Year 2 The Embers
(dates are from beginning of the year)

Coruscant (1 week)

Baryl grumbled as she glanced through her notes. Ben placed a hand on her shoulder, but she didn't accept his comfort. She continued to frown as she read. After a while he gave up and left the apartment. He wasn't happy that she'd been called to testify before the senate subcommittee investigating the incident at Caamas. She snorted. Incident indeed. Only a politician would call it that.

She'd testified before, of course, but there was an element of danger this time that disturbed her. Palpatine was overseeing this committee personally. During her months on Coruscant working for Senator Bel Iblis, she'd managed to avoid being around the Emperor.

She knew that there was a lot of speculation on the reason for the Jedi presence on Caamas-and if perhaps Jedi scientists had somehow caused the ensuing planet-wide disaster. None of the evidence suggested that, but that would not stop Palpatine or his cronies from trying to pin the blame on the Jedi. She stood slowly. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to contract some bizarre disease that would allow her to avoid appearing this morning.

She grabbed her cloak and growled at fate as she went to keep her appointment.


Ben slipped into the shadows of the elaborate pillars that marked the entrance to the new royal residence. Palpatine would be in the senate building for at least a couple of hours. The Jedi's hand brushed his lightsaber, mostly for reassurance. "Hello," he whispered as a blue robed guard walked past him.

The older man froze. "You promised not to come again."

Ben shrugged as he pulled his hood tighter. "Quar, I just want to ask you about the shadow."

"There is no shadow." Ben watched as the terrified man constantly glanced from side to side, no doubt giving away the clandestine meeting to all interested onlookers..

"You said last time there was."

"I was mistaken. Don't come back here." The man nodded once at Ben. "It's not safe for you here, Master Kenobi. The Emperor does not like the Jedi." He turned and walked away.

Ben waited a few more seconds, then quietly departed. Fear was indeed a powerful ally. He'd saved Quar's life years earlier. The man had been much more cooperative just a few short weeks ago. He sighed as he joined the throng of pedestrians. He nearly voiced the thought that the new palace was a monstrosity-a sign of a corrupt, evil power that had no right to exist.

But a Jedi also knew when to keep his mouth shut.

Alderaan:

Amidala reached out and took Leia's hands as the child started to run down the hall. "You aren't supposed to go down there, sweetheart," she whispered.

Leia whimpered as she tugged hard on Amidala's hand. "I wanna see Mommy!"

Amidala bit her lip. After all this time, it was amazing how much pain could be caused by one little word. "She's in a meeting. Your mommy promised to come see you when she is done."

"Done?"

"Not for a while." Amidala smiled as she guided the curious girl back toward the playroom. "We can play until then."

"I not wanna play!" Amidala bent down and picked the struggling child up, carrying her into the playroom.

"Shhh, my Princess, she'll be here soon.""You are as stubborn as your fath..." Amidala grimaced as she felt her eyes start to water.

Leia placed her hand on Amidala's face. "Mommy sad?" She placed Leia on the floor without responding. The girl promptly sat down, crossed her arms and pouted. Amidala rolled her eyes, then chuckled when Leia crawled over and rolled a ball toward her. "Wanna play." Amidala knelt in front of the daughter she could not acknowledge.

"Sure, sweetheart." She reached over and grabbed the rolling ball. "Catch?" Leia stood and trotted to the other side of the room, only to trip over her feet.

Amidala bolted over and picked up the crying child once more. "Are you all right?"

Leia wrapped her arms around Amidala's neck and wailed, "I hurts, Mommy.."

Amidala felt herself smile, but she whispered quietly, "Auntie Ami will kiss it and make it better." She quickly kissed the injured hand. "There, all better."

Leia took several deep breaths and started to squirm, so Amidala put her down. Leia ran over to a shelf a grabbed a toy starship. "Fly in stars!" She waved the ship around in a flying motion. "Zoom, zoom!"

Amidala winced even as she laughed. "Not quite the right sound, sweatheart." As she continued to watch Leia play, she wondered if Luke also shared his father's love of flying. Her mind wandered further into the past, to that day on Tatooine when she'd first met Annie. Even then, she'd known he was special. She took several deep breaths. Unfortunately, she'd not been alone in her assessment.

