©&TM2015LucasfilmLtd.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•LucasfilmPress,an

imprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe

reproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic

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ISBN978-1-4847-2502-3

VisittheofficialStarWarswebsite:www.starwars.com

Contents

DedicationPrologueChapterOneChapterTwoChapterThreeChapterFourChapterFiveChapterSix

ChapterSevenChapterEightChapterNineChapterTenChapterElevenChapterTwelveChapterThirteenChapterFourteenChapterFifteenChapterSixteenChapterSeventeenChapterEighteen

ChapterNineteenChapterTwentyChapterTwenty-OneChapterTwenty-TwoChapterTwenty-ThreeChapterTwenty-FourChapterTwenty-FiveChapterTwenty-SixChapterTwenty-SevenChapterTwenty-EightChapterTwenty-NineAbouttheAuthor

ThisbookisdedicatedtothememoryofKarenJones,

friendandfangirlextraordinaire.

Wewereluckytoknowyou.

Alongtimeagoinagalaxyfar,faraway….

EightyearsafterthefalloftheOldRepublic,the

GalacticEmpirenowreignsovertheknowngalaxy.

ResistancetotheEmpirehasbeenallbutsilenced.OnlyafewcourageousleaderssuchasBailOrganaofAlderaan

stilldaretoopenlyopposeEmperorPalpatine.

Afteryearsofdefiance,themanyworldsattheedgeof

theOuterRimhavesurrendered.Witheachplanet’sconquest,the

Empire’smightgrowsevenstronger.

Thelatesttofallunderthe

Emperor’scontrolistheisolatedmountainplanet

Jelucan,whosecitizenshopeforamoreprosperousfutureevenastheImperialStarfleet

gathersoverhead….

ASHIPSLICEDTHROUGHtheshale-grayskyoverhead,soquicklyitwasnomorethanalineoflightandadistantscreechalmostlostinthewind.

“That’saLambda-classshuttle!”ThaneKyrell

pointedupward,jumpingwithexcitement.“Didyouhearit?Didyou,Dalven?”

Hisolderbrothercuffedhimandsneered.“Youdon’tknowwhattheshipslooklike.You’retoolittletoknow.”

“Amnot.ItwasaLambda-classshuttle.Youcantellbythesoundoftheengines—”

“Children,hush.”Thane’smotherneverglancedbackat

them.Sheconcentratedonholdingupthehemofhersaffron-coloredrobesoitwouldn’ttrailinthedust.“Itoldyouweoughttohavebroughtthehovercraft.Insteadwe’rewanderingdowntoValentiaonfootlikevalleytrash.”

“Thehangarswillbeamadhouse,”insistedThane’sfather,OrisKyrell,withacontemptuoussniff.“Thousandsofpeopletrying

tolandwhetherornotthey’vegotareservation.Doyouwanttospendourwholedayfightingoverdockingrights?Bettertodoitthisway.Theboyscankeepupwellenough.”

Dalvencould;hewastwelveyearsold,long-limbedandproudtotoweroverhisyoungerbrother.ForThane,thedownhilltrekthroughtheunevenmountainpathswashardergoing.Sofarhewas

shorterthanmostboyshisage;thelargefeetandhandsthathintedathisfutureheightwere,fornow,merelyawkward.Hisreddish-blondhairstucktohissweatyforehead,andhewishedhisparentshadlethimwearhisfavoritebootsinsteadoftheseshinynewones,whichpinchedhistoesateverystep.ButhewouldhavemadeamoredifficulttripthanthattofinallyseeTIEfightersand

shuttles—realspacecraft,notlikesomeclunkyoldV-171.

“ItwasaLambda-classshuttle,”hemuttered,hopingDalvenwouldn’toverhear.

Buthedid.Hisolderbrotherstiffened,andThanepreparedhimself.Dalvenneverhithimveryhardwhentheirparentswerenearby,butthoselessershovesorpuncheswereoftenawarningofworsetocomelater.Thistime,however,Dalvendid

nothing.Maybehewasdistractedbythepromiseofthespectacletheywouldseethatday—thedisplayofflyingpowerandfightingtechniquesbyvesselsoftheImperialfleet.

OrmaybeDalvenwasembarrassedbecausehe’drealizedThanehadidentifiedtheshipwhenhecouldn’t.

Hesayshe’sgoingtotheImperialAcademy,Thanethought,butthat’sjust

becausehethinksitwillmakehimimportant.Dalvendoesn’tknoweverysingleshiplikeIdo.Hedoesn’tstudythemanualsorpracticewithaglider.Dalvenwillneverbearealpilot.

ButIwill.“Weshould’veleftThane

athomewiththehousekeeperdroid.”Dalven’svoicehadbecomesulky.“He’stoolittleforanyofthis.Inanotherhourhe’llbewhiningtogo

home.”“Iwon’t,”Thaneinsisted.

“I’moldenough.Aren’tI,Mama?”

GanaireKyrellnoddedabsently.“Ofcourseyou’reoldenough.YouwereborninthesameyearastheEmpireitself,Thane.Neverforgetthat.”

Howcouldheforgetwhenshe’dremindedhimatleastfivetimesalreadythatday?Hewantedtosayso,but

thatwouldonlyearnhimanothercufffromDalven—or,worse,anewbarrageofinsultsfromhisfather,whosewordscouldcutdeeperthananyblade.Alreadyhecouldsensethemstaringathim,waitingforanyshowofdefianceorweakness.Thaneturnedasifhewerelookingdowntowardtheirdestination,thecityofValentia,soneitherhisfathernorDalvenwouldseehis

expression.Itwasalwaysbetterwhentheydidn’tknowwhatThanewasthinking.

Hewasn’tworriedabouthismother.Sherarelynoticedhimatall.

Thewindtuggedathisblue-and-gold-embroideredcloak,andThaneshivered.Otherworldshadtobewarmer.Brighter,busier,morefunineveryway.Hebelievedthisdespiteneverhavingvisitedanotherplanet

inhislife;itwasimpossibletothinkthatthevastnessofthegalaxydidn’tcontainsomeplacebettertobethanhere.

Jelucanhadbeensettledlateingalactichistory,probablybecausenobodyelsehadbeendesperateenoughtowantanearlyuninhabitablerockattheveryedgeoftheOuterRim.Nearlyfivehundredyearsbefore,aninitialgroupofsettlershad

beenexiledherefromanotherworld,equallyobscure.They’dfoughtonthewrongsideofsomecivilwarorother.Thanedidn’tknowthedetails.Hisparentshadtoldhimonlythatthosefirstsettlershadgottenthemselvesmiredinthevalleys,innearlytotalpoverty,andhadbarelybeenabletokeepthemselvesalive.

Truecivilizationhadonlycomelater,ahundredand

fiftyyearsago,withthesecondwaveofsettlers,whohadcomeherevoluntarilyinhopesofbuildingtheirfortunes.They’dmanagedtoestablishmining,engagewithgalacticcommerce,andleadmodernlives—unlikethepeoplefromthevalleys,whobehavedmorelikepre-technologicalnomadsthanmodernpeople.OfcoursetheywereJelucani,too,buttheywereunfriendly,

isolated,andproud.Ormaybeitwasonlythat

thevalleykindredwerestillmadaboutbeingdumpedonthisicyruggedrockofaworld.Ifso,Thanedidn’tblamethem.

“ApitytheEmperorhimselfwon’tbeabletoattend,”hismothersaid.“Wouldn’tithavebeensomethingtoseehimforourselves?”

LiketheEmperorwould

evercomehere.Thaneknewbetterthantosaythatoutloud.

EveryonewassupposedtoloveEmperorPalpatine.Everyonesaidhewasthebravest,mostintelligentpersoninthegalaxy,thathewastheonewhohadbroughtorderafterthechaosoftheCloneWars.Thanewonderedifthatwasalltrue.CertainlyPalpatinehadmadetheEmpirestrong,andmade

himselfthemostpowerfulmanwithinit.

Thanedidn’treallycareiftheEmperorwasniceornot.TheEmpire’scomingwasagoodthing,becauseitbroughtitsshipswithit.Allhewantedwastoseethoseships.Then,later,tolearntoflythem.

And,finally,toflyfarawayfromhere,nevertoreturn.

“Ciena!Youreyesonthepathoryou’llfall.”

CienaReecouldn’tstopstaringintothegraysky.Shecould’veswornshe’dheardaLambda-classshuttle,andshewantedmorethananythingtoseeone,too.“But,Mumma—IknowIheardaship.”

“It’salwaysshipsandflying,withyou.”Hermother,Verine,chuckledsoftlyandpickedupherdaughter,thenplacedheron

thewidefurrybackofthemuunyaktheywereleadinguphilltowardValentia.“There.Saveyourstrengthforthebigparade.”

Cienaburiedherhandsinthemuunyak’sshaggyhair.Itsmelledagreeablyofmuskandhay.Ofhome.

Asshepeeredupward,shesawathinlineintheclouds—alreadydisappearingbutevidencethattheshuttlehadbeenthere.Sheshivered

withexcitement,thenrememberedtotakeholdofthebraidedleatherbraceletaroundherwrist.Pressingtheleatherbetweenherfingers,Cienawhispered,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”

Nowhersister,Wynnet,couldseeit,too.Cienalivedherlifeforthembothandneverforgotthat.

Herfathermusthaveheardher,becauseheworethesadsmilethatmeanthe

wasthinkingofWynnet,too.Butheonlypattedhisdaughter’sheadandtuckedonewaywardblackcurlbehindherear.

Finally,aftertwohours’trekupward,theyreachedValentia.Cienahadneverseenarealcitybefore,exceptinholos;herparentsrarelylefttheirhomevalleyandcertainlyhadnevertakenherwiththemwhentheydid,untiltoday.Hereyeswidened

asshetookinthebuildingscarvedintothepalewhitestoneofthecliffs—someofthemtenorfifteenstorieshigh.TheystretchedalongthesideofthemountainasfarasCienacouldsee.Allaroundthecarveddwellingsstoodtentsandawnings,dyedinadozenbrilliantcolorsanddrapedwithfringeorbeads.Imperialflagsflutteredfrompolesnewlyjabbedintothegroundormountedinstone.

Throngingthestreetsweremorepeoplethanshe’deverseentogetherinhereightyears.Somewerehawkingfoodorsouvenirsforthegreatoccasion—ImperialbannersorsmallholosoftheEmperorsmilingbenevolently,translucently,aboveasmalliridescentdisc.Most,however,walkedalongthesamecrowdedroadsassheandherfamily,allheadedtowardtheceremony.Evena

fewdroidsrolled,hovered,orshuffledthroughthecrowd,eachofthemshinierandobviouslyfarmoremodernthantheonebatteredcutterdroidinhervillage.

Thosepeopleanddroidswouldhavebeenfarmorefascinatingiftheyhadn’tallbeeninherway.

“Arewegoingtobelate?”Cienasaid.“Idon’twanttomisstheships.”

“Wewon’tbelate.”Her

mothersighed.She’dsaidsomanytimesthatday,andCienaknewsheneededtobequiet.ButthenVerineReeputherhandsonheryoungdaughter’sshoulders;assoftasthegesturewas,themuunyakknewtostopwalkingforward.Mumma’sfadedblackcloakblewaroundhertoo-thinbodyasshesaid,“Iknowyou’reexcited,myheart.Thisisthebiggestdayofyourlifesofar.

Whyshouldn’tyoubethrilled?Buthavefaith.TheEmpirewillbewaitingforuswhenwefinishtravelingupthemountain,wheneverthatmaybe.Allright?”

Mumma’ssmilecouldmakeCienafeellikeshe’dsteppedintoapatchofsunshine.“Allright.”

Itdidn’tmatterwhentheyfinishedclimbing.TheEmpirewouldalways,alwaysbewaitingforher.

AsMummahadpromised,theyreachedthepaddockinplentyoftime.Butasherparentswerepayingforaday’scorrallingandfeed,Cienaheardthelaughter.

“TheyrodethatfilthymuunyaktotheImperialceremony!”yelledateenagesecond-waveboy.ThelividredofhiscloakremindedCienaofanopensore.“They’regoingtostinkupthe

entireplace.”Cienafelthercheeks

flushwarm,butsherefusedtolookatthekidstauntingheranylonger.Insteadshepattedthemuunyak’sside;itblinkedather,patientasever.“We’llcomebackforyoulater,”shepromised.“Don’tbelonely.”Notauntsfromsomestupidbigkidscouldmakeherashamedofthebeast.Sheloveditanditssmell.Stupidsecond-wavers

didn’tunderstandwhatitmeanttobeclosetoyouranimals,ortotheland.

Yetnowthatshesawhundredsofsecond-wavefolkintheirlongsilkencloaksandrichlyquiltedclothing,Cienalookeddownatherlightbrowndressandfeltshabby.Always,before,shehadlikedthisdress,becausethefabricwasonlyslightlypalerthanherskin,andshelikedthattheymatched.Nowshe

noticedtheraggedhemandtheloosethreadsatthesleeves.

“Don’tletthemaffectyou.”Herfather’sfacehadbecometense,pinched.“Theirdayisover,andtheyknowit.”

“Paron,”whisperedCiena’smotherassheclutchedherhusband’sarm.“Keepyourvoicedown.”

Hecontinuedwithmorediscretionbutevengreater

pride.“TheEmpirerespectshardwork.Absoluteloyalty.Theirvaluesarelikeours.Thosesecond-wavefolk—theydon’tthinkaboutanythingbutliningtheirownpockets.”

Thatmeantmakingmoney.Cienaknewthisbecauseherfathersaiditoften,alwaysaboutthesecond-waverswholivedinthehighestmountains.Shedidn’tseewhatwassobad

aboutmakingmoney,really.Butotherthingsweremoreimportant…especiallyhonor.

CienaandeveryotherresidentoftheJelucanvalleysweredescendedfromloyalistscastoutoftheirhomeworldaftertheoverthrowoftheirking.Oneandall,theirpeoplehadchosenexileratherthanbetraytheirallegiancetotheirleader.HardaslifeonJelucanwas,unceasingas

theirlaborandpovertyhadbeeneversince,thepeopleofthevalleysstilltookprideintheirancestors’choice.Likeeveryotherchildinhervillage,Cienahadbeenraisedknowingthatherwordwasherbondandherhonortheonlypossessionthatcouldevertrulymatter.

Letthesecond-waversstrutaroundintheirnewcoatsandshinyjewelry.Ciena’splaincloakhadbeen

wovenbyhermother,thewoolspunfromtheirmuunyak’sfur;herleatherbraceletwasrebraidedandexpandedasshegrewsoitwouldremainonherwristherentirelife.Sheownedlittle,buteverythingshehad—everythingshedid—containedmeaningandvalue.Peoplefromthemountainscouldn’tunderstandthat.

Asifhecouldreadhisdaughter’sthoughts,Paron

Reecontinued,“We’llhavedifferentopportunitiesnow.Betterones.We’vealreadyseenthat,haven’twe?”

Ciena’smothersmiledasshewrappedherpalegrayscarfmoretightlyaroundherhair.Justthreedaysbefore,she’dbeenofferedasupervisorypositionatthenearbymine—thekindofauthoritythesecond-waverstendedtosavefortheirown.ButtheEmpirewasincharge

now.Everythingwouldchange.

“You’llhavemorechoices,Ciena.Youhavethechancetodomore.Tobemore.”ParonReesmileddownathisdaughterwithsternbutunmistakablepride.“TheForceisguidingthis.”

SofarasCienacouldtellfromthefewholosshe’deverbeenabletowatch,mostpeopleinthegalaxynolongerbelievedintheForce,

theenergythatallowedpeopletobecomeonewiththeuniverse.EvenshesometimeswonderedwhethertherecouldeverhavebeensuchathingasaJediKnight.Theamazingtalestheelderstoldofvaliantheroeswithlightsabers,whocouldbendminds,levitateobjects—surelythosewereonlystories.

ButtheForcehadtobereal,becauseithadbrought

theEmpiretoJelucantochangealltheirfutures,forever.

“PeopleofJelucan,todayrepresentsbothanendingandabeginning,”saidtheseniorImperialofficialatthecelebration,amancalledGrandMoffTarkin.

(Cienaknewthatwashistitleandhisname,butshewasn’tsurewhetherhistitle

wasGrandMoffandhisnameTarkin—orwhetherhisnamewasMoffTarkinandhewasverygrandindeed.She’dasklater,whennosecond-waverswerearoundtomockherfornotknowing.)

Tarkincontinued:“Onthisdayendsyourisolationfromthegreatergalaxy.Instead,JelucanbeginsanewandgloriousfuturebyassumingitsrightfulplacewithintheEmpire!”

