A/N: Please note, starting with this chapter we will be getting into spoiler territory for Choices of One. It will not ruin the novel, but you will find out the fate of a particular character.

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CHAPTER 4

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The trip into Unknown Space was uneventful, and several days later Luke and I arrived in the Crustai system. The second planet was a Chiss colony while an asteroid served as a base for the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet. I pulled the Jade's Fire out of hyperspace and maneuvered toward the rendezvous location that Fel had provided.

Not long after we reverted to realspace, the comm began to buzz. I looked at Luke out of the corner of my eye and indicated for him to answer.

He did, but not before taking a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." He grimaced and flipped on the comm. "This is Luke and Mara Skywalker on the Jade's Fire, at the request of Soontir Fel."

"Jade Skywalker," I said out of the corner of my mouth. Luke rolled his eyes in my direction. It wasn't that I minded being called solely by his name. I just liked to make things difficult for him.

A flat-sounding voice reverberated out of the speaker. "Greetings, Master Skywalker. We are transmitting docking information. Please proceed as ordered. Standby."

Luke and I glanced at each other. "Cheery bunch," I commented.

"Is it possible for Chiss to be cheery?"

"I don't know. I've met approximately one of them in my entire life. And judging from him, no, they're not the most animated of peoples."

Luke smiled lightly. "Right."

Just then, a stream of data came into the navigation console. I followed the instructions as ordered and moved the Fireto dock.

The Chaf Envoy was one of the oddest vessels I'd ever laid eyes on. It was approximately two hundred meters long, full of flat planes and angular edges. It almost looked like some sort of bird of prey. I wondered if other Chiss ships had similar designs. Judging by how secretive the Chiss were, I wasn't likely to find out the answer to that question any time soon. I'd noticed a few Chiss officers while milling about the Empire of the Hand's fortress on Nirauan, but as I said to Luke the only one I'd ever met before was Thrawn. I felt somewhat privileged to even be invited onboard a Chiss vessel on a one-time basis. If Iwas feeling that way, I could only imagine what Luke must be feeling.

I maneuvered the Fire into one of the Chaf Envoy's docking bays. There were several other ships nearby, including what looked to be an Imperial shuttle and another ship of alien origin. Who else had been invited on this mission? I'd softened a lot since joining the Jedi Order, but my suspicious nature had been hard-wired into me since I was a young girl. Trust was not something I gave easily, especially in unusual situations like this. Especially while I was pregnant.

Luke wasn't the only one who worried about our baby. While he tried to make everything stress-free and perfect, my worry just manifested itself in other ways. But that mother bantha instinct was there and I would kill anybody who dared threaten to harm my child.

So I was very guarded when, several minutes later, Luke and I powered down the Jade's Fire and made our way down the ramp. My arms were crossed over my chest in a defensive position. Luke nudged me lightly and I lowered my arms just before we got to our welcoming committee.

Two Chiss and one human greeted us. "Welcome, Master Skywalker," the human—Soontir Fel—said. I assumed that he was acting as spokesperson because we had previously met. "I'm very glad you have decided to join us on this mission to Outbound Flight." He was very formal and stilted, just as he'd been on Nirauan. I wondered at this, as he had a Corellian background and all the other Corellians I knew had the tendency to be quite hotheaded. Was he just naturally a serious person, or was it a result of spending so much time around the Chiss?

I let Luke do the talking. "Thank you, General Fel. I'm sure you remember my wife, Mara?"

"Of course." He stepped forward to shake my hand…and then his eyes raked over my abdomen. I was ready to give him a piece of my mind for staring and remind him that he was married to close family friend's sister, when I followed his gaze downward and realized what he was looking at—the bump that was protruding from beneath my flight suit. The flight suit that had gotten snug over the past week, and that I hadn't yet gotten around to replacing. I cursed myself for not thinking to change into Jedi robes before debarking the ship. I only wore them regularly when teaching at the Academy, and it had totally slipped my mind to change. Perfect; all I needed was another male to worry about my well-being on this mission.

Our eyes snapped up at the same time. He grimaced apologetically, and I shrugged my shoulders as if it didn't matter. "I guess the nexu's out of the bag," I said. "We haven't announced it publically yet," I added, not that I needed to explain anything. And not like Fel would be talking to the holopress from out on Nirauan, but you never know.

