroundedbyhundredsof
otherofficers—somestationedthere,othersfromtheadvancevesselssenttoreadyanappropriateceremonyfortheEmperor’sarrival.Surelysomeofthemsharedherdoubts,butotherswouldnot.Publiclyvoicingheroppositionwouldsendherstraighttothebrig.Shecouldlearnfromherfriends’self-control.
SoCienaremainedquietuntilthethreeofthem
miraculouslywoundupaloneinalift.Hercommand-tracktraininghadtaughtherthatlisteningdeviceswererarelyputinmilitaryliftsduetofrequencychanges,sotalkingtherewaslikelysafe.Assoonasthedoorsslidshut,shesaid,“Ican’tbelievetheybuiltanotherDeathStar.”
Berisseshruggedassheleanedagainstthewall,nolongermilitaryproper.“Ican’tbelievetheydiditthis
soon.Howlongdoesittaketoconstructoneofthese?TheymusthavestartedrightaftertheBattleofYavin.Goodforthem.”
Cienarefusedtobelieveshe’dheardthatright.“…goodforthem?”
“Well,wehadtorebuildtheDeathStar.Imean,comeon!”Berisse’sfrownrevealedhowconfusedshewasbyCiena’sreaction.“Thesinglebiggestandmostpowerful
stationeverconstructedingalactichistory,anditgetsblownupbyrebelscum?Re-creatingtheDeathStaristheonlywaywecouldeverhonorourpeoplewhodiedatYavin.Ifwehadn’trebuiltit,thentheterroristswouldhavewon.”
“Youdon’tseemtoagree,Ciena.”Nash’stonewaslight,butshecouldseehowintentlyhewaslookingather.“Whatdoyouthink?”
Sherealizedshe’dbeguntosweat.“Ithink—Ithinkthatifwe’vebuiltaDeathStar,weplantouseit.Thatanotherworldwilldie,justlikeAlderaandid.”
Berissescoffed.“Noway.Oncethestation’scompleteandwordgetsout?NobodywilleverdefytheEmperorlikethatagain.TheRebellion’sgoingtomeltaway.Waitandsee.”
EvenamidstCiena’smost
painfuldoubtsaboutImperialtactics,shehadbelievedthatruleoflawwasalwaysbetterthanchaos—evenwhenthatlawwasharsh.ButthefutureBerissedescribedwasnotruleoflaw.Itwasrulebyfear,andthereforetyranny.EventhedarkestatrocitiesoftheCloneWarsdidnotcomparewiththedestructionofaninhabitedworld.
AndwhatdiditmeanthatCienawasafraidtosaythat
outloud,eventoherclosestfriends?
Shetriedtofindtherightwordstomakethemunderstand.“WhenAlderaanwasdestroyed,wethoughtitwouldforcetheRebelliontosurrender.Thatwecouldpreventthiswar.Butwe’vebeenatwarforthreeyearsanyway.”AndifsomeoneascynicalasThanecanfindrebelleaderstofollowandadmire,theRebelAlliance
won’tvanishaseasilyasyouthink.“Don’tyousee?Thosetacticsdidn’twork.Ifthisstationisn’tusedtoprotecttheEmpire’scitizensfromwar,thenhowcanwejustifyit?”
Nashstoodupstraighter,hiseyesnarrowing.Whenheansweredher,hisvoicegaveherchills.“AreyousayingthatAlderaanwasdestroyedinvain?Fornothing?”
Cienaheldupherhands.
“Nash,please,Idon’tmeanto—”
“Listentome,”hesaid.“AlderaanhadtodiefortheEmpire’struepowertobeacknowledged.Myhomeworld’sendwasalsotheendoftheImperialSenate,theendofthecountlesspettypowerstrugglesthathadplaguedPalpatine’searlyreign.OnlythenwastheEmpire’struestrengthrevealed.”
Hisgazehadbecomeglazed,almostunfocused,likethatofsomeonesufferingfromafever.ThiswaswhathisfacemusthavelookedlikeduringtheHudalladogfight.
Nashcontinued,“Thiswarisonlytheaftermathoftheconflictsthathaverackedthegalaxyduringthepastcentury,thefinaluselessgaspofthosewhowouldopposeus.Throughsheerstupid
luck,therebelsmanagedtodestroythefirstDeathStar.ByrebuildingtheDeathStar,andusingitasmanytimesasnecessarytorestoreorder,weprovethattheirluckonlygoessofar.Weprovethatwearetheonlygalacticauthorityandalwayswillbe.”
TheliftdoorsslidopentothedeckofthesmallerdockingbaythatwouldsoonwelcometheEmperor.Countlessofficersfilledthe
corridors,acrushthatprecludedanyhopeofspeakingfreely.Cienafeltvulnerable.Anyofthesepeoplecouldandwouldexposeherasatraitor—evenhertwobestfriends.
ThenNash’shandsclosedgentlyaroundhershoulders.“You’restillnotyourself,”hesaid.“AfterlearninghowThaneliedtoyou,ofcourseyou’resecond-guessingwhoyoucantrust,maybeeven
what’sreal.”“Thatdogfightwasoneof
theworstmomentsofmylife,”shesaid.Atleastshecouldsaythatwithtotalhonesty.
“Trustinyourservice.Trustinus.Aboveall,trustintheoathyoutookwhenwegraduatedfromtheacademy.Yourintegritydefinesyou,Ciena.Youwon’tgowrongifyouonlystaytrue.”Nashsmileddownatherintheway
thatusuallymadeherthinkupanexcusetoleavetheroom.Thesamecrushshe’dtriedsohardtodiscouragehadbecomeherbestshieldagainstachargeoftreason.
Berisse,meanwhile,hadalreadymovedon.“Whatarewewaitingfor?TheEmperor’sshuttlewillbeheresoon.Let’sgetittogether!”
Duringthenextcoupleofhoursofinstructionsand
formations,Cienastoodseparatelyfromherfriends;commandershadamarginallybetterposition,thoughhundredsofcaptains,admirals,andtopgunnersstillstoodinfrontofher.Numbly,shedidwhateverwasaskedofher,shiftingpositionastheorganizersthoughtbetterofit.Atleastitwassomethingtodo.Shetriedtooccupyhermindbyobservingthepowerplayamongthevarious
membersofthetopbrass,buteventhatdidn’thelp.Seeinghowpettytheirconcernswere,andhowoftentheybetrayedfearofLordVader’sanger,onlyremindedCienathattheImperialStarfleetshe’dservedwasnottheoneshe’dbelievedinallthistime.
Finally,thehourcame.LordVaderstrodeout,blackcapebillowingbehindhim;fromadistance,thewhiteshuttlecraftlookedlikeastar.
Asitcamecloser,Cienacouldseethedistinctivegraystripeonitsnose,themarkingthatinformedeveryonethiswastrulytheEmperorarriving.
ToCiena’ssurprise,LordVaderbowedasfiguresbegantodescendfromtheshuttle.Noneoftheotherofficerswererequiredtobow.Whatcouldthatmean?ButthequestionwaswipedfromhermindasEmperor
Palpatinecameintoview.Palpatine’sfaceappeared
oncountlessholoseverysingleday.LikeanyoneelseintheEmpire,shecouldhavedescribedhimaswellasshecouldmembersofherownfamily.Hairalmostentirelygraybutstillthick,facebetrayingonlytheslightestlinesofcareandtime,hisposturestraight,hiseyessharp.Inotherwords,thefaceshowntotheworldhad
nothingtodowiththereality.Ciena’seyeswidenedasshetookinthefacehisheavyhooddidnotentirelyconceal—theunnaturalpalenessofhisskin,theinhumanfoldsandwrinkles.Hewalkedthroughthebaywithhisbackhunchedandwithoutsomuchasawordorglancetowardthehundredsofloyalofficersassembledtogreethim.
Don’tbepetty.Sohe’sgrownolder.That’sonly
natural!AndsurelytheEmperorhasotherthingsonhismindthansomesillyceremony—
Therationalizationsdidn’twork.WhatshookCienawasn’tmerelytheEmperor’sappearance;itwasthesenseofalmostdepthlessmalicethatradiatedfromhim,sostronglyshecouldhavereeled.Evenfromadistance,Palpatineawakenedinheraphysicaldread—
primitiveinstinctstellinghertoescapeorfight.
Onlyoneotherpersonhadevermadeherfeelthatway:DarthVader.CienahadalwaystoldherselfthatVaderwasanaberration,uniqueintheEmpire.Sofarasitwent,thatwastrue.Butthemostterrifyingthingabouthim,theconstantsenseofmalevolenceanddangerheinspired—thatwassharedbythemostpowerfulpersonin
thegalaxy.IsthiswhoI’vebeen
servingallalong?
Thisisabaddream.Didn’twork.Thanecould
feeltheironbenchbeneathhim,smellthegrease-and-ozonescentoftherepairbay.Everymundanedetailmadeitclearhewaswideawake.
Thisisatest.Adrill.TheAllianceleaderswanttofind
outwhatwe’ddowhenconfrontedwiththeworst-casescenario.
Noway.Theywouldn’triskpullingtogethertheentirerebelarmadaforameredrill.
Butifitwasn’tanightmareanditwasn’tadrill,itwastheundeniable,horribletruth:theEmpirehadbuiltasecondDeathStar.
Thanecouldthinkofwordsfromthreedozen
worldstodescribehowhefelt,eachepithetmoreobscenethanthelast.Buthelackedthebreathtospeakanyofthem.HecouldonlystareattherotatingholoinfrontoftheX-wingsquadronsastheyreceivedtheirbriefingfromGeneralMadine.
“Exactlyhowaretheygoingtotakecareoftheshieldgenerator?”Kendyasked.“They’llhavedozensoftroopersdownontheforest
moonofEndor,ifnothundreds—”
“GeneralSolowilltakeoverfromMajorLokmarcha,whowaskilledinaction.Solo’steamonthemoonofEndorwillhandletheshieldgenerator.Eachpersoninvolvedinthisassaulthasenoughtodoontheirownwithoutworryingaboutsomeoneelse’sjob,CoronaFive,”Madinesaidsternly.
Thanewhisperedto
Yendor,“WhothehellisGeneralSolo?”
“Youknow.HanSolo!CaptainoftheMillenniumFalcon?”
Theshipnamesoundedvaguelyfamiliar,butThanecouldn’tquiteplaceit.
Yendor’seyeswidenedwithdisbelief.“Comeon!He’soneoftheguyswhorescuedPrincessLeiafromthefirstDeathStar.Yourememberthat,right?”
“Iwasn’twiththeRebellionthen.Ididn’tjoinuntilrightbeforeHoth.”
“Oh.IguessCaptainSologotcapturedbyabountyhunterrightafterHoth.”Yendor’slekkudrooped.“Soyouwouldn’tknowhim—but,hey,he’soneofthebest.”
“Indeedheis,”interruptedGeneralMadine,whohadapparentlyoverheardtheirentire
conversation.BothThaneandYendorfacedforwardandsatupstraight.“GeneralSolowillbejoinedontheforestmoonstriketeambyPrincessLeiaOrganaandLukeSkywalker.They’llhavethatshielddown.”
LukeSkywalker,again.Thanemanagedtokeepfromrollinghiseyes.ButPrincessLeiaheadmired.Ifhecouldtrustanyone,hecouldtrusther.
GeneralMadinecontinued,“Meanwhile,GeneralCalrissianwillbeleadingthestarfightersdivingintothecoreoftheDeathStar.ThedispersaloftheImperialfleetgivesusthisunprecedentedchancetostrike.Duetotheunfinishedconstruction,thestation’smainreactorremainsexposedandvulnerable.AstriketeamshouldbeabletopenetratetheDeathStarandfireinto
thatreactor,settingoffachainreactionthatwilldestroythestationbeforeiteverhasachancetobecomeoperational.”
AndwhoisthisGeneralCalrissian?Thanedecidednottoaskthatquestionoutloud.IftheRebelAlliancewashappyturningoveritstwomostcriticalmissionsofalltimetoabunchofbrand-newgenerals,okay,fine—
“CoronaSquadron,your
missionistocoverGeneralCalrissianintheMillenniumFalconandtheotherstarfightersintheGold,Red,Green,andGraySquadronsastheypenetratetheDeathStar,”Madinecontinued.“ThefewerTIEfighterstheyhavetofightontheirwayin,thebettertheirchancesofacleanhitandagetawayfortheentirefleet.Thismeansyou’llbedealingwithTIEfirefrombothinsideand
outsidethespacestation,aswellaspotentiallong-rangefirefromanylargershipstheEmpirecandeploy.”
Atsomepointinthenearfuture,Thanefigured,hewouldcompletelyfreakoutatthethoughtofgoingintobattleagainstaDeathStar.Rightnow,hecouldhardlycomprehendtheexistenceofthedamnedthing.
HehadbelievedCienanaiveforarguingthatthe
Empirewouldneveragaintrytodestroyanotherworld.OnlynowdidThanerealizethat,onsomelevel,hehadbelievedit,too.ThethoughtofanotherAlderaanwastoomuchtowraphismindaround.Nomatterhowlongtheoddsagainstthem,theRebellionhadtoattack.Fromnowon,thiswasnotonlythemostimportantbattletheyhadtofight—itwastheonlybattlethatwouldevermatter.
Afterthebriefinghewalkedthroughthemainhangar,whichhadbecomeafrenzyofactivity.Althoughmanypilotswerecheckingouttheirships,othersweremakingapointofhuggingfriends,shakinghands.Sayinggood-bye,justincase.
ThanestoppedbytheMoafirst,whereheshookBrill’spawandMethwat’slong-fingeredhandandforoncehuggedLohgarraas
tightlyasshehuggedhim.ButonememberoftheMoa’screwturnedouttobewithCoronaSquadron.
“I’veneededanewastromechforawhile,”YendorsaidasJJH2wasloweredintopositionaboardtheX-wing.“Yousaidthisguyisthebest.”
JJH2beepedinquisitively,andThanesmiledatthelittledroiddespitehimself.“Yeah,IsaiditandImeantit.Take
careofeachotheroutthere,okay?”
AsYendorandJJH2checkedoutsystemstogether,Thaneclimbedintohisship.He’dalreadygivenhisX-wingathoroughgoing-overaftertheHudalladogfight;hehadnothingtodobutsitinhiscockpitandwaitfortheordertoflyintocombatagainstaDeathStar—whichsoundedalotlikecommittingsuicide.
TheRebelAlliancehadmanagedtodestroythefirstDeathStar,butthey’dgottenluckyandtheyhadtoknowit.Adesignflawwithanexhaustport?Whatweretheodds?Thaneshookhisheadasheimaginedit.AsaformerImperialofficer,heknewverywellhowthatkindofoversightwouldbepunished.NoengineerwhohadworkedonthesecondDeathStarwouldmakeasimilar
mistake.Thisstationwouldbeevenstrongerthanthefirst.
Foramomentherememberedbeingabrand-newgraduateoftheRoyalAcademyonCoruscant,flyingtowardhispostingontheDeathStar.Whenhehadfirstseenthestation,thesheerscaleofithadawedhimlikenothingbefore.HestillfounditdifficulttobelievethatthefirstDeath
Starhadfallen,orthatthesecondoneevercould.
Theold,cynicalvoiceinhisheadwhispered,Youknow,youcouldcutoutofhere.All-volunteermilitary,remember?
ButThanedidn’tlistentothatvoicemuchanymore.TheothermembersofCoronaSquadronandthecrewoftheMoawereascloseashehadtoafamilynow—maybetheclosesthe’deverhad.He
mightnotsharehiscomrades’wishfulthinking,buthe’dbedamnedifhe’dabandonthemontheeveofthemostdangerousbattlethey’deverfaced.
AndiftheEmpirewon,condemningthegalaxytoaneternityofitsharsh,corruptrule?
Thanedecidedhe’drathergodownfighting.
IthadbeentwodayssinceCienahadfirstseentheDeathStarandtheEmperor,andthosetwodayshadallbutdestroyedher.
Eachhorrifyingrealizationstruckheratadifferentmoment,andnosoonerhadshethoughtshecouldbearonethananotherwouldunderminehercompletely.TheEmperor’shorrifyingpresence—theunjustconvictionofher
mother—NashandBerisse’sunquestioningacceptanceofgenocideasamilitarytactic—themanypilotswhohaddiedfornoreason,theirliveswastedbyacommandthatdidn’tcare—andThane,evennowatriskfromtheEmpireeverydayofhislife.