Applauseandcheersfilledtheair,andCienaclappedalongwithalltherest.Buthersharpeyespickedoutafewpeoplewhoremainedsilent—elders,mostly,whowouldhavebeenalivesincebeforetheCloneWars.Theystoodthere,stillandgrave,morelikemournersatafuneralorwitnessestopublicdishonor.Onesilver-haired,pale-skinnedwomanbowedher

head,andatearrandownhercheek.Cienawonderedifperhapsshe’dhadasonordaughterwhodiedinthewarsandseeingallthesesoldiershadremindedherofthelossandmadehersadonsuchahappyday.

Becausethereweresomanysoldiers—officersincrispblackorgrayuniformsandstormtroopersingleamingwhitearmor.Andthereseemedtobenearlyas

manyshipsastroops:hard-corneredTIEfightersblackasobsidian,assaultcruisersthesamegrayasmountaingranite,andhighaboveinorbit,twinklinglikethesouthstaratmorning,afewspecksthatsheknewwereactuallyStarDestroyers.EachandeveryStarDestroyerwasbiggerthantheentirecityofValentia,theysaid,twoorthreetimesover.

Justthethoughtofit

madeCiena’sheartswellwithpride.NowshehadbecomepartoftheEmpire—notonlyherplanetbutsheherself,too.TheEmpiregovernedthewholegalaxy.TheImperialfleet’spowerexceededthatofanyotherfightingforceinallofhistory.Seeingtheshipsflyoverheadinpreciseformation,neverdeviatingfromtheirprescribedpaths,thrilledhertothebone.

Thiswasstrength,grandeur,majesty.Thiswasthekindofhonoranddisciplineshe’dbeenraisedtovalue,buttakentoheightsofwhichshe’dneverdreamed.Nothingcouldbemorebeautifulthanthis,shethought.

Unlesssomedayshecouldactuallyflyoneofthoseshipsherself.

GrandMoffTarkinkeptspeaking,sayingsomething

aboutSeparatistworldsthatmadeeverybodyseemuncomfortableforamoment,butthenhewentbacktohowgreattheEmpirewasandhowproudeveryonehadtobe.Cienacheeredwhentheothersdid,butbythenshewaswhollyfocusedonthenearestship,ashuttlejustliketheoneshethoughtshe’dseeninthesky.Ifonlyshecouldgetacloserlook…

Maybeaftertheceremony

shecould.

Whenthespeechesandmusicended,theKyrellshadaprivatereceptiontoattendwithVeryImportantOfficials,andtheytoldDalventokeepaneyeonThane.Astheysaidthewords,ThanesilentlyestimatedhowlongitwouldbebeforeDalvenditchedhimtogohangoutwithfriends.

Fiveminutes,hethought.Fiveorsix.

Foronce,he’doverestimatedDalven,who’dabandonedhislittlebrotherafteronlythreeminutes.

ButThanecouldtakecareofhimself.Moreimportant,hecouldgetalotclosertotheImperialhangaronhisown.

AlthoughmostoftheImperialshipshadalreadyzoomedbacktotheirStarDestroyers,ortooneofthe

newfacilitiesbeingbuiltonthesouthernplateaus,afewremainedintheImperialhangar.ThenearestwasaLambda-classshuttle,justliketheoneThanewascertainhe’dseenintheskyearlier.

Sure,thesignssaidtostayback.Butsometimespeopleassumedlittlekidscouldn’treadsigns.Thanefiguredhewasstillyoungenoughtogetawaywiththat

excuseifanybodycaughthim.

Allhewantedtodowaslookattheshipupclose—maybetouchit,justonce.

Sohecreptaroundtothebackoftheraisedstageerectedfortheday’sspeeches,thenduckedunderit.AlthoughThanehadtokeephisheadlow,hecouldrunbeneathitallthewaytothehangaritself.Whenheemerged,hesmiledwith

pride,thensawtohisdisappointmentthathewasn’ttheonlyonewho’dhadthatidea.Severalotherkidsheknewfromhisschoolhadgatherednearby,too—slightlyolderboys,oneshe’dneverliked—andoneother,askinnygirldressedinshabbyclothesthatmarkedherassomeonefromthevalleys.Nexttothebrilliantcrimsonandgoldoftheboys’robes,herbrowndressreminded

Thaneofanautumnleafabouttofall.

“Whatareyoudoinghere,valleyscum?”saidMotharDrik,thegrinonhisbroadfacenastierthanusual.

Theawestrucksmilefadedfromthegirl’sfaceasshelookedfromtheshuttlecrafttowardhernewtormentors.“Ijustwantedtoseetheship.Sameasyou.”

Motharmadeanobscenegesture.“Gobacktoyoursty

andslopoutthedung.That’swhereyoubelong.”

Thegirldidn’tbudge.Insteadsheballedherhandsintofists.“IfIweresloppingoutdung,I’dhavetostartwithyou.”

Thanelaughedoutloud.Afewoftheotherboyssawhim,then.Oneofthemsaid,“Hey,Thane.Goingtohelptakeoutthetrash?”

Theymeantthattheyweregoingtobeatupthegirl

fromthevalleys.Sixofthem,oneofher:Thosewerethekindofoddsthatonlyappealedtoabully.

GrowingupwithOrisKyrellasafatherhadtaughtThanemanythings.Ithadtaughthimhowstrictlyandharshlyrulescouldbeenforced.Taughthimthathisbrotherrespondedtotheirfather’scrueltybybeingequallycrueltoThane,ifnotworse.Taughthimthatit

didn’tmatterwhowasreallyrightorwrong—becausetherulesweresetbywhoeverheldthecane.

Aboveall,ithadtaughthimtohatebullies.

“Yeah,”Thanesaid.“I’lltakeoutthetrash.”Withthat,hechargedstraightatMothar.

Theidiotneversawitcoming;hisbreathwentoutinawhuffofsurpriseashelandedonhisback,hard.Thanegotinacoupleof

punchesbeforesomeonetowedhimoffMothar,andwhenhesawanotheroftheboysreachingforhiscollar,hepreparedfortheinevitablefisttotheface—buttheskinnygirlflungherselfontohisattacker,pullingtheboy’sarmback.“Youlethimgo!”sheyelled.

Twoagainstsixstillwasn’tgreatodds,butthegirlfoughthard.Thaneknewhedid,too,mostlybecause,

thankstoDalven,he’dalreadylearnedhowtotakeahitandkeepgoing.Still,thetwoofthemweregettingherdedtowardacorner,Thanealreadyhadabloodylip,andthiswasn’tgoingtoendwell—

“What’sgoingonhere?”Everyonefroze.Onlyfive

metersawaystoodGrandMoffTarkin,surroundedbyImperialofficersandwhite-armoredstormtroopers.At

thesightofthem,Motharfled,histoadiesathisheels.ThatleftThaneandthegirlstandingtherealone.

“Well?”Tarkinsaid,strollingcloser.Hisfacecouldhavebeenetchedinaquartzcrystal,withitshard,palelines.

Thegirlsteppedforward.“It’smyfault,”shesaid.“Theotherboysweregoingtobeatmeup,andhetriedtostopthem.”

“Verysillyofyou,”TarkinsaidtoThane.Heseemedamused.“Toflingyourselfintoafightyouwouldhavelost?Nevergoupagainstsuperiorforces,lad.Itdoesn’tendwell.”

Thanethoughtfast.“Itdidtoday,becauseofyou.”

Tarkinchuckled.“Yourealizedanevenstrongerforcewouldbealongshortly,then?Excellentstrategicthinking.Welldone,my

boy.”Theywereoffthehook

now,butthegirlfromthevalleysdidn’tseemtoknowit.“Iwasn’tsupposedtobeinthehangar,”shesaid,headbowed.“Ibrokearule.ButIdidn’tmeantodoanythingdishonorable.Ionlywantedtoseetheships.”

“Ofcourseyoudid,”Tarkinsaid,leaningdownabitclosertothem.“Thattellsmeyou’recuriousaboutthe

galaxybeyondJelucan.Andyoutwostayedwhentheotherchildrenran.Thattellsmeyou’rebrave.NowIwanttoseeifyou’reintelligent.Whatkindofshipdowehavehere?”

“ALambda-classshuttle!”theysaidinunison,thenlookedateachother.Slowlythegirlbegantosmile,andThanedid,too.

“Verygood.”Tarkinheldoutonehandtowardtheship.

“Wouldyouliketolookinside?”

Didhemeanit?Hedid.Thanecouldhardlybelievehisluckasoneofthestormtroopersopenedthehatchforthem.Heandthegirlraninside,whereeverythingwasblackandshinyandlitupwithahundredsmalllights.Theywereshownintothecockpitandevengottositinthepilots’seats.GrandMoff

Tarkinstoodjustbehind,rigidasaflagpole,hisbootsgleamingasbrightlyasthepolishedmetalsurroundingthem.

“Showmethealtitudecontrol,”hesaid.Theybothpointedtoitinstantly.“Excellent.Andthedockingguide?Youknowthatoneaswell.Yes,you’rebothverybright.Whatareyournames?”

“I’mThaneKyrell.”He

wonderedifGrandMoffTarkinwouldrecognizehislastname;hisparentsinsistedthattheImperialauthoritieswouldknowthemwell.ButTarkin’sfaceremainedonlyvaguelycurious.

Thelittlegirlsaid,“I’mCienaRee,sir.”

Sir.Heshould’vethoughttocallTarkinsir,too.AtleastTarkindidn’tseemtomind.“Wouldn’tyouliketoservetheEmperorsomeday,andfly

shipslikethese?ThenyoumightbecomeCaptainKyrellandCaptainRee.Whatwouldyouthinkofthat?”

Thane’schestswelledwithpride.“Thatwouldbethebestthingever.Sir.”

Tarkinlaughedsoftlyasheturnedtooneofthejuniorofficersstandingjustbehindhim.“Yousee,Piett?Weshouldneverhesitatetousethelash,whennecessary—buttherearemomentswhen

thelureisevenmoreeffective.”

Thanehadnoideawhatthatmeant,andhedidn’tcare,either.AllheknewwasthathecouldnolongerimagineanyfatemoregloriousthanbecominganofficerintheImperialfleet.FromthegrinonCiena’sface,hecouldtellshefeltthesameway.

Shewhispered,“We’llhavetostudyhard.”

“Andpracticeflying.”Hisanswermadeherface

fall.“Idon’thaveanyshipstopracticewith,andouronlysimulatorisold.”

Ofcoursetheydidn’thavegoodsimulatorsinthevalleys,andprobablyonlyonepersoninfiftyofthevalleykindredownedtheirowncraft.Thanefeltbadforamoment,untilinspirationstruck.“Youcancomepracticewithme,then.”

Ciena’sfacelitup.“Really?”

“Sure.”Lotsofmaneuverscouldonlybeperformedwithacopilot.HewouldneedapartnerifhewantedtolearntoflywellenoughtogetintotheImperialStarfleetsomeday.

Besides,Thanecouldalreadytell—inspiteofalltheirdifferences,heandCienaReeweregoingtobefriends.

FiveYearsLater

THIRTYMINUTESremaineduntilflyingpractice—hardlyevenenoughtimetogettothehangar,bynow.AndCienastillhadtosithere

onthisstupidbench….No,shethought.It’snot

stupid.TheNierrefamily’shonorhasbeenquestioned.Theyneedtheirfriendstostandwiththemintheirhouroftrial.Evenifitmeansmissingflyingpractice.

ButIwouldsomuchratherbeflying.

Therough-hewngranitebenchstoodinfrontofthesmalldomedhouseoftheNierrefamily,otherkinofthe

valleyswhoselandshadborderedtheReefamily’sforgenerations.Infrontofthebenchlayalongtrenchfilledwithsand,whichnowhadseveralflagpolesstuckinit,eachflagrepresentingafamilythathaddeclareditsloyaltytotheNierresduringthisdarktime.Thetraditionwasanancientone,goingbacktothefirstdaysofsettlementonJelucan,butitstillhadmeaning.One

memberofeveryloyalfamilywouldremainwiththeNierres,constantly,untilthecloudofsuspicionovertheirhonorhadbeencleared.

Mostofthevalleykindredhadbroughtaflag,butnotall.SomefewthoughtthefatherofthehouseholdwasabusinghispowerasanImperialcommunicationsmonitor—reportingmeetingsandmessagesthatwereprivate.However,Ciena’s

parentshaddeclaredthatnooneshouldevenwanttohideimportantinformationfromtheEmpireandthosewhoaccusedtheNierresweretheoneswithouthonor.Still,itwastheNierreswhohadbeenaccused,andtheyhadtobeartheweight.

Thefamily’sgenespasseddownblondhairandmilk-whiteskin.Evenso,theirfaceshadgonepaler,tothepointwheretheyalllooked

sick.IftheformalcomplainttotheImperialgovernorwasupheldandanewmonitorwasnamed,theNierreswouldshareinthatdisgraceforever—adifficultthreattoendure.Sofriendsneededtostayclosetothemtoprovidewhatcomforttheycould.

I’dwantsomeonetodothatforme,ifIwerefalselyaccused,Cienathought.ButtheNierreswouldbeevenmorecomfortedifmyparents

werehere,liketheysaidtheywouldbeawholehourago.

Hereyessearchedtheskies,asifshewouldalreadyseetheoldV-171soaringoverhead.Fromthebench,Cienacouldseefartherdownintothevalley,allthewaytothedistantsilverygleamofwaterseveralthousandmetersbelow.Surroundingherwerecountlesssnowypeaks,likewhiteclawsscratchingatastone-coloredsky.Herdark

bluecloakwasheavyenoughnottobedisturbedbythewinds,anditalsodisguisedthefactthat—insteadofatraditionaldress—sheworetheoversizeflightsuitshe’dmanagedtobuyatasurplusstoreearlierthatyear.

Thensheheardthedistantwhirofaridgecrawler—themountain-readyhovercraftEmpire-backedmerchantshadintroducedtotheworldfiveyearsbefore.Already

Cienacouldhardlyrememberhowthey’dmanagedwithoutthem;shestilllovedtheoldmuunyak,buthewasevenslowerthesedays.Whentheridgecrawlerroundedthebend,shewantedtoleapupindelight.Finally!

Butsheremainedonthebench,facesolemn,untilherfatherhadsteppedoutandwalkedovertoher.Hewasalone.

“Where’sMumma?”

Cienasaidassherosetoherfeet.

“Anotherlatenightatthemine.”Herfathershookhishead.“Weknewherroleassupervisorwouldrequirehardwork,andI’mproudofher—butImisshersometimes.”

“Metoo.”AndCienaabsolutelymeantthat,yetshecouldn’tkeephereyesofftheridgecrawler.IfPappawouldletherborrowit,shecouldstillgettothehangarintime.

Herfathersawherhasteandpressedhislipstogetherinathinlinethatthreatenedtobecomeafrown.“Flyingagaintoday?”

“Pappa,please.HowelseamIsupposedtogetintooneoftheImperialacademies?”

“Youshouldpractice,andoften.NothingwouldmakeyourmotherandmeprouderthantoseeyoubecomeanImperialofficer.”ParonReepaused.Afewbirdsflew

overhead,screechingtheirusualcalls;Cienawatchedthemfly,becausewheneverherfatherbroughtupthisnextsubject,shefoundithardeventolookathim.Sureenough,hecontinued,“WeonlywishyouwouldpracticemoreatthenewsimulatorsinValentia,insteadofspendingallyourtimewiththatboy.”

“Thane’smyfriend.”Shestressedthelastword.

“Weshouldn’ttake

anythingfromsecond-wavers.Weshouldrisebyourownpower,notbecauseoftheirgifts.”

SometimesCienaflewintoarageatthispointinthefight—butifshedidthattoday,shedefinitelywouldn’tgettofly.Soshetookadeepbreathbeforeshecontinued:“IhelpThaneasmuchashehelpsme.Weworktogether.Neitherofusowestheotheranything,andheremembers

thataswellasIdo.”Herfathersighed.“His

kindhaveshortmemories.Butgo.Taketheridgecrawler;I’llridethemuunyakhome.YourmotherandIwillbebacklater,andyouwillhavefinishedyourlessonsandcleanedthekitchentoptobottom.”

“Yes,sir.”Herspiritslifted.She’dflytodayafterall.

“Becomeabetterpilot

thanthisKyrellboy,”saidherfather,ashestraightenedhisrobeandbegantowalkinsidetheNierrehome.“Ifthere’sonlyoneslotforaJelucanicadet,Iwantittobeyours.”

Cienalaughed.“We’rebothgoing.TheImperialStarfleetwon’tbeabletodowithoutus!”

EvenPappahadtosmile.

Thanewonderedifhecould

managetojarloosetherestrainingboltontheCZ-1tutordroid.Ifso,thenthedroidwouldlethimgoevenifhehadn’tcompletedhisstupidmathematicstest.

“Yourconcentrationisfaltering,”saidCZ-1.“Thisisnotconducivetooptimalperformance.”