He stared at my stomach again, looking a bit worried. I suppressed a grimace, as I expected him to say that I shouldn't go along on the mission. "Right," he said after a few moments. Then he looked up at me and smiled. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

Luke clasped my hand and smiled back. "Thank you," he answered for the both of us. "We're very excited."

"I can imagine." Fel's eyes took on a wistful look, and for a moment I could see the father that lay hidden behind the stiff warrior. But it was over as soon as it began. "Allow me to introduce to you to Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano and General Prard'ras'kleoni. You may refer to them by their core names, Formbi and Drask." He gestured to the Chiss on his right. "Aristocra Formbi is a leader of the Fifth Ruling Family, to which this vessel belongs. General Drask serves the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet and will be in charge of all military operations on this mission." He gestured to us. "This is Master Luke Skywalker and Jedi Mara Jade Skywalker, representing the Jedi Order."

Luke nodded at the both of them. "Thank you for allowing us to accompany you on this mission. We are honored by the privilege."

"Likewise," Aristocra Formbi responded. "I am very pleased that the leader of the Jedi Order can accompany us to atone for the misdeeds of Mitth'raw'nuruodo."

He glanced to General Drask, who merely narrowed his eyes and nodded. He did not look nearly as excited to have two Jedi on this mission. On second thought, he didn't seem pleased to have any humans onboard a Chiss vessel. That was very interesting indeed, especially since he was to be in charge of military operations. Would this cause problems? I hoped not, and made certain to find out more about Chiss politics on the mission to Outbound Flight. Not to mention, learn more about this General Drask.

I nodded my head toward the other vessels in the hangar. "Will anybody else be accompanying us on this mission?"

Fel gave a knowing smile, as if he'd expected me to figure that out. "Yes, in fact. If you'll follow me?" We retrieved our bags from the ship, Luke insisting on carrying the heaviest two, and after a few moments followed him out of the hangar.

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We arrived in a plain-looking room and placed our bags on the ground next to us. I assumed that this was some sort of reception area, but was surprised at the lack of decoration. It turned out that the Chiss were more practical than we even suspected. The room slowly began to change. Walls receded, angles were created, and banners and colors appeared throughout the room. In mere moments, it was as if I was in a completely different space.

Luke and I must have shared identical impressed expressions, because Aristocra Formbi gave us a proud nod. "Our reception area changes depending on the status of visitor. I can explain more later during a tour of the Chaf Envoy, if you'd like."

"Yes, we would, thank you," I replied. I was very eager to learn more about our hosts, not to mention the other guests.

Speaking of which, I became aware that Fel had broken off from our group and was now standing in front of five other men. There were out of uniform, but it was clear from just the way they presented themselves that they were stormtroopers. One of them looked oddly familiar, but I could not place him. I didn't know what to think about being in the presence of stormtroopers again.

Next to Fel was a man who looked to be in his mid-sixties. He had graying hair and wore thick ambassadorial robes. "May I present Ambassador Dean Jinzler," Aristocra Formbi said. Luke and I stepped forward to shake hands. "This is—"

Formbi's introduction was cut off by Jinzler's bitter voice. "I know who they are. It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Skywalker." He looked to me. "Jedi Jade Skywalker." He shook our hands politely, but could not disguise the disgusted glances he gave to our lightsabers.

That was certainly very interesting. Luke's expression remained blank, but he was thinking the same thing I was. "Please, call us Luke and Mara."

"Ambassador Jinzler, did you say?" I asked.

Jinzler nodded.

"Interesting," I murmured. The New Republic had its fair share of political officials, but I had never heard of an ambassador named Jinzler before. "I apologize, I can't recall what planet you represent."

Jinzler's eyes turned hard. "No, I wouldn't suspect a Jedi would be aware of such mundane topics. I work in the main senate office on Coruscant. I was sent to represent the New Republic's official interests in the Outbound Flight project."

"Right," I said dryly. Not only did Jinzler avoid my question, but he expressed more dislike of the Jedi. Very interesting indeed.

I heard Luke's voice in my mind. Friend of Fey'lya's?

I mentally shrugged. No clue. I've never heard of a Jinzler in the senate office before.

Me neither. And Luke had been subjected to Leia's political talks far longer than I. Perhaps he's new.

Maybe. But I didn't believe that for a second, and even though Luke had the tendency to trust everyone, I knew he didn't believe it either.

As if one suspicious person on this mission wasn't enough, Formbi turned his attention to the woman—I assumed it was a woman—standing to the right of Jinzler. She was tall and wore dark robes and a cowl that covered her hair and the top of her face. All I could see were her gray eyes, red lips, and oddly-patterned cheeks. Her skin was pale and she didn't look entirely human.

"Luke and Mara, may I introduce Rida Hano, representing the Nephro."

Hano reached out to shake our hands. Her lips curved into an unnatural-looking smile, but I felt an odd sense of relief radiating from her in waves. "It is an honor to meet you both," she said softly.

Luke smiled at her. "Thank you. I'm sorry to say I'm unfamiliar with your species."

"Do not apologize. There are few of us now, and we originate from a small planet in the Unknown Regions. I would not have expected you to know of us."

"What are your interests in Outbound Flight?" I asked. I tried to keep my tone as neutral as possible, even though my suspicions about this woman had already begun to rise.

She looked to her feet, her expression forlorn. "Approximately forty years ago, we were attacked by a species called the Vagaari. The majority of my people were killed or captured. There was only a shipload of us left. It was then that we came upon the Outbound Flight mission. The Jedi onboard helped defend us against the Vagaari, and we managed to escape. Since then, we have traveled around the Unknown Regions, searching for a new home. When we learned what became of the Jedi, we were devastated. We always hoped of thanking them for aiding our survival. I am very grateful to be able to pay respects to Outbound Flight and thank our Jedi saviors."

"As are we," Luke murmured. I glanced at him, looking somber and reflective. But I could tell that his suspicions were high, too. Nevertheless, it was quite possible that Hano's story was true. There was no way to know about every species and civilization that existed in the vast Unknown Regions.

But my danger sense was spiking like crazy, and I had a strange and unnatural dislike for this woman. I'd learned long ago to listen to the Force, and I would continue to do so, especially now. I made another mental note to ask Aristocra Formbi about the other guests as soon as possible.

Aristocra Formbi gestured to Fel and his men. "And you've already met General Fel."

Fel nodded. "Yes. And with me are five of the finest soldiers from the Empire of the Hand, led by Commander Daric—"

"LaRone!" I gasped, finally placing the familiar figure to events of fourteen years ago.

The man on Fel's immediate right nodded. "I was wondering if you would recognize me."

My mouth dropped open, and for a moment all I could do was stand firmly in place. Not long after the Battle of Yavin, when I was still the Emperor's Hand, I became involved with a group of rogue stormtroopers who called themselves the Hand of Judgment. Instead of turning them in for desertion, I worked with them and used their skills to my advantage. During our second mission together, I traveled to the Candoras sector with orders to execute the Imperial governor. Instead I became involved in a complicated plot that involved an alien warlord named Nuso Esva, the Rebel Alliance, and then-Supreme Commander Thrawn. It was on Poln Major where I ending up working with a Rebel named Skywalker, who somehow also knew LaRone and the other members of the Hand of Judgment.

After that mission, I waited for LaRone and the others on their ship, but they never returned. I assumed that they'd been captured or killed, and chalked up the experience as yet another lesson not to get close to people. I left Poln Major the same Emperor's Hand as before, and returned to my duties in the Empire.

Luke stepped forward to greet LaRone, but I pushed him aside and rushed past him. For fourteen years, I'd idly wondered what had happened to those loyal soldiers. Sitting on their ship, waiting for them to return, was the first time I'd ever experienced a true sense of loss. All those old feelings that I'd long sought to repress came rushing to the surface and I enveloped LaRone in an embrace.

In hindsight, I could only blame the pregnancy hormones for that move.

LaRone stiffened slightly, obviously not expecting such a reaction from the former Emperor's Hand he'd once served. I pulled away quickly, embarrassed by my emotional reaction. "So that's what happened to you," I said, trying to cover up my embarrassment.

He smiled at me, the awkwardness over in seconds. "Yes. Thrawn gave us an offer that we couldn't refuse. We've been in the Empire of the Hand ever since."

"And the others?"

"They serve with other units. They are well."

Luke drew beside me to shake LaRone's hand. "It's very nice to see you again, LaRone."

"Likewise." LaRone glanced between the two of us. "I must say that I was surprised to learn of your courtship, given past circumstances."

I laughed. "Believe me, so was I." Luke merely grinned at me.

Fel was watching us the entire time, his eyebrows nearly raised to the top of his head. "You three know each other?" He gave LaRone a questioning look.

"I'll explain later, sir," LaRone said, all business.

Fel shrugged. "I really shouldn't be surprised," he mumbled.

Aristocra Formbi held out his arms. "Now that we have all exchanged greetings, my aide Feesa will show you to your staterooms."

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Luke I were led to a small but comfortable stateroom and left to our own devices. We spent the next half an hour or so unpacking our belongings and generally getting settled. My first order of business was to change into looser clothing. I didn't want any more curious glances during this trip.

While I was finishing in the refresher, an announcement came over the shipwide comm system, saying that we had about fifteen more minutes before jumping to hyperspace. I hurriedly finished dressing, determined not to lose this opportunity.

Luke was lying in bed, reading a datapad, when I emerged from the refresher. "I'm going back to the Fire," I told him. "Do you need anything?"

Luke looked up at me. "What do you need? I'll get it for you."

I tried hard to suppress my annoyance. He was only being helpful. "No, thanks. I'm going to talk to Karrde."

Luke raised an eyebrow. "To Karrde? Will you even be able to send a message from this far out?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Hopefully, through one of his relay stations."

"What's wrong?"

I sat on the bed and looked him straight in the eye. "I want information about Hano and Jinzler."

"Ah." Luke placed his datapad on the bedside table and clasped his hands on his lap. "Suspicious?"

"Very." I sighed and placed my head in my hands. "I'm not sure, but I have a bad feeling about them, like they're hiding something."

He nodded solemnly. "I felt it, too. Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, it might raise more questions if the both of us go. If anyone asks, I'll just say that we forgot something on the ship."

"You think the Chiss will be able to track our message?"

"I don't know, and I don't really care." I rose from the bed and grabbed my utility belt. "We're just covering their backs, right?"

Luke smirked at me. "Right. Tell Karrde I say hello."

"Will do." I left him in the room and walked the short distance to the ship. I passed several Chiss on the way, but they gave me wide berth. I couldn't tell if they were being respectful or impolite.

Thankfully, I was able to get a connection on the holocomm. I'd spared no expense in ensuring that the Jade's Fire had a top-of-the-line communications system. To my surprise, Karrde himself answered after a few minutes, wearing a very inquisitive expression. "Well, if it isn't my favorite Jedi. I thought you were on some super secret mission with the Chiss?"

"Yes, and let's keep that super secret, shall we?" I said, rolling my eyes. "I need your help."

"Anything for you."

"I need you to send me all the data you can find about two beings named Rida Hano and Dean Jinzler."

Karrde's eyes narrowed. "Jinzler, did you say?"

"You know him?"

"Yes. He works for the organization, doing tech work on one of the outposts."

"Really?" I sat back in my chair, deep in thought. Why would an ambassador have a history doing tech work? It certainly wasn't odd for people to change careers—I would know—but that was a very big change. "When did he leave?" I asked.

"I wasn't aware that he had." Karrde looked deeply concerned by this. "He's on this mission with you?"

I nodded. "Says he's the official ambassador from the New Republic."

"That's a lie. There are no ambassadors named Jinzler that I'm aware of."

"Yeah, that's what Luke and I thought as well." I sighed. "What about Hano?"

"Doesn't ring a bell. Female?"

"Yes, from a near-human species called the Nephro."

"Hmm." He pressed a few buttons, and then shook his head. "I've never heard of that species. I'll have to investigate that for you."

"Please do. We're about to go to hyperspace, but send anything you find as soon as possible. I'll check the logs every time we revert for a course correction."

"Will do." Karrde leaned into the pick-up and smiled mischievously. "Oh, and Mara? Does this assistance relieve me of my baby-sitting duties?"

I rolled my eyes again. "We'll see. Good-bye, Karrde."

He saluted. "May the Force be with you."