The silent guards led them to a waiting landspeeder at the front of the spaceport. The male gestured for them to get in, which they did, taking the back seats while the male drove and the female rode facing them, a sterile look on her face.

While they drove, Phaelon tried to reach out and touch them with the Force to assure herself they weren't Vong. However, she hit a wall bearing Kyp's signature instead. The Jedi Master seated next to her sent her a small shake of his head through the Force. Not now, he warned her. Wait and see.

Phaelon had to stifle a laugh. Since when are you lecturing me about patience?

He sent her a mental shrug and a wink.

She sighed and ran a hand through her long, black hair – it would be amazing if they survived this. They'd only been together a few minutes and she already wanted to hit him.

The female must have sensed something pass between them because she smiled thinly, revealing a mouth full of pointed teeth. Phaelon returned it, then turned her attention to the scenery, of which there wasn't much aside from endless plains spreading away from the city in every direction.

The speeder took them through the city this time. It had the quaint, old-world feeling to it. Several squares contained old fashioned markets where the people conducted business face to face.

Most of the beings they saw were native Ansonians, but there were also some humans and several hulking Armalats as well. Everything was so peaceful that they didn't seem aware of the oncoming war.

She transmitted this feeling to Kyp, but he didn't seem concerned. "So," he said at length, "Where are we going?"

"The Consul wishes to speak with you," the woman replied coolly. "We're taking you to the municipal hall for your audience."

Phaelon exchanged a slightly worried glance with Kyp. This doesn't sound good.

It'll be okay. It's only an audience. His reply was tinged with sarcasm.

OO

The municipal hall was grandiose compared to the rest of the buildings in the immediate area, but as the government building it was to be expected. They were escorted into a small room with a large, expensive table in the center. The only being in sight was a single Ansonian male at the far end whose mane was died in alternating black and white stripes.

"Consul," said one of their guards with a short bow. "We bring before you the two pilots who requested aide and landed in the spaceport."

He looked them over from their disheveled hair to their rumpled flightsuits with obvious wariness. Through the Force, Phaelon could feel the suspicion emanating from him. Unexpectedly, he smiled. "You must forgive this formality," he said, "but in this troubled time, one cannot be too careful." – He fixed her with a penetrating stare. – "Tell me, Captain, why are you here?"

Phaelon was taken aback by the absurdity, hadn't she already explained that? "Consul," she said, remaining calm at Kyp's urging through the Force, "My fighter was damaged in a battle with the Yuuzhan Vong and is badly in need of repairs. The planet of Ansion was the closest New Republic world."

He looked surprised. "You fly closer towards the enemy in a damaged ship. It would seem more prudent to back away."

"My astromech plotted the course. I didn't really have a say in where I was going," Phaelon explained, her annoyance growing again.

"And how can you prove to us that you are not Vong spies sent here as a precursor to all-out invasion?" he asked silkily.

Before Phaelon could answer, Kyp stepped forward. "Consul," he said, "My friend and I are members of New Republic Starfighter Command. Our forces were being routed at Borleias and we didn't have a choice where to land. If you'd like to examine the damage for yourself, our fighters are at your spaceport."

He scowled and sighed. "I understand your problems and you have my sympathies. But as a leader, you must understand my problems. Ansion is on the outer edge of the Vong invasion. Any stranger is suspect. For this reason, I am ordering you imprisoned until we can determine if you are telling the truth."

Two guards materialized out of nowhere behind them. Phaelon reached for her lightsaber, but something stilled her hand and she bowed her head. "I am sure you are only protecting your people, Consul. We have no quarrel with you or the people of Ansion."

Clasping their hands behind their backs, the guards applied a pair of stun cuffs and led them from the room and to a waiting transport.

I still don't like this, Phaelon thought as the guards shoved them into the windowless transport. Something doesn't feel right.

Kyp nodded mentally. He's hiding something from us.

With a pair of guards riding in the back with them, the two Jedi didn't have time to talk aloud. Despite Phaelon's growing agitation, Kyp seemed to have shut himself off, a trait that was particularly disturbing coming from him.