Thanepointedtothenearestchrono.“I’mlateforflyingpractice.”

“Youmustcompleteyour

lessonsinordertomasterthesubject.HowelsewillyougainadmissiontoanImperialacademy?Yourparents’fondesthopeisthatyouwillfollowinDalven’sfootsteps.”

SometimesThanebelievedCZ-1wasslierthanadroidoughttobe.NothingmadeThanefumeliketheknowledgethatDalvenhad,somehow,managedtogetintooneoftheacademies—oneofthelesserones,but

still.Thanesuspectedhisfathermighthavebribedthelocalrecruitertoadmithiseldersontobolsterthefamilypride.ButOrisKyrellwouldn’texerthimselflikethatforThane,whowouldhavetogetintotheacademyonhisown.

Sohethoughtfast.“Iwon’tgainadmissiontoanImperialacademyifIcan’tflywell,”Thanepointedout.“AndhowcanIflywellifI

don’tpractice?”“Yourfamilyhasitsown

hangarandaircraft.Thereforeyoucanpracticeatanytime.”

Withhisbestsmile,Thanesaid,“Butwealsohaveyou,CZ-1.ThatmeansIcantakemathlessonsatanytime,too.IcanonlyflywithapartnerwhenCiena’sfree,andshe’scomingtoday,sodoesn’titmakesenseformetoprioritizeflighttime?”

CZ-1cockedhishead,

andThaneheardthefaintwhirringthatmeantthedroidwasthinkinghard.

Verycasually,Thanesaid,“Youknow,whenIgetback,Ireallyoughttogiveyoualubricationbath.Anicelongsoak.It’sbeenawhile,hasn’tit?”

AfewmoremomentsofsilencefollowedbeforeCZ-1said,“Nowthatyoumentionit,mycouplingshavebeenstifflately.”

Withagrin,Thanesnappedoffthemathematicsholoandgrabbedhisflightjacket.“I’llbehomebeforemyparentsgetbackfromthatstupidbanquet.Okay?”

“Andmathematicstomorrowmorning!”CZ-1calledasThanedashedoutthedoor.

Hisfamilyhadaprivatehangar,but—aswithmostpeopleonJelucan—theirterritoryranmorevertically

thanhorizontally.Theirgold-tiledhomestretchedalmosttheentirewidthoftheirproperty,mostlybecausehisparentshadinsistedthatpeopleoftheirstatureneededahomegranderthantheneighbors’.ThesnobberyannoyedThanelessthanthefactthatthismeanthishangarwasthreehundredmetersaway—downhill.

Atleasthe’dfiguredoutasolution.Withagrin,Thane

slidonhisflightgogglesandranforthefarridge.Thehandlebarswereinpositionandready,soallhehadtodowasgrabthemtightly,releasethebrake,andjump.

Immediately,hewaszoomingalongthecablethatledfromhishometohishangar,danglingfromthehandlebarsashespeddownthelongridgeofstone.Coldmountainairwhippedaroundhimashelookeddowninto

thevalleyfarbelow.Itwasn’tasgoodasflying,butitcameclose.

Hereactivatedthebrakeasheslidtowardtheendpost,butonlygradually,becausehelikedtohavesomevelocityleftattheend.Justbeforehewould’vecrashedintothepost,Thaneletgoandleapedtotheground,laughingoutloud.

Thenheheard,“Youknow,somedayyou’regoing

tobreakyourfaceonthatthing.”

ThaneturnedtoseeCienastandingtherenexttoherfamily’sclunkyoldridgecrawler.Shelookedevenshorterandskinnierthanshewasinthatoversizeflightsuit,andherfacestillappearedyoungerthanherage,withitsroundedcheeksandsnubnose.Herarmswerefoldedacrossherchestandshewastryingtolookstern,

buthecouldseethesmilehidinginherdarkbrowneyes.

Herightedhimselfandclappedhishandstogethertocleanhisgloves.“You’rejustjealousbecauseIneverletyoudoit.”

Cienastuckhertongueoutathim.“Icoulddoit,youknow.”

Ofcourseshecould;Thaneneverdoubtedthat.Butthelinestartedathis

house,andhisparentshatedherevenmorethanherparentshatedhim.Thefewtimesthey’dmet,hisfamilyhadtreatedCienasorudelythatitmadeThanealmostsickwithshame.CienawasnomoreeagertoencountertheKyrellsagainthantheyweretoseeher.

However,thetwoofthemalwayspretendedtherewasnoreasontheyshouldn’tspendtimetogether.Itwas

easierthantalkingabouthowtheirfamilieswantedthemapart.

“HereIwasworriedaboutrunninglate,”Cienacontinued,“andIbeatyouhere.”

“Trigonometry.”Thanegrimaced,anexpressionCienamatched.“Comeon,let’sgetstarted.Lizard-toad-snakeforpilot?”Theyeachsilentlycountedtothreeandheldouttheirhands.Thane

hadgoneforthesnake,butCienachoselizard,andlizardatesnake.Shebeamed,andhegesturedtowardtheV-171’shatch.“Pilotsfirst.”

Hedidn’tactuallymindbeingcopilot/gunner;cadetshadtobeexpertatflyinginbothpositionsiftheywantedtogetintotheacademy.Butsittingbackwardinthecockpitwasneverquiteasmuchfun.

Technically,theV-171

wasDalven’s.Whenhe’dleftfortheacademy,he’dgivenstrictinstructionsthatnobodywastoflyitwhilehewasgone.

Yeah,right.Thaneneverpassedupan

opportunitytofly—ortogetalittlerevengeonhisolderbrother.

(DalvenwasalwaysruderaboutCienathananyoneelseintheKyrellfamily.NotlongbeforeDalvenhadleftforthe

academy,he’dsneeredandsaidthattherewasonlyonereasontopickupsomegirlfromthevalleys—andifthatwaswhatThanewasafter,heoughttogetonewhohadbreastsalready.ThanehadsplitDalven’slipbeforetheirparentspulledthemapart.)

“Hey,”Cienasaid.Thanerealizedhewasjuststandingontheladderinsteadofclimbinginsidethecockpit.“Stillwithme?”

“Yeah.”ThaneslidintotheshipwhiledeterminedlynotlookingatthefrontofCiena’sflightsuit.“Sorry.Let’sgo.”

Theyslidontheirhelmets,buckledtheirharnesses,andloweredthehatchtosealthemselvesin.Bynowtheprocedurewassecondnature,somethingThanecoulddowithoutconsciousthought.HeknewthemomentCienawouldstart

flippingtheswitchestoactivatethemotor,andeventherhythmofherfingertipsasshedidit.Hisownconsolelitupinresponse.“Allsystemscheckout.”

“Confirmedwearereadyfortakeoff,”shesaid.“Fullthrusters.Let’sgrabsomesky.”

TheoldV-171rosefromthegroundwithashudder,enginesglowingblueoneithersideofthem.Thenthey

turned,banked,andsoaredaway.

Cienatookthemuphigher,towardthepeakstoocoldandhostileforanyonetosettle.Ahandfulofminingdroidsdottedthelandscape,gleamingdarklyagainstsnowandpalestone,butotherwisethearearemaineduntouched.ThanefeltasthoughheandCienahadtheworldtothemselves.

Whentheyflewnearone

oftheeasternridgearches,Ciena’svoicecrackledthroughhishelmet’sspeakers.“Iseesomeiciclesthatneedtobetaughtalesson.”

“Gotit.”Thearchcameintofocus

onhisviewscreengrid.Threeicicleshungfromtherocklikestalactites,mostofthemaboutasthickashisarm.Bigforanicicle—smallforatarget.

Thanetookaim,fired,andsentshatteredicesprayingintotheair.HegrinnedasheheardCiena’svictorywhoop.

“Thinkyoucanfindmeacouplemoretargets?”hesaid.Theyneverblastedindiscriminately,becauseafewfallingrocksoriciclesatthisaltitudecouldturnintoanavalanchedownathabitationlevels.ButheandCienahadlearnedeveryplacesafeto

shootwhereicecouldpossiblyhide.

“Oh,yeah,”shereplied.“Hangon.”

Thaneknewexactlyhowshe’dlooptheshipdownward.Evenwithoutguessingtheirexactdestination,hecouldsensejustfromtheslightestshiftoftheirwingswhichwayshewouldmovenext.HeandCienahadflownasateameverychancethey’dhadfor

thepastfiveyears.Bynowtheyworkedtogetherliketwohandsofthesamepilot.

TheV-171divedintoStepson’sGorge,anarrow,craggypassthatchallengedshipsateveryturn.Cienasteeredthemdowndeep,nodoubtintendingtogiveThanesomepracticetargetingoverhead.Astheydescended,theyswoopedpastoneofthemanysmallwaterfallswithinthegorge.Despitethe

freezingchill,thefallsstillflowed,thoughmoreinatricklethanagush.Atthathouroftheafternoon,thelightcaughtthewaterattheperfectangleforarainbow,andanicyoutcroppingnearbycaughttheprismaticlight,reflectingitinadozendirectionsatonce.Everyrockandlineofsnowseemedtoglitter.Itwasoneofthoseperfectmomentsallthemorespectacularbecauseinan

instantitwouldbegone,nevertobeseenagain.

ThaneheardCienawhisper,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”

He’dknownshewouldsaythat.

Maybeitwasfinallytimetofindoutwhy.

Afterflyingpractice,CienaandThanewenttotheFortress.

Sothey’dnameditwhentheywereeightyearsoldandinclinedtobedramatic.Reallythespacewasnothingbutacave,albeitacavethey’dspentseveralyearsfixinguptotheirsatisfaction.Everyfewweeks,oneofthemwouldshowupwithsomethingelsetoaddtotheircollection.Mostofthenicerstuff(theproton-fuelheater,theholo-games)hadbeenbroughtbyThane—castoffs

fromhisfamily,luxuriestheyhadtiredoforwouldnevermiss.Ciena’sofferingswerehumbler,butsheconsoledherselfbythinkingtheyweremoreimportant.TheFortresswouldhavebeenincrediblyuncomfortablewithoutthethickblanketsandhiderugsshe’dbrought.Those,too,werecastoffs,passedonbyvalleykindredtryingtomodernizetheirdwellingstoImperialstandards.Butthey

werewarmandsoft,theidealliningfortheirnesthiddenawayfromtheworld.

ReallythecavewaslocatedfewerthanfiftymetersfromtheKyrellfamily’shangar,butthemouthwastuckedaboveoneoutcroppingandovershadowedbyanother,makingitsosecretthatCienasometimesthoughtsheandThanemightbethefirstpeopleinthehistoryof

Jelucantowalkinside.Inshort,itwastheperfecthangout.

Occasionally,eachofthemwenttherealone,butmostlytheyvisitedtheFortresstogether,talkingabouteverythingintheworldanddreamingabouttheirfutureamongthestars.

“Myfathersaiditwasthreedozensenatorswhowalkedout,”Cienasaid.

Thaneshrugged.Hewas

lessinterestedinpoliticsthanCienawasandcontinuedloungingontheredrug,staringoutatthesunset.“Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhetheritwastwentyorthirty-six?Outofhundredsofsenators,that’snotthatmanyeitherway.”

“Theyrefusedtocastvotes.They’regoingtobereplacedbyImperialappointment.That’sabigdeal,Thane.”

“It’sjustsomericholdpoliticiansbeingself-important.That’stheirideaoffun.”

“Howcouldtheybetraytheiroaths?Theirhonor?”Cienastillcouldn’tfullybelieveit.“EverybodyknowsitwastheSenatethatsteeredthegalaxyintocivilwarbeforetheEmperorestablishedorderagain.Whywouldanyonetakethepeacewehavenowforgranted?”

Thaneshrugged.“Probablythey’rereallyfightingaboutsomethingelseentirelyandjustsayingit’sallaboutthesehighideals.Whentheyrealizetheydon’thaveanypoweranymore,they’llcomecrawlingbacktotheEmperorandforgetallaboutthestufftheywerearguingoverbefore.”

“You’rereallycynicalsometimes.”

“I’mright,though.You’ll

see.”Cienasighedasshelay

backontheblackgundarkhide,itsthickfurascozyasanybed.Fromthisangle,thesunsetblazedmagnificentlyjustbeyondthefarridgeofmountains.ThelightglowingintothecaveturnedThane’shairtotrueredandaddedwarmthtohispaleskin,andsomethingaboutthewayitfellmadehisfacelookstartlinglyolder.

He’llbehandsome,shethought.Strangethoughitwastorealizethat,Cienafeltshewasonlybeingobjective.Itwasn’tasifsheandThanewere—asiftheywouldever—well,theywouldn’t.Ifherparentsloathedherhavingasecond-waveboyforafriend,howwouldtheyreactifsheeverfellinlovewithone?AndwhileThanehadneverexplicitlytoldheraboutthewayhisfathertreatedhim,

she’dseenthebruisesandsensedinhissilencesthethingshehadn’tsaid.Thane’sfatherwoulddoworsethanthatifheeverthoughtthetwoofthemweretogether.

Besides,sheandThane…maybetheyweretooclosetoeachothertofallinlove.Sometimesshefeltthattheyweretwopartsofthesameperson.

“Hey,”Thanesaidquietly,carefully.“CanIask

yousomethingthatmightbe,uh,personal?”

Hadheguessedwhatshewasthinkingabout?Cienasatupandhuggedherkneestoherchest.“Youcanask.Idon’tpromisetoanswer.”

“Fairenough.”Hepausedagainbeforecontinuing.“Everyonceinawhile,whenweseesomethingreallyamazing,youwhisper,‘Lookthroughmyeyes.’Isthatavalleything?Whatdoesit

mean?”Itwaspersonal,butCiena

foundshedidn’tmindThane’sknowing.“Yes,it’soneofourcustoms.Ararerone,though.See—whenIwasborn—Iwasatwin.”

“Atwin?”Thanesatupstraight.Evenasecond-waverwouldbeintrigued;mostplanetshadmythsandlegendsabouttwins.“Forreal?ButIthoughtyouwereanonlychild.”

“Iamnow.Mysister,Wynnet,diedonlyafewhoursafterwewereborn.”

“Oh.Sorry.”“No,it’sallright.It’snot

asifIrememberheroranything.ButIlivemylifeforbothofus.”Cienaheldupherarmtoshowoffherleatherbracelet.“Didn’tyouevernoticethatInevertakethisoff?”

“Well,yeah,butIthoughtyoujustlikedit.”

Cienaranherfingertipalongthebraid.“IwearitasasymbolthatI’mstilltiedtoWynnet.Allmylife,everythingIdo,everythingIsee—it’sasmuchoftheworldasshe’lleverhave,becauseIshareitwithher.SowhenIseesomethingespeciallybeautiful—anythingamazing,orsometimeseventhingsthatareespeciallybad—Isaythosewords.Mysisterlooks

throughmyeyes,andIshowherthemostimportantmomentsofmylife.”

Thaneleanedbackontherug.“That’s…reallygreat.Imeanit.”

Cienanodded.“Sometimesitfeelslikethishugeresponsibility,livingforWynnet,too,butmostlyitremindsmetolookforwhat’strulyspecial.MaybeIwouldn’tseesomuchofthatifIweren’tlookingforher.”

Thesunhadfinallydippedbelowthehorizon.Althoughlightstillsuffusedthelowerpartofthesky,higherupthebluehadbecomedarkenoughtorevealsmalltwinklingpointsoflight.

Cienawhispered,“Someday,oncewe’vemadeittotheacademy—I’mgoingtoshowherthestars.”

“Comeon,”Thanesaid.Hesatoppositeher,cross-legged,deepwithintheFortress.“Youknowthis.”

“DoI?”“Thisguystartedawar.”Ciena’sheadswam.

They’dbeenreviewinggalactichistoryforthree

hoursnow.“Okay.ThecriminalgangthatinterferedwithalegalexecutiononGeonosisandsparkedtheCloneWarswasledby…by…”Sheshuthereyes,winced,andsaid,“MaceWindu?”

ThensheopenedhereyesagaintoseeThanegrinningather.“See?Youknewitallalong.”

Nexttothem,theCZ-1droidcluckedapprovingly.

“Yourgraspofhistoryisexcellent,MissRee.Inmyopinion,youshouldbemuchmoreworriedaboutcalculus.”

Herfacefell.ThaneglaredatCZ-1.“Iknewweshould’veinstalledthetactupgrade.”

“Whatuseistactifitkeepsyoufromlearning?”CZ-1shuffledcloser,hisancientjointsnolongereasytomove.“Whenyoufirst

smuggledmeintotheridgecrawlertobringmehereforstudysessions,yousaidIwastoensurethatbothofyoupassedtheexams.Ican’tdothatbypretendingyouunderstandcertainsubjectswhenyoudon’t.”