Hewasrightaboutsomanythings,shethoughtdullyasshewentthroughthemotionsofhermonthlyphysical.Themedicaldroid’s
coldsensorsallowedhertoexcusehershudderingasashiver.IwishIcouldtellhimthat.
CienastillhadnotforgiventheRebellionforJude’sdeath.Nordidshebelieveitofferedanyhopeofeffectivegovernment.However,whileshewouldnevercontemplatejoiningtherebelsherself,shenowunderstoodhowThanecouldhavedoneso.
“Thisisn’taboutwhetherornotwe’vekeptfaithwiththeEmpire,”ThanehadsaidtoherasheheldhercloseintheFortress.“It’saboutwhethertheEmpirehaskeptfaithwithus.”
Anoathofloyaltyremainedbindingevenwhenthesubjectprovedunworthy.Itsimplybecamemorebitter.
JustasCienaslippedbackintoheruniform,analertbegantoechothroughthe
ship.“AllpilotstoTIEfighters,immediately.”
Whatwasthatabout?Cienadidn’tthinktherebelscouldpossiblyknowaboutthestationyet,ifthesecrethadbeenkeptsoeffectivelythatevenhigh-rankingofficersontheExecutorhadnotknown.ProbablyitwasadrillorsomeotherdisplayoffirepowertoshowoffforPalpatine.Itmadenodifference;shewantedtobea
partofit.Morethananythingelse,sheneededtofly.
BynowCiena’sdutiesrarelyrequiredhertopilotanythingsmallerthanatransportshuttle,andthoseonlyrarely.Butshe’dalwayskeptherskillssharp,andshecouldvolunteerforTIEdutyatanypoint.
Immediately,shewenttotheship’sflightcommander,whoseemedstrangely…smug.“Isee,Commander,”
hesaid,histhinsmilesnakingacrosshisface.“Ofcourseyouwanttobeapartofthis.Somethingtotellthegrandchildren,hm?”
Yeah,onetimeIshowedofffortheloathsome,repellentEmperorwhoblewupentireplanets.Cienasaidonly,“Mynextdutyshiftissixhoursaway,sir.I’mreadytoservenow.”
“Yourcouragewillnotgounrecognized,Commander
Ree.Reporttolaunchingbaynineimmediately.”
AsCienastrappedontheblackarmorofaTIEpilot,shetoldherselfitwouldallbeokaysoon,becauseshe’dbeflying.Flightremainedhergreatestjoyandheronlyescape.Onceshewasaloft,soaringthroughspace,she’dbefreeofallhercrushingdoubts.Ifonlyforthosefewminutes,shewouldbeherselfagain.
Inthemeleeofpreparation,shecaughtaglimpseofNash,whogaveheraroguishsmile.Hestillbelievedinher.ButthepangofguilthadfadedbeforeCienahadevenclimbedintohercockpit.Whateverelsehappenedinthefuture,sheintendedtokeepherdistancefromanyoneshe’dknownbefore.Perhapsshecouldputinforsomeisolatedbackwaterposting—thekind
ofjobnobodywanted,somethingeasyforhertoget—andmaybeaplacewhereshecouldactuallydosomegood.
Helmet:locked.Engines:fullpower.Cienawaitedforhersquadron’ssignal,thenflewupandoutofthedockingbay.Hundredsofotherfighterssurroundedher,makingprecisionflyingnecessary.Yetshefounditsoothing,eventhevibration
androarwithinthecockpit.Takeoffalwaysfeltlikecastingoffshacklesandbreakingfree.
ForamomentshethoughtofsoaringovertheJelucanimountainsintheoldV-171,Thanebehindher,thetwoofthemflyingasone….
Thensheshiftedtowidersensorsandgasped.
CienahadknownhundredsofTIEfightersweretakingflight.Whatshehad
notguessedwasthatcountlessotherImperialcraftweremassednearby,aswell,includingseveralStarDestroyers.Itwasbeyondanythingshe’dexpected,evengreaterthantheattackforcesenttoHoth.
Thenthepiecescametogether.
We’reexpectingmajoraction,andsoon.Thatmeanstherebelsarecoming.
Iftherebelsarecoming,
theyknowabouttheDeathStarandtheEmperor.Andifwehavethistremendousaforcewaitingforthem,wewantedthemtoknow.
That’swhyPiettorderedmetomakesureoneoftheX-wingsgotaway.HeneededsomeonetoreporttheEmperor’smovementstotheRebellion.Weweresettingatrapallalong.
She’dalwaysunderstoodthatonsomelevel—whyelse
lettherebelsgofree,ifnottofilltheirheadswithfalseintel?Butshe’dthoughtitnomorethanafeinttocovertheEmperor’slocation.YetthetraptheEmpirehadlaidmusthavebeenlargerandmoreelaborate;she’dbeenonlyonetinypartofit.Thiswasn’tanyordinarymilitaryaction.ThiswasthedaytheEmpireplannedtodestroytheRebellionforgood.
EvenasCiena’shands
tightenedonthecontrols,herscreenwentcrazy,spillingoutsomuchdatashecouldhardlytakeitallin.InthespacesurroundingtheDeathStarandEndor’smoon,thousandsofshipshadmaterializedinaninstant.
TheRebelAlliancehadcome,andtheEmpirewasreadyforthem.
“MAYTHEFORCEBEWITHUS.”
AdmiralAckbar’svoicecrackledoverthecommunitastherebelarmadaheadedtowardtheDeathStar.NowthatThanesawitforhimself,hehadtobelieve—buthe
alsosawhowincompleteitstillwas.Theyweren’tgoingupagainstaDeathStar,justtheshellofone.Thinkingofitthatwayhelped.
Okay,itdidn’thelpthatmuch.Atthemoment,however,Thanewouldtakewhathecouldget.
Theshieldgeneratorshouldbedownbynow,hetoldhimselfashecheckedhissensors.We’llgettheordertoproceedanysecondnow.
Theorderdidn’tcome.Andhewasn’tgettingany
readingontheshieldatall—upordown.Thanefrownedashetappedhiscontrols.Thiswouldbeabadtimetodevelopasystemsfailure.
ThenGeneralCalrissian’svoicecutthroughsharply.“Breakofftheattack!Theshieldisstillup!”
Thanesworeunderhisbreath.WhathadhappenedtotheEndorteam?
“Pullup!”Calrissiancontinued.“Allcraftpullup!”
AstheycurvedawayfromtheDeathStar,Thanepreparedtoleapbackintohyperspaceforthehumiliatingbutnecessaryescape.ThenheheardAdmiralAckbar’svoiceagain.“Takeevasiveaction!”
Kendyspokenext.“Sectorforty-seven—they’rehere.”
Thanewentcoldashe
sawwhatawaitedthem:itlookedlikehalftheImperialfleet,includingdozensofStarDestroyers.
TheRebelAlliancehadjustarrivedatitsownexecution.
Cienathought,Atleastitwillbequick.
HerTIEfighterrushedforwardwiththeresttoengagetherebelfleet.The
incredibledisparityinstrengthconvincedhertheEmpirecouldwinthisbattlewithinminutes.Evenassheobeyedorderstotargetthemedicalfrigate,however,shenoticedtheStarDestroyersweremakingnomovetojointhecombat.Whyamassthismuchfirepowerandholdback?
ThenshesawtheDeathStar’slaserbegintoglowgreenandhadheranswer.
Shetensed,expectingEndororitsmoontoexplode.Instead,thelaserhitoneofthelargerrebelcruisers.Instantly,theshipwasobliterated.
Ifthestationisfullyoperational,whybothersendingusouttofight?
Onceagain,itwasonlytheater.Onlyashow.TIEpilotswoulddiebythedozens,ifnothundreds,whennotoneofthemwastruly
neededhere.TheDeathStarcouldhaveeliminatedtherebelsonitsown.ButPalpatinewantedeveryadmiralandgeneraltowitnessthismomentandbelievetheirEmperorunstoppable.
Wedieforhisglory,shethoughtbitterly.Whichmeanswediefornothing.Again.
Flyingintoabattlewithno
hopeofsurvivalturnedouttobethesecrettokickingass.
Thane’smind-sethadkepthimfromlosinghiscoolwhenthey’drealizedtheshieldgeneratorwasstilloperational,andwhenhe’dseenhowmuchoftheImperialStarfleethadbeenbroughttogetherfortheexpresspurposeofblastingtheRebelAlliancetoatoms.He’devenbeenabletoholdsteadywhentheDeathStar
destroyedtheLiberty—theshipCoronaSquadronhadcalledhomeformonths.ThanerememberedthefriendlyMonCalamariwhohadwelcomedthem;everysingleonehadbeenkilledinaninstant.
NotthatThane’schancesofsurvivalweremuchbetter.Thewayhesawit,theEmpirewasgoingtokillhimtodaynomatterwhathedid.Hisonlygoalwastomake
theImperialspayforit,withblood.
Overthespeaker,GeneralCalrissianorderedthesmallershipstogetincloseontheStarDestroyers—presumablybecausethatwouldkeepthemsafefromtheDeathStar.Thanecouldhavelaughed.LikeyouwereanysafernexttoaStarDestroyer.Still,hewasgladforthechancetoseethedamagehehadcaused.
“I’mgoingincloseonthe
engines,”theContessasaidovercomms.“Who’swithme?”
Thanebracedhimself.“CoronaFour,rightbehindyou.”
“CoronaFive,too.Let’sdoit!”ThatwasKendy,whosoundedalmostcheerfulaboutthechancetowreaksomemayhem.
Yendordidn’tevenansweroutloud,butsensorsshowedhimacceleratingso
fasthewasgoingtogettotheDestroyerbeforeThanedid.OratleasthewouldhaveifThanehadn’ttakentheenginesallthewaytomaximumanddivedstraighttowardtherearoftheship.
ThemammothshieldingofaStarDestroyercouldtakeintenselevelsofweaponsfirewithoutdamage.Theengines,however—youcouldgetatthose.Theyweretoodeeplyencasedwithinthe
impregnableshiptobedestroyed,butevenslowingtheshipdownordenyingthecrewfullpowerwouldhelpinabattle.
Let’sseehowtheylikebeingstrandedinspaceforawhile.Thanegrinnedasheswoopedaroundtheback,therestofCoronaSquadronjustbehindhim.
Hisoldacademytrainingreturned;itwasasiftheschematicsholosfromLarge
VesselDesignglowedinfrontofhimagain,showinghimtheexactspotstohit.Thanezeroedinandfired,againandagain.Atthatrate,he’drunhispowerdowntoofartojumpintohyperspaceforaretreat—butthatdidn’tmatteranylonger.ItlookedliketheentireRebellionwoulddietoday;Thaneonlyhopedtogooutfighting.
Hemadehishits,butKendydidevenbetter.She
alwayswasthebestsharpshooterintheclass,hethoughtashesawasmalljetofsparksflarealongthesideofoneStarDestroyerenginefortheinstantittookthevacuumofspacetosnuffitout.
AswarmofTIEfightersslicedthroughtheirformation,socloseThaneglimpsedaflashofonethroughthecockpit.Hedidn’tflinch,justpressedhisfinger
downonthefiringbutton.TheEmpiredoesn’teven
givethosepilotsanyshields.Onehitandtheyblow.HefiredtwiceandwasrewardedwiththesprayofsparksandtheblurofaTIEfighterspinningwildlyoutofcontrol.
Whatnext?Maybeheshoulddiveforthemainbridge,justsmashhisX-wingthroughitandtakeanImperialadmiralintodeath
withhim—“Theshieldgeneratoris
down!Repeat,theshieldgeneratorisdown!”
ThanehadfiguredtheEndorteamfordead.Damn,hethought.Thoseguyspulleditoff!HefoundhimselfimaginingPrincessLeiaasthelonevictor.Probablyshe’dblownthatshieldgeneratorawaywithagrinonherface.
GeneralCalrissiansaidto
thefleet,“Allfighters,followme!”
“Let’sgo!”theContessashoutedoverthecomms.Nothingfrostyabouthernow—shewasreadyforblood.“CoronaSquadron,let’sheadin.”
“CoronaFour,ready.”Hegrinnedastheyregroupedintoformationandheadedstraightfortheenormousspacestationahead.Itlookedandfeltasifhewasdiving
intoaseaofblackmetaltiles.“Remember,everybody—thisthing’ssobigyou’llhavetocompensateforitsgravitationalpull!”
ThanebankedsharplyalongthesideoftheDeathStar,justunderthegapingmawtargetedbytheMillenniumFalcon’sattack.Beneathhimhesawendlessblackmetal,solidsurfacestillbrokenbyareasofconstruction;above,
explosionsflaredandburstlikefireworksonfeastdaysbackhome.
ThreeTIEfightersappearedovertheDeathStar’shorizon,andThanedidn’tevenbotherwithevasiveaction.Heaccelerated,targeted,andfired—andflewstraightthroughthethreefireballsleftbehind.
Hedidn’thavetowonderwhetherCienawasinanyof
thoseships.Shewould’vebeensmarter,firedfirst.Shewouldn’thaveletthemgetawaywithgoingafteraStarDestroyer’sengines,either.NodoubtshewassafelyonthebridgeofoneofthoseDestroyers,butThanehalfwaywishedshe’dbetheonetofinishhimoff.Thenatleastthey’dbeboundtogetherinsomewayattheend.
TheContessareported,
“Wehaveentry!TheMillenniumFalconstriketeamhasenteredtheDeathStar!”
IthitThanethen—theymightactuallywinthisthing.
“Whyaren’tyoucoveringtheengines?”CienashoutedattheidiotTIEpilotswhohadletsomeidiotrebeldamagetheSubjugator.“Getbackthere!Move!”
Therebelsweretrappedandtheyknewit,butobviouslytheyintendedtokillasmanyImperialsaspossiblebeforetheyfell.AlreadyspacewaslitteredwiththedebrisoftheenemystarcruiserstargetedbytheDeathStar’slaser.Cienafeltthesamerushoffutileangeratthewasteofpilots’livesbycallouscommanders,butnowherfurywasdirectedatwhateverrebelleaderhad
draggedThanebackintothiswar.
Butshewasangriestwithherself.Thanewasonlyoneoftherebelswhowoulddiebecauseofatrapshehadunwittinglyhelpedset.BothsheandThanehadbeenvictimsoftheEmperor’smalignantschemingandtheterribleslaughterithadbegun.
CienatookherTIEInterceptorupoverthemain
bridgeareaoftheAnnihilator,justincasesomerebelpilotdecidedtoflydirectlyintoitandgooutinablazeofglory.TheotherTIEsstuckrigidlytoestablishedattackpatterns,butherrankgaveherthefreedomandresponsibilitytojudgethebattleforherselfandgowherevershewasneededmost.AssheclearedthetopoftheStarDestroyer,shewheeledhershiparound,
checkingsensorstoestablishwhichtargetswouldcomenext—thenstoppedcold.
TheirgarrisononEndor’smoonhadfailed.Theshieldgeneratorhadcomedown.
Hersensorsshowedtherebelfleetbecomingawareoftheirchangeinluck.Flightvectorsinstantlyshifted,andthecloudofstarfightersaroundherturnedintodartsheadedstraightforthemostvulnerablepartofthegaping,
unfinishedDeathStar—thelargeshaftthatledstraighttothemainreactor.
Butwhatdidtheyexpecttoaccomplish?Yes,theycoulddosomedamageontheirwayin,butthemazeofbeamsandcableswouldsurelywreckanyinvadingships;evennowCienasawTIEfightersclosertothespacestationzoomingtowardthesameareatofollowbehindandfinishtherebels
off.Itwasallsuchauseless,meaninglesswaste.
SheturnedherattentiontothenextnearestStarDestroyer,herownExecutor.Itwasonlynowbeginningtoengagetherebelshipsdirectly;alltheadmiralshadwaitedfortheDeathStartostrikefirst,anotherdisplayofPalpatine’sfavoringtheateroversoundtactics.
Thenshesawadamagedrebelstarfighterspinningout
ofcontrol,straightforthebridgedeflectorshieldsoftheExecutor.Cursing,shetriedtogetitinhertargetsights,butthestarfighterwastoodistantandmovingtoofast—
Anorangeflaremarkeditsimpact,andinhorrorCienarealizedtheextentofthedamage.Neitherthathitnortheearlierdamagetotheship’senginescould’vecrippledaStarDestroyeronitsown,butthecombination
provedfatal.Jawagape,shewatchedtheExecutorlosemainpowerandbegintodrifttowardthenearestobjectwithmajorgravitationalpull—namely,theDeathStar.