"Auntie Ami?" Again Leia was tugging on her tunic.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Have to go." Amidala smiled as she took the girl's hand. Nothing like the realities of the present to bring one back from the past.


Baryl Arasta pulled her cloak tighter as she elbowed her way through the ever-present crowds in the heart of the Galactic Republic capital. Coruscant, a city so massive that it had taken over the entire planet. Most visitors noted the lack of plant life upon arrival-even those from desert worlds. What few plants still existed were inside under controlled conditions.

She flashed her badge at the guards as she entered the Grand Corridor of the senate building. The small trees lining the corridor always fascinated her. She still found the shimmering lights moving along their trunks and branches fascinating, but she preferred the green trees of Corellia. Or any tree from anywhere-provided it was far from this place.

She clenched her jaw as she remembered why she was here. The committee hearings had been a waste of time, as far as she was concerned. The senators had been unwilling to listen to the truth. Except maybe Senator Drey'lya. He'd looked thoughtful at the end of her interrogation.

She stopped and stared at the flaxen-haired figure sitting at one of the many benches, staring at a datareader. He looked up and smiled.

"I heard you were working for Senator Bel Iblis," Oli Varsh said as he stood. "Is there a problem?"

"Strictly routine," she said as she started to walk faster. Unfortunately Mr. Varsh didn't take the hint. She had a quick meeting scheduled with the senator, then afterwards she was meeting Ben. The last thing she wanted was to chat with a reporter. Especially one with too much knowledge.

"My sources say that a number of senate offices have been bugged, is there any truth..."

"Mr. Varsh, my work here is confidential-between the senator and myself." She stopped suddenly and faced him. "Why are you following me?"

"Because-" he lowered his voice, "-on Caamas I told you about rumors involving the Sith. You were the only one I talked to who didn't think the idea was silly. What do you know?"

"You should not believe everything you hear, or someone may sell you a vacation package to the oceans of Tatooine."

He laughed. "I only believe what I can prove-and-" she watched as he reached into a pocket and held up a datachip, "-this is proof. A secret recording made soon after the attack on Y'mala and hidden. My source was too terrified to tell me anything, but she did want the truth to be known."

"Y'mala," Baryl started walking again, at a more normal pace. "I was there." She shivered at the memory-and at the hidden personal losses of those closest to her.

"Yes, I know," the reporter responded. "The public report was inconclusive." He pocketed the chip. "That contains proof that Bothans were involved. One Dorfsk Sal'yor." She clenched her fist as she recognized the name. The reporter noted this with a wry smile.

"He was to have been in charge of the investigation, except..."

"He vanished. A hyperdrive accident apparently destroyed his ship. Conveniently dead."

She stopped walking at the elevator doors. "What is the evidence?"

"First tell me what you know about Darth Sidious?" She flinched at the name and instinctively glanced about warily. Oli's smile turned to a frown as he too, looked around. He obviously hadn't made the connection of Sidious with the senate, let alone the Emperor. Then he frowned, his disbelief at the direction his thoughts were headed clearly visible in his eyes.

"There is nothing provable, even his existence." She spoke very softly

"Until now," the reporter said, regaining his former cocky composure. "And thank-you for the confirmation. This shall be the scoop of my lifetime."

"No," she said her voice low and full of warning. "This could get you killed. There is much you don't know."

"You *do* know more than you're saying."

She pulled at her green cloak and shivered. The elevator bell rang and she motioned the reporter closer. "Meet me tomorrow morning at the Galactic Natural History Museum-by the mynock display. Ten minutes after opening." She stepped into the elevator, wondering just what she was doing. The answer, of course, was that the truth needed to be told. She tapped her foot restlessly. Would the reporter believe her? Was there enough proof of any kind for anyone to believe them? Was there enough proof of any kind for anyone to believe the truth? Was the risk worth it?

Oli Varsh was ready to believe, but he didn't yet understand the power of the Sith. She did. It was a dangerous game, one that took her too close to that darkness.