Cienacould’vegroanedindespair.Theseweren’teventheentranceexamsfortheacademy.Thesewouldonlyallowhertoqualifyfortheacademy’spreparatory

courses.“Ifthesetestsarekickingmybutt,howcanIeverpasstherealones?”Shetriedtomakeitajoke,buthervoicecracked.

Thaneheardher.“Hey,”hesaid,leaningcloser.“You’resmartenough.You’restrongenough.Youcanflyanysingle-pilotshipintheImperialStarfleet,andIbetyoucouldevenhandleaStarDestroyeronyourown,iftheygaveyouthechance.”

Shehadtolaugh.“Idoubtit.”

“Idon’tdoubtit.”Hiswordsbecamefirmer,moreforceful.“Idon’tdoubtyou.Sostopdoubtingyourself,okay?Wecandothis.”

Cienarepeatedthewordstomakeherselfbelievethem.“Wecan.”

Whentheywerefifteen—“Kyrell!”TheE&A—

EnduranceandAgility—coachstoodoverThane,wholaypantingontheground.“Getitingearorgetoutforgood!”

Everymonth,inthepreparatorytrack,theyhadtorunadifferentobstaclecourse.Gradually,thecoursesbecamemoredifficult,evendangerous.Ifwould-becadetsbrokealimborgainedascar,itwasjustproofthattheyweren’tfittobethereinthe

firstplace.Notfinishingthecourse

—itdidn’tgetyouautomaticallyexpelled,butitputyoureallyhighonthelistofkidswhowouldbefirsttogo.

Buthisbackandshouldershurtsomuch….

“Hey.”Cienakneeledbesidehim.“Comeon.Getup.”

Thaneshookhishead.Hismusclesquiveredwith

exhaustion.BeneathhislooseblackE&Agear,bruisesandcutsburnedwitheachmovementhemade.He’dhadlessthantwohours’sleep.Everymuscleached;hisbonesfeltheavierthancarbonite.“Ican’t.”

“Likehellyoucan’t.”Heliftedhisheadfrom

therubberyredsurfaceoftheE&Aroomtoseeherkneelingoverhim.Thefirstmomenttheireyesmet,

Thanerealizedhewouldn’tbeabletohidethetruthfromher.“Lastnight—mydad—”

NormallyOrisKyrelllecturedhissons.Oftenhecanedthem,butonlyforafewstrokes.However,thenightbefore,hiswrathhadexplodedasneverbefore.Thanehadnotrealizedheneededtofightbackuntilhewastooinjuredtodoso.Hisfather’spunchesandkickshadnotstoppeduntilThane

wasonthefloorbleeding.Neitherofhisparentshadhelpedhimupafterward,norhadtheyacknowledgedhisinjuriesinthemorning.Apparentlytheyweredeterminedtopretendtheincidenthadneverhappened.

Bruisedandaching,Thanehadtobearthetruthalone—atleastuntilCiena’seyeswidenedinunderstanding.“Youcanstilldoit,”shewhispered.“You

gotthisfar,right?”“I’lltry,”hesaid,

betweendeepgulpingbreaths.“Butyouhavetogetbackonthecourse.You’relosingtime.”

“I’mrankednumberoneinE&A,remember?Icanaffordtoloseafewminutes.AndIsweartoyourightnow,ThaneKyrell,ifIhavetopickyouupandcarryyoutotheendofthecourse,Iwill.”

“Iappreciatetheoffer,but

Idon’tthinkthatcounts.”Morestudentsranpast

them,vaultingoverthenexthighbarrier,withonlyafewgruntsandgroansfromthosewhohadtouchedthesharpedges.Theseweretheslowestkids,orclosetoit.Cienawouldfinishlast,andThanedidn’texpecttofinishatall.

Herolledovertolookherinthefacesomaybeshe’dseehowdeeplyhemeantit.“Go.”

Cienaonlyleanedcloser.“Thane—don’tletyourfatherwin.”

Hatredofhisfatherdidwhathopecouldn’t.Fueledbypurespite,Thanestruggledtohisknees,thentohisfeet.Thoughhestaggeredatfirst,hemanagedtocatchhimself.

“Readytorun?”Cienabeganbouncingonherheels,eagertogetmoving.

“Yeah.”Thanetooka

deepbreath.“I’mready.”Somehowhehurled

himselfoverthebarrier.AlthoughThanemadeittotheendinlastplace—hemadeit.

Afterward,intheprivacyofthegearroom,hesatonthebench,carefullystrippedoffhisshirt,andletCienaseetheworstofit.Theshamemadehisfaceburn.Eventhoughheknewhewasn’ttheonewhooughttobe

ashamed…herehewas,showingCienahowhelethimselfgetbeatenuntiltheskinofhisbacksplitopen.

Ifshepitiedhimorsaidshefeltsorryforhim,Thanethoughthemighthavetowalkout.

ButCienasaidnothing.Silently,sheopenedthefirst-aidkitandsettoworkapplyingcurativeskinsealant,closingeachcutoneatatimeuntilThanefelt

wholeagain.

Whentheyweresixteen—Onlyahandfulofkids

fromtheentireplanetofJelucanwouldmakeitintooneoftheImperialacademies.WhileInnerRimworldsoftenfieldedthousandsofcandidates,slotswerestillstrictlylimitedforcitizensofformerSeparatistworlds.Theacademy

instructorsthemselvessortedstudents.Atthesamemomentapplicantsfoundoutwhetherthey’dgottenin,theylearnedwhichschoolthey’dbeenslottedinto,whichplanetthey’dbelivingonwithintwoweeks’time.

Cienadidn’tcarewhichacademyitwas.Anyplanetwoulddo.JustaslongasshegottobeanImperialcadet.

Onthemorningresultsweretobeannounced,their

entireclasscongregatedintheschool’scourtyard.Parentsweren’tallowedonschoolgrounds—onlystudentsandImperialofficials—butfamilieslingeredoutside.Afterwardtherewouldbecelebrationsorconsolations.Fornow,Ciena,Thane,andtheotherapplicantsonlyhadeachother.

“Icouldn’tsleep,”sheconfessedtoThaneasthey

stoodtogethernearthefarleftofthecourtyard,staringatthedoorwheretheproctorwouldappearwiththeannouncements.“Atall.”

“Meeither.”Thanegaveheracrookedsmile.“Thatgavemetimetothinkofafewbackupplansforus.”

Cienaheldupherhandsinprotest.She’drefusedeventoconsideralternatecareerpathsbecauseitfeltlikebadluck.

Thanescoffed.“Comeon,Ciena.Wetookthetests.Thedecision’salreadybeenmade!Sowecan’tjinxourselvesatthispoint.”

Itwastrue.Morethanthat,fromthetoneofThane’svoice,Cienahadfiguredoutthatthese“plans”weren’tforreal.“Okay,fine.Letmehearit.”

“One.Webecomefamousacrobats.”

“…acrobats?”

“Famousacrobats.There’snogloryinbeingmediocre,unknownacrobats.Ifwe’regoingtodothis,wehavetodoitright.”

Theproctorwouldwalkoutanymoment.Thecrowd’sbuzzinggrewlouder,moretense.Ciena’sheartraced,butshetriedtomatchThane’splayfultone.“I’llpass.Anyotherbrightideasforourfuture?Yousaidthatwasonlynumberone.”

“Two.Wetravelthegalaxyasdrummerandexoticdancer.”

Sheraisedhereyebrows.“Excuseme,butI’mnotbecominganexoticdancer.”

“Whosaidyouwere?I’lldothedancing.Yougetthedrum.”

Thistimeherlaughterwasgenuine.“OnlyifIgettodesignyourcostume.”

“Hmmm.MaybeIshouldmoveontoplanthree—”

ThenThanestraightened,eyeswidening,asthedooropenedandtheproctorwalkedout.Hisblackuniformseemedtostealthesunlightfromtheday.Ciena’sgutclenched,butlikealltheotherstudents,sheimmediatelystoodatattentionandremainedperfectlysilent.

Amplifierdroidshoverednearby,catchingtheproctor’svoiceashesaid,“The

followingisalistofalltheschool’ssuccessfulapplicantstothevariousImperialacademies.FortheImperialAcademyonArkanis…”

Cienacould’vegroaned.Theyweregoinginalphabeticalorderbyschool?Theymightnotknowuntiltheveryendwhetherthey’dmadeitinornot.Shecouldimaginestandingthereatattention,minutesdrainingaway,astheterrible

realizationofherfailuresankin.Thenshewouldhavetoslinkout,humiliated.Failurewasn’tthesameasdishonor,butitfeltlikeitatthemoment.

Afewminutesintotheceremony—whichalreadyfeltasthoughithadlastedforever—theproctorstoodupstraighter.“FortheRoyalImperialAcademyonCoruscant…”

Noschoolintheentire

galaxywasmoreprestigious.Noothertrainingcameclosertoensuringahigh-levelcareerintheImperialStarfleet.

Cienahaddreamedofgoingthere,whichwassurelywhysheimaginedtheproctor’sspeakinghername.

Butno.He’dreallysaid—“ThaneKyrellandCienaRee.”Bothofthem,together!

Sheremainedatattention,butsheglancedsidewaysat

Thane.Ifhe’dheardit,too,itwasdefinitelyforreal.Sureenough,hewassmiling—butawearysmile,likewhenhe’dclearedthefinalbarrieronanE&Acourse.Thaneclosedhiseyesandwhispered,seeminglytohimself,“I’moutofhere.I’mgone.”

Cienaknewwhyherfriendwantedtoleavethisplanetsobadly.Thosewerereasonsshedidn’tshare.ShelovedJelucan’sstarkbeauty,

thefellowshipamongthevalleykindred—allofitwasbeautifultoher.Yetshecouldleaveherhomeworldwithoutregret.

Shewasn’tescapingfromanything.ShewaschasingherdreamofbecominganImperialofficer,flingingherselfjoyfullyintospace.

ThedayThaneleftJelucanfelt…perfect.Likehecould

donowrong,likealltheconstellationshadfinallyalignedtoguidehimout.Hisparentssaidtheirgood-byesatthehouseanddidn’tbothertakinghimtothespaceport.Itwasarelief.

BoardingthevesseltoCoruscantwasevenmoresatisfyingbecauseCienawasthere,too,thoughsheremainedontheboardingramphuggingherparentssolongthatthecaptain

threatenedtoleaveherbehind.Thaneandshehadbecomeateamtogetintotheacademy;itwasonlyrightthattheyshouldarrivetheretogether.Bestofallwasthemomentwhenthetransportshudderedintohyperspace—theirfirstexperienceoflightspeed—andthetwoofthemgrinnedateachotherintotaldelight.

ThentheyarrivedonCoruscant,anditwaslike

gettingpunchedintheface.Thanehadalwaysknown

Jelucanwasabackwaterworld.Holoshadtoldhimthegalaxywasfarbiggerandmoresophisticatedthananythinghe’deverhadthechancetoseebefore.Sohe’dthoughthewasprepared.ButwhenhesteppedofftheshipandsawCoruscantforthefirsttime—

ThebuildingsstoodashighasJelucan’smountains.

Althoughsunlightslippedthroughvariousglassstructures,theoveralleffectwasoneofprofoundclaustrophobia.Thegroundwasimpossiblyfarbelow,andtheskywascutintothinslivers.Hundredsofsmalleraircraftzoomedorhoveredbetweenskyscrapersinanonstopbuzzofnegotiationandcommerce.Everysinglepersonseemedtohavedirectionandpurpose,tobe

perfectlyathomeinthishugemetalcage,thiscitythathadswallowedaworld.Thane,however,triednottolookoutthewindowsanylongerbecausetheviewmadehimfeelsosmall.

AtfirsthethoughtCienawouldbeevenmoreovercome.Herchildhoodhadbeenspentintheopenvalleys,inhousesonlyslightlymoresophisticatedthantents.Surelythiswould

betoomuchforher.Instead,shewaselated.

“Thisiswhereeverythinghappens,”shegushedasthetwoofthemwalkedthroughthecorridorsofthespaceport,buoydroidsfloatingaheadasbeaconstoguidethemtowardtheacademyshuttle.“It’slike—electricity,thisincredibleenergyallaround.Don’tyoufeelit?”

“Definitely,”Thanesaid.“Totallyelectric.”

Cienagavehimalook.“Hey.Areyouallright?”Butthenthey’dreachedtheshuttle,alongwithahandfulofothernewcadets,andtheygotcaughtupinthewhirlofactivitythatwasthefirstdayofattendance:collectingdatachipswiththeinformationthey’dneed,learningabouttonight’sreceptionforallcadets,andintroducingthemselvestocadetsfromotherworlds.Imperial

officers,stiffandcorrectindressuniforms,movedamongthemastheshuttlepulledawayandjoinedthedizzyinglyswiftCoruscantairtraffic.Thanehadtokeephimselffromflinchingeverytimeanothercraftcamewithintwowingtips—butinaplanet-sizedmetropolis,apparentlypilotswereusedtosmallmarginsoferror.

Theintensityonlysharpenedwhentheyreached

theacademyitself.Asthenewcadetswalkedoutoftheshuttle,Thanerealizedhundredsofstudentswerealreadythere.Hundredsmoreseemedlikelytopouroutoftheothershuttlescomingupbehindthem.Theentiretimehewascheckingin,hecouldn’thelpfeelinglost.WhenheglancedtowardCiena,shewassmilingevenmorebrightly.Beforelongtheywereseparatedfrom

eachotherinthecrushofpeopletryingtofigureoutwheretheyshouldbe.

Thane’sdatachipgavehimthelocationofhisdormroomandtheinformationthathe’dhavetworoommates.Theycouldn’tbeworsethanDalven,hethought,determinedtomakethebestofit.

Still,asheraisedhishandtohitthedoorchime,Thanefeltunbelievablysmall.

Thedoorswooshedopentorevealaslim,black-hairedguywithanarrowfaceandrigidbearing—socorrectthatittookThaneamomenttorealizethiswasnoadministratorbutoneofhisroommates.

“Soyou’retheonefrom,what’sitcalled,Jelucan?”WhenThanenodded,theguyscoffed.“Whydidyoubotherringingthechimeofyourownroom?It’sridiculous.”

“Charming,isn’the?”saidanotherguy—thetallestofthethree,stickthinandlongfaced,withlongbrownhairhe’dknottedatthebackofhishead.Hisaccentwasaristocraticbuthissmileinfectious.“Mr.PersonalityhereisVedFoslo,nativetoCoruscant—”

“Ofcourse,”Vedcutin,liftinghischin.“Myfather,GeneralFoslo,worksincentralintelligence.”

“—and,asyoucansee,hemanagestoworkinareferencetohisfatherwithinthefirstminuteofmeetinganybody.”AsVedscowled,thetallguysteppedclosertoshakeThane’shand.“Me,I’mNashWindriderfromAlderaan.Andmyfathermakescarpets.Impressedyet?”

“Very.”Thanerealizedhe’dstartedtosmile.“Minedoesslightlydishonest

accounting.”“Alwayshandy,”Nash

said.“Youneverknowwhenyou’regoingtoneedtocookthebooks.Comeinandgetcomfortable—ascomfortableasyoucanbeonthelowerbunk,thatis.Wegrabbedthetwobestbunksalready.”

NashturnedouttohavetraveledtomorethanadozenworldsalreadyandhadvisitedCoruscantseveraltimes.Hedidn’tevenask

Thanewhetherhe’dbeenintimidatedatfirst;heassumedasmuchandsworeeverybodyfeltthatwaythefirsttimetheylandedontheplanet.

“Theyshouldpassoutinhalersatthespaceports,”Nashsaidastheyhungout,sprawledontheirbedstoawaitthewelcomingceremonyanddinnerthatnight.“Ortranquilizers.Somethingtohelppeople

deal.”“Idon’tseewhat’sso

strangeaboutCoruscant.”Vedremainedcompletelystiffbutoveralldidn’tseemsobad.“Haveyoureallyneverbeentoarealcitybefore?OranyotherCoreWorldatall?”

AlreadyThaneknewhonestywouldservehimbest.“Nope.”HestretchedoutonthebunkbeneathVed’s,tryingtogetusedto

thehardmattress.“NeverevenbeentoacitybiggerthanValentiabackhome,andI’mguessingtheentirepopulationofValentiawouldfillabout—sevenlevelsofthisonebuilding.”

Nashrestedhishandsbeneathhishead.“You’llgetusedtoit,Thane.Soonwe’llallbeImperialofficersandyou’llhavetraveledtoahundredworlds,andwhenyougohomeyou’llbeas

jadedasMr.General’sSonhere.”

VedgaveNashadirtylook,butThanecouldn’thelplaughing.

Cienahadtrustedshe’dlikehernewroommatesandenjoythereception,butsofartheafternoonwasexceedingevenherbestexpectations.Shestoodinfrontofthemirror,astonishedtoseeherselfin

thecadet’suniform.Blackboots,darktrousers,darkjacket—itwaslikeavisionoutofadream.