EvenaStarDestroyercan’twrecktheDeathStaronitsown,sheremindedherself.Stayontarget.
ButtheExecutor’sdestructionmeantBerisse’sdeath….
Stayontarget!
Ciena’sbreathswerecomingsoquickandhardthattheinnervisorofherblackhelmethadbeguntofogslightly.Sheattemptedtocalmherselfbyfocusingontheflight.Ifshethoughtofherattacksaspilotingchallenges—asanescapeintotheair—shecoulddothis.
ShesetcoordinatesforamassiveMonCalamaristarcruiser.Ifshecouldtakeoutitsbridgedeflectors,she
couldeventhescore.AndIcouldflyintoitjust
likethatrebelstarfighterdid—butonpurpose—toendthisbattle.MaybeIcouldevenendthewar.
Thatthoughtwas…tempting.
YetevenasCienainputhercoordinates,theordercameovercomms.“Allvessels,regroupatpre-battlecoordinates.Regroupimmediately.”
“Whatthehell?”Shecouldn’tunderstandwhyanyonewouldgivesuchanorder.Thepre-battlecoordinatesstoodtoofarawayfromtherebelsandtheDeathStartobeeffective.Herfingersflewoverthesensors,wideningherviewsoshecouldgetanideaofwhatwasgoingon.
AndwhatshesawwastherebelfleetpullingawayfromtheDeathStar.Eitherthey
wereretreating,or—Cienadidn’tfinishthat
thought.Nothingmatterednowbutfollowingorders.Shehadtoemptyherselfout.Refusetothink.Onlyreact.
AssheswoopedawayfromtheAnnihilator,shesawacoupleofTIEfightersmovingmoreslowlythantherest;they’dtakendamagebutcouldstillfly.Intraining,TIEpilotsweretoldthataidingfellowflierswastheirlowest
priority,ataskonlytobeundertakenifnothingelseneededtobedone.Cienadecidedtoignorethetraining.Shetookpositionbehindthem,coveringthemfromanyrebelfireastheyheadedtowardtheImperialfleetandsafety.
Butasthemomentswenton,theyfellfartherbehind.Bynowshe’drealizedtherebelswereretreatinginanotherdirection;facingoff
hadbecomelessimportantthanstayingalive.
“Comeon,”shewhisperedtothelimpingTIEsaheadofher.Theyneededtogosomuchfaster—
Thane’senginewhinedwithstrainashepushedittothelimit.HeandtherestofCoronaSquadronhadflownintothecloudofvessels
followingtheMillenniumFalconawayfromtheDeathStarattopspeed.IfonlytheycouldgetonthefarsideofEndor,toshieldthemselvesfromthatthing—
OvercommsheheardtheContessacallout,“Braceforimpact!”
Hereitcomes.Despitethealmostirresistibleurgetolookback,Thanerefusedtoturnhishead.Ifthatthingblew,thelightwouldbe
blinding.He’dbedamnedifthelastthingheeversawwastheDeathStar.Insteadhegrippedhiscontrolsandstaredattheshipsinfrontofhim.ThecurvedrearlightoftheMillenniumFalconarcedjustabovetheplacidgreensurfaceofEndor’smoon.Didtheysaveus?Havewesavedthem?
“Wemadeit!”Kendycalledjubilantly.“We’reoutofthedangerzone.”
Madeit?Thanehadgivenhislifeupforlost.Hecouldn’twraphismindaroundthewords.Wemadeit?
Thenspaceitselflitupasifitwereasky.ForthefirstinstantThanecouldonlythinkitwasbeautiful.Buttheshockwavewascoming.
TheshockoftheDeathStar’sexplosionfeltlikecrashing
intosolidstone.Ciena’sTIEfighterspunoutofcontrol,allstabilizersgone.Desperately,shetriedtoaimforthenearestship’sdockingbay—ifshecouldlandinonepiece,shestoodachance.
TheDeathStarwasgone.HadtheEmpireitselffallenwithit?Buttherewasnotimetoguess,eventothink.Hersensorsandtheworldbeyondwerebothincomprehensibleblurs.Nauseasweptthrough
herasshetumbledoverandovertowardtherectangleoflightthatrepresentedheronlysafety.
Thesecondimpactwasworse.Cienaknewhershipwasskiddingagainstsolidmetal,smashingintosteel,andthenthewholeworldvanishedaspaincutherintwo.
FromthesurfaceofEndor’s
moon,thewreckoftheDeathStarglowedlikeagoldensupernovainthenightsky.AllaroundThane,drumsandpipesplayedvictorysongs;peoplelaughed,drankengine-roomjetjuice,andembracedthefriendsthey’dthoughttheywouldneverseeagain.Inthedistance,byoneofthebonfires,hecouldseeKendydancingwithsomeonewhomighthavebeenGeneralCalrissian.YendorandBrill
weredoingalittlepatchworkonJJH2,whohadcomethroughwithonlyafewscratches.Lohgarraseemedtobeoutdrinkinganentiresquadron.TojudgebythehandgesturesMethwatwasmaking,hewastellingWedgeAntillesaboutsometrickymaneuver.
Thanesatattheveryedgeofthegathering,hisbacktoatree,mostlyinthedark.
Manyshipsofthe
ImperialStarfleethadescapedtheBattleofEndor—andmanyhadnot.TheExecutor,LordVader’sownship,hadbeendestroyed.HeknewnowitwastheStarDestroyerthey’dseencrashingintotheDeathStar.Cienamightnothavebeenaboard,hetoldhimself—butshewasaseniorofficer.Shewouldhavebeenneeded.Cienawouldneverhaverunfromafight,soshe’d
probablybeenontheExecutoratitsfieryend.
Ifso,thenthegoldenlightslowlyfadinginthenightskywastheonlygravestoneCienawouldeverhave.
HewasconsoledonlybyknowinghowCienawouldhavereactedwhenshelearnedoftheexistenceofasecondDeathStar.Ifanythingeverhadthepowertobreakherloyaltyandhersteadfastoath,thatwouldbe
it.WhenThaneimaginedhowshemusthavefeltthemomentsherealizedtheEmperorplannedtodestroyyetmoreworlds—thattheobliterationofAlderaanhadnotbeentoendawarbuttomakeImperialpowerabsolute—shewouldhavefeltsodeeplybetrayed.
TheEmpirewasneverworthyofyou,hethought.
Thanesawanothersprayofshootingstars,evidenceof
yetmorebattledebrisburningasitenteredtheatmosphere.Whenthey’dspottedshootingstarsaschildren,Cienahadalwayssaidtheyshouldmakeawish.Heneverhad;hewasn’tthetypetobelieveinwishes.
Tonight,though,hedid.Thanedidn’twishfor
Cienatobealive—thatwasalreadydetermined,set,beyondanyone’sreachorknowledge.Insteadhewished
fortheNewRepublictobeatleasthalfasrighteousastherebelsclaimeditwouldbe.IfhehadhelpeddestroytheEmpire’spowersoitcouldbereplacedwithsomethingbetter,Thanecouldbelievethewholewarhadbeenworthwhile.EvenifithadcostCiena’slife.
Cienawouldhavewishedforthat,too.Somehowthatwasthesaddestpart.
CienarememberedvirtuallynothingofherremovalfromthewreckageoftheTIEfighter—onlyvagueimpressionsofthescreechoftornmetalandthehorriblewashoflightastheypulledoffherhelmet.
Allsheknewwasthepaincleavingherinhalf.
Atonepoint,asdroidspushedherhover-stretchertowardthemedicalbay,Cienastrainedtoseeher
abdomen.Onedroidsaid,inaflatelectronicvoice,“Itisinadvisabletovisuallyinspectyourwoundatthistime.Psychologicalindicationsarethatapatientwouldfinditdistressing.”
Cienalookeddown.Aplateofmetaljuttedfromherabdomen;ithadshreddedherflightsuitandsunkinjustunderherribcage,deep.Theimagewassogruesomeastobesurreal.Dullyshethought
thatnoonecouldbeinjuredlikethatandsurvive.
Thesurgicaldroidswereworkingatfullcapacity,handlingtheinjuredinorderofrank.Lowerrankshadtowait.AsCienalaythere,pantingthroughthedelayforthepainkillerinjectiontotakeeffect,afigureappearedbyherside,stillhalf-garbedinTIEpilotarmor.
“Ciena,”Nashbreathed.Hetookherhand;shewas
gratefulfortheglovestheywore,becauseitmeanthecouldn’tactuallytouchher.“Holdon.You’llbeinsoon.”
“Admirals—captainsandgenerals—theygofirst.”Hervoicecrackedonthewords.
“Ofcourse,butrelativelyfewofthemgetseriouslyinjured.You’reoneofthemostgravelyinjuredcommanders,soyou’llentertheoperatingbayanymomentnow.”
ArushofdizzinesssweptthroughCiena.Eitherthepainkillerwastakingeffect,orherbloodlosshadtakenhertothebrinkofdeath.SheforcedherselftolookintoNash’seyes.“Ineed—myfather—you’lltellmyfather—”
Nashshookhisheadashecradledherhandagainsthischest.“Nolastwords.Doyouhearme?You’renotgoingtogiveup.”
ButCienapersisted.Thiswastooimportant.“TellPappa—Ilovehimand—and—Ishouldhavestoodbytheone—whostoodbyus.”
HerfatherwouldknowtofindThaneandtellhim,too.AtleastThanewouldunderstandthatshe’dfinallyseenthetruthoftheEmpireandthatshe’dbeenthinkingofhimattheend.
Nashsaidsomethingtoherinresponse,butshe
couldn’thearit.Dizzinesswashedoverheragain,stealingsoundandlight.
MaybeshewouldbereunitedwithWynnetsoon.
“Ciena?”Whydidsomeonewantto
talktoher?Shedidn’twanttotalk.Allshewantedtodowassleep.
“Ciena,canyouopenyoureyes?Pleasetry.”
Sheobeyed,blinkingagainstthelight.Ashervisioncleared,shesawNashbyherbedside—nowinoff-shiftcoveralls,withasmallbandageonhisforehead.Circledaroundthefootofherbedwerethreemedicaldroids,allofwhichbeepedandhummedastheytookreadings.
“Good.”Nashsmiledthewaypeopledidwhentheyweretryingnottocry.
“You’rebackwithus.”“WhyamI—”Cienatried
topropherselfupenoughtoseehermidsection,butthemovementsentterriblepainripplingthroughher.Breathingthroughherteeth,shesankbackontohermedicalbed.
Nashspokeinlow,soothingtones,likeatrainercalmingawoundedanimal.“Youcamethroughsurgery,thoughtheysaiditwasanear
thing.Buttheyhadtoremoveyourliver.Itwasdamagedbeyondrepair.”
Mostlimbsororganscouldbereplacedbytop-levelrobotics;theliverwasoneoftheonlyexceptions,itsfunctionstoodelicatetobeeasilyreplicated.
“Fornowthey’vehookedyoutoalife-supportbelt,ratherlikeLordVader’ssuit,thoughyouneedonlywearitaroundyourmidsection.
You’llhavetoundergointensivebactatherapy.Itcantakemonthstoregrowaliver—thebetterpartofayear—butitcanbedone.”Hetriedtosmileforher.“Leaveittoyoutofindawaytotakemonthsofleavetimewithoutareprimand.”
Cienaswallowed,thoughhermouthandthroatweretoodry.“What’shappeningwiththefleet?”
Nash’ssmilevanishedin
aninstant.“TheDeathStarwasdestroyed.EmperorPalpatine,LordVader,andMoffJerjerrodallperished—asdidBerisse.”Hestumbledoverthenameoftheirfriend.“TheRebellionissendingoutmasscommunicationsclaimingtobethenewpowerinthegalaxy.TheImperialStarfleetisregroupingtoplanthenextassaultandnamethenextemperor.”
“Anotheremperor?”
“Youcanimaginethepowergrabswe’reseeing.Civilunrestacrossthegalaxy,evenonCoruscant.Butthestrongestwillprevail,andwe’llhavetheleaderweneedforthesedifficulttimes.”
ThemostviciousandruthlessoftheMoffsoradmiralswilltakepower.Wewon’thaveabetteremperorwhomightbeabletorightourcourse.Insteadwe’llsinkfurtherintothemire.
“Don’tcry,”Nashsaid.“You’retired.Ishouldn’texhaustyoubyforcingyoutotalk.Gobacktosleep.Youneedyourrest.”
Cienaturnedherheadintothepillowinsteadofsayinggood-bye.
Shedidn’trealizeshe’dslippedbackintounconsciousnessuntilsheawokeagain.Tojudgebythelowlightingandlackofhumanpersonnelaround,it
wasthemedicalbay’sversionofnight.Thelife-supportbeltaroundherwaistfeltheavyandstiff,andtheconnectorshuntsjabbedintoherfleshlikeneedlesinherbelly;probablytheywouldcontinuetohurtaslongasshehadtowearthething.Cienaliftedonehand,andadroidrolledpromptlytohersidewithsomewater.
Aftershe’dsippedfromthetube,shesaid,“Whenmy
armorwasremoved—Ihadasmallpouch—aleatherbraceletinside,braided—”
“Theitemsweredestroyed,”thedroidsaid.Itwasoneofthemodelswithouteyes.“Nonregulation.”
It’snotagainstregulationtocarrysomethinginyourpocket!shewantedtoprotest.Butsheremainedsilent.Onlynowdidsherealizeherbracelethadbeenherlone,
wordlessdefianceoftheEmpire—theonewayinwhichshehadrefusedtobecomeentirelytheircreation.Nowtheyhadsnatchedthatawayfromher.Morethanthat,theyhadtakenawayWynnet’swindowontheuniverse.Cienalivedherlifeforhersisternolonger;Wynnethadfallenintodarknessforever.
CienahadnofaithintheEmpire,noloyalty,no
friends,andnotonepossessiontotiehertoherhomeworld.Thegalaxywasagainslippingintochaosandanarchy.AndshewouldneverseeThaneagain.Allshecoulddowasliethere,helpless,asmachinesspenttorturousmonthsmakingherreadytoserveagaininamilitaryforceshenowwantednopartof.
Sheclosedhereyesandslippedintothestrangespace
betweenimaginationanddream.InhermindshetookherTIEfighterinagain,butthistimesheaimedforthedeck.Ifshecouldslamintothedeckhardenough,hershipwouldexplodeandshecouldstopworrying,stophurting.Shecouldjuststop.
MEDICALLEAVEdemandedabsolutelynothingofImperialofficers—primarilybecauseofficerswhocouldnotmakequickrecoveriesweremostoftendeclaredunfitforservice.Rumorssaidthemedical
droidsalsotreatedthosewithsevereinjuriesthatinvolvedlongrecoverytimeslast,tobetterdedicatetheirresourcestothosewhocouldservetheEmpireagainsooner.
NowCienawasinthealmostuniquepositionofspendingseveralmonthsonmedicalleave,withnoresponsibilities.ShewasassignedtothespacestationWrathmostlybecauseithadroomforacompletely
extraneousperson.Nashhadteasedheraboutthegoldenopportunitytoreadholonovelsorwatcholdspice-worlddramas,butCienadidn’twantthatmuchfreetime.Itwouldonlyforcehertothink.
Atleastshegottoundergobactatherapy.Theysubmergedherinthegooeystuffforatleastacoupleofhourseveryday,sometimeslonger.Sedativeswere
alwaysadministeredfirst,thebettertowardoffthesevereclaustrophobiathatsometimesledbactapatientstopanicandreinjurethemselves.Cienawelcomedthemomentthewretchedlife-supportbeltwastakenoffherbody;shelikeditevenmorewhentheneedleslidintoherarm,andtheresultingdarknessfromthesedatives.Sometimesthestuporafterwardlastedforhours.
Duringthebriefperiodswhenshewasawakeandcogent,however,sheinsistedonworking.
Bridgedutywasbeyondher;pilotingwasimpossible.SoCienavolunteeredforoneofthemessiest,mostcomplicatedtasksfacingtheImperialStarfleetinthewakeofEndor—andoneoftheonlyjobsshedidn’tminddoing.HermissionwastoconfirmwhichImperial
officerswerealiveordead,learnthedefinitelocationsofallsurvivors,andinformfamilymembersofthedeaths.
(Supposedly,thedeathnoticeswereherlowestpriority.ButCienaspentfarmoretimereachingouttothosefamiliesthansheeverdidlookingforamissingsurvivorwhomighthavedeserted.Throughalittletrickyrecordkeepingandan
excessofcaution,shewasabletoavoidtrackingdownevenoneofthose.)
InthewakeoftheEmperor’sdemise,thegalaxyenduredevengreaterchaosthanCienahadbelievedpossible.Coruscantremainedinturmoil;GrandVizierMasAmeddatriedtokeeptheEmpiretogetherevenasotherforcesthreatenedtotearitapart.Consolidatingandconfirmingpersonnel
informationwashardlyatoppriority.SotheStarDestroyershadonlytheirownrecordstodrawfrom,andevenwhenthatinformationwassynthesized,thepictureremainedspottyatbest.
Tofurthercomplicatethesituation,neitherCienanoranyotherImperialofficercouldbecertainexactlywhichpersontheyserved.Declarationsofanew
emperorweresofrequentastobemeaningless.Noonefigureseemedabletoconsolidatepower.Alreadythepropagandaholosspokeof“skirmishes”or“mutinies.”Thetruth:would-beemperorsforcedImperialsoldierstofightoneanother,spillingtheirbloodintheservicenotoflawandorderbutofoneman’snakedambition.TheyseemedwillingtoteartheEmpireto
shredsratherthangiveuptheirownstanding,Cienathoughtwithcontempt.AlreadytheAnoatsectorhadbeencutoffcompletely.Whatplanetsmightfallnext?
Asfortherebels—they’destablishedtheirauthorityonworldsoftheirown.TheonlyreportsthatemergedsoundedsosunnyCienabelievedtheywerepropaganda,too,simplycomingfromtheotherside.
Atleastnowthereare
entiresystemssafeforThane,shesometimesthought.He’snolongerahuntedman.Wouldhestillbewiththerebelarmada?Cienawasn’tsure.Itdependedonwhetherhe’ddecidedtotrustthis“NewRepublic”asmuchashe’dtrustedtheRebellion.
Orwhetherhe’ddiedintheBattleofEndor.
Therebelsmighthavewontheday,butthey’dtakenterriblelosses,too.Ciena
believed—illogicallybutunshakably—thatshewouldhaverecognizedThaneamidthemelee.Didn’tsheknowexactlyhowheflew?Wasn’tthatasuniquetohimasafingerprintorageneticcode?
Evenifthatwereso,itmeantonlythatshehadn’tkilledThaneherself.
AnynumberofotherTIEpilotscouldhavekilledhim.Orhecouldhavebeenflyingtooclosetooneofthestar
cruiserswhentheDeathStar’slaserstruck.Maybehehadbeenamongthepilotswhoflewintothestationandsmashedagainstthemetalframeworkinside.
Don’tthinkaboutthat,shewouldtellherselfasshesatatherportabledataterminal,proppedonamed-chaise.Lyingdownhelpedherbearthepincergripofthelifesupportbeltdoingtheworkofherstill-healingliver.
Youhavetobelievehe’salivesomewhere.Ifyoucan’thavefaithinanythingelse,youcanstillbelieveinThane.
AndyetsometimesCienafeltthathemustbedead.Thegalaxycouldonlyfeelthatempty,meaningless,ifhewerenolongerinit.
Sosheburiedherselfinherwork,patientlyuntanglingeverybureaucraticknot,locatingandrescuingmaroonedshipsand
garrisons,andhelpingfamiliesmourntheirdead.Inthatsmallwayshecouldupholdsomemeasureoflawandorderamidthechaos;nothingelseseemedworthdoing.Heronlycomfortswerethesedationofthebactatankandsleep.Cienacouldignoreeverythingelsefordaysatatime.
Thenweeks.Thenmonths.
Thanehadn’texpectedtheEmpiretocollapseovernight.SomeofthecockeyedoptimistsaroundhimhadwokenupthemorningaftertheDeathStar’sdestructiontalkingabouthowtheyfinallylivedinaliberatedgalaxy,breathedfreeair,andothernonsense.HehadpatcheduphisX-wingandawaitedtheinevitablecalltothenextbattle.
Buthe’dneverexpected
tostillbefightingafull-outwaralmostayearaftertheBattleofEndor.
“Incoming!”Yendorshoutedthroughthecomms.ThanewhippedhisX-wingaroundtoseeanotherphalanxofTIEfighterszoomingtowardthemoverthecrestofthecliffsonNaboo.Thesemusthavebeentheverylaststragglersoftheattackforcethathaddescendedontheplanetthedaybefore.
Luckily,theNewRepublic’sfleethadreceivedatipfromdefectors;whentheImperialshipscameoutofhyperspace,Thane’ssquadronandseveraldozenotherstarfightershadbeenwaiting.Sincethen,he’dbeenfinishingthemoff,onebyone,justlikehewasdoingrightnow.Hefiredevenashisshipslicedthroughtheairsideways,andhetookgrimsatisfactioninwatchingthreeoftheTIEs
explode.TheothersinCorona
Squadrontookcareoftherest.Theplanetwasclearnow,orclosetoit.KendytookahittoherstarboardwingbutstillmanagedtolandherstarfightersmoothlyalongsidetheothersonthebroadpavilionoutsidetheTheedRoyalPalace.Kendyburstoutofhercockpitswearing,whichmadetheotherslaugh.“Comeon,”
Thanecalled.“You’vetakenworsethanthat.”
“Yeah,andI’msickandtiredofit!”Shegrabbedhertoolkitandgottowork.
Therestofthemhadamomenttobreathe.CoronaSquadronwasdifferentnow;theContessahadleft,returningtoherhomeworldtostandforthepresidency.(Theothershadallpromisedtoshowupforherinaugurationifshewon.)Yendorhad
takenoverasCoronaLeader,andtwonewpilotshadjoinedthem—onearookiefromNeaDajanam,theotheranexilefromCoruscant.ButThanelikedthembothandfeltgoodabouthowtheteamhadcometogether.Heleanedagainstthesideofhisship,relishingthewarmthofthesunonhisface.Momentsofpeacelikethiscametoorarely.
NaboohadbeenPalpatine’shomeworld.As
such,ithadbecomearallyingpointforImperialsympathizers.Besidesitssymbolicimportance,NaboowasaprosperousMidRimworld,itseconomyandenvironmentfarhealthierthanthoseofmostplanetsthathadbeenunderImperialrule.Assuch,itwasoneofthemostcontestedspotsintheentiregalaxy.
Threetimesnow,theEmpirehadsenttroopsto
invade;threetimesthey’dbeenbeatenback.Thanewonderedhowlongitwouldtakethemtocomebackfornumberfour.
“Hey,”YendorsaidashehelpedJJH2fromhisship.“SomeofusweregoingintoOtohGungatonight—ifwedon’tgetanymorealerts,thatis.Apparentlythere’sthisdesserttheymaketherethattakesatleastfourhominidstoeat.Theysayitmeltsinyour
mouthanddeliversyoustraightintoaglorioussugarcoma.Youknowyouwantapiece.”
“No,thanks,”Thaneanswered,butwithasmile.Hisfriendstriedhardtolookafterhim,butsomethingsyouhadtogothroughonyourown.“Youguyshavefun.I’lltakenightwatchatthehangar.”
Yendorshookhishead,hislongbluelekkuswaying
withthemovement,butwanderedoffwithoutfurtherargument.
Jelucanhadveryspecificmourningrituals.Atleast,thevalleykindreddid.ThanehadlearnedaboutthemfromCiena—andwasn’tsureherememberedallthedetailscorrectly—buthewasdoinghisbest.(JelucanremainedunderImperialcontrol,soThanecouldn’taskParonReeforadviceorevengivehis
condolences.)ThanewantedtoweaveandwearabraceletsoCienacouldseethroughhiseyes,butshe’dtoldhimthathonorwasreservedforfamily.Asdimlyasherecalledthecustomaryritualsforfriends,theyseemedelaborateenoughandlastedforafullyearafteraperson’sdeath.Heworeaclothtiedaroundhisupperarmandwouldnotremoveituntiltheentireyearwasup.Atthesix-
monthmark,he’dpreparedthecustomarymealofwineandbreadtobeleftoutatnightforthespirits.Hehopeditdidn’thavetobespecialbread,orsomeparticularwine;he’ddonethebesthecouldwithwhathehad.AsThaneunderstoodit,hedidn’thavetorefrainfromallleisureactivity,buttheritualrequiredhimtospendseveralhoursaweekinmeditation.
Okay,hewasn’texactly
goodatthemeditationthing,buthetried.
Bigsymbolicgesturesusuallyweren’tThane’sstyle—butafterEndor,hehadneededtogroundhimselfinsomewayandhadnoideawheretobegin.Inhisdesperation,hehadsoughtCienaintheritualsofherpeople.Tohissurprisehefoundtheexperiencehealing.
Hemournedforeveryonewhohadbeenlost:Smikes,
DakRalter,thekindlyMonCalamarioftheLiberty,countlessotherpilotshe’dknown…andforJudeEdivonandothercadetshe’dknownattheacademywhohaddiedononeoftheDeathStarsorinotherbattles.TheEmpiremighthavedemandedthattheysacrificetheirsouls,butatonepoint,themajorityofthosepeoplehadbeennoworsethananyothers.Allthatwasgoodinthemhad
beenlosttotheEmpireandtothewar;surelythatwasworthgrievingfor.
Hismeditationshadledhimtoanotherunexpectedplace,aviewpointhe’dneverexpectedtohave—theNewRepublictrulyhadbeenworththefight.
Sure,thetransitionhadbeenuneven.Withthewarstillongoing,MonMothma,PrincessLeiaOrgana,SondivSella,andothertopofficials
couldnotestablishtotalstability.YettheprovisionalGalacticSenatecontainedonlyrepresentativeschosenbythewillofthepeople,andthefirstlawsthey’dpassedhadrightedtheworstwrongsoftheEmpire.Eventhebickeringonnewsholosaboutthemeritsofeachproposalwaswonderful,becauseitmeantpeoplewerefreetoexpresstheiropinionswithoutfearofImperial
reprisal.Resourcesweren’tdirectedonlytowardthemilitary;masscleanupsofpollutedworldshadalreadybegun,ashadreparationsforthespeciesenslavedduringImperialrule.(LohgarrasaidshewasgoingtospendhershareonnewenginesfortheMightyOakApocalypse.)Howeverimperfectly,thecourseofthegalaxyhadturnedtowardjusticeandmaybe,someday,peace.
Thanehadnevertriedbeinganidealistbefore,buthethoughthewasstartingtogetthehangofit.
Ashesettledinforalongeveningatthehangar,KendystrolledoverfromherX-wing.Hesaid,“Gotitfixed?”
“Prettymuch.IneedaLouarclamptofinishup,butIcanborrowonefromYendortomorrowmorning.”Sheleanedagainstthewall,armscrossedinfrontofher.
Herdarkgreenhairflowedfreelydownhershoulders.“So.You’restayingintonight?”
“Asusual.”“You’regoingtobehere
byyourselfforhours.”“Yeah,Iam.I’mgoingto
sitonthiscomfortablechairwithagoodholonovel,underneathoneofthemostbeautifulskiesI’veeverseen,onaworldwheretheair’sstillcleanandthebirdsstill
sing.Nobody’sgoingtofireablasteratmeevenonce.Afteryearsofwar,apeacefulnightlikethatismydefinitionofagoodtime.”
“Happyeightiethbirthday,bytheway.”
“Comeon.”Thanehadtogrin.“YouhavetoadmitIhaveapoint.”
Kendylaughed.“Iknow.It’sjust—weird,yougoingallmysticalandspiritualandstuff.”
“I’mnot.”Somanyoftheritualshadfeltstrangeandfalsetohim;yetThanebelievedhe’dgottensomethingoutofthemereattempt.“ThisisjustathingIhavetodo.”
“Igetthat.Butwillyouansweronequestionforme?”Thanenodded,andsheasked,“Howlongareyougoingtowearthat?”
Shepointedtowardthestripofslateblueclothstill
tiedaroundhisrightupperarm.ThatwastheJelucanicolorofmourning—theshadeoftheskyinwhichtheyburiedtheirdead.
“OnceI’vewornitforoneyear,”Thanesaid,“I’lltakeitoff.”
“We’reonlyafewweeksfromtheanniversaryoftheBattleofEndor.Isthatwhenyou’llfinallybeoverCiena’sdeath?”
Shehadn’tunderstood
anything.“No.It’sthedayI’llstopfollowingmourningpractices.ButI’mnotoverCiena’sdeath.Ineverwillbe.”
“Thatis…moremelodramaticthanIexpectedfromyou,ThaneKyrell.”
Heshrugged.“It’snotmelodrama.It’sthetruth.”Howcouldhegetthroughtoher?SlowlyThanesaid,“Whatweweretoeachother—whenIlostCiena,Ilosta
pieceofmyself.Youdon’tgetoverthat.Youalwaysfeeltheemptyplacewheretheyusedtobe.”
Cienawinced,holdingherhandtohermidsection.Themedicaldroidshadfinallyclearedherforactiveduty,butthepainlingered.Maybeitalwayswould.
Shestraightenedherselfupandsmoothedherjacket.
Whenshe’dputinherrequisitionorderfornewuniforms,she’dorderedtheminthesamesizeshe’dalwaysworn.Now,however,theclotheshungslightlybigonherframe.She’dlosttoomuchweightthispastyear.Atleastthecapfit.
Accordingtoherdutyroster,herfirsttaskwastomeetwithGrandMoffRanddonthemainbridgeoftheWrath.Cienacouldonly
assumethathewouldbriefheronhernewduties—thoughmostcommandersdidn’treceivetheirordersfromanyonewhorankedashighasGrandMoff.
Thenagain,thosedaysalltheoldprotocolshadbrokendown.Shecouldtakenothingforgranted.
Cienawalkedtothebridge,waiteduntiltwominutesbeforeherscheduledarrival,andthenentered.Top
officerslikeditwhenyouwereearlybutnottooearly.TheWrath’sbridgedifferedfromthatofaStarDestroyer;insteadofdatapits,morejuniorofficerswerelocatedonlongbanksofstationsthatlinedthevastoctagonalroom.NowindowsrevealedPonemah,theworldthattheyorbited;afteralmostayearonthestation,Cienastillknewnothingofthatplanet,notevenwhatitlookedlikefrom
space.Theonlyviewcamefromtheenormoustransparentdomeoverhead,whichshowedtheendlessfieldofstars.Yetafewelementsremainedfamiliar,suchasthedullreddishglowofthelightsatfloorlevel,themeshmetalfloors,andthesenseoftension—evenfear.Shecouldtakenocomfortinanyofthat.
GrandMoffRanddstoodatthefarendofthebridge,
hisrankobviousfromhisrigid,imposingposturealone.Hewaspointingoutbattleplanstoafewotherofficers,theimagesdisplayedonatwo-dimensionalscreenthatcoveredoneoftheshorterwalls.Cienaexpectedtoremainatattentionbehindhimuntilsuchtimeashewasfreetonoticeher—butasshecameclose,someonecalledout,“CommanderCienaReeonthebridge,sir.”
Randdturned—asdidvirtuallyeveryoneelseintheroom.Ciena’seyeswidenedasshesawNashstandingnearby,smilingalmostlikehisoldself.Whywouldhebehere?Whyhadallthesepeoplestoppedandrisentotheirfeet?
“Well,CommanderRee.”Randdsmiled.“Youreturntoactivedutyatlast.”
“Yes,sir.”Cienadidnotallowherexpressiontoreveal
anyoftheconfusionshefelt.Yetherheartpoundedmadlyasshewonderedifthisweresomesortoftrap.Maybethey’dsomehowguessedherlackoffaithintheEmpireandintendedtomakeanexampleofher.…
“Hearthis,”Randdsaidtoallthoseassembledintheroom.“AttheBattleofEndor,Reefoughtbravelyandverynearlysacrificedherownlifeinourefforttosave
thelateEmperorPalpatine.Duringherlongrecovery,noonecouldhaveblamedherhadshetakentherestshedeserved.Instead,ReetookonthemostdifficultandcomplicatedtasksthatwouldhelprestoreordertotheImperialStarfleet.Whileothersschemedfortheirowngain,shesharedinformationequallyandwithouteveraskingforspecialfavorsinreturn.”
Thatwasn’tanythingheroic.Thatwasthebareminimumrequiredbyduty.HadeveryoneelseintheImperialStarfleetcompletelyabandonedtheirresponsibilitiestotheirfellowofficers?Despiteherdisillusionment,Cienacouldn’thelpfeelingcontemptforthosewhohadsocallouslyshirkedtheirresponsibilitiesoutofcravenambitionorcowardice.
“Inthesetimes,fewhaveprovedthemselvesworthyoftheirrank.Youhave,Ree.”Randdwalkedtotheviewscreenasheadded,“Nodoubtyouexpectmetoinformyouofyournewassignment.Well,heresheis.”
Ontheviewscreenbehindhim,thebattleschematicsvanishedandwerereplacedbytheimageofaStarDestroyer;anon-screen
legendidentifieditastheInflictor.
Randdsaid,“HerewithIpresentyourfirstcommand,CaptainRee.”
Applausebrokeoutthroughthebridge,andNashevencheered.Shecoveredhermouth,tooastonishedtoknowhowtoreact.
Ciena’sfirstthoughtwasthetruest:TheImperialStarfleetisinworseshapethanIthought.
Herservicemighthavebeenexemplary,butevenso,undernormalcircumstancesanofficersoyoungwouldneverbeconsideredforcommandofaStarDestroyer.Evenifshe’dbeenpromotedtotherankofcaptain,sheshouldn’thavebeengivenashiplikethis.Thepowerplaysandattemptedcoupshavethinnedtheranks.Everyoneelsewithseniorityhaseitherdefectedtooneof
thesplinterfleetsorbeeneliminated.
Deepwithinher,thepieceofCiena’ssoulthatrememberedheroldlovefortheEmpirewantedtotakeprideinthis.Captainbeforeagetwenty-five!CommanderofaStarDestroyer!Thesewerehonorsshehadn’tevendaredtodreamofbackwhenshewasanidealisticcadet.
Now,however,thepromotionwasonlyonemore
burdentobear.“Sir,”Cienamanagedto
say.“Thankyou,sir.”GrandMoffRandd
seemedpleasedwithhislittleshow.Nodoubthesawitasademonstrationtohisunderlingsthatanythingwaspossibleiftheywereonlyloyalandworkedhard.Shehadoncebelievedthatherself.Whatafoolshe’dbeen.
Numbly,shejoinedthe
processiondowntothedockingbaywhereshewouldboardhernewcommand.Randdkeptspeakingtheentiretime.“CommanderBrisneywillbeyourISBofficer—shipsystemsareunderthecareofCommanderErisher—andasforyourflightcommander,IbelieveyoualreadyknowCommanderWindrider.”
SheturnedtoseeNashwalkingatherside,slightly
behind,stillbeaming.Onlynowdidshenoticethechangedrankonhisinsigniaplaque;nodoubthersawaitedonthebridgeoftheInflictor.
“Congratulations,Ciena,”hesaid.“I’vehardlyheardfromyousinceIshippedoutontheSubjugator.”
“I’msorry,I—”“Don’tbesilly.I
understandcompletely.Betweentheordealofyourrecoveryandallthework
you’vedone,I’msurprisedyouevenfoundtimetosleep.”Nashshowednosignofjealousyorsuspicion.Maybehe’devengottenoverhiscrushonherinthetenmonthstheyhadn’tseeneachother.Insomeways,hisguilelesstrustwashardertobear.“IonlymeantIlookforwardtoseeingyouregularlyagain.”
“Everyday,”Cienasaid,withoutexpression.
AfteranotherbriefceremonyontheInflictor’sbridge,CienapinnedhernewinsigniaplaquetoheruniformandwentintothebriefingroomwithGrandMoffRanddforaclassifiedconference.Assoonastheywereseated,Randd’ssmilefaded.Onlythecooltacticianremained.
“We’reheadedtowardamajorstandoffwiththerebels,”hesaid.“We’re
committingafairportionofthefleet,andifthedamnedRebellionwantstostandachanceofkeepingthatsector,they’llhavetodothesame.ThispromisestobethelargestbattlesinceEndor.”Hislongfingerjabbedatthecontrols,andanimageofaplanetinbrown,russet,andgoldhoveredabovetheholo-projector.“HerewehavethedesertworldofJakku—worthlessonitsownbutsoon
toliveforeverinhistoryastheplacewheretheEmpiredefeatedtheRebelliononceandforall.”
Maybeitwould.Maybethey’dbesentlimpingawayindefeat.Cienadidn’tknoworcare.SheonlyunderstoodthatdespiteherdisillusionmentwiththeEmpire,shehadtofight.Thealternativewouldbetosurrendertotherebels,andshecouldimaginehowthey
dealtwithcapturedenemies.AndifshedesertedherpostascaptainofaStarDestroyer,theForcealoneknewwhatwouldbecomeofherfamily—especiallyhermother,stillenduringherforced-laborsentenceinprison.Cienahadhardlyhadachancetothinkofescapeduringherrecovery,andnowitwastoolate.Therewasnowayoutforher,notanymore.
EverythingCienahad
workedforherwholelifewasasham.Nowshewouldcontinuethiswaronlybecauseshehadnochoice.
Jakku,shethought,lookingattheworldandimaginingthebattlethatlayahead.Letitcome.
THANEDIDN’TLIKEtheideaofgoingintobattlewithouthisX-wing.However,GeneralRieekanhadinsisted.
“WeneedpeoplelikeyouandLieutenantIdelewhohaveservedonImperialships
inthepast,”RieekansaidasThane,Kendy,andothertroopsboardedatransport.“It’sthissimple—weneedmorevessels,andweneedthemfasterthantheycanbebuilt,especiallywhiletheEmpirestillholdsmostofthemainconstructionfacilities.Theonlywaywe’regoingtogetthoseshipsisbycapturingthemfromtheEmpire.”
Thanemanagedtorespondtothispolitely,
insteadofwiththescornitdeserved.“Sir,withallduerespect,nobodyhasevercapturedaStarDestroyer.Anddon’ttellmeit’sbecausenoonehasevertried.Yeah,waybackintheday,wemanagedtotakeoutagovernor’sdestroyeroverMustafar,butsincethen,theImperialshaveshoreduptheirdefensesagainstinfiltrators.ThesedaysStarDestroyersarenearly
invulnerable.”“Thosecrewsaren’tas
die-hardastheyusedtobe,”Rieekaninsisted.“We’vehadshipsaslargeasattackcruisersswitchallegianceinotherbattles,haven’twe?”
“Thosehavethousandsofcrewmembers.Nottensofthousands.”
“Weonlyneedenoughsympathizerstohelpusshutsystemsdown.OnlyformerImperialofficerssuchasyou
andIdelecanleadustothemostvulnerableareas.”
Grudgingly,ThanetookRieekan’spoint.Iftheycouldgetoneoftheauxiliarybridges,theengineroom,andacoupleofthegunneriesunderNewRepubliccontrol,theycouldeffectivelyparalyzeaStarDestroyer.Actuallyclaimingtheshipwouldrequireintenseintravesselcombat,lastingdaysifnotweeks—butitwas
possible.Alongshot.Anextremely
longshot.Yetpossible.“Ifeelsocoopedupin
here,”Kendygrumbledastheytooktheirplacesinthehold,harnessingthemselvesintoslenderseatsthatweremorelikethoseforahoverbikethanaspacejourney.“Wecan’tevenseethebattle.”
Thanefounditincrediblystrange,too—lookingatthe
flatbeigewallsofthetrooptransportinsteadofthevastnessofspace,hearingnotthehumofhisenginesorthescreechofhisgunsbutonlythemurmurofothernervoussoldiers.“Maybethat’sforthebest,”hesaid,thoughhedidn’tbelieveit.“Wecanfocusonourplansforboarding.”
Kendyleanedcloser,glancingabouthertomakesurenobodyoverheardbefore
shespoke.“NeitherofuswaseverpostedtoaStarDestroyer.I’veonlyevenbeenononethreetimes,andneverformorethanaday.”
“Westudiedtheschematicsattheacademy,”hesaidasconfidentlyashecouldmanage.“Webothrememberthemostimportantinformation—especiallyaboutinternaldefenses.That’senough.”
Shesighed.“Maythe
Forcebewithus.”AlwaystheForce.
Thane’syearofmeditationhadnotconvincedhimthattherewasanyall-powerfulForceatworkbehindgalacticaffairs.Still,letKendytakehercouragewhereshecouldfindit.
Maybehewouldn’thavefeltsouneasyifanyelementofthemissionwasfamiliar,butnoneofitwas.BeingwithouthisX-wingwasby
fartheworst;he’dhavefeltsafershootingdownTIEfightersthanrunningintotheheartofaStarDestroyer.Yetsmallerdetailsrankled,too.Insteadofhissturdy,full-coverhelmet,heworeonlyasmallonethatfastenedunderhischinwithanuncomfortableblackstrap.Insteadofhisorangeflightsuit,heworeasimpleuniformoftrousers,shirt,andvestthatheassociatedmore
withdaysoffthanwithbattle.Andaroundonearmwastiedhisgrayish-bluemourningband.
Technicallyheshouldhavetakenitofffourdaysago,ontheanniversaryoftheBattleofEndor.Bythen,however,ThanehadknowntheBattleofJakkuwascoming,andithadfeltrighttotakeitwithhimintothefray.
Oncethisbattleisover,
I’lltakeitoff,hepromisedhimself.I’llburnitastheritualcommands,andI’llsavetheashesuntilthedayIreturntoJelucan.
Inhismind’seye,hecouldalreadyseehimselfenteringtheFortressfortheverylasttime.Hewouldputtheashesthere,withtheoldtoysandthecast-offboots,andthepalletofblanketsandfurswhereheandCienahadmadelove.Then,atlast,he
couldbeginagain.“WhichDestroyeris
this?”Thaneasked,wonderingifitwouldbeonehe’deverseen.
“TheInflictor,”someoneanswered.He’dneverheardofthatone.
“Atleasttheyissuedusblasters,”Kendymuttered.“I’mevenbetterwithablasterthanIamwithlasercannons.”
“ThenI’llstickbyyou,”
hesaid,andwasrewardedwithhersmile.
“Allhands,”camethevoiceovertheintercom,unnaturallycalm.“Braceforimpact.”
Thanegrabbedthestrapsofhisharness.Herewego.
WhateverelseCienaReewas,shewasnotatraitor.Duringthefewshortweeksshehadservedascaptainof
theInflictor,shehaddoneherdutytotheverybestofherability.IfshefeltnoloyaltytotheEmpireanylonger,sheunderstoodherresponsibilityforthehundredsofthousandsoflivesunderhercommand.SoshehadnotgivenanythinglessthanherbestduringtheBattleofJakku.
IfotherImperialofficerscouldhavesaidthesame,maybetheywouldn’tbeonthevergeofannihilation.
“Statusreport!”Cienacalledoutasshewalkedclosertothedatapits.
“Enginethreeisonlyatsixty-sixpercentcapacity,Captain.”Theyoungensign’sfacelookedupathers,hisruddyskinflushedwithpanic.“Enginesoneandfivearestillcompletelydown.Weonlyhavefullpoweronenginesthreeandseven.Two,four,andsixareeachunderthirtypercentpower.”
Damn.Ifherrepaircrewscouldgetenginetwobackupabove85percent,theywouldstillbeabletojumpintohyperspaceandescapethebattle.Iftheycouldn’tfixit—orifenginethreetookdamage,too—theInflictorwastrapped.Nooptionbutretreatofferedanychanceofsurvival.
Themainviewscreendisplayedadisastrouspanorama.Againstthe
brownish-goldsurfaceofJakkuweresilhouettedhundredsofships,bothImperialandrebel,fromfrigatesandotherStarDestroyersdowntocountlessstarfighters.Meanwhile,smallerscreensoneithersideshowedscenesofthegroundbattle,whichwasprovingtobeevenmoreofarout.Evenasshewatched,awalkertookonehittoomany,wobbledonitsslenderlegs,thenfell
sidewayssohardthatsandexplodedfromtheimpactlikeatidalwave.EverywhereCienalooked,therebelswereattackingwhiletheEmpiretriedinvaintodefenditself.Theadvantagehadbeentheirsfromthebeginning,toapointthatmadeherwonderbitterlyifthewholebattlehadbeenatrap.MaybetheirplansformakingastandatJakkuhadbeenbetrayedbysomeadmiralorGrandMoff
whosepowerplayhadbeenthwarted.
“Weneedachangeinstrategy,”shesaid,mostlytoherself.Imperialbattletacticsnearlyalwayscalledforconcerted,simultaneouseffortbyallshipsengagedincombat,rigidlycontrolledbyacentralcommand.WhentheEmpirehadpossessedtheadvantageinstrengthandnumbers,thosetacticshadmadesense.NowCiena
thoughttheywereclingingtotherulesofagamethathadendedmorethanayearago.
Therebelshadprovedthatsmallerstrikeforcescouldbeeffective,evendeadly.Theyoftenattackedonmultiplefrontsatonce,segmentingtheirforces.Thatapproachwasriskier,butthereaboveJakku,itwasgettingresults.
TheInflictorshuddered.Althoughthesensationwas
nomorethanafaintvibrationbeneathherchair,Cienaknewthedamagewassignificantevenbeforecontrolscreenslitupred.
“Explosivedecompressionaftstarboard!”criedanensign.“Losingatmosphere—”
“Sealoffallaffecteddecks!”Withthosewords,Cienaknew,shehadsavedhership—butcondemnedhundredsifnotthousandsto
deathbysuffocation.Wecan’tkeepfightingby
theoldrules.It’sfutile.Cienawenttoa
viewscreenandpulledupathree-dimensionalviewofthebattle,inminiature.IfshecouldconvinceGrandMoffRanddtosplitupthefleet,toattacktherebelstarcruisersfrommultipledirections,maybeeventosendoneofthetwenty-gunraidersintotheatmospheretosupportthe
TIEfightersbattlingneartheplanet’ssurface—attheveryleastthey’dshaketherebelsup.Theydesperatelyneededanyadvantagetheycouldclaim.
WouldRanddevenlistentoher?ShemightbecaptainofaStarDestroyer,buthewasaGrandMoff,andhe’dsubtlymadeitclearthatsheowedherriseinrankentirelytohim.…
Onceagainitstruckher
howabsurditwas—howfoolish,howwasteful,howstupid—thatrankmatteredmorethanideasintheImperialfleet.Itangeredher.Itdisgustedher.ShehatedtheEmpiresheserved,hatedthevaluesitstoodfor,hatedthewayeveryonetalkedaboutPalpatineasthoughheweresomevirtuousmartyr.Shehatedherselfforhavingeverbelievedinit.Mostlyshehatedthatitwasallshehad
left.Butthenshesawtheother
officersscramblingaroundher,tryingsohardtofulfilltheirdutyandtosurvive.Cienaowedittothem,atleast,todoherbest.Ifshehadnoothertaskworththedoing,shecouldsimplytrytogetthemhome.
Shebegan,“OpenachanneltoGrandMoffRa—”
Theentireshiptrembled,hardenoughtoknock
officers’capsfromtheirheadsandspillatleasttwoanalystsontothefloor.Cienabracedherselfagainstthewall.“Whatwasthat?”
“Captain,weshowanotherhullbreach,portside,ondecksRRthroughZZ.”Theyoungofficer’sfacebetrayedherconfusion.ShelookedupatCiena,herskintintedredbythelight.“Butsensorsrevealnosignofvacuum.”
ThentheInflictorshookwithanotherimpact.Another.Afourth.Eachresultedinthesamebizarrereadings:gapsintheshipthathadnotresultedinvacuum.Therecouldbeonlyoneexplanation.
Ciena’sgutdropped.Althoughshe’dneverbeenaboardashipwhenthishadhappened,shehadlearnedthesignsintheacademyandrelivedthemsometimesin
hernightmares.“We’vebeenboarded.”
Boarded.Inthepitchofbattle,thatmeantonlyonething:
Hershiphadtodie.
“Gettothecontrolcenterforenginethree,”Thaneorderedthroughhiscomlinkasheedgeddownacorridoralreadythickwithsmoke.“Ifwecantakeouttheirlast
fullyfunctioningmainengine,wehaveachance.”
Thane’sjobwassimplerandfarmorecritical.Hehadtodisconnecttheself-destructsystemsassoonaspossible.NotoneImperialofficerwouldhesitatebeforeorderingthemasssuicidenecessarytokeepaStarDestroyeroutofNewRepublichands.
Aheadofhim,alongaperpendicularcorridor,he
sawblasterfire;theechoesofeachshotricochetedoffhiseardrumswithpainfulintensity.Throughthetinnyringinginhishead,Thanecouldhearotherreportscomingin.ContrarytoRieekan’sprediction,thecrewoftheInflictorwasputtingupstiffresistance.TheImperialtroopsaboardthisshipseemedtobemorededicatedthanmostoftheothers.JustThane’sluck.
Theblasterfireaheadcleared,andthenKendy’sheadappearedaroundthecorner.“Clearedthewayforyouguys.Comeon,let’sgo!”
Thaneranattheheadoftheplatoon,hopingtheycouldadvanceasfarastheportsideauxiliarybridge.Iftheycouldgaincontrolofthat,they’dbeinamuchbetterpositiontohelptheotherNewRepublicsoldiersthroughouttheship.
Butevenastheychargedintothenextsection,anotherwaveofstormtroopersmetthem,blastersblazing.Thaneflattenedhimselfagainstthewall.Theairsmelledlikeozoneandsmoke,andhesawnowayout.WhatdoIdo?
Theycouldn’tgettotheself-destructsystems—notlikethis.
Whichmeantthat,withinminutes,theInflictorwouldexplodeandkillthemall.
Getthroughthis,hetoldhimself.Go!
“CaptainRee,youcan’t!”oneofthejuniorensignsprotested.Shecouldn’thavebeenmorethanseventeen.TheImperialfleetwasstealingthemfromtheremainingacademies,eventhoughtheywerestilltooyoung.
“IcanandImust.”Ciena
tookherseatasshementallypreparedherselfforwhatshewasgoingtodo.Moregentlysheadded,“Don’tbeafraid,EnsignPerrin.We’llhavetimetogettotheescapepods,andeachofthoseisequippedwithahomingdevicethatwilltakeitstraighttothenearestImperialvessel.”
Perrinsmiledshakily;aroundher,theotherofficersseemedtocalmthemselves,too.Whydidregulations
discouragespeakingwithanysenseofmoderationorcompassion,whenitsometimesdidsomuchgood?
AtleasttheEmpire’sruthlessnesswouldhelpherafterthebattle.Oncethiswasover—assumingtheyweren’tallinaNewRepublicprisoncamp—Cienawouldbecalledontojustifysettingtheself-destructonaStarDestroyer,oneofthemostpowerfuland
valuableshipsintheImperialStarfleet.Sheknewthegamewellenoughtounderstandthatanyexplanationshegavewouldbefoundinadequate.BeforeEndor,itwouldhaveresultedinalong,gruelingprisonsentenceonKessel;now,shewouldeitherbecashieredoutoftheserviceorexecutedonthespot.Cienafoundshedidn’tcarewhich.
“Onmymark,”Cienasaid.“Prepareforself-
destruct.Initiatinginten—nine—eight—”
TheInflictorshudderedagain.EvenloathingtheEmpireasshedid,Cienawastoomuchacaptainnottofeelapangatthewoundstohership.
Shefinished,“Three—two—one.Initiate.”
EnsignPerrinshoveddowntheleverthatwouldsettheself-destructinmotion.Cienawaitedforthered
lights,thesiren,theautomatedannouncementsendingallcrewtoescapepods—hersignaltosealthedoors—buttheynevercame.Afterthesilencehadlastedamomenttoolong,sheraisedherselffromherchairtopullupshipschematics.Damagelightsflashedinallthewrongplaces,inparticularoneareanotfarfromtheportsideauxiliarybridge.
“Theytargetedtheself-
destructsystems,”Cienasaid,almostindisbelief.“Theyspecificallytookthemoffline.”
OnlyaformerImperialofficerwouldhaveknownhowtodothat.Inherhead,sheheardherfathersayingthewordshe’dtoldheroncewhenshewasonlyachild:Alltraitorsaredamned.
“Awaitingyourorders,Captain,”saidalieutenantstandinginthedatapits.She
realizedeverypersononthebridge—andprobablythroughouttheship—hadnoideawhattodonext.
Butshedid.Theknowledgedawned
insideherlikethemostbeautifuldayshe’deverseen.Shecoulddoherduty,fulfillheroath,andfreeherselffromthismadnessforever.
Cienareturnedtoherchairandhittheswitchthatwouldprojecthervoicetoall
stationsandtoeverystarfighterbasedaboardtheInflictor.“Allhands,abandonship.Allstarfighters,rendezvouswiththenextnearestImperialvessel.Allhands,abandonship.Youhavetenminutes.”
Aroundher,therestoftheofficersstared.Fortheonlytimeinhercommand,Cienashoutedatthem.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?Gettotheescapepods!Go!”
Asallofthemdashedout,thecommscrackledandbuzzed.Cienaknewwhoitwouldbeevenbeforesheheardthevoice;onlyonepersonassignedtohershipwoulddaretoquestionhernow.
Nashyelled,“Haveyougonemad?”
“Notsurewhatyoumean,CommanderWindrider.”
“Don’tyou‘CommanderWindrider’me,notnow.If
theself-destructwereonline,we’dhaveheardtheautomatedsignal.Thattellsmeyou’replanningondestroyingtheshipby—someothermeans—”
Cienasatbackdowninherblackleatherchair,aswearyasifshehadn’tsleptinyears.“Justsayit.”
“…you’regoingtocrashtheInflictorintotheplanet.”
Shebeganpunchinginthecoordinatesthatwould
driveherstraightintoJakku’ssurface.Alreadyshecouldimaginethefire,theheat,theend.
ThenshewouldhavedoneherdutytothelastandyetescapedallthetiesthatboundhertotheEmpire,forever.
“IhavetokeeptheInflictoroutofrebelhandsnomatterwhat.”Cienatriedtoimagineshewastalkingtotheboyshe’dknownatthe
academy,theboywhokepthishairlongandbraidedbackinAlderaanianfashionandwhoseimpishsenseofhumormadethemalllaugh.“Thisistheonlyway,Nash.”
“Thehellitis.Youcansetthecoordinatesandgetoutofthere.”
“Andleavetheshiptotherebels?They’dtakethebridge,changecourse,andflyoffwiththeirnewStarDestroyer.”Sheleanedher
headbackandstaredupatthemetal-tiledceiling,soabsurdlyhighoverhead.Wasthescaleofthebridgemeanttorepresentakindofgrandeur?Insteaditonlymadethespacefeelemptyandcold.
“Ciena,please.”ShecouldhearNash’svoicebreak,evenoverthedistantroarofhisTIE’sengines.“Atleasttellmeyou’lltry.”
Thatwasthelastthing
shewantedtodo.NowthatCienahadfoundherwayout,shefeltonlyrelief.Thepainofmerelyexistingdaytodayhadbecomewhollycleartoheronlynowthatithadlifted,andshedidn’thavetobearitonehourmore.
“Ihavetolockthedoorsnow,”shesaid.“Good-bye.”
Withthat,shesnappedoffthecommconnectiontoallTIEfighters.NeverwouldshehearNash’svoiceagain.
Asshewentthroughtheprocedureforthebridgedoors’securitylocks,Cienathoughtoftheotherthingsshe’dneveragainexperience.Beingwithherparents.Flyingastarfighteror,betteryet,aV-171shecouldtakeupabovethecloudsonJelucan.LaughingatoneofBerisse’sdirtyjokes.TryingtowakeJudeupinthemorningandhearingherusuallylogicalfriendwhine
intoherpillow.Ridinghermuunyakalongthemountainridges.PilotingaspeederbikethroughReitgenHoops.EatingMr.Nierre’ssnow-frostingcakes.RunningontheSkyLoopwhileCoruscantglitteredbeneathher.
BeingwithThane.Makinglovewithhim.Flyingwithhim.
“Good-bye,”sherepeatedsoftly,sayingfarewelltoit
all.
Thanefrozeinplacethemomentheheardtheannouncement.AsthevoiceechoedthroughthecorridorsoftheInflictor,tellingallhandstoabandonship,hetriedtoconvincehimselfthatitcouldn’tbeher—
—buthecouldnevermistakeCiena’svoice.
“Wejusttookouttheself-
destruct!”Kendyshouted.Shedidn’tseemtohaverecognizedthevoiceoverthespeakers.“Howaretheygoingtoblowthisthing?”
HeknewwhatCienawoulddoassurelyasifhe’dcomeupwiththeplanhimself.“She’sgoingtocrashit.”QuicklyhegrabbedthecommlinkthatconnectedhimtoRieekan.“Weneedtogeteveryonethehelloutofhere,now.Iftheycan’treach
ourtrooptransports,theyshouldgofortheImperialescapepods.Lightswillmarktheway.”
Kendy,likeeveryoneelseontheblast-charredauxiliarybridge,beganrunningforthepodsevenbeforeRieekangavetheordersThanehadsuggested.Yetjustassheclearedthefinalstepdownandgottothedoors,sherealizedThanewasn’tfollowingsuit.“Whatareyou
doing?Didn’tyouhear?We’vegotlessthantenminutes.”
“I’llcatchup,”helied.“Go.”Kendygavehimalook,butsheobeyedRieekan’sordersandrantosafety,leavingThanealone.
Cienawasalive.Shewasalive,shewasthere,andhehadtogettoherbeforeshekilledthemboth.
Thanedashedforthefarthestcornerofthe
auxiliarybridge,wherehisdustymemoriesofLargeVesselDesigntoldhimhe’dfindarepairshaft.Sureenough,oneofthemetalmeshpanelspulledaway,revealingaplain,coldtunnelleadingupward.Heslammedhishandagainsttheswitchbythedoor,summoningtheantigravplatformthatcouldtakehimtoanydeckhewantedwithinmoments.
Whenitappeared,he
jumpedon—thenreeledashegrabbedforitssafetyhandle.Thanehadneveractuallyriddenoneofthosethings.Theyweremoreunstablethanhisclasseshadmadethemsound.Afewmorecentimetersandhewouldhaveslippedfromtheplatformandplummetedseveralkilometerstohisdeath.
Onedeepbreathandthenhepunchedinthecodethat
wouldtakehimtothedeckwherehecouldreachthemainbridge.
Asheflewupwardattopspeed,thegustsofairyankedathishelmetuntilhepulleditoffandletitfall.Thanetriedtogetasenseofhowmuchtimehadelapsed.Threeminutes?Four?BynowtheInflictor’senginesdidn’thavetodoanymorework;Jakku’sgravitywouldtakecareoftherest.Evennowtheplanetwas
pullingtheStarDestroyerdowntowarditsdoom.
Comeon,hethought,grippingthesafetyhandleevenmoretightly.Comeon!
Finallyhereachedtherightdeck,kickedinthesecurityplatethere,andemergedintoacorridor.Afteramoment’sdisorientation,hecouldhavesmackedhimselfforhisidiocy;ofcoursethemainbridgewouldn’tbesoeasilyaccessible.Thaneran
forthedoors,thenskiddedtoastopastheyfailedtoopenforhim.
“Ciena!”heshouted,banginghisfistagainstthemetal.Thatwasonlytotakeouthisfrustration,becauseheknewshecouldn’thearhimthroughtheblastdoorstothemainbridge.Notonlyweretheytoothickforsoundtocarry,buttheyalsocouldn’tbedestroyedbyblastersorlasers,notevenbyathermal
detonator.Shehadsealedouteverypossibleinvader,includinghim.
Buttherewereonlysomanywaysforacaptaintosealtheblastdoors.
ThanerealizedheknewwhichwayCienawouldchoose;he’dheardherexplain,once.Shewouldusethecaptain’s-wordmethod.Nowtheblastdoorswerepermanentlyshuttoanyonewhodidn’tknowthewordor
phraseshehadchosentolockherselfin.
Heleanedhisforeheadagainstthemetalandputhishandtothemanualentrypanel.Anautomatedvoicesaid,“Statethepassword.”
Leaningdowntothespeaker,Thanewhispered,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”
CIENABENTOVERthenavigationstation,onehandsplayedacrossherachingabdomen,theotherrestingonthecontrols.Theautonavsystemhadrepeatedlyattemptedtooverridehercommands,butshe’dfinally
managedtoshutitdown.Nowallshehadtodowaswait.
Shesteppedbackandsankintoherchair.Ontheviewscreenahead,thestarshadbeenerased;nothingremainedbutthesandysurfaceofJakku.Witheverysecond,theviewoftheworldbelowbecameclearer.Cienawatchedshadowsexpandintodesertsandmountains.Sensorsbegantoflarered,
warningherofatmospherebreach.Sheignoredthem.
Atonepointhervisionblurred.Whensheliftedherhandtoherface,herfingerscameawaywet.Cienablinkedquicklytoclearhereyes.Whenherendcame,shewouldnotflinch.Shewouldn’tturnaway.Itwasthelastexperienceshewouldeverhave,andsheintendedtobefullypresentforeverysinglemoment,eventhepain.
Todiewithhonor—noonecouldaskformore—
Thebridge’sblastdoorsslidopen.
Cienajumpedtoherfeet.Byinstinctshereachedforherblaster,butnoStarDestroyercaptaincarriedoneonthebridge.Howcouldanyonehavegottenin?
ThenshesawThane.Theonepersoninthe
Rebellion—intheentiregalaxy—whocouldhave
guessedtherightwordstosay,Cienathoughtinadaze,andofcoursehe’shere.
Maybeshewasdreaming,orhallucinating.HerbrainhadconjuredupanimageofThanesoshewouldn’tbelieveshehadtodiealone.Heevenworeamourningbandaroundonebicep,grievinglikeoneofthekindredforatragedythathadyettocome.
Butthenhebreathedout
inrelief,asoundsosubtleandyetfamiliarthatiterasedalldoubt.Thiswasreal.Thiswashappening.
“Ciena.”Thanebegantowardher,thenstoppedwhenshetookastepback.Hepausedandliftedhishandsasiftoshowheheldnoweapon…butshecouldseetheblasterstrappedtohisside.“It’sokay.I’mgoingtogetyououtofhere.”
“I’mnotleaving.”The
wordsseemedtocomefromaverygreatdistance,asifshewerehearingtheminsteadofspeakingthem.“I’llstaywithmyship.”
“Youknow,wecanhavealongtalkabouthonoranddutylater.Rightnow,weneedtogetthehelloffthisthingbeforewe’reinfull-onatmosphericentry.”
Escapepodscouldhandleplanetarylandings,butlaunchingwithinthe
atmospherewashazardous.Alreadythetemperaturereadingsoutsidethehullwereclimbingdramatically.Cienafeltherpulsequickenwithfear—notforherself.“Thane,gotothenearestescapepod.”
Heliftedhischin,likethestubborn,pridefulboyhe’dbeensolongago.“Notwithoutyou.”
Angerflaredinher.“YourealizeIoughttoarrestyourightnow?Orshootyou?”
“We’rekindofoutsidetheregulationsherealready.”Thaneheldouthishandtoher,butshetookanotherstepawayfromhim.Lessthantwometersseparatedthemnow.Toeithersideofthem,onthecountlessviewscreensandsensors,alarmlightsflashedandscenesofbattleandbloodshedflickered.
“Youhavetogo!Don’tyouunderstandI’mtryingtosaveyourlife?”
“I’mtryingtosaveyours!”Hehadlookedatherthatpleadingly,thatdesperately,whenhehadfirsttriedtotalkherintodesertingtheEmpirewithhim.ForThane,perhaps,nothinghadchangedinthefiveyearssince.Shefeltsomucholder.Somuchsadder.Hollowedout.Buthekeptstandingthere,hishandoutstretched,believinghecouldrescuethemboth.“Comeon,Ciena.
Wedon’thavemuchtime.”Thanedidn’tseethat
therewasnotimeleftforher,noneatall.
Whathavetheydonetoher?Cienastoodbeforehim,
sothinthatshelookedasifshecouldbecrushedinaman’sfist.Heruniformhungonher,andthatcombinedwiththefranticallyblinkingwarninglightsgoingoffall
aroundthemmadethesceneseemmorelikesomeuglyparodyofanImperialbridgethantherealthing.WhatscaredThanemost,though,wastheblanknessinhereyes.NothingofCiena’sspiritshonethrough;hesawonlyangeranddespair.
ButhisCienawasstillinthere.HeknewthatonlybecauseshewantedtodieratherthankeepservingtheEmpire.
“Listentome,”Thanesaid,tryinghardtosoundcalmevenastheInflictorshudderedwithitsfirstrealbrushwithJakku’satmosphere.Theridewouldonlygetrougher.“Youdon’towetheEmpireadamnedthing.Theydon’tdeserveyourloyalty,andtheydefinitelydon’tdeserveyourlife.”
“Youdon’tevenknowwhatloyaltymeans.”
“ThehellIdon’t!Ciena,ifIweren’tloyaltoyou,wouldIbehere?”
Theshipshudderedagain.Thanestumbledslightlytooneside,andCienahadtograbherchairtoremainupright.Sheshouted,“Thane,youhavetogo!Youhavetogetinanescapepodnow!”
“Iwon’tleaveyouhere.”Herealizeditcouldcometothat—dyingbyCiena’sside,here,today,ratherthan
escapingwithhisownlife.Thanewantedtosurvive.
AsmuchashelovedCiena,heknewfromthepastyearthathewascapableofgoingonafterherdeath,evenhealingandfindingpeace.
Buthedidn’twanttoliveasthemanwhohadleftherbehindtodie.
Herepeated,“Iwon’tleaveyou.”
“Please!”Cienahadbeguntoshake.“Pleasedon’t
makemeresponsibleforyourdeath.AllIeverasked,inallthosebattles,wasnottobetheonewhokilledyou.”
“Iaskedforittobeyou.Becausewe’rebound,always,youandI—inlifeorindeath.YouknowitaswellasIdo.That’swhywehavetogetoffthisshiptogether.”
Cienaremainedsilentforalongmoment.Theshiptiltedtooneside,artificialgravitywarringwiththereal
thingtuggingthemtowardJakku.Ontheviewscreen,theimageoftheplanet’ssurfaceslowlyswirled;theshiphadbegunspiralingdown.
Thenshetookonesteptowardhim,andanother.Thanecouldhaveweptwithrelief.“Good.That’sright.Comewithme.”
Shestoodbeforehimatlast.Theireyesmet.AndCienapunchedhiminthegut,hard.
AsThanesprawledonthefloor,Cienagrabbedhisblasterfromitsholster.Shestoodabovehimandhestaredather,tryingtocatchthebreathshe’dknockedoutofhim.“Isthatit?”hesaid.“You’regoingtoshootme?”
“Ofcoursenot,”shesaid.“I’mgoingtostunyouanddragyoutoanescapepodmyself.But—beforethat—youknowI’monlydoingthistosaveyou,don’t—?”
Thanekickedherinthelegsofirmlythatshestumbledbackmorethanameterbeforefallingonherback.Theblasterskiddedacrossthetiltedfloor,slidingfarawayfromthemboth,andCienahadtostruggletogetbacktoherfeet.
Hewasup,too,infightingstance,blueeyesblazing.“Youwanttoplaythisrough?Fine.We’llplayrough.”
Onememoryflashedinhermind,ofhowthey’dmetbackwhentheywerechildren—fightingforeachother.
Itlookedliketheyweregoingtodiethesameway.
Cienaranathim,andhecouldn’tdodgeherwellenoughtokeepherfromtacklinghim.Assheslammedhisheadbackontothemeshfloor,sheshouted,“Getyourrebelassoffmybridge!”
Thanethrewheroff,
pushinghersideways.Evenassherolledagainstthewall,hesaid,“I’mgoingtorescueyouwhetheryoulikeitornot.”
Didn’theunderstand?Didn’thesee?Whywashetryingtostealheronechancetoescapethishellanddiewithherhonor?ItwasasifThanehadneverknownheratall.
Shekickedsavagelyathim;theheelofherboot
caughthisjawandsenthimreeling.Cienascrambledtoherfeet,whichwaswhenshecaughtaglimpseoftheviewscreen—theimageofJakkuwasterrifyinglyclose,butitbegantoblurandblacken.Theoutsidesensorswereburningofffromtheheatofatmosphericentry.Thewindowswerenowbrilliantorange,cuttingofftheirviewastheshipwassealedinflame.Thewarring
factionsintheatmosphereandonthegroundwouldbeabletoseetheInflictorgashingastreakoffireacrosstheskylikeameteor.
ThanegrabbedCiena’slegandpulledhertothefloor;theimpactofherfallsentnewpainstabbingintohergutwound.EvenasCienagaspedforbreath,Thaneseizedtheadvantage,pinningbothherwristswithhisown.“Justcomewithme,”hesaid,
panting.“Youhavetocomewithmenow.”
Shebroughtherleguptokneehiminthesideandfreedherhands.Cienawantedtotellhimtostopbeinganidiot,torunforapodnow,becauseitwouldbetoolatesoon,ifitwasn’talready—butallshecouldsaywas,“Letmego.”
Thenshebroughtherfiststogetherandswungthemupwardintohisjaw.Ifshehadtoknockhimoutthehard
way,sobeit.
Evenaspainsplinteredthroughhisface,Thanesawtheviewscreenblurandgoblack.Theywereoutoftime.
Sohedidsomethinghewouldnever,everhavebelievedhecoulddo.HehitCienaback.
ButCienawasasmallwoman,andhewasalargeman.Thesameblowtothe
jawthathadmadehimstaggersidewayslaidherflat.Guiltlashedhim,buthecouldn’tstop,notnow—
Sheshovedherselfupward;hershoulderhithismidsectionunderhisribsandstolehisbreath.Astheybothcrashedintoacontrolpanel,hethought,Anyonewatchingwouldthinkwe’retryingtokilleachother,notsaveeachother.
Powerbegantoblinkoff
andonasmorecomponentscaughtfireonentry.Heheardadeep,terriblegroan—themassivemetalframeworkoftheStarDestroyershiftingastheheathitthemeltingpoint.ThroughthefewsmallwindowshecouldseenothingofJakkuorthesky,onlyflame.
Cienapushedhimawayfromherjustasthefloortiltedagain.Nowtheywerebothsprawling,unabletostay
upright.Thanescrambledtogetahandholdononeofthechairs,astrut,anythingthatwouldhelphimup—
—whenhesawaflashofblackmetalslidingalongthewall.
Hethrewhimselfatit.Evenasherolled,heheardCiena’sbootsonthedeckasshesomehowgotbackonherfeet.Sherantowardhim,thethumpingofherstepsfaster,justasThanegottheblaster
inhishands.Oneflickofthethumb,set
tostunand—now!Heglimpsedonesecond
ofhorroronCiena’sfacebeforethebluebolthither.ShecollapsedtothefloorsoheavilythatforaninstantThanefearedhe’daccidentallysettheblastertokill.Butwhenhecrawledacrossthetiltingfloortoreachher,hesawherchestriseandfall.
“I’llaskforgivenesslater,”hewhispered.Onhisknees,ThanemanagedtorollCienaoverandpullherbodyoverhisshoulders.Hetastedbloodashestaggeredtohisfeetandheadedforthenearestescapepod.
HisbreakneckridethroughtheservicetunnelshadrefreshedThane’smemoryofLargeVesselDesignclass,sohewasprettysureheknewwherethepods
were.Whathedidn’tknowwaswhetherornothecouldevengetonetolaunch.Ifthemetalclampshadmeltedintheheatofatmosphericentry,theescapepodwouldbeuselessexceptasaplacetodie.
AndofcoursethefleeingImperialsandescapingNewRepublicsoldiersmighthavelaunchedallthepodsalready—
Go,go,go,go,go,he
chantedinsidehisheadashestumble-ranthroughthecorridorsoftheStarDestroyer.Thefirstpodlocationhereachedshowedempty;thatonehadbeenshotintospacelongago.ButjustasThanefeltpanicclutchingathismind,hegottoasecondlocationandsawanescapepodstillthere,waiting.
Hehitthecontrolpanelwithhisknee,andthedoors
spiraledopen.Itwasoneofthesmallerpods,buttwopeoplewouldfit.ThanedumpedCienainside;ashecrawledthroughtheentrytubetojoinher,thelightssuddenlywentout.Hewasinpitchblackness,saveforthescarletfirelightfromthesmallportholeintheescapepod,whichflickeredacrossCiena’sfallenbody.
Thepowerwasgone.Wouldthedoorsclose?
Wouldthepodlaunch?Iftheexplosivelatcheshadmeltedinsteadofblowing,theyweresunk.
Thaneslammedhishandagainstthelaunchswitch.He’dneverseenanythingmorebeautifulthanthedoorsspiralingshut.Astheylocked,aterribledeepgroanshudderedthroughtheship,likethedyingroarofsomemassivebeast.
Thenthepodlaunched,
shootingthemawayfromtheInflictor.
Thejoltknockedhimagainstthepod’scurvedwall,andCienarolledtotheside.Thanecrawleddownbesidehersohecouldbraceherbodyagainsthis.Thelimitedrepulsorliftsandaccelerationcompensatorsinanescapepodmeanttheyhadaroughrideahead;hewasn’tsurethething’slandingcapacitieswouldevenworkthatcloseto
theground.Throughthetinyporthole,hesawonlybriefflashesofblue,thengold,thenblue,thengold—skyandsandtumblingoverandover.Impactcouldbeonlysecondsaway.
HecurledaroundCiena,buriedhisfaceinthecurveofherneck,andheldonforthecrash.
Thepodhitthegroundwithaseverejolt—thenagain—andagain.Itwasskipping
acrossthesand,Thanerealized.HeandCienawerejostledagainstthewall,neverhardenoughtokillthembutalwayshardenoughtohurt.Finally,oneimpactstuck,slowingthemdownbitbybitastheytunneledthroughJakku’sdesertandverygraduallycametoastop.
Arewesafe?Ithinkwe’re—
Thepodjarredforward,intotheair,sohardthat
Thanefirstbelievedanotherexplosivechargehadbeensetoff.Butthedeeproarheheardtoldhimthetruth.TheInflictorhadjustcrashedintotheplanet,andtheirescapepodwasbeingthrownforwardalongwithatsunamiofdustandsand.
HewrappedhisarmsmoretightlyaroundCienaasthepodtumbledoverandover;thesmallwindowshowednothingbutred-
orangesand.Whatiftheywereburied?Whatifthealready-batteredpodcouldtakenomoreandburstopen?Hedidn’twantthemtosmotherdownhere,buriedalive—
Butslowly,thepodrolledtoastopagain,thistimeapparentlyforgood.
Afteralongsecond,Thaneallowedhimselftobelievethey’dsurvivedthelanding.Butwhatifthey
weredeepunderground?WouldhissensorbeaconevenbeabletosignalaNewRepublicrescue?
Heswitchedonthesensor,waitedalongmoment—thensawtheindicatorturngreen.Signalsending.
“Wemadeit,”hewhisperedtoCiena,wholayunconsciousagainsthisshoulder.Maybeinhersleep,hersubconsciouswouldhearhimandsubtlyletherknow
everythingwasgoingtobeallright.
Asmalllineofbloodmarkedacutonherforehead.Thaneuntiedthemourningbandfromhisarmtouseasamakeshiftbandage,staringdownatherinwonder.
Ofalltheshipsinthegalaxy,Iboardedhers,hethought.
Maybe…maybeCienaandLukeSkywalkerandtheothertraditionalistswereright
abouttheForce.Maybetherewassomepowerthatboundthegalaxytogetherandtookyouunfailinglytoyourfate.TheForcemusthaveguidedhimtohersohecouldsaveherlifeandtheycouldgoontogether.
Itfeltlikeallthecynicismandangerofhisoldlifehadfinallymeltedaway.Helivedundertheauthorityofleaderswhowerefairandjust;hehadfoughtanoblewarand
wasonthevergeofwinning;heservedalongsidepeoplehebothlikedandrespected.CienahadbeenfreedfromtheshacklesbindinghertotheEmpire,andfromnowonshehadnolimits.Neitherofthemdid.Howwasitthataguylikehim—withouthope,withoutfaith—hadfoundhiswayhere?
Heleanedhisforeheadagainsthers.Despitethepainfulbruisesswellingon
hisfaceandbody,despitethebloodstillseepingintohismouth,despitetheterribleshapeCienawasinandthestiflingheatoftheescapepod,hethoughtthatmightbethesinglemostjoyfulmomentofhislife.
Thaneheardsiftingsoundsaboveandliftedhisfacetoseetheescapepoddoorsshiver.Thentheyslidopen,sendingasmallcascadeofsandstreamingdownonto
theirfeetandrevealingaNewRepublicsearchteamsilhouettedagainstthebrightsun.
“AmIgladtoseeyouguys.”HeliftedCienainhisarms.“Helpmeout,willyou?”
“Surething,CoronaFour.”OnememberoftheteamleanedforwardtopullCienathroughtheopeningtofreedom;Thanecrawledoutjustafterandfloppeddownin
thesandbesideher.Themedicleaneddown.
“Doyouneedassistance?”“I’dtakecareofher
first,”Thanesaid.Heexpectedthemedicto
beginexaminingCiena’sinjuries.Insteadalltheotherteammemberspulledtheirblastersastheleaderkneeleddownwithapairofmagneticbindersforherwrists.
“Whatthe…?”ThewordsdiedinThane’smouthashe
realizedtheNewRepublicsoldiersweredoingexactlywhattheyweresupposedtodo.Theywerecapturingahigh-rankingImperialofficerwhowouldhavetobetriedforhercrimes.
He’dthoughthewasrescuingher,thattheForcehadmiraculouslyintervenedtoprotectthemboth.AllThanehaddonewasdeliverhertoprison.
CIENASTOODINhercell,handsclaspedinfrontofher.Theenergyfieldthatseparatedherfromtherestoftheprisonwasalmostperfectlytransparent,tintingtheworldbeyondslightlysilver.Shehadnotbothered
lookingoutduringmostofhercaptivity—attimesshe’dbeensodepressedthatshehadlackedthewilleventogetoutofherjailhousebunk.
Today,however,shehadavisitor.
SheknewThanebytheheavytreadofhisbootsalone,ormaybethatwasonlywishfulthinking.Cienahadstrainedateverysmallnoiseoutsidetheentireday,eventhoughhehadn’tbeendue
untilthishour.Butthistimeitwashim.Thanesmiledwhenhe
sawher,thoughshecouldseethestrickenlookinhiseyes.Didhefeelguiltyforcagingherlikeabird?Good,shethought.Butprobablyhewasmoreshakenbythesightofherstandingtherethinandplaininherprisondress,whichwasverynearlythelightbrowncolorofherskin.
“Autumnleaf,”hesaid,
moretohimselfthantoher—thenrecoveredhimself.“Ciena.Thanksforfinallyagreeingtoseeme.”
Shesimplynodded.Therewasnopointintellinghimthatshe’drelentedafterjustoneweek,onlytobetoldthathe’dalreadyshippedoutonamission.Thathadbeenamomentofweakness.Nowshewasfinallyreadytotalk.“Wehavesomuchtosay,”shesaid.“It’shardtoknow
wheretobegin.”“Tellmewhyyoudidn’t
allowmetovisitbefore.”Cienaturnedherhead,
unwillingtolookhimintheeyesasshesaidthis.“IwishyouhadleftmeaboardtheInflictor.”
“Ifyou’rewaitingformetoapologizeforsavingyourlife,you’llbewaitingawhile.”Afterabriefsilence,headded,“ButIunderstandwhyyoufeelthatway.”
“Doyou?”“Youwantedtodoyour
dutyandescapetheEmpireatthesametime.Suicidewastheonlywaytodothat—tobalancethescales.Butyoushouldn’tmeasureyourselfagainsttheEmpire.You’reworthmorethantherestofitputtogether.”
Cienaglancedupathimthen,toucheddespiteherself.Helookedevenmorehandsomethanhehadinher
daydreams.Hishairhaddarkenedslightly,moreredthanblond.Someonewhohadnotseenhimsincehischildhoodmightnotrecognizehimnow.
Butshethoughtshewouldalwaysknowhim,byhissteporhisflightorhiseyes.Somethingabouthiseyesneverchanged.
“Youdounderstand,”shesaidquietly.“ButIwishyou’drespectedmy
decision.”“You’regladtobealive,
though,right?”Thanesteppedclosertothebarrierasheadded,morehesitantly,“Aren’tyou?”
ForamomentCienacouldn’tanswer.Finally,shemanagedtosay,“It’stooearlytotell.”
Hedidn’tseemtohaveareplytothat.Shedidn’tblamehim.
Thereweretimesshe
trulywishedshehaddiedratherthanfacethisshame.Atothermoments,however,Cienafoundherselfenjoyingthesmallestpleasuresofexistence—theonlyonesavailableinsidehercell.Andthenshefeltshehadn’tbeenreadytodiejustyet.
LookingatThanenowwasoneofthosemoments.
Shesaid,“It’shard.EverythingIworkedformywholelifehasbeen
destroyed.EverythingIeverfoughtforisalie.”
“Noteverything.Intheend,youfoughtforme.”Hissmilewascrooked.“That’sgottobeworthsomething.”
Herthroattightenedagainsttearssherefusedtoshed.“That’stheonlypartstillworthanything.”
“Ciena—”“Itwastheperfecttrap.
Youknow?”Shehadtoclenchherfisthardenough
forhernailstodigintoherpalm;focusingonthepainkeptherfrombreakingdowncompletely.“IwassodedicatedtohonorthatIbecameawarcriminal.”
“There’smorethanonekindoftrap.ForasecondthereI’dconvincedmyselfthatwe’dfixedthewholegalaxy,truthandjusticehadprevailed,soonandsoforth—evenstartedbelievingintheForce,ofallthings—”He
laughedathisownfolly.“SoIhadenoughhopetotakethatimpossiblechanceandcomeafteryou,butitturnedoutIsavedyouonlyforthis.Andnowyou’retrappedhere,wherewecan’teventouch—”
“Stop.Pleasestop.”Cienahidherfacefromhim;shecouldtellhe’dturnedslightlyaway.
Forafewmomentstheybothremainedsilent,
strugglingforcontrol.Cienahadthoughtherownsorrowwastoomuchtobear,butnowshehadtoendureThane’s,aswell.Itwastoomuchforeitherofthem—andyettheyhadnochoice.Whenonewaswounded,theotherbled.Hewasapartofher,forever.
Shemanagedtoslowherbreaths,regainhercomposure.Bythetimesheliftedherheadagain,Thane
hadcalmedhimself,too.“So.Areyouallright?They’retreatingyouwell?”Heglancedaroundhersmallcellasifinspectingit.
Shehadtoadmitthetruth.“Yes.Theygivemeholonovelsandsimplegames.Icanclaimuptosevenhoursofoutdoorexerciseaweek—undersupervision,ofcourse—butthedoctorsagreeIshouldn’tdoanythingtoostrenuousuntilI’vehealed
somemore.”Herhandstoleacrossherabdomen,unconsciouslyshieldingit.
Hewinced.“YouknowIwould’vebeenmorecarefulwithyouifI’drealizedhowbadlyyou’dbeeninjured.”
“Yes.Iknow.”Thoughperhapsthatwouldhavebeenthedeathofthemboth,becauseithadtakenthatmuchforceforhimtoovercomeher.Shefeltstrangelyproudofthat.
“Anyway.Isleepalot.Thebunkhereisn’tmuch,butit’sreasonablycomfortable.I’vebeentreatedhumanelybytheRebellion…theNewRepublicofficers.”Shebrushedaloosecoilofhairawayfromherface,self-consciousabouthernextadmission.“Ihadexpectedinterrogationbytorture.TheEmpirehadtaughtmetothinkthatwasstandardprocedure—allanyprisoner
couldexpect.InsteadIgotmedicaltreatmentandinformationaboutmylegalrights.”
“Haveyoutoldthemanythingvoluntarily?”Thanehastenedtoadd,“I’mnotpressuringyou.I’mnothereonbehalfoftheNewRepublic,andIneverwillbe,allright?Youneverhavetodoubtwhethertheysentmeinheretoplayyou.”
Cienahadharboreddark
thoughtsaboutthatveryscenariolateatnightasshelayinherbunk.Butnowshecouldhonestlyreply,“Ibelieveyou.”
Visiblyrelieved,hecontinued,“Iaskedonlybecause—youknow,they’dcutyouabreakifyoudid.”
Asifthatcouldeverpersuadeher.“Myoathstillholds,Thane.WhileIadmitthatIseetheNewRepublicinadifferentlightnow,I’m
notturningtraitor.NordoIaccepttheirrule.FromwhatI’veheard,thewar’sstillragingon,chaoshasreturnedtothegalaxy—”
“It’sthenormaldisorderofplanetstryingtogettheirgovernmentsbacktogetherafteryearsof—”Thanesighed.“Skipit.Webothknoweachother’slines.”
“There’snopointanyway,”shesaid.“They’renotgoingto‘cutmeabreak,’
nomatterwhatItellthem.I’mawarcriminal,remember?TheNewRepublicwillmakemepayformyservicetotheEmpire.”
Maybethatwasnolessthanshedeserved.
Thanestaredatherforalongmoment;then,toherastonishment,hebegantosmileandshakehishead.“You’regoingtogetoutofhereprettysoonevenifyou
don’ttalk.Ifyoudidsharesomeintel,Ibetyouwouldn’tevenhavetostandtrial.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Herappointeddefenderhadshownherthelistofchargesagainsther;itspooleddownseveralscreenlengthsandelaboratedwithgreatdetailherserviceatthebattlesofHoth,Endor,andJakku.Shecouldnotdenythatshewasresponsibleforeverysingleitemonthatlist.
“WebothknowI’mguilty.TheNewRepublicwillwanttomakeanexampleofme.They’llneedtoprovethatlawandorderprevail,preciselybecauseit’sanewlawandaneworder.ThelineshavebeenredrawnandI’monthewrongside.”Atlastshespokeherworstfearoutloud:“Imightbeinthisjailcelltherestofmylife.”
“We’vehadthisargumentbefore,too,youknow.”He
leanedclosertotheenergyfield.“Myidealisticphaseisover.I’verememberedhowtheworldreallyworks.Andthethingis,Ciena,thingsfallapart.ToomanypeoplehadtoworkfortheEmpireforthemalltobejailed.That’sliterallyhundredsofbillionsofpeople,notevencountingthetroopswhovanishedwiththerestoftheImperialStarfleet.YouthinktheNewRepubliccanpunishevery
singleone?”“They’llfreetheclerks
andthecleaners.NotacaptainofaStarDestroyer.”
ButThanewasunconvinced.“Youhaveusefultalents.That’soneofthethingstheNewRepublicisgoingtostartlookingfor,soonerratherthanlater.Plusyouhavefriendsinhighplaces—orIdo,anyway,andIintendtohavealongtalkwitheverysingleonewho
couldhelpyou.”“Idon’twantyoutoask
forspecialtreatmentonmybehalf,”sheprotested.
“Toobad,”hesaid.“Becausethedeckisalwaysstacked,Ciena.Allwecandoisstackitinourfavor.”
Cienarememberedthefirsttimethey’dhadthisout.They’dbeeninacantinainValentia,thefatesdividingthemasneverbefore,andthey’darguedandpleaded
untilthey’dfinallybrokendownandmadelove.Itfeltlikeanotherlifetime—lyingnexttohim,pullinghimclose—yetitfeltlikeyesterday.Shecouldneverforgethowshe’dfeltaboutThanethatday,andsheneverwantedto.
“Sohereweareagain,”shesaidwitharuefulsmile.“Debatingorderversuschaos.”
“Maybefatewillfinallysettlethequestionforus.If
you’reright,then,yeah,youhavesomeroughyearsahead.ButifI’mright—andtheNewRepublicchoosesfreedomovervengeance—you’llbeoutofhereinnotime.”Eventhroughthesilvershimmeroftheenergyfield,shecouldseethetendernessinhiseyes.“Eitherway,youknowI’llbewaitingforyou,right?”
Cienawouldhavegivenanythingtoholdhimthen,
evenasshesaid,“Youshouldn’t.”
“Youwould,ifitweremeinsidethatcell.”
“…yes.Iwould.”Slowlysheraisedher
hand,flatteningherpalmagainsttheedgeoftheenergyfield.Thanedidthesame.Theymirroredeachother,almosttouchingbutforeverapart.
“InthemonthsincetheBattleofJakku,theEmpirehasattemptednofurtherlarge-scaleoffensives.SourcesreportallImperialvesselswithintheCoreandInnerRimstayingwithintheboundariesdefinedbytreaty.”Thewomaninthenewsholosmiledasshecontinued,“AfewprominentmembersoftheProvisionalSenatehavespeculatedthattheNewRepublic’swarwith
theremnantsoftheEmpirehasfinallycometoanendandthatafinalsurrendermaybeimminent.However,inheraddresstoday,thechancellorwarnedthatallplanetsshouldremainonhighalert,andtheNewRepublicStarfleetshouldbekeptonawarfootingfortheforeseeablefuture.Heretodiscussbothsidesofthisissueare—”
Nashsnappedoffthe
rebelpropagandafromtheHosniansystem.He’dalreadylearnedallheneededtoknow—namely,thattheso-calledNewRepublicbelievedtheEmpirebeaten.Fools.
Letthemgrowfatandlazy,hethought.Letthemcongratulatethemselves.Letthemgoslack.
CommanderNashWindriderlefthispersonalofficeandwalkedoutintothemaindockingbayofhisnew
ship,theattackcruiserGarrote.EverysubordinatestraightenedatthesoundofNash’sbootsonthemetalfloor;notoneofthemturnedawayfromhisorherworktosomuchasglanceinNash’sdirection.Good.Alreadyhe’dmanagedtoreestablishproperdiscipline.
ForsomeonewhohadspentyearsassignedtoaStarDestroyer,anattackcruiserpostingmighthaveseemed
likeastepdown—buttheEmpirehadsofewStarDestroyersleft.Hewasflightcommanderonastrategicallyimportantvessel,whichwasasteptowardeventuallyreceivinghisowncommand.NashtookprideinreadyingtheGarroteforthenextstageofthewar,thenextassault.
Theonetherebelswouldn’tseecoming.
HestrodebetweenthelonglinesofTIEfighters,all
ofwhichwerebeingrefittedwithstrongerweaponsofnewdesign.Thesewouldbeabletopunchthroughenergyshieldsandstarfighterhullswithasingleblast,whichmeanttheoneadvantagestarfightershadoverTIEs—theirshielding—wouldvanish.Changeslikethatcouldwinthewar.
RatherodioustothinkthatVedFoslohadinventedtheseweapons.Nashhad
alwaysassumedVed’srisethroughtherankswassolelyduetohisfather’sinterference,yetitturnedouthisformerroommatehadsomeaptitudeafterall.Nodoubthisadolescentarrogancehadbecomecompletelyinsufferableinadulthood.
Nashsighedasheremindedhimselfthat,ofhistworoommatesattheacademy,VedFoslowasby
fartheleastoffensive.TothinkthatThane
Kyrellmighthavesurvivedthewar,mightevenbeouttherenowsmuglycelebratingtheRebellion’stemporaryadvantage—itsickenedhim.WhyshouldCienahavediedwhileThanelived?
Butyoucouldn’tlooktothefatesforjustice.Youhadtotakeretributionintoyourownhands.TheEmpirehadtaughthimthat.
“Sir?CommanderWindrider,sir?”Nash’sassistanthadbeguntofollowonhisheels,asusual.“Aquestion,ifImay?”
“Youmay,LieutenantKyrell.”
DalvenKyrellstoodbeforehim,datatabletinhishands,visiblynervous.Hehadnoideaofhisbrother’sroleintheRebellion;NashhadelectedtokeepthattruthfromhimandtreatthisKyrell
asanindividual.Itseemedonlyfair.However,takenonhisownmerits,Dalvenwasweakandtoadying,capableofnomorethanfulfillingthebasictaskshewasgiven.Fortunatelydutyrequirednomoreoftheflightcommander’sassistant.“Iwantedtoaskaboutthelistofofficersyounominatedfortopcommendations.”
WasDalvengoingtoaskwhyhewasn’tonit?Ifhe
did,Nashintendedtotellhim.“Whatisyourquestion?”
“YounominatedCaptainCienaReefortheDistinguishedMedalofImperialHonor.IthinkyoumeantthemorecommonMedalofHonor—”
“IknowpreciselywhatImeant,LieutenantKyrell.”Nashenjoyedspeakingthatsurnamewithaslightsneer.“TheDistinguishedMedalof
ImperialHonoristhehighestmedalwecanbestow,andIcanthinkofnoonemoredeserving.Tohaveremainedaboardhershipwhentheautodestructhadfailed—topersonallycrashitintotheplanet’ssurfacetokeepthevesselfromenemyhands,atthecostofherownlife—CaptainCienaReedeservestoberemembered.”
“Yes,sir,”Dalvensaidweakly,buthecontinued,“I
onlymeant—nominatingsomeoneforthathonorisabigstep,oneothersmightcommentuponasasignoffactionalism.”
“Usually,yes.Inthiscase,however,Ihaveitongoodauthoritythatanumberofcaptains,generals,andadmiralsintendtonominateher,aswell.EvenGrandMoffRanddmaydoso.TheEmpireenduresitsinnerconflicts,butonthisweall
agree.ThelateCaptainReediedahero.”
“Absolutely,”Dalvenhastenedtoadd.“Suchaterriblewaytodie.”
“Terrible?Iwouldcallitglorious.Weallwishshewerestillwithus,butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthatthereisnofinerfatethantodiefortheEmpire.IhopeIshallgetthechancemyselfsomeday.”
“Ofcourse,sir.Yes,sir.”
Dalvenslunkaway.Thanehadalwayssaid
DalvenmadefunofCienawhentheywerechildren,mockingherpovertyandherold-fashionedways—asifeveryoneonJelucanweren’tabackwaterbumpkin.SometimeswhenNashrememberedthatandthoughtofDalvenridiculingayoung,helplessCiena,hewantedtofindanappropriatesuicidemissionfortheman.
ButhecouldnolongerassumeThanehadbeentellingthetruth.Apparently,ThaneKyrellwasamasterdeceiver.
Nashwalkedtowardtheopenmouthofthedockingbay.Againsthisskinhefeltthefainttingleoftheenergyshieldthatmaintainedatmosphericpressure—asignhewasstandingtooclose.Heremainedneartheedgeanyway,thebettertobehold
thesightbeforehim.Withinthemassivecloud
oftheQueluhanNebula,hiddendeepinsidetheglowingtrailsofionizedgasthatconfoundedenemysensors,waitedtheImperialStarfleet.WhiletherebelpunditsconfidentlypredictedtheEmpire’sdisappearanceandsurrender—believedthemdividedagainsteachotherandhelpless—theywereinsteadrejoiningforces
andgrowingstrongerthanbefore.
InNash’sopinion,ithadtakenthemtoolongtocoalesceasaunitedfrontagain;infightinghadallowedtherebelstogainterritorytheycouldnothavehopedtocontestotherwise.Now,however,theImperialStarfleethadreestablishedahierarchyofcommand.Theyhaddevelopedalong-termstrategy.Theoldfactionalism
hadbeensweptaway,andatlasttheystoodtogether,unitedagain.
HelikedtothinkCienaReehadsomethingtodowiththat.Perhapsthatwasonlysentiment,buttherewasnodenyingthatherselflessacthadinspiredthemall.
Youremindeduswhatdisciplinetrulymeans,Nashthought.Youremindedusthatnopriceistoogreattopayforvictory.
Beforehim,intheblue-and-violetglowofthenebula,hecouldseeatleasttenStarDestroyersandevenmorelightcruisers.EachhousedcountlessTIEfighters,tobemannedlargelybythenewconscripts;traininghadtobefasterandharsherthesedays,butthepilotswereshapingupnicely.TheImperialStarfleetmightnotbeaslargeasithadoncebeen,butNashthoughttheymightemergeeven
stronger.Andthistime,theywould
stopatnothinguntiltheRebellionhadbeenpermanentlycrushed.ThaneandtheotherswouldpayforforcingCienatosacrificeherownlife.They’dpayforeverything.
Nashwhispered,“Youwillbeavenged—whentheEmpirerisesagain.”
THEEND
CLAUDIAGRAYistheNewYorkTimesbest-sellingwriterofnumerousnovelsforyoungadults,includingthescience-fictionFirebirdtrilogy,beginningwithAThousandPiecesofYou,andtheparanormalEvernightseries.ShehasbeenaStarWarsfansincesheturnedseven,andshenowinsiststhattransforming
herchildhoodclosetintoanX-wingsimulatorwasvitalcareerpreparation.