She shivered as she remembered Palpatine's smug look as she'd stepped down from the witness stand. Just how much had he learned from her?


Ben stood at the sound of the door opening, then relaxed. "Hello," he said as he took Baryl into his arms. "You look exhausted."

"They asked questions for over two hours. Usually the same one, worded differently. They couldn't see a bantha if it stepped on their toes." They both laughed at the image, then he kissed her. She pulled out a small gray box, and together they scanned the room for listening devices. It was clean.

"Do they want you back?"

She shook her head. "No, nothing I have to say supports their theory. Garm is convinced the committee will lay the blame the destruction of the Caamas on Jedi scientists. Bail isn't so sure." She shrugged.

"How surprising," Ben answered, his voice dripping with sarcasm and vehemence. "Palpatine's pet senators are all on the committee."

"I don't know. Drey'lya actually looked thoughtful." She snorted. "If that means anything."

Ben shrugged. "Perhaps he is finally seeing the truth?"

"Nah, he probably had indigestion." She stretched. "Are you hungry? There are some leftovers in the stasis unit." She opened it with a groan.

"Whatever you like."

"At this point, what I'd like most is a backrub." He nodded. "But it can wait until after we eat." She placed the food and dishes on the table, then sat down and observed him carefully. "You went to the palace again." It was not a question.

He leaned over and kissed her. She glared at him, and he kissed her again. Her expression softened and she sighed. "So tell me, did you learn anything?"

"This time Quar was terrified. He learned something, I'm convinced of it."

"Ben, don't. If you push too much, he'll just die." She grimaced. "Skywalker is not worth any more lives."

"I know I can bring him back to the lightside..." Ben let his voice trail off. He had to believe this, even though he knew too well that it was not possible. "He's here, though." She shivered. "What else happened today, Baryl?"

"Remember the reporter I told you about on Caamas? He says he has evidence about Caamas and Y'mala. In return, he wants information on the Sith."

"Is it worth his life?" Ben asked quietly. "Palpatine will have him killed in some dark corner."

"He can't kill everyone who knows or suspects, it would be too obvious and raise too many questions."

Which was why, Ben surmised, the former Independent Alliance leadership and others were still alive. The three senators definitely were becoming paranoid. His own level of concern was growing about Baryl. The sooner she left Coruscant, the better he'd feel. "No, not at once. And not now-but someday."

"And if this can expose Palpatine..."

She had a point, he reluctantly admitted to himself. "When are you meeting him?"

"The reporter? Tomorrow morning at the museum."

"Not alone. It's too dangerous." She took several deep breaths, then nodded. He knew his point was valid. "I promise to be inconspicuous."

She smiled, then laughed. "You could never be inconspicuous. You Jedi are far too reckless."


For the third time, Baryl casually read the sign describing how mynocks eat power cables, then wandered toward the next exhibit. A quick look around the great hall confirmed her worst fears-again. She glanced across the hall and shook her head. Oli Varsh was thirty minutes late. He was definitely a no show.

She made her way toward the display of the ratu. "Nothing," she whispered to Ben as he stepped next to her.

"Should we continue waiting?" She shook her head. They might start attracting attention if they remained here.

"He works for the Coruscant Hourly News. I'll try to contact him from a public comm unit." She took his hand. "We should continue to the next hall." She leaned against him. "Is anyone interested in us?"

"No," Ben whispered as they strolled into the precious gem room.


Baryl leaned against the back of her chair and shook her head as she finished explaining to Senator Bel Iblis about the morning in the museum.

Garm leaned forward over his desk. "I don't like this, Baryl. How did anyone know that he was meeting you?"

"I don't know, sir. Only Ben knew. I follow protocol-every morning I check for listening devices. I even used a jammer." Garm shook his head, then motioned for her to continue.

"I talked to the receptionist at the Hourly News. She said that Mr. Varsh was expected back in about an hour. When I called back later, she sounded confused, but said he'd been fired four months earlier."

"Baryl," Garm started to say, but she stopped him.