“Ihatetheseboots,”saidherroommateKendyIdele,whoscowleddownathersfromwhereshestoodnearby.“Thenagain,Ihateshoes,period.Whenyougrowuponatropicalworld,youlovebarefootbest.”

“You’llsoonbeaccustomedtothem,”

promisedtheirthirdroomie,JudeEdivon.ShewasastallasKendywasshort,aspaleasKendyandCienaweredark.“BarefeetmightbegreatonIloh,butonCoruscant?Yourfeetwouldquicklybecomedirty.Plusthelikelihoodofscrapes,smallcuts,andpotentialinfectionwouldbehigh—notthathygienelevelsaren’tgoodhere,butthesheersizeofthepopulacesuggests—”

“Areyougoingtostartquotingstatisticsagain?”Kendygroaned.

“It’sokaytobeasciencegeek,”Cienasaid.“Quoteasmanystatisticsasyoulike,Jude.KendyandIwillgetusedtoiteventually.”

Jude’slightlyfreckledfacelitupwithasmile.“Ourpersonalitiesseemtobecompatible.IthinkyouandIwillgetalongverywell.”

“Wewill,too,”Kendy

promised.“Ignoremybeinggrumpy.I’mjustspace-laggedandtired,andtryingtogetthehangofthesedamnedbraids.”

Cienahadbeenwearingherhairpinnedbackintightbraidsforyears,eversinceshe’dlearnedthatthiswasmandatoryforalllong-hairedcadets.“Here,letme.”Kendy’sdarkgreenhairwasstraightandsilky—totallyunlikeCiena’stightcurls—

butshefiguredabraidwasabraid.“Didyoureallyneverpracticefixingit?”

“Notevenonce.Ithoughtitwouldbeeasy!”Kendysighed.“Thanksforthis,bytheway.”

“Noproblem.”Judeleanedcloser.“You

couldsimplycutyourhairshort,asIhave.Thatprovidesoptimalefficiency.”

Kendymadeaface.“OnIloh,onlylittlechildrenwear

theirhairshort.Growingitlongmeansyou’rereallyanadult.NowayamIsawingitoffnow.”

“You’llgetthehangofthebraidssoon,”Cienapromised.“You’llhaveto,becauseI’mnotdoingyourhaireverymorning.”

“EvenifIpromisedtomakeyourbedbeforeinspections?”

“No.”Somehowtheymadeitto

theceremonyontime,withtheiruniformsperfect.MorethaneightthousandstudentswereinCiena’sclass—astunningnumber,toher—butachargewentthroughheratthesightofthemalldressedinImperialregalia,broughttogetherbyacommonpurpose,acommondream.Everysingleoneofthosecadetshadtraveledthere,fromhundredsofworlds,tomakethemselvesthebest

officerstheycouldpossiblybe.They’dcometoservetheEmpire,tomaketheentiregalaxybetterthroughtheirservice.HerheartfeltsofullthatCienaputonehandtoherchest.

WasThanedoingbetterbynow?Hehadtobe.Hereyessearchedthecrowdforhim,butthatwasoneofthedisadvantagesofwearinguniforms;itwashardertotellpeopleapart.

Sheintendedtolocatehimassoonasshecould—thenwastakenabackbytheacademypresident’sspeech.

“Youarenotheremerelytolearnmilitarytacticsortopracticeflyingstarfighters,”CommandantDeenlarksaid,everywordcrisp.“Thoseareimportantskills,tobesure.Butweaskmoreofyou.OurstudentsaremeanttobecomecitizensoftheEmpire.Tothinkofthemselvesas

patriotsandsoldiersfirst.CanyoustopthinkingofyourselfasanativeofyourhomeplanetandbeginthinkingofyourselfasanImperialfirst?AnImperialonly?CanyouacceptthatprotectingandservingtheworldyoucamefromisbestaccomplishedbystrengtheningtheEmpiretowhichitbelongs?”

CienahadneverthoughtofbelongingtotheEmpireasgivingupJelucan.Toher,the

twoidentitiescoexistedcomfortably.Butmaybesomestudentsherecamefromworldswithrebellioussenators—placesdisloyaltotheEmperor.Theymightneedreassuringthattheystillcouldbelonghereattheacademy.

Deenlarkcontinued:“Somefewofyouhavecomeherealongsidefriendsfromhome,orhaveoldersiblingsalreadyinImperialservice.

Yournaturaltendencywillbetoseekthesepeopleoutateveryopportunityandtorelyonrelationshipsyoualreadyhave.Butifthatwasallyoumeanttodo—youmighthavewellstayedathome,don’tyouthink?”

Afewpeoplelaughed,obediently.Cienafeltstung.SheandThaneweren’tsupposedtospendtimetogether?Atall?

Well.“Atall”wasputting

ittoostrongly,shedecided.Theinstructorssimplydidn’twantthemtorelyoneachothercompletely.

YetthatwaswhatsheandThanehadbeendoingforthepasteightyearsoftheirlives.

Aftertheceremonyanddinnerended,studentsmilledaround,introducingthemselvestoeachotherand—sometimes—notsosubtlysizingupthecompetition.CienawantedtofindThane,

thoughshetoldherselfsheshouldn’t.

Luckily,hefoundher.“Webothplantoserve

theEmpirefortherestofourlives,”Thanesaidastheysatdowninchairsfacingtheglitteringcityscapebeyond.“We’renevergoingbacktoJelucan—nottolive,anyway.Sowedon’thavetoworryabout‘livinginthepast’orhoweverDeenlarkputit.”

SometimesThanecould

beveryglibaboutauthorityfigures—uninterestedinrules—butCienathoughthewasmoreorlessrightaboutthis.“Itlookslikewe’llsharesomeclassesandtakesomeseparately.Sowecaneachmakeourownwayhere.”

“Thisplacescaredthehelloutofmeatfirst,”Thaneconfessed.“YoulivedfartheroutinthecountrysidethanIdid,butitdidn’tfazeyouforasecond.Howdidthat

happen?”Hewasonlyjoking,but

Cienaansweredhimseriously.“IwasreadyforCoruscantbecauseI’vealwaysdreamedofbeinghere.Youweren’treadybecause—becauseIthinkmostlyyoudreamedofgettingawayfromJelucan.”

Thaneremainedsilentforamoment,andCienawishedshecouldsnatchthewordsback.Butthen,finally,he

nodded.“You’reright.”“Wesharedthemost

importantpartofthedream,though,”Cienasaid.

“Morethanthat.Wegoteachotherhere.It’snotcoincidencethatwebothwereadmittedtotheRoyalAcademy,youknow?Flyingtogether,studyingtogether—wemadeeachothersomuchbetterthanweeverwould’vebeenonourown.”

Herthroattightened.

“Yeah.Wedid.”Thanesmiledasheshook

hishead,perhapsindisbeliefathowfarthey’dalreadycome,orhowfartheystillhadtogo.“Nowit’stheacademy’sturntomakeusbetter.”

“Tomakeusofficers.It’sgoingtohappen.”

“You’dbetterbelieveit.”Thewindowlookingout

ontheCoruscantnightreflectedthemslightly,

superimposingtheirimagesoverthebuildingsandhovercraftbeyond.CienasawherselfsittingnexttoThane,bothoftheminthestiff,unfamiliarjacketsandbootsthey’dbeenassignedtoday.Alwaysthey’dlookedsodifferent:Thanetallandpale,foreverwearingthebrightelegantclothingofasecond-waver;Cienadarkandslim,inthesimplehomespungarmentsofthevalleys.Now

theyworethesameuniform,andanyonecouldseethatsheandThanewerealikeinthewaysthatmatteredmost.

Theysattheresidebysideforamomentlongerbeforegettingtotheirfeet.Thanesmileddownandwhispered,“Youcandothis,youknow.”

“Socanyou,”Cienasaid.Theydidn’thavetoleanoneachother.Theyweremorethanreadytofly.

Thentheyturnedawayfromeachothertowalkintothecrowd,meetnewpeople,andbecomethecitizensoftheEmpiretheywerealwaysmeanttobe.

IFTHEPREPARATORYtrackfortheImperialacademieshadbeenhard,thecourseloadattheRoyalAcademyofCoruscantwasbrutal.

Thefirstday’seasygoingfriendlinesshadlastedexactly

thatlong—oneday,nomore.Science,mathematics,piloting,physicaltraining:everypossibletestchallengedthestudents’limits,everysingletime.Classesshrunktoabouthalftheiroriginalsizeeachyearofthethree-yearprogram.Fewwouldgraduate,andthecompetitiontobeamongthosefewremainedfierce.Forgetsleepingin,cuttingclass,orevenwhisperingtoother

studentsduringalecture;ifyouwantedtostayintheacademy,tobecomeanofficersomeday,youcouldnever,everslackoff.Youhadtopushyourselftothelimiteverysingleday.

Twomonthsintohisfirstyear,Thanedecidedhe’dneverhadsomuchfuninhislife.

“Youmust—be—kiddingme,”Nashpantedasthetwoofthemrantheirninthlap

aroundtheSkyLoop,atrackontheacademy’sroof,highabovemostofthebustleofCoruscant.Acoolcloudhadsettledaroundthebuilding,envelopingtheminpalefog.“Gettingupatdawn—doinghomeworkuntilmidnight—exercisinguntilyouvomit?Fun?”

Thanegrinnedashewipedsweatfromhisforehead.“Hell,yeah.”

“Ifthisishowtheyhave

funonJelucan—IthinkI’llvacationsomewhereelse.”Theycrossedthefinishlineandsloweddown,lopingtoastop.AfterNashhadleanedoverwithhishandsonhiskneesandtakenafewdeepbreaths,hecontinued,“Somedayyou’vegottocomewithmetoAlderaan.Trustme,wecanshowyouabettertimethanthis.”

Nashdidn’tgetit.Hecouldn’t.Asthetwoofthem

walkedtowardthelockerroom,Thanetriedtofindthewords.“Mostofmylife,myparentsfoughtmeoneverythingIwantedtodo—evengettingreadyforthisplace.IhadtosneakaroundtopracticeflyingwithCiena.Canyoubelievethat?”

“Seriously?”Nashshookhisheadindisbelief.HisgrayT-shirthadgonedarkwithsweat.“ButCienaRee’soneofthebestpilotshere.You

could’vegonetotwentydifferentworldsandneverfoundanyonebettertoflywith.”

WasitworthexplainingthedividebetweentheJelucanivalleykindredandsecond-wavesettlers?Thanedecidedtoskipit.Thatwasthekindofhomeworldthinkingtheacademyinstructorsfrownedupon.“ThepointisthisisthefirsttimeinmylifewhenI’ve

beenabletogoaftersomethingIwantwithoutanybodygettinginmyway.”

Nashsighed.“Soundsrough.OnAlderaan,peopleareencouragedtolearnandgrow.Alleducationisfree,andpeoplevolunteertoteachvariousskillsorcraftsjustforfun.Ofcourse,somedaytheentireEmpirewillbelikethat.”Thanelaughed,whichmadeNashfrown.“What’ssofunny?”

“You,thinkingthewholegalaxycanturnintostarshineandflowers,allbecauseoftheEmpire.”

“That’swhattheEmpireisfor,isn’tit?”Nashtriedtowipesweatfromhisfacewithhisshirtbut,findingitevensweatier,grimacedandletitfall.“Totakethebestofeveryworld,everyculture,andspreaditthroughouteverysystem?”

Thaneshrugged.“That

waswhattheGalacticRepublicwasabout,too.Atleast,theyprobablythoughtsoatthebeginning.Butthingsfallapart.”

“Don’tlettoomanypeoplehearyousaythat,allright?”Nashglancedaroundthem,butnobodywaswalkingespeciallyclose.“Theymightthinkyou’redisloyal.WhereasI,yourfriend,knowthatyou’remerelyacynic.”

“Guiltyascharged.”He’dlearnedhislessonthefirsttimehisparentssuckedupinpublictothesamepeoplethey’dmockedinprivate:appearancesweredeceiving.

“Well,somedayyou’llcometoAlderaanwithmeandseeforyourselfhowwonderfulitis.Notevenyoucouldbecynicalaboutmyworld.”

ThanecouldtellNashwashomesick,sohedecided

totakehisroommate’sboastingaboutAlderaanatfacevalue…fornow.“Itsoundslikeagoodplace.I’dliketogosometime.”

“Justwait,myfriend.You’regoingtoloveit.”

SoThanehadavoyagetoAlderaantolookforwardto.Bytheneveryworldhelearnedabouthadbecomeapossibledestination;whatbeganashungersimplytoleaveJelucanhadripened

intogenuinewanderlust.AcareerintheImperialStarfleetwouldallowhimtostandinthedeepsnowsoficeplanets,todiveintothedepthlessoceansofawaterworld,tobaskinthesearingheatofabeachbeneathabinarystarsystem.

Andhegottoflyeveryday,sometimesallday.Sure,atthatpointthecadetsmostlyusedsimulators—buttheacademy’ssimulators

operatedatalevelofsophisticationThanehadneverseenbefore.(Plus,anythingbeatacrappyoldV-171.)Fromtheoutside,thesimulatorswerestarkglobesofdullmetal;ontheinsidecadetsfoundcompletelyaccuratecockpits,glowingcontrolboards,andviewscreensthatshowedthree-dimensionalimagesofwhateverstarscapeorplanetaryatmospherethey’d

betraininginthatday.Theflyingfeltabsolutely

genuine,andthechallengespresentedweremoreimmediate,terrifying,andplentifulthantheywerelikelytoencounterinreallife—atleastsofar.OnedayThanewouldtrytobringaTIEfighterfromdeepspaceintoatmosphereonaplanetwithgravitystrongenoughtocrushahuman.Thenext,hemightmaneuvera

snowspeederthroughablizzardwithwindsthatthreatenedtotearthemetalplatingfromthehull.Somestudentstensed,panickingabouttheirtrainingscoresorwhatitwouldbelikewhentheyhadtodoitinreallife.

Thaneactuallyfeltmorerelaxedwhenhewaspiloting.Hecouldn’twaittodoitforreal.Beingatthecontrolsofavesselremainedthepurestkindofjoyheknew.

Hiscombinationofenthusiasmandsteadinessshowedinhisscores,too.TheclassrankingsalwayshadThaneinoneoftheverytopslotsforpiloting—

—andoneofthefewnamesthatevercameinabovehiswasCienaRee’s.

Theylaughedaboutittogether,congratulatedeachotherforwinning,andproudlydeclaredthey’dtakebacktheirtitleonthevery

nextflight.Cienahadbecomehisrival,butafriendlyone.Theysaweachothermoredaysthannot,eitherinclassorthemainacademymess.Althoughthebalancebetweenmaintainingtheirfriendshipandbecoming“citizensoftheEmpire”wasadelicateone,hefeltthey’dfoundit.Whiletheirmeetingswereoftenbrief,theystillgottohangoutacoupleoftimesaweek—hourswhentheylet

thecompetitiondrop.Thaneknewthey’dalwaysmadeeachotherbetterbystrivingtomatchtheother’sskills;evenattheacademy,heandCienakepteachotherattheverytopoftheirgame.

“It’sludicrous,”VedFoslosaidsniffilyonenightafterCienahadreclaimedthetopspot.“Shetookyourrankawayfromyou.Whyareyousothrilledthecompetitionismakingherabetterpilot?

Youshouldbetryingtoknockherdown,notpickherup.”

“There’sroomformorethanoneofusinthegraduatingclass,”Thaneshotbackashesatattheedgeofhisbunk,polishinghisuniformboots.“Besides,isn’tthegoaltocreatethebestImperialofficerspossible?ThiswaytheEmpiregetstwogreatpilots,notjustone.”

Vedshookhishead.

“Somedayyou’llunderstand.”

Fromhisplacebeneaththethingrayblanketofhisbunk,Nashlaughed.“Admitit,Ved.You’reonlyangrybecauseThaneandCienaalwaysscorehigherthanyou!Despiteyourfatherbeing—what’shisrankagain?”

“Youknowperfectlywell,”Vedsaid.Writtenonhisfacewashisdispleasureatbeingregularlybestedbynot

onebuttwokidsfromahunkofrockintheOuterRim.Withoutanotherword,hebuttonedhispajamastotheneck,likehedideverynight.Theguyneverrelaxed.

Otherwise,though,Vedwasn’taterribleroommate.Hewasclean,hedidn’tsnore,andhedidn’tmindexplainingthefinerpointsofmilitarycultureonCoruscant.Meanwhile,betweenroominspections,Nashthrewhis

stuffeverywhereinatrulyspectaculardisplayofmessiness,butasidefromafewargumentsaboutwhyitwasgrossforNash’sdirtysockstowinduponsomeone’stoothbrush,heandThanewereunshakablefriends.

