Refugee: Force Heretic II by Sean Williams Read Free Book Online

expression was mock indignant, but turned into a smile as she turned and headed off for the bridge.
    “The planet is a legend,” Commander Irolia said. Her youthful features were set in stubborn, self-assured lines. “I cannot believe that finding it is your true objective.”
    “I assure you that it’s much more than a legend,” Master Skywalker said. Saba was amazed at his self-control. She knew that he was exhausted and irritated, but all he allowed his face to display was calm and patience. “We have evidence that it once existed; the only question is whether it still exists today.”
    “What evidence is this?”
    “We were told about Zonama Sekot by Vergere, a Jedi Knight from—”
    “Vergere?” Irolia’s eyebrows shot up at the name. “The same Vergere who sabotaged the Alpha Red initiative?”
    Master Skywalker didn’t flinch from the truth. “The Vergere who prevented genocide the likes of which this galaxy has never seen, yes.”
    The commander’s exhalation had a mocking bite. “You expect me to trust her testimony?”
    “No one is forcing you to accept anything,” Captain Yage said, clearly annoyed by the Chiss commander’s mockery. “We only want to go about our business. That’s all.”
    “But what
is
your business? That’s what I am attempting to determine.”
    The meeting was being conducted on
Widowmaker
’s bridge in full view of the crew. Irolia carried herself as though it was her own ship and her own crew. Her tone and poise displayed nothing but self-assurance. Saba knew that, should anything happen to the Chiss officer or the small contingent of guards that had escorted her across, then there would be dire consequences for Master Skywalker and his expedition. What’s more, Irolia knew that
they
knew—and that, presumably, was why she was so confident.
    Saba wasn’t an expert on humanoid appearances, but she imagined that the Chiss commander would have been regarded as quite striking among her own people. Her face was narrow and angular, her blue skin smooth and soft looking. Her wide red eyes contained both character and intelligence, and upon entering the meeting, had quickly scanned everyone on the bridge. She didn’t doubt that the woman’s evaluation of them would have been equally as brisk.
    “All we ask,” Luke said, “is for the freedom to look.”
    Irolia paced three steps to her left, contemplating his words. “This is our territory,” she said. “You do realize that.”
    “We recognize your authority over regions near here, yes. But we weren’t aware that the Expansionary Defense Fleet had specifically annexed this system.”
    “If I were to tell you that we have, would you leave?”
    “We are a peaceful expedition,” Luke said. “Would you bar a trading mission from your territory, or a scientific team?”
    The commander laughed. “Don’t try to fool me, Skywalker! You’re no more a trader than I am. And as for your motives being scientific, I ask this of you: Were you to find this planet, what exactly would you do with it?”
    A new voice spoke up from behind them when Lukehesitated: “It is our hope that Zonama Sekot will help us in our war effort, and in doing so save trillions of lives—including your own.”
    Commander Irolia turned her attention to Jacen Solo, who had just entered the room. “Then your intentions are clearly
not
scientific, but rather military. So why should we allow you to pursue such objectives when you so readily interfere with our own?”
    “Alpha Red wouldn’t have won the war,” Luke said calmly. “It would have turned us all into monsters.”
    “That’s the war I’m talking about,” Jacen said, stepping down into the center of the circular bridge to join the others. “The war against ourselves.”
    Irolia took a long moment to consider this. “It surprises me to see Imperials and the New Republic working alongside each other,” she said finally.
    “We are no longer referred to as the New Republic,” Luke