"She then added that he'd been accused of misappropriating funds. Senator, I never asked why he'd been fired. I'd like permission to poke around, see what I can find. I'm worried that something happened to him."

"I'm worried about you and Ben. You're both playing a very dangerous game."

"And you aren't?"

Garm shrugged. "We're public figures. There would be too many questions. Don't get me wrong, we fully expect Palpatine to eventually come after us. It won't be now, though. But you are...um...an easier target."

She bit her lip. This was a round about way to order her to drop their investigation. "I see sir." She closed her eyes so he wouldn't see her frustration.

"Do you know what he had?"

"Whatever it was, it got him killed. He claimed he had evidence that proved the Bothans were involved in Caamas and Y'mala." Garm winced, then nodded.

"Kiffle," he muttered. "The Senate would love that. The Bothans are not involved in the coalition against the pro-human faction. Revealing this could destroy that coalition." She opened her eyes.

"It could have been the Bothans, not Palpatine? They wouldn't want this evidence revealed either."

"We'll never know. Baryl, finish your work here. Horn wants you back on Corellia. And so do I."

"Sir..." She didn't finish. "I can have everything wrapped up in four weeks or less."

"Excellent. I've recommended you for a commendation"

"Thank you, sir." She stood to leave, a hundred curses running through her mind.

Alderaan (2 weeks)

Leia chortled as she grabbed a dress from the packing case and ran to the mirror. "Wear this!" She started to pull it over her head. Amidala and Kalla laughed.

"You can wear it when your father arrives," Kalla said as she took the dress and handed it to Amidala. "You aren't helping."

"Excited," Leia continued to laugh as she wrapped her arms around Kalla's legs. "Mommy, where going?"

"To the Southern Palace. We haven't been there for several years."

"Is pretty? Leia asked as she ran over to Amidala.

Kalla nodded as she started to describe the woods that surrounded the palace. Amidala returned to their packing. Between Leia and the constant interruptions, it was hard to believe they would be ready to depart by the end of the week.

"Mommy," Leia said to Kalla. "I fly?"

"We'll see, princess. But first we need to finish packing. You wouldn't want us to forget something, would you?" Kalla knelt down and held out her hands. Leia wrapped her arms around Kalla's neck.

"Love you, mommy."

Amidala closed her eyes and tried not to cry. She'd save the tears for later, when she was alone. There was no point in distressing Kalla-or Leia.

"Excuse me, Your Highness," Amidala said softly. "I need to finish with my own packing."

Kalla smiled at her, over Leia's head. "Go ahead, Ami." The smile faded slightly. "Ami? Is everything all right?"

"Yes. It's been a long week." She managed to come up with a reassuring smile. Leia glanced her way, the resumed hugging Kalla.

Coruscant

Baryl yawned twice as she exited the senate building. There were only a couple of loose ends left in her investigation, and she wanted them solved before she left Coruscant. Ben had agreed to help her with one of the bigger problems: Senator Organa's attache. She was pretty sure he was not involved with any of Palpatine's minions, but she wanted to be able to tell the senator that with complete confidence before she left. Ben had volunteered to help. Apparently the attache had a mistress, which probably accounted for his secretive behavior.

"Baryl," a cloaked figure whispered as he bumped into her. She started to smile in acknowledgement, but Ben shook his head. She didn't look at him as they started to walk in the opposite direction, away from her apartment.

"What happened?" she asked.

"I think I was spotted. I was following Senator Organa's attache, when I sensed I was being followed. Whoever he was,he's pretty good. I'm almost certain it was a bounty hunter."

"How? Did he recognize you?" She exhaled quickly, and turned her head. "Ben?"

"I don't know. I'll contact Horn when I'm clear. Be careful."

She started to say something, but he'd already vanished into the crowd. She stopped to look in a window, then took the scenic route to her apartment.

Alderaan:

Amidala sat up straighter on her bed at the sound of the knock. "Just a minute." No need to ask-she knew it was Kalla. She should have realized the princess had picked up on her emotional state earlier.

"Ami, it's me. Are you okay?" Kalla asked through the closed door.

"Fine." Amidala ordered the door to open. Princess Kalla entered, her hands on her hips.

"No, you're not. Ami." Kalla bit her lip. There was a long silence before Kalla took a deep breath and spoke. "I've been watching you this past year. It hasn't been easy for you to see me with Leia, has it?"

Amidala turned away. "I'm delighted that it has worked out so well." She knew she didn't sound very convincing.

"Ami..." Kalla hesitated, as if debating with herself what to say. "I'd understand if you wanted to claim Leia as your own." She felt the tears start again as the princess also vainly tried not to cry.

"I can't," Amidala said as she embraced her friend. "She can never know of her connection to me. Palpatine would use her..." She broke off that train of thought and instead continued, "I love my children, more than they can ever know. And yes, I would love nothing more than to have my family as my own, all of us together once more. But I can't."

"There's something you've not told me." Kalla placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your dread of Palpatine goes beyond simply fearing he would discover her Jedi potential."

"It's my husband," Amidala said.

"But he's dead," Kalla answered. "What can he possibly have to do with all this?"

"I didn't tell you the whole truth, Kalla. He's not dead, at least I don't think he is."

"I don't understand." Kalla wiped her eyes as she spoke.

"I'm not sure I do either. Annie was tempted by what the Jedi call the darkside of the Force. He's now a servant of Palpatine. Palpatine will not hesitate to use any our family to keep Annie, even if it means killing innocent children." Amidala shook her head sorrowfully. "I should never have asked you to adopt her. I've put your lives in grave danger, as well."

Kalla smiled sadly. "Then we shall just have to see to it that no one ever finds out. I love Leia. She's the daughter Bail and I could never have. She will always be my daughter, and someday she'll inherit my title. And you shall always be welcome here. Alderaan is your home, if you wish it to be." Kalla looked at her, obviously trying to gauge her response.

"I no longer know where I belong," Amidala admitted. "I'm a stranger to my past, my family, my home." She forced a smile. "I guess I'm seeking something."

"To find, you must know what you are seeking," Kalla said.

Despite herself, Amidala almost laughed. "You sound like Yoda."

"Yoda?"

"A Jedi master and member of their council." She looked out the window. "He's very wise and mysterious."

"Do you think he is still alive?"

"I know he is, safely hidden from Palpatine and the galaxy until the time comes." She turned to face Kalla. "Yoda and Obi-Wan-Ben-believe Luke and Leia will one day be the instruments of Palpatine's downfall."

"That's a long time to wait," Kalla said softly. "A long time indeed."

Amidala nodded in agreement. "There is much about the Jedi and the Force I just don't understand."

"That is why Palpatine can make the galaxy believe they are villains. The Jedi are easily misunderstood." Kalla took two steps back. "Ami, I promise that I will always love and protect Leia."

"That's all I can ask." She hesitated. "Ylenic has offered to train her."

"I...Ami, I don't know if that is such a good idea. If she starts using the Force, won't Palpatine sense her?"

"I don't know." Amidala clasped her hands. "I just don't know."

Kalla started to say something then stopped. She shook her head. "If you choose to remain here while we're at the Southern Palace, I'll understand. Perhaps you prefer to have some time alone?"

"Thank you, but I will come." Amidala smiled, this time genuinely, even as her thoughts wandered to the unknown future. The one thing she did know was every moment with her daughter was precious.

Coruscant: (1 month)

Baryl stared at Senators Bel Iblis and Organa and frowned. "What happened, sirs?" she panted. She'd run over from her apartment after Bel Iblis had contacted her.

"A few weeks ago you talked with a reporter," Garm said. She nodded. Coruscant Security believed Oli Varsh disappeared in the lower levels of Coruscant after getting drunk. She knew better, but there'd been nothing solid to go on-and since the reporter was not from Corellia she didn't have the authority to participate in the investigation.

"He was found this morning near one of the waste tunnels. Dead."

"How?" She bit her lip. She'd been afraid that had been his fate. She was almost ashamed at the thought that rose immediately-any evidence he'd had was now lost to her.

"The official word is he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage," Garm said. She grimaced-Varsh had most likely been killed the same way as the Neimodian Viceroy. There was no way to prove that he'd been killed by a Sith.

"I'm glad you're going back to Corellia," Bel Iblis said quietly. "I'm worried about you. The anti-Jedi sentiment is growing rapidly here."

"I've noticed."

Bail Organa continued. "The senate committee investigating Caamas is placing blame on an unknown group. The announcement will be made soon."

"Least they're not blaming the Jedi for this too," she said bitterly.

"That did surprise me," Bel Iblis said. "But we all know that if they haven't already, they very well may do so soon." He shifted his weight uncomfortably. "And considering..."

"My relationship with a Jedi."

"Yes," Bel Iblis said. "You aren't safe here. They have been watching you-and if they discover just who Ben is..."

She nodded. They were correct, but not only for the reasons they'd listed. She did have to leave Coruscant, and looking back at the events of the past few days, maybe she shouldn't have come in the first place. There was so much more to why the Emperor couldn't be allowed to learn of her relationship with Ben than simply using her to get to him. There were two small children, a refugee queen, and hundreds of others who had helped with or escaped through the Pulsar Express.

"And the staff investigations?" she asked.

Garm growled. "The Diktat has ordered them halted. I just received word an hour ago." And that was that. In the few months on Coruscant, she and Ben had helped him put together a tighter security protocol. That would have to be enough, now.

Bail Organa nodded quietly in agreement as he voiced his thanks for her help.

Once the initial shock had receded, she couldn't say that she was sorry to leave. She'd come to dislike and fear the place intensely. Beyond the blatant display of ill-gotten power, there was a growing unease among the population. It was almost as though the lowest echelons of society had more sense than many of the politicians.

She nodded. "Good-luck, Senators."

Garm shook his head. "There is no such thing as luck, just good planning and knowledge. Baryl...Be careful."

"I shall. And Senator, I'll keep you informed." She turned to go, already intent on what she had to do when she got home.

There was a tentative knock. "Sir, Senator Mon Mothma is here," the senator's new aide said, showing the slender woman into the office. Baryl stiffened at the arrival's expression.

"Have you heard?" Mon Mothma said with no emotion, "Palpatine has just announced the formation of the Department of Public Information." She placed a datachip on the desk. "Their first official act will be to take over the holonet."

"The senate will never go for it." Garm picked up the chip.

"He's bypassed the legislative process completely." Mon Mothma's face darkened. "And with the senate recess starting, I doubt there will be much outcry."

Bail started to pace the room. "Slowly, one step at a time. But he'll have his empire by the end of the year."

"He'll have to have a military first," Garm Bel Iblis said. Baryl stared at the chip, then at each of the senators.

"Already in the works. The officer training school at Caridia. He's sent Admiral Tarkin and several others to look into expanding the facility. I just received this from a source on Tarkin's staff." Mon Mothma pointed at the chip.

Bail froze, while the others stared at the chip. Baryl reached over and picked it up.

"I would suggest that discussions like this not be held on Coruscant. You three are the most visible of his opponents. For the moment you are safe, because it looks good that there is a vocal opposition. It makes people feel safe-it seems so democratic. But..." She glanced at each of the senators.

"There will come a time when he will no longer worry about popular support." Bail took the chip from her. "You are, unfortunately, correct. We must be careful." His grim smile faded as he stared at the datachip. "The Calamari have rejected his plea to rejoin the republic. This might convince them that he will use force."

Mon Mothma shook her head sadly. ""No one will believe that until afterwards."

"Then there will be civil war," Bel Iblis said. Nothing further was said as the four stood there staring helplessly at each other..

Detash: (2 months)

Ben leaned closer to the yellow-skinned merchant and growled, "We agreed upon one-hundred credits in advance and two-hundred on delivery. Well, I've delivered and you only have fifty credits." He started to pocket the black crystal. The merchant winced as he bent down below the counter. Ben smiled to himself as the shorter humanoid lifted up a sack.

"I have one-hundred fifty credits. Honest, that's all I have. I need that by tonight. My client..."

"I'll tell you what," Ben said, "I need some information. You have it for me in two hours and I'll let you have the crystal for the fifty credits."

The merchant narrowed his eyes, but nodded. "What do you want to know?"

"I understand that some bounty hunters have cornered a group of Jedi. I want to know where."

"What's it to you?"

Ben shrugged as he pocketed the crystal. "You need the crystal, I need the story. Two hours?"

The merchant huffed, then nodded. "Meet me here. And if you are playing games, I'll..."

"You will bring me that information," Ben casually moved his hand in a semicircle. "I'll be here in two hours." He moved away from the counter, keeping an eye on the merchant as he departed the building. A few seconds later, the merchant placed a closed sign in the window and departed. Ben slipped into the shadows and quietly followed.

He'd left Coruscant quickly just over a month ago. After a round-about trip, he'd arrived at Corellia and met with Rostek Horn. The Pulsar Express was falling apart: the most recent Jedi refugees had been cornered by a group of bounty hunters on Detash. Ben had decided, over Horn's objections, to help. The rest had been easy, with a reluctant Horn's assistance. Ben had replaced a gem courier; and Horn had helped him put together a cover story. This merchant, through his underworld connections, would get the final piece of information.

He could sense the trapped Jedis' distress and determination, but not their location. He leaned against the wall and briefly closed his eyes. He was tired, but there was no time for sleep. The merchant turned a corner. Ben took a deep breath and followed.

Corellia

Baryl smiled in greeting, but it quickly faded as she sat down across from Rostek Horn. "Why would anyone in their right mind go to Detash?" She'd never been there, but had known several CorSec agents who had. None of them had anything complimentary to say about the place.

Rostek shook his head. "It's good to see you again, too." Then his face became serious. "There's a small group of Jedi there, apparently trapped by bounty hunters. Ben's gone to try to help."

"I see. Kiffle. Have you tried to trace the leak?"

She watched Rostek take several deep breaths. "The bounty on the Jedi keeps climbing. Money speaks very loud and very clear. So do the arbitrary punishments. Six safe houses were burned last month, and three weeks ago a family disappeared after helping a Jedi escape."

"Why wasn't I told?" Baryl grumbled. She should have been told-perhaps then she and Ben could have (maybe even still could) salvaged the operation.

"Because I need you alive, and in one piece," Rostek said, having guessed her thoughts. "And because this was bound to happen. We're lucky that the Pulsar Express lasted this long."

Damn, if he wasn't correct. She didn't trust herself to speak for a moment. "Who's on Detash?"

"Two former council members and two children are hiding there. A band of bounty hunters discovered them. They managed to get off a distress call. Ben-"

"Had to help." Just like him. Then appalled, "Two council members? Do you know who?"

Rostek shook his head. "No, and unfortunately your vacation is going to be cut short. There's been a series of attacks on the shipping lanes. I need you to go to Plataxal." He shook his head. "Take a couple of days to get settled. The Diktat is breathing down my neck on this one."

She smiled sourly. Someone's cousin owned one of the ships, more likely than not. "That I can do. Sir, what about Senator Bel Iblis?"

Rostek glanced down at his hands, then said, "Privately, the Senator sends his thanks and best wishes. He has started implementing your security plan, as have Senators Organa and Mon Mothma. Publicly, he has informed the Diktat that the his staff on Coruscant is loyal to Corellia."

She chuckled. "I see."

"And speaking of Coruscant, your recent testimony..."

She rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, they didn't like it."

"Something along those lines. In the future, I would avoid all conversation with reporters." Her head snapped up at that; Oli Varsh's death weighed on her conscience. "I don't know how they learned of your little escapade, but I've been informed that from now on all CorSec officers are to refer any questions to the public relations department." He shrugged. "I'll see you back here after you've had a chance to settle in."

"Yes, sir." She stood to leave. Plataxal was a minor trading center with close ties to Corellia, but it wasn't a member of the Galactic Republic. It was also close to the rim. She was already considering the possibilities of moving the Pulsar Express there. She didn't look at Horn as she left. Her time there would be spent investigating the raiders, but she could certainly look around.