ButthesinglebestthingaboutThane’sfirstmonthsattheacademywasseeingDalvenagain.

FormostofThane’slife,

hehadbeenofanaverageheightamonghispeers.Sometimeshe’dlookedathisstatuesquemother,toweringfather,andlankyolderbrotherindespair.There,too,hethoughthe’dbeshortchanged.Afewmonthsbeforeheenteredtheacademy,however,hisbodystartedmakingupforlosttime.Hislegbonesachedatnight,andhedidn’tseemabletoeatenoughtostopfeeling

hungry—andheneedednewuniformswithinthreemonthsofarriving.

Ashestoodinthesectordispensary,waitingforhisturntogetlargerboots,heheardadroid’stonelessvoice:“EnsignKyrell,H-J-two-nine-zero,packetready.”

Thanefrowned.Hewasstillonlyacadet,andhiscallnumberwasAV547.Yethewassurehe’dheardthenameKyrell—

ThenDalvensteppedoutofthemillingcrowdofwaitingofficers,hastilyretrievingauniformpacket.Heseemedtobeinahurrytogo,butwhenheturnedandsawhisyoungerbrotherstandingthere,hefrozeinplaceasifaghast.

“Dalven?”Thanedidn’tknowwhattosay.“Goodtoseeyou”wouldbealie,foreitherofthem.

“Well.So.Youhaven’t

washedoutyet.Howastonishing.”Withthat,Dalvenraisedhischin,clearlyreadytowalkout—butThanestoodbetweenhimandthedoor,andhedidn’tmove.

“Ensign?Youtoldusyou’dmadelieutenant.”

Dalven’scheeksdarkened.“I—well—thepromotionisduetocomethroughatanymoment.”

Thanenodded.“Right.

Sure.Whichiswhyyou’repickingupanewuniform,Iguess….”

HisvoicetrailedoffashesawtheprintedlabelonthebundleinDalven’sarms:CLERICALSTAFF/THIRDCLASS.

“Good-bye.”Dalvenhurriedout,obviouslydeterminedtopretendThanehadn’tseenanything.

Maybeitwascheap—evenpetty—butlearninghis

overbearingolderbrotherhadbeendeemedbettersuitedfordeskchairsthanStarDestroyers?ItmadeThane’sday.

Thatafternoon,asheheadeduptotheSkyLoopforanextrarun,heimaginedtellingCienaabouttheencounter.SheloathedDalvenalmostasmuchashedid;italmostseemedtoThanethathecouldalreadyhearherlaughter,seeher

darkeyesshiningwithsatisfactiononhisbehalf.

Thenhewalkedoutontothetracktoseeseveralothercadetsalsoworkinginadditionalexercise,Cienaamongthem.

Sheworethesamestuffaseveryothercadet:grayshirt,blackshorts,andregulationshoes.Cienawasonlyoneofafewdozenpeopleoutthere,atthefarthestedgeofthetrack.Yet

heknewherinstantly—evenacrossthelengthoftheSkyLoop,evenwiththesunblazingdownsobrilliantly.Thanerecognizedthewaysheran,theshapeofherblackcurlsbraidedatthenapeofherneck….

She’sbeautiful,hethought,arealizationthatstartledhim,thenmadehimfeelstupid.Howcouldhenothavenoticedthataboutagirlhe’dseenmoredaysthannot

forthepasteightyears?Butthatwaspreciselyit.ThaneknewCienatoowelltoseeherwithanyobjectivity.Herfacewasasfamiliartohimashisowninthemirror—orithadbeen,untilnow.

Theevidenceofhisblindnessdisturbedhim.ItwasasifCienahadtransformedsomehowandoughttohavetoldhimfirst.Possibilitieshe’drefusedtoconsiderinthepastnow

pushedtheirwayintohismind,possibilitiesthatwerebothexhilaratingandfrightening.Hefeltashiveralonghisskinthathehadalwaysassociatedwithflight,thatexactmomentwhenhelefttheearthandgrabbedthesky—

Thanedecidednottothinkaboutitanylonger.Insteadhewouldrun,fastashecould,untilhewasworn-outandhalf-dazed.Whenhe

sawCienaagain,hewouldbeabletotalktoherjustlikehealwayshad.Nothinghadtochange.

FIRINGHANDWEAPONShadneverbeensomethingCienadreamedabout,orpracticed,andherinitialmarksmanshipscores,whileadequate,draggeddownheroverallranking.Soshespentalotoffreetimeon

thepracticerangewiththemocklaserrifle,concentratinghardonimprovingheraim.

Or,aswasthecasetoday,tryingtoconcentrate,withnohelpfromherroommates.

“Itwasjustanobservation,”Kendysaid,attemptingtolookinnocentanddoingaterriblejob.Shestoodinthenextboothover,herwhitepracticecoverallscontrastingwiththemetallic

blacksurfacesofthetrainingrange.“Youwon’tevenadmitThane’slookinggoodthesedays?”

Cienafocusedontheholographictargetcomingtowardherandfiredthreeblastsatitshead.Onlywhenthetargetshatteredintoathousandtinylinesoflightdidshereply,“He’s,um—fillingout.”

“Thisisanormalstageofphysiologicaldevelopment.”

Judesatonabenchbehindtheshootingbooths,disassemblingthelaserrifletoseehowquicklyshecouldputittogetheragain.“AlthoughImustsaythatinThane’scasedevelopmentisproceedingverywell.”

“Youguys,comeon.Ican’taimwhenI’mlaughing.”

ButKendywouldn’tletthesubjectdrop.“Areyouhonestlynotatallinterested

inhim?”“Romanticorsexual

relationshipsbetweencadetsareforbidden.”Judecouldlookveryprim.“Besides,CienahasknownThanesincetheywerechildren.Itwouldberationaltoconcludethatatthispointtheirrelationshipislikethatofbrotherandsister,andthereforenosexualfeelingcouldbegeneratedbetweenthem.”

Thane’snotmybrother.

It’snothinglikethat.Cienaopenedhermouthtosayso,thenclosedit.BetterforherfriendstoassumethatwashowshefeltsotheywouldstopaskingherquestionsaboutThaneKyrell.

Thethingwasshewasn’texactlysurehowtofeelabouthimanylonger.Before,they’dbeentogetherconstantly,andshe’dneverhadamomenttostepbackandwonderwhetherthings

couldchangebetweenthem—and,ifso,how.Theirliveswerebothmoreparallelandmoreseparatethaneverbefore.

WhenThaneedgedheroutintherankings—orviceversa—they’dstareateachotherinpretendangerthatwasn’twhollypretend.AttimesCienafeltasifshecouldstandtobebeatenbyabsolutelyanyoneelsebeforeshecouldendureitfrom

Thane.Yetthenextday,whenshesawhowwellhehaddone,herfacewouldlightupwithasmile.She’dseenhimcheeringforherinracesandcheeredforhiminturn.Theirrivalrygeneratedelectricitythatcouldturnuglyorcouldbecome—

Concentrate,Cienaremindedherself.You’reheretohityourtargets.

Afterthehologramscamethedroids,adozentiny

spheresthatdartedthroughtherange,daringhertohitthemall.Cienafired,redboltsblastingfromherrifle,andrefusedtopauseuntilshe’dtakendowneveryone.

“That’smuchbetter,”Judesaid,unnecessarily,asCiena’sscoreblinkedonthescreenabove.“Youraccuracyscoresarealreadyaboveaverageforourclass.Soonyou’llreachthetopquartile.”

“Thenyoucanstand

alongsidethesharpshooters,likeme.”Likesomepirateoutofaspice-runnerholo,Kendytwirledherblasterbeforeholsteringit,whichmadeCienalaugh.

Shehadnodoubtsthatshewouldmastershooting.Itwasn’tarrogance—thedemandsoftheImperialAcademymadeherawareofherlimitationseveryday.Instead,Ciena’sfaithcamefromhersheerjoyinthe

academy,andinCoruscantitself.AlthoughshelovedandmissedherlifeintheJelucanivalleys,heruniversehadexpandedahundredfold,andeverynewpartofitseemedwonderfultoher.Towalkalongcorridorswithmembersofadozendifferentraces;toheartheirvariouslanguageswiththeirunfamiliarsyllables,whistles,andclicks;tolookintotheskyandspotadozendifferenttypesof

spacecrafteverysingleday—itenthralledher.

SometimesCienafeltasthoughshewaswhisperingtoherlostsisterconstantly.Lookthroughmyeyes.Therewereinfinitewonderstobehold,andfinallyshehadachancetoseethemall.

Sheexperiencedguiltiermoments,though.Cienafoundherselfsometimesthinkingofherformerlifeas…backward.Herlifeinthe

valleyshadalwaysbeenahappyone.No,shedidn’tpossessanysecond-waverluxuries,butshedidn’tparticularlywantthem.Besides,Thane’sdifficultfamilylifehaddisabusedherofanyideathatwealthierpeoplewereautomaticallyhappier.Materialthingsneverhad,andneverwould,meanmuchtoher.

Soitwasn’ttherelativegrandeurofCoruscantthat

temptedher.Itwastherichnessoflifehere,theenergyintheair,thelackofanyneedforritual.Everyforwardstepshetookmadeherwonderifshewasleavinghertraditionalvaluesbehind.

Notentirely.Neverentirely.Shewouldneverabandontheconceptofhonor,oftheabsoluteneedtokeepherword,nomatterwhat.ThatwasasmuchapartofCienaasherbones.

Shewouldalsoalwayscarryhersisterforwardwithher,allowingWynnettolookthroughhereyes.

YetnowCiena’sperspectivehadbeenwidenedforever.

Nolongerdidshelookthroughthenarrowprismofsecondwaveversusvalley.Thehugedifferenceshe’donceperceivedbetweenherandThane—itwasnothing,really.Itdidn’texist.

Cienahadbelievedinthatdivideforsolongthatshewasn’tquitesurewhattothinkonceitwasgone.

Finally,theygottoflyforreal.

“Abouttime,”CienasaidtoThane,whohadwalkedintothelow-altitudecraftbayearly,justlikeshehad.Shecouldn’thelpnoticinghowhecameclosertoherthanany

othercadetwould—intoherpersonalspace.

“Forwhat?”hesaidquickly,swervingawayfromherasthoughhefearedanelectricalshock.“It’snottimeforanything.”

“…abouttimeforustofly.”Cienagavehimalook.

Thanesmiledunevenly.“Oh,right.Ofcourse.Definitelypasttimeforthat.Imean—nevermind.”

Whyisheactingso

awkward?Thenagain,CienarealizedshewashuggingherselfasthoughitwereacoldJelucanimorning.SheandThanestillgotalongwell,buttheywerestartingtohavethesemomentsofself-consciousweirdness.

Maybeoneofherfriendshadtoldsomeonethattheyweregossipingabouthowhothewasduringtargetpractice.NeitherJudenorKendywouldtalkbehindherback,

butJudemightbesociallycluelessenoughtosaythewrongthinginfrontofNashorVed.Thatwouldbetheworst—especiallysinceitseemedtomakeThanewanttopullbackfromher.

Isaidtherewasn’tanythingbetweenus.Soheshouldn’tbebehavingthisway.Unlesshewantstheretobesomethingbetweenus.Buthedoesn’t,doeshe?

DoI?

Cienasnappedherselfoutofit.Mummaalwaystoldhernottomakesomethingoutofnothing.Shedidn’tneedtojumptoconclusions.Sheneededtogetintheair.

“You’vepracticedonthespeederbikesimulatormultipletimes,”saidthecommanderwhotaughtSmallCraftFlight.TheseveraldozenpilotsinCiena’ssection—includingherroommates,aswellasThane

andhis—stoodinthecraftbaywithintheenormousstructureoftheacademy.Outside,duskhadfallenandthecitylightsofCoruscantglittered.“Itisthemostbasicformoflow-altitudecraft,andthereforethefirstyoushouldmaster.Handlingthebikeshouldbewellwithinthecapacityofeverycadetinthisclass.”

Cienatriedtodisguiseherexcitement.She’dbeenin

simulatorstoolong;shewasreadytogo.Andthespeederbikesseemedsoeasy—

Asifhe’dheardher,thecommandercontinued,“Inordertoensurethatyourfirstflightisbothmemorableandchallenging,we’vemadeitacompetition.Arace.”

“Isthereaprize?”calledNashWindrider,whichmadepeoplelaugh.Unlikemostinstructors,theflightcommanderallowedsome

levityfromtimetotime.Hesaiditbolstered“martialspirit,”whichtheyweresupposedtocultivate.

Theflightcommanderevensmiledslightlyashereplied,“Indeed,CadetWindrider,butyoushouldlearnthetaskbeforeyoupresumetoperformit.”Ahologramrosefromthecenterofthebay,showingathree-dimensionalmapoftheareasurroundingthe

academy.Small,brightlycoloredpointsblinkedintendifferentplaces,fromallthewaydownatgroundleveluptotheSkyLoop.“WhatyouseesignpostedhereareReitgenHoops,eachbigenoughforasinglespeederbiketoeasilypassthrough.We’veclearedthesurroundingairspace,soyoumaychooseyourindividualcourseandneedonlyaccountforyourclassmates’

vehicles.”Farthestfirst,Ciena

immediatelydecided.Mostpeoplewillgettoocaughtupintryingtoreachthenearesthoop,soyou’llhaveaclearcourse.Thenyouslipthroughtheothersonyourwaybackhere.

Thecommanderconcluded,“Thefirsttoflythroughalltenhoopswillbegivenfiftypointsintherankings.”

Ashiverofdisbeliefandanticipationsweptthroughthecadets.Fiftypoints!Thatwasbetterthanacingtwooreventhreeexams.Cadetsinrankingtroubleknewthiscouldpullthembackfromthebrink.Meanwhile,Cienacouldonlythink,Thiswoulddoit.Thiswouldmakemenumberone,faraheadofanybodyelse.

“Eager,areyou?”thecommandersaid.“Thengetto

yourcraftandawaitthesignal!”

Cienadashedforherspeederbikeandpoweredup.Astheengineshummedtolife,shecheckedthechinstrapofherdarkgrayhelmetandthearmorstrappedaroundherforearms,calves,andthighs.Mostimportantwastherepulsorbelt,whichwouldactivateifshefellfromthebike.Butshedidn’tintendtofall.

Thisisgoingtobemine,shetoldherselfasshetookholdofthehandlebarsandfeltthecontrolsthroughhertexturedgloves.Theenginebeneathhervibratedwithwhatsheimaginedwasexcitement,asifitwereaspiritedbeastinsteadofameremachine.

Thelightsoverheadshifted,turningslowlybrighter.Sheheldherbreath.Thencamethebrilliantflash

thatmeantgo.Cienagunneditasthey

allflewoutinarush,likeaswarmofDardanellianlocusts—butassoonasshewasfreefromthebuilding,shepulledback,temperingherspeedsoasfewpeopleaspossiblewouldseeherflightpathandrealizeherplan.Whilemostoftheotherspeederbikesrushedtowardthenearesthoop,Cienaturnedandspunaway,

headingtowardthefarthesttargetattopspeed.

Shewasn’tcompletelyalone,though.Maybeahalfdozenothercadetshadadoptedthisstrategy—andofcourseoneofthemwasThane.Asheleaneddownoverhishandlebars,hecaughtherlookingathimandgrinnedbeforeswervingaway.

Cienalaughedoutloud.Theywerebacktonormal,

andthiswasgoingtobefun.Thetrickythingaboutthe

coursewasn’thandlingthespeederbike,alightcraftthatrespondedwelltoitspilot’smovements.Insteadthechallengecamefromchoosingthebestflightpath.Foradequatebalance,speederbikesneededtobewithintwentymetersoftheground,oratleastaflatsurfacesuchasalargercraft,amachine—orabuilding.Sheslidoverto

thenearestmammothstructureandbalancedherbikeagainstitsshinysurface,flyingperpendiculartothegroundatsuchspeedthatgravitynolongerseemedtoapply.Glowingwindowsrushedby“beneath”herwitharipplelikesunlightonwater.

Shift!Cienaputthespeederbikeinaspiral,zoomingupwardandoverthetunnel-lacedchasmbelow—

untilshewaswithinafewmetersofanother,tallerbuilding,whichsheusedashernewbalance.Thatletherflyhigher,faster,thewindstingingherface.Thankgoodnessforthegoggles,shethought—

—thencursedmentallyasshesawanotherbikebesideher,whichofcoursewasThane’s.

Heshoutedather,voiceonlybarelyaudibleoverthe

rushingairandhummingengines:“Thisisgoingtobetight!”

“Tootightforyou!”sheshouted,thenlaughedasshetookthetopedgeofthebuildingatasharpangle.Thefirsthoopglowedinfrontofher,brilliantyellow,levitatingslightlyabovetheroof.Cienaaccelerated,aimedstraightforthecenterofthehoop—andthengaspedasherbikeandThane’s

bumped.Hewouldn’thavemeant

todothat.Neitherhadshe.Theyhadeachbeensointenselyfocusedonthegoalthatthey’dforgottentowatcheachother.Thebumpalonewasn’tabigdeal—speederbikeswerebuilttotakethatkindofpunishmentandworse—buttoherhorror,Cienarealizedthefrontdirectionalvanesoftheirbikeswerelockedtogether.

“Pull!”Thaneshouted,desperatelyjerkinghisbiketotheright.Shetriedtoyankleft,butalltheymanagedtodowaswobble.Theirspeederbikescouldn’tbeseparatedinflight.They’dhavetostop,land,andforfeit.

CienagaspedassherealizedhowclosetheyweretotheReitgenHoop.Tooclosetoswerveaway—theywereonthevergeofacrasheventherepulsorfield

couldn’tsavethemfrom.Instinctively,sheaimed

fortheverycenterofthehoop;nexttoher,Thanedidtheexactsamething,attheexactsamemoment.Theywhooshedthroughthehoopwithlessthanhalfameteroneithersideofthem.

Herfirstthoughtwasthattheywereluckytobealive.Butthensherealizedthat,whilelockeddirectionalvanesmadesteeringdifficult,

balanceandspeedwereunaffected.

Ifshe’dgottenintothissituationwithanyothercadet,Cienawouldhavepowereddownandforcedtheforfeit.WithThane,though—sheknewwhatagoodpilothewas,understoodhowheflew.Didtheydaretryit?

Sheshouted,“Let’sdothisthing!”

“What,likethis?”Thaneputonehandnearthepower

controls,butthenpausedastheideasankin.Onceagainshesawhimgrin.“Allright,herewego!”

Cienaplungedtowardthenexthoop,justasThanedid.Theyacceleratedatthesametime,simultaneouslyshifteddirectionandpitch.Ifthey’dpracticedthistogether,theycouldn’thavedoneitanymoreefficiently.Thetwospeederbikesseemedtohavebecomeone.

Thesecondhoopdemandedthattheyslidethroughnarrowpassagesbetweenbuildingsthatwould’vebeenatightfitforonespeederbike,muchlesstwo.Togethertheytiltedsothattheirbikesbalancedagainsttheleftbuilding(howhadtheybothknownitshouldbetheleft?),swooshingpastonefellowcadetwhohadtemporarilypulledahead,andthendived

towardtheglowingyellowcirclethatmarkedtheirgoal.

TogetherCienaandThanetookthethirdhoop,downalmostontheground,wovethroughawebofwalkwayarchestothefourthhoop,dashedthroughthetrenchesofaspiralskyscrapertoreachthefifth.Eachgoalseemedmoreimpossiblethanthelast,andyettheflyingonlybecameeasier,becausesheandThane

hadthis.Sherealizedonlytwo

peoplewhohadspentyearslearningtoflytogethercouldevercoordinatesosmoothly.ThewaysherespondedtoThane’spiloting—thewayherespondedtohers—itdidn’trequirethought.Itwasinstinct,apartofthemboth.ThosecountlessdayssoaringthroughthevalleysofJelucanhadtaughtthemtounderstandeachotherwithout

words.Thebondsthey’dformed

duringthoseyearsweren’tthekindthatfadedaway.

Whentheydippedthroughthetenthhoopatthetopoftheacademyitself,sheandThaneimmediatelybankedandacceleratedstraightdownthewallofthebuilding.Cienaglancedoverhershoulderandsawtheblinkinglightsofothercadets’bikesswirlingtoward

thebaylikecloudsoffireflies.Theywereclose—butnotcloseenough.ThaneandCienaplungedbackintothedockingbayfirst,afullfortysecondsaheadoftheirclosestcompetitor.

Landingtheconjoinedbikesturnedouttobethetoughestpart.Astheywobbledtotheground,otherspeederbikesstartingtoswooshinbehindandbesidethem,theyheardVedFoslo

shout,“That’sadisqualification!”

“Itisnot!”Cienashotback,removingherhelmetandpushinghergogglesuponherforehead.“Thereweren’tanyrulesaboutwhatwouldhappeniftwobikeslockedtogether!”

“Flyinginthatconditionwouldhavebeenmoredifficult,ratherthaneasier,”pointedoutJude,stillinherfullflightgear.Shehadbeen

evencloserbehindthemthanVed.“Thereforeitseemsunfairtopenalizethem.”

Ved’sdeepgoldencomplexionwasnowflushedwithanger.“We’resupposedtobelearninghowtoproperlyflyaspeederbike.That’snotexactlycorrectprocedure,isit?”

“Situationslikethatcanhappeninbattle.Shouldn’tweknowhowtodealwiththem?”Cienafeltalmostsick.

Shehadn’tbrokenarule—orhadn’tmeantto,atanyrate—andherewasVedFosloquestioningherhonor.Washeaccusingherofdoingthisonpurpose?Ofcheating?

Asmallcrowdhadgatheredbythen,andthecadetspartedtoallowtheinstructortowalkcloser.Hesaidonly,“Thatwas—novel.”

Thaneleanedagainsthisbikeasifhewerecompletely

atease.“Ijustwanttopointout,youneversaidonlyonepersoncouldwin.Yousaidthefiftypointswentto‘thefirst’tofinish.Wefinishedfirsttogether.”

“Findingloopholesininstructionsfromsuperiorofficers?That’sabadhabit,Kyrell.”Slowly,thecommandershookhisheadasifinexasperation.“Butfarbeitfrommetopenalizeflyingofthatquality.Youshared

thechallenge,soyou’llsplittheprize.Twenty-fivepointseachtoReeandKyrell.”

VedFoslothrewhishelmetdownindisgust,butmostofthecadetscheered.ThanetookCiena’shandandheldithigh.Shelaughedfrompureexhilaration.

Firstintheclass.ImadeitallthewaytotheRoyalAcademyofCoruscantandI’mactuallyfirstinmyclass!Twenty-fivepointswas

enoughforthat.ButCienacaughtherselfthen,realizingshewasprobablytiedwithThaneforthehonor.

Shefoundshedidn’tmindsharing.Notwithhim.

Thanelettheirhandsfall—buthedidn’tletgorightaway.

Cienadidn’tletgo,either.

NOTHINGCHANGEDUNTILthelasercannonprojectafewmonthslater.

Eventhebestbattleplansputsoldiersatrisk,andatanytimeyoucouldfindyourselfseparatedandindanger,yoursquadronpinneddownor

otherwiseunabletohelpyou.Yourblastercouldbedamagedand,atanyrate,couldn’tdefendyoufromanenemyshiponitsown.Ifyouquicklyconstructedalargerweapon,however,youcouldcontinuethefightalone—perhapslongenoughtoberescuedbutcertainlylongenoughtomakeyourenemypay.AlasercannoncouldbebuiltoutofstandardImperial-issueparts,ifyouknewhow.

Thanedislikedmechanicalwork;flyingandshootingweremorehisspeed.Buthewasdeterminedtoacethisproject.HeandCienahadheldontotheirtoprankingssofar;theonlyquestionremainingwaswhichofthemwouldfinishthetermatnumberone.IfCienabeathim,he’dbethefirsttocongratulateher…buthopefullyshe’dbethefirsttocongratulatehim.

“Lookatthatgrin,”saidNash,wholayunderhisownlasercannoninprogress,acoupleofmetersoverintheenormousrepairbay.“Thinkingaboutouroffday?ReadytoexploretheCoruscantnightlife?”

Fromhisplaceatthebench,Thaneshruggedwithoutlookingawayfromthestormtrooperhelmethewascurrentlycannibalizingforitspowercell.“I’m

workingonmycannon,likeyououghttobe.Comeon,Nash,focus.”

“HowcanIfocuswhenwehaveachancetogotoclubs,cantinas,andahundredotherplaceswherewe’llfinallyhaveachancetomeetgirls?”Nashprotested.“Girlswhoaren’tforbiddenlikeourfellowcadets.Touchablegirls.Kissablegirls.”

“Iunderstand,okay?ButI’mtryingtoconcentratehere

soIcankeepmyranking.Plentyofpeoplehaveputinextratimeonthis.”Thanegesturedtotherestoftherepairbayforemphasis.

Acoupledozenotherlasercannonssatallaroundthem,protectedbythesmallsparklinghemispheresoflow-chargeforcefields.Everysingleoneofthosemachinesmighthavebeenrepairedmoreingeniouslythanhisown,withmore

inspireduseofrandomsparepartsthatmightbefoundinalienspaceports.Everysingleoneofthemcountedascompetition.

Nashslidawayfromhisownrepairtable,thebettertogiveThaneawitheringlook.“We’vebeenworkingforacoupleofhoursnow.Wecan’ttalkabouttheonedayofrealfunwe’llgetbeforethenexttermstarts?”

“Iguess.”

“YousoundedexcitedenoughtheotherdaywhenVedtoldusthebestclubstovisit.”

“Iwas.Imean,Iam.I’mexcited,definitely.”

Atthis,NashstoodupandfacedThaneacrossthearrayofsparepartsspreadacrosstheworktable.“Andyetyoudon’tseemexcited—notaboutmeetinggirls,atleast.Thatmeansoneoftwothings.Eitheryou’re

interestedinmeninstead—whichIdoubt,givenyourreactiontothatrisquéholoofVed’s—”

Thecurseoffairskinwasthateventhefaintestblushstoodout.Thanetriedtopretendhewasstilllookingatthestormtrooperhelmet.

“—orthere’sagirlyou’realreadyinterestedin.Agirlyoualreadyknow.”Nashleanedonthetable,restinghischinonhishands,eyes

wideopeninmockinnocence.“Couldthisgirl’snamepossiblyrhymewiththesyllableslie-hennasee?”

“It’snotlikethatbetweenus,”Thaneinsisted.“Itneverhasbeen.”

Nash’sgrinhadturnedwicked.“ButIsuspectitwillbe.”

ThesubjectirritatedThanemorethanitshouldhave.Hestillwasn’tsurewhattomakeofthewayhis

relationshipwithCienawaschanging,andhedidn’twantNashstickinghislongnoseintoit.Besides,evenifNashmeantwell,hisinsinuatingtoneremindedThanetoomuchofthewayDalvenhadteasedhimabouttherebeingonlyonethinghecouldwantfromagirlofthevalleys.

TalkingaboutCienathatwaydisrespectedher.AndmadeThanethinktoomuchaboutthingshecouldn’teven

begintochangeuntilgraduation.

“WetakethesemattersmoreseriouslyonJelucanthanmostpeopledo,”hesaid,truthfullyenough.“Speculatingis…improper.”

“This,fromthemanwhowatchedthatholofivetimes!”Nashlaughedoutloud.“Besides,you’resupposedtostopbeingJelucaniandstartbeingacitizenoftheEmpire,

remember?Andspeculatingisfun.”

“Ineedyoutolistentome.”ThaneputdownhistoolsandlookedNashsquarelyintheface.“Thissubjectispermanentlyclosed.There’snothinggoingonbetweenmeandCiena.We’rejust—”

“—goodfriends,”Cienasaidasshewalkedawayfromthe

martialartsroom,everymuscleaching.“Alwayshavebeen,alwayswillbe.That’sallthereistoit.”

Judenoddedherapproval,thenwinced;probablyherheadwasstillhurtingfromthelasttimeKendyhadslammedherintothemat.“Verywiseofyou.Giventheprohibitionondatingfellowcadets,neitheryounorThanewouldwanttocompromiseyourcareersbyviolatingsuch

animportantrule.”Kendy—beaming,

sweaty,andtriumphant—justlaughedatthemboth.“I’dbreaktherulesforaguywholooksthatgood.”

Foramoment,Cienafeltatwingeofjealousy.ThatwasnotatallhowshewantedtofeelwhenitcametoThane—andyetitburnedwithinher,anemberthatrefusedtogodark.

ButKendywasalready

movingon.“So,whatarewegoingtodowithourfreeday?”

“Personally,Idon’tcare,”Cienasaid,“aslongasitinvolveseatingrealfood.”

OnImperialships,officerswereencouragedtodrinknutritivebeveragesinsteadofconsumingfood;itwasmoreefficientintermsofbothshipresourcesandofficertime,andthemedicsinsistedthenutritiveswere

healthier,too.Theydidn’ttastebad—buttheydefinitelydidn’ttastegood.Theacademymessservedthenutritives,andlikemoststudents,Cienahaddutifullystartedgettingusedtothem.Butaslongasshecouldenjoysomereal,true,deliciousfoodwithoutguilt,sheintendedtoindulge.

“Ibelievewewillbeabletofindacceptablemealsatvirtuallyanypotential

destination,”Judesaid,thenhesitatedbeforemakinghersuggestion.“WouldanyoneelsebeinterestedinvisitingtheMuseumofMultispeciesSciences?”

Kendygroaned,butCienashotheralook.Theirthirdroommatewassoft-spoken,patient,andaccommodating;shedeservedtogetherwayonceinawhile.“Maybewecouldgotothemuseumfirstthinginthemorning.Butin

theafternoon,I’dratherdosomethingless”—completelyboring?—“cerebral.Westudysohardherealready,youknow?I’dliketotrysomethinglike,maybe,seadiving.”

“Diving.Yes.”Immediately,Kendybecameexcited.AsanativeofthetropicalworldofIloh,she’dbegunswimmingevenbeforeshecouldwalk.“Ican’tbelieveit’sbeensixmonths

sinceI’vebeeninthewater!Andno,Jude,swimminglapsinthewavepooldoesn’tcount.”

Judedidn’trespondtothatastheysteppedintothelift.Alreadyshewasdeepinthought.“Divingwouldbeafascinatingchallenge.Bespinisagasgiant,whichmeanswehavenooceansorlakes.Swimmingpoolsarerareluxuries.Thereforemyexperienceinthewateris

limited.Thechancetoexpandmyskillsandobservemarinelifewouldbeextremelypleasant.”

Astheliftsettledontotheirfloor,Cienahadtoshakeherheadandsmile.“Everything’sascienceprojecttoyou,Jude.”

“Scienceisthestudyoftheentirematerialuniverse.Thereforeeverythingisscience—whetheryouseeitornot.”Onlythefaintest

smileonJude’sthinlipsrevealedthatshewasteasingthemback.

Cienadidn’tmentionwhattheymightdothatnight.Insideshehopedthey’dbecelebratingherfinishingthetermasnumberoneintheclass,butevensayingthatoutloudsoundedprideful.TheonlyotherpossiblecandidatefornumberonewasofcourseThane—andifhewon,shethoughtshecouldbehappy

forhim.Maybecelebratewith

him,toastinghissuccess.She’dratherhetoastedhersinstead,but…

“Ciena?”Kendyshotheralookastheywalkedtowardtheirroom.“Yourbrainwasinorbitforasecondthere.”

“Sorry.Ithinkmyhead’sstillscrambledfromthattimeyouflippedme.”Cienabeganuntyingthebeltofhermartialartsgearasthedoorswished

openforthem.“Thinkyoucouldshowmehowthat’sdone?”

“Noway,”Kendysaidwithalaugh.“It’soneoftheonlythingsI’mbetteratthanyou.”

Nextmorningcametheinspectionofthelasercannons.

Cienastoodatattentionbeforehercannon,which

she’dassembledtoperfection.She’dmadeapointofusingthemostungainlysalvagepartspossiblesotheinstructorswouldseethatshecouldbuildoneundereventhemostunfavorableconditions.HerguttoldherThanemightnotpushashardtomakehisowntaskmoredifficult.Ifshecouldgainanedgeanywhere,thatwasit.

CommanderHarnwalked

alongtherowsoflasercannons,eachonematchedwithacadetatfullattention.Althoughtherepairbaywasbyitsnatureaplacetoworkhardandgetdirty,thegrayrubberizedfloorandwallsremainedunstainedbygreaseorscorchmarks.Imperialdisciplinedemandedperfectcleanliness,theerasureofeverytaskassoonasitwasdone.OnlyCadetWindrider’scannondisplayed

anysmudgeswhatsoever—asusual.

HarnnoddedapprovalasKendy’scannonpoweredup.Heopenedhercontrolpanel,thennoddedinsatisfactionatherchoicesofnewparts.Hedidn’tsmile,though,notthenorduringthenextseveralinspections—thoughhedidmurmur,“Innovative,”whenhelookedoverVed’swork.ThatmadeVedsmilesosmuglythatCienawantedto

groan.Sheawaitedherturn,

startedherengine,andwatchedasHarncheckedtheefficiencyratingsandoverallpower.Althoughhedidnotspeak,hiseyesmethersasifhewereassessingheranew—andwell.She’dimpressedhim.Somehowshemanagedtokeepastraightface,evenwhenKendymouthed,Waytogo,overthecommander’sshoulder.

WhenHarnlookedoverThane’scannonandreachedforthestarter,Cienaheldherbreath—

—butthelasercannondidn’tpowerup.

Atall.Thecolordrainedfrom

Thane’sface.Cienadidn’tfeelsogoodherself.She’dwantedtobeathimbutnottoseehimfailcompletely.

Howisthatevenpossible?shethought,

grippingherhandstogethermoretightlybehindherback.Thane’snotaninstinctivemechanic,butheworkshardandhe’sthorough,andhewouldhavecheckedhiscannondozensoftimes.Thiscan’tbehappening.

“Thisisunlikeyou,Kyrell,”saidHarnashemadeanotationonthetablethecarriedinonehand.“Let’sseewhereyouwentwrong.”

Harnflippedopenthe

controlpanelofThane’slasercannon,thenfroze,hissharpfeatureshardeningintoalookofdispleasure,evenanger.

Whateveritwas,Thanesawit,too,anditmadehimswearoutloud—rightthere,standingatattention,acommanderrightinfrontofhim.Afewpeoplegasped.

ButHarndidn’treprimandThane.Instead,withagesture,Harnreleasedeveryonefromattention.

Cadetscrowdedclose,blockingCiena’sviewatfirst,butshepushedthroughuntilshecouldseeinsidetheopenpanelofThane’scannonandrealizedjustwhyeveryonehadbegunmutteringandlookingaroundsuspiciously.

Thewiresinsidehadbeencut.Straight,clean—themarksmadeitclearthatthiswasn’tbadwiringoranaccident.Someonehaddoneitonpurpose.

Sabotage.Academycompetitioncouldbecutthroat,butupuntiltheneveryonehadapparentlyplayedfair.AchillranalongCiena’sspineatthethoughtofit.Howcouldanyone,muchlessanImperialcadet,besodevoidofhonor?ShewasnearlyasoffendedatthethoughtasshewassorryforThane.

“We’llsolvethisquicklyenough,”Harnpromised,his

voicesharpandcoldasanicepick.“Whoeverthoughttoimproveclassrankingsthroughsuchastuntwillhavecauseforregret.”Hestrodetowardthemaindoorpanel,pressedhishandtoit,andsaid,“Howmanycadetshadaccesstothisroom,alone,betweenCadetKyrell’slastvisitandthisinspection?”

Theflatmonotoneofasynthesizedvoicereplied,“One.”

“Andwhowasthat?”Harnbarked.

“L-P-eight-eight-eight.”Cienahadmisheardthe

computer.Shehadtohave.Butthenthecomputer

continued,finishingitsanswer:“CadetCienaRee.”

“Iwouldneverdosuchathing,”CienasworeinCommandantDeenlark’soffice,asshestoodat

attentionbeforehislongobsidiandesk.“Nottoanyone,butespeciallynottoThane.”

“Andwhynot?Hewasyouronlycompetitionforthetoprankintheclass,yes?”

“But—he’smyfriend.”“Friendshiprarely

enduresambition.”Ciena’sstomachchurned

soviolentlyshehadtofightnottobesickonthefloor.Thisnightmarehad

swallowedherwhole.NotonlyhadsheseenThane’sshockedlookofdismay,notonlyhadtheentireclassglaredatherasshewashastilymarchedoutoftherepairbay,butalso—andworstofall—herhonorwasintatters,andshedidn’tknowwhethershecouldsalvageit.

WhathappensifI’mthrownoutoftheacademy?Herthoughtsracedwildly

whileshemaintainedherrigidpostureandbestattemptatoutwardcomposure.I’llneverbecomeanImperialofficer.MaybeIcouldstillgetworkasapilot,butIcouldn’treturnhometoJelucan,notever.Myparentscouldn’tevenallowmeinthehousewithouttherestofthekindredshunningus.

No.Shecouldn’tputhermotherandfatherthroughthat.Ifshewereexpelled,

Cienawouldhavetotraveltosomecompletelyunknownplanetandstartover,completelyalone.

ThedoorsofDeenlark’sofficeslidopen,andthecommandantbarked,“We’restilldealingwiththissituation.”

“Sir.Yes,sir.”Harnquicklystoodatattention.“Butanothercadethassteppedforwardwithcriticalinformation.”

ThemixtureofterrorandhopefloodingthroughhermadeCienaunabletospeak,evenwhenJudewalkedthroughthedoor,atabletinherhands.OnceCommandantDeenlarkmotionedimpatientlyforJudetobegin,shespokeascalmlyandevenlyasifshewerereadingalistofmachineparts.“Sir.CadetJudeEdivonofBespin,T-I-eight-zero-three,reportingin.A

thoroughreviewofthedatarevealsthatatthetimeCadetReesupposedlyenteredtherepairbaytotamperwithCadetKyrell’sship,shewasinfactwithmeandherotherroommate,CadetIdele,inourbunk.I’vepulledupdatalogsthatshowherleavingthemartialartsarena,enteringthelift,andcomingintoourroom,andthereisnocorrelatingrecordofherdeparture.”

Cienafeltalmostfaintwithrelief,butDeenlarkcontinuedtofrown.“Datalogscanthemselvesbetamperedwith,CadetEdivon.”

Judenodded.“ItismybeliefthatsomeonenotonlysabotagedCadetKyrell’sshipbutalsotherepairbaycomputer,inordertomakeitlookasthoughCadetReewastheoneresponsible.Inshort,sir,Ibelieveshewas

framed.”“Yourbeliefsare

meaninglesswithoutevidence,CadetEdivon,”saidthecommandant.Cienadidn’tdarehopethatJudeandKendy’stestimonyonitsowncouldclearher.Ifso,wouldn’thehavesaidsoalready?

“Sir—Ihesitatetonamethepersonwhoseemstoberesponsibleforthissabotage,becausewhilethedatais

clear,itisnotabsoluteproof.”Jude’sfingerstightenedaroundthetablet,asifshewereafraidtheinformationwouldbesnatchedfromher.

Whyareyouholdingback?Cienawantedtoshout.Whodidthistome?

CommandantDeenlarkstoodup,andhewastallenoughtotowerovereventhewillowyJude.“Reportyourfindings.”

JudegaveCienaanapologeticglance.“Sir,itappearsthatthepersonresponsibleforframingCadetReewas…CadetThaneKyrellhimself.”

No.Cienarefusedtobelievethat.Therehadtobeanotheranswer;Judemusthavemisunderstoodthedata.

ButnobodywasbetteratgettingintotheinnerworkingsofcomputersthanJude.Thanewastheonly

othercompetitorforthetopslot,andmechanicalrepairwasoneofhismainweaknesses.Ifhehadn’tdonewellontheprojectandhadfearedhewouldfail—hecouldhavecutthewiresofhisownmachinetodisguisehisinabilitytorepairit.ByframingCienaforthesabotage,hewouldnotonlyavoidbeingmarkeddownforfailingtheprojectbutalsodragherdownsofarshe’d

neverbenumberoneintheclass.

Thisisn’tassimpleasclassrank,though.Thiscouldgetmeexpelled!Thanewouldn’tdothattome,notever.

AndyetJudestoodtherewiththeproofglowingonthedatapadinherhands.

“WHATDIDTHEcommandantsay?”NashaskedThane.

“Justtocometotheoffice.”Thaneresealedhisuniformjacket,makinghimselfreadyforthemeeting.

“Doyouthinkhe’lloffer

youanotherchanceatthelasercannon?”Vedlaybackonhisbunk,hardlyevenpretendingtobeconcernedaboutwhathappenedtoThane’sclassrank.

Atthemoment,ThanecaredabouthisrankevenlessthanVeddid.“Ithinkhe’sgoingtotellmewhatreallyhappened.”

Nashraisedaneyebrow.“YoustillthinkCienadidn’tscrewwithyourengine?

Eventhoughthere’sproof?”“It’snotlikeher,”Thane

saidshortlyashewalkedtowardthedoor.

Hewasn’t100percentsureCienawasinnocent—thedatahadpointedtoher,andThanehadtoadmitdatawithintheacademycomputerswasdifficulttofalsify.However,hefeltatleast95percentsure.NotonlydidThanetrusther,heunderstoodwhatkindof

personshewasandwhereshecamefrom.Sure,plentyofacademycadetswouldcheattogetahead.ButCiena,agirloftheJelucanivalleys—shewoulddiebeforedoinganythingdishonorable.Surelyshewouldneverbetrayanyone,muchlesshim.Theymeanttoomuchtoeachotherforthat.

Still,hefeltthatfivepercentuncertainty,andhe’dneverdoubtedCienabefore,

evenforasecond.WhenThanewalkedinto

CommandantDeenlark’soffice,hewassurprisedtoseeCienastandingthereatfullattention.Atfirsthewasglad—good,wecansmooththisoverandmoveon—andthenherealizedthatsherefusedtomeethiseyes.Wasthatoutofdisciplineorguilt?

“CadetKyrell.CadetRee.Wehaveaconundrumonourhands.”Thecommandant

neverrosefromhischairashestudiedthemstandingsidebyside,rigidandcorrect.“ThefirstlayerofdatasaysthatCadetReeistheonlypossibleculpritforthetamperingdiscoveredtoday.However,thesecondlayerofdatasuggeststhatCadetKyrelltamperedwithhislasercannonhimselfandframedCadetReeforthedeed.”

Thanehadnotknownyou

couldfeeltheblooddrainfromyourface.Itwaslikegoingnumbfromcold.“Sir!Iabsolutelydidnot—Iwouldnever—”

“Sparemeyourprotestations,CadetKyrell.”BythenDeenlarkseemedmoreboredthananythingelse.“Ihaveconsultedwithourspecialists,whoinformmethateitherlayerofdatacouldbethefalsifiedone.Oneofyouattemptedto

sabotagetheother,andcoveredyourtracks—notwellenoughtohidecompletelybutenoughthatwecanneverbecertainwhichofyouisresponsibleandwhichisinnocent.Thereforewehavenootherrecoursebuttopunishyouboth.”

Goodpilotthoughhewas,Thanehadoccasionally“crashed”aflightsimulator.Asthescreenshadshowed

himtheimagesofflamesandaplanetarysurfacerushinguptosmashhimtoatoms,he’dwonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketocrashandburnforreal.

Probablyitwassomethinglikethis.

CommandantDeenlarksmiledthinly.“Youhavebothfailedthelasercannonassignment.Yourcourserankingswillreflectthis.”

Theirrankswerehighenoughthatevenafailureof

thatscalewouldn’ttakethemdownfurtherthanthesecondquartile.Still,itstung.

“Normally,”thecommandantcontinued,“aviolationofthehonorcodewouldcallfordisciplinaryhearingsandpotentialexpulsion.Aswecannotgetanyclosertothetruth,however,thiswouldproveuseless.AlthoughIhavepunishedyouboth,Iamnotwillingtoexpeltwogifted

pilotsbasedonsuchmurkyinformation.Youwillbothcontinueonascadets.Restassured,however—ifanysimilarincidentarisesduringyourtimeattheacademy,foreitherorbothofyou,expulsionwillbeimmediateandpermanent.Doyouunderstand?”

“Yes,sir,”ThaneandCienasaidinunison.Hervoicesoundedashollowashis.

TheywalkedoutofDeenlark’sofficesuiteinsilence.Fromthere—oneofthetopfloorsoftheacademybuilding—theviewthroughthegreen-tintedwindowsshowedwhatseemedtobehalfofCoruscant.Afewbenchesandchairswerelocatedthereforjuniorofficers,students,andvisitors,sothatwhentheysawthecityspreadbeforethem,theywouldrecognize

thecommandant’spower.Noonewasvisitingthisevening,however;ThaneandCienawerealone.

Asiftheyhadrehearsedinadvance,theybothwalkedtothewindowsbeforetheyturnedtoeachother.Whentheireyesmet,sheexhaledinthedeepestrelief.“Youdidn’tdoit.”

“Neitherdidyou.”Heoughttohaveknownthatallalong.Theysmiledateach

other,faithrestored—buttheproblemwasn’tsolved.Thanesaggedbackagainstoneofthemetalcolumnsbetweenthewindows.“Sowhothehelldid?”

Cienascowled.“Somebodywhowantedtopmarksontheproject.ProbablythatsnakeVedFoslo.”

“I’mnotassureaboutthat.Ved’sgoodwithmechanicalstuff;hewould

haveplacedinthetopechelonevenwithoutcheating.Sowhybother?Besides,he’sasticklerforrules,evenwhentheyworkagainsthim.”

“Sowhowouldframeusboth,andtrytomakeushateeachother?”Herfacelookedstricken.“Sabotagingthecannonandthedatawasn’tjustschemingtogetahead.Someonewantedtohurtus.”

Whointheirclasshada

grudgeagainstthemboth?Nobodypersonallyhatedthem—asfarasThaneknew,whichmaybewasn’tfarenough.“Ithastobebecausewe’rebothatthetopoftheclass.”

Cienagroaned.“Youmeanwewere.Thisknocksussofardown—”

“Onlyfornow.”Herealizedhe’dballedhishandsintofists.“Wehavetofigureoutwhoreallydidthis.Once

weturnthatpersonin,we’llgetourrankingsbackandgetthejerkthrownout.”

“NobodywhowoulddosomethinglikethisdeservestobeanImperialofficer,”shesaid,liftingherchin.“You’reright.Wegettothetruth,andthenwemaketheguiltypartypay.”

Thanenodded.Outside,shipsandhoverbikesdartedthroughthemistysunsetofthecity.“Okay,howdowe

begin?”

Judeagreedtohelpthem,thoughastheysatatoneofthesparedatastationslaterthatnight,shewarned,“MyearlieranalysiswronglyimplicatedThane.Thereforemyskillsmustbecalledintoquestion.”

“Don’tsaythat.”Cienaputonehandonherfriend’sshoulder.“Youfoundthe

wrongsolutionbecausesomeonesetyouuptofindit.Nowthatyouknowyouneedtodigdeeper,Ibetyou’llgettheanswerinnotime.Right,Thane?”Sheshothimalookandhenodded,asifhehadn’targuedtheexactsamethingaboutJude’sabilitiesoutsidethecommandant’sofficewhenCienafirstsuggestedtheytrythis.

Butshebelievedinherfriend.Iftheyweregoingto

findthetruth,Judewouldbetheirbestguide.

Judeworkedatherterminalforseveralminuteswhilenoonespoke,orhardlyevenmoved.TheonlysoundintheenormousdataanalysisroomwasthesofttappingofJude’sfingersonthecontrols;theonlylightcamefromthedozensofterminalsvacantatthatlatehour,allofthemglowingfaintlyblue.CienaglancedoveratThaneonceto

findhimalreadylookingather.Oncetheireyesmet,heturnedhishead,abashed.

Forsomereason,thatmadehercheeksgrowhot.

Withdetermination,shefocusedherattentiononfiguringoutwhothemostlikelyculpritscouldbe.Anyonemighthavewantedtoknockthemlowerintherankings.Butattemptingtopitthemagainsteachother—thatwassomeoneaimingto

inflictpain.Weoutsmartedthem,

though.Herheartswelledwithpride,andotheremotionshardertoname,assheglancedsidewaysatThaneagain.Ittakesmorethanthattobreakusapart.

“Hmmm.”Judefrowned,wrinklingherlongfrecklednose.“Thepathstakenbythesaboteurarequitecircuitous.ItracedtheinformationaboutThaneand—it’sasifthey

wantedtomakeitlooklikeahigherofficialhereattheacademywasresponsible.”

Cienahadtoshakeherhead.“Lieafterlieafterlie.WhenIfindoutwhodidthis,I’mgoingtoaskthemwhytheyeverthoughtthey’dbeabletoframeaninstructorandgetawaywithit.”

“Notaninstructor.SomeoneintheOfficeofStudentOutcomes,”Judeclarified.

Sowhat?Aninstructor,anadministrationofficial,whoever—itwasstillastupidmove.ButThanestraightenedinhischair,realizationdawningonhisface.“DoyouguysknowwhattheOfficeofStudentOutcomesdoes?”

Cienahadneverevenheardofit.Judereplied,“Theyoverseestudentperformanceandsuggestmethodsforinstructorstouseinordertoprovidemaximum

improvement.”Thensheadded,withashrug,“ButIhavenoideapreciselyhowtheyaccomplishthat.”

“Apparentlytheydoitbyscrewingwithourminds!”Thanepushedhimselfbackfromthedataterminal,asangryasCienahadeverseenhim.

Someoneneededtoremainrational.“Thane,”shesaid,“thinkaboutwhatyou’resaying.Whywould

anyoneontheacademystaffwanttosetusup?”

“Becausetheydon’twanttwocadetsfromabackwaterworldtobeatallