Part 14: Students of the Trickster

Ben Skywalker, is this you? Jysella Horn put as much force into the thought as she could. Ben did not reply in words, but he gave an affirmative answer nonetheless. With another thought, Ben reminded the other Jedi of the topic of the exchange.

Oh yeah, those dovin basals. The woman shut out her sense of sight and concentrated on recalling images from the day the rogue shapers snuck into the damuteks. She then sent them to Ben with as much emphasis on the images as she could.

That was you? Jysella sensed the Skywalker's astonishment.

And many others. You're in a battle; we'd better meld.

You are alive? Jysella's last few words flew past Ben as he fully realized who he was thinking at. But I felt you die! I felt that pain.

I almost did die. I went EV a bit too late and my X-Wing blew up on me. Then I woke up to a bunch of Vong. Ben felt a nagging that he could not explain in words. He then remembered the meld that he had totally forgotten in his astonishment. Ben slowly gave himself over to the woman and felt her tactics coursing through him at nearly the speed of light. Through the meld, Ben heard something about trajectory and many things that resembled algebra, but the math and physics were impossible to follow. For a moment, Ben wondered if Jysella had acquired those skills under Jaina's instruction. If she had, then choosing to hide instead of seeking out his cousin had been a colossal mistake!

Hey Ben, her offer's probably still open. Master Jaina wanted to take you ever since a month after I was knighted. Jysella sensed Ben's thoughts.

How did you? ­ The amazed Ben could barely finish his thought.

No time.­ Just move those ships! Your mind's free! Jysella urged. Ben was momentarily dazed, but understanding suddenly slammed into him. Jysella Horn had done everything within her power, and all Ben had to do was obey her instructions and fly himself. No words came from the woman, but she sent pictures and Ben moved the ships into their positions in the images. Both Jedi sensed something large approaching, but neither stopped to pay attention, for they had defenses to take down.

-scene change-

"Princess, Hapes will be paid millions of credits of you will just talk about the descendants of your father's twin." The translator offered.

"Some water? I can barely talk." The princess hoped to stall for time, for the water was her last excuse to remain unresponsive. The Yuuzhan Vong barked incomprehensible arguments at each other, most likely about embracing pain, before one of them finally handed her a pouch to drink from.

As she sipped the water, the girl weighed her options. If the truth was told, the princess, if not the entire Hapes Cluster, might have much to gain, but if a lie was made to sound truthful, the prize still existed, provided that the Vong would keep their promises. But no Jedi, in her right mind, would make an enemy out of the Solos, especially not one who wished to keep her blood right to sixty-three worlds. And if I were caught lying, they'd¡­ No, I am a Hapan and they will not suspect a lie. The princess thought, not knowing how dangerous her gambles and Hapan pride would be.

"Now, tell us what you know of your cousins and you will have unimaginable wealth."

"Oh, you mean Cherie?" Sil tried to appear as honest as possible. Hapan women relied fully on veils to hide their body language and she was no exception. When the Yuuzhan Vong nodded, she continued as glibly as she could. "She was dead before she was born and that's the only first-cousin I know."

"You will need to tell us more about this Cherie before you can have the money. Why did this child die?"

"Cherith Fel. Born: 30 years ABY. Died: 30 years ABY Cause of death: well, the body of a goddess isn't fit for carrying human children. Is that enough?" The Jedi suppressed a gasp when she realized that the story she had told was partially true, for her aunt truly did miscarry a girl who was to be named Cherith.

"Jaina Solo Fel disappeared for three months eight years ago. Was she carrying twins?" The warrior woman grunted something, and the intendant translated.

"That is absurd. The human gestation period is nine months! If my aunt really was pregnant, she would be gone for nine months, not three!" The princess tried to laugh as hard as her lack of energy would allow. "As far as I know, she was on a mission of some sort."

"Tell us more."

"I would if I knew more!" Sil did her best to feign an expression of impatience to match the outburst. "The Republic, or whatever's left of that weakling government, would never let a Hapan know this kind of information in detail!"

The eight-fingered man uttered something, and the intendant explained in Hapan. "Infidel princess, you would surely know of Hapan matters. We intercepted this transmission from the flagship of your fleet. It was directed to the Queen Mother. Perhaps you can tell us what this is about."

"Finish the reforms!" The rest of the recording was inaudible, but it did not matter. The monarchy and matriarchy were crumbling, and Grandfather had actually supported Mother's actions.

"Princess, these men are becoming more and more outspoken. More and more of them forget their places and think that they can help your mother run a government. They vote like the fools in that indecisive New Republic and we both know what happened to it." The voice of Isolder's cousin seemed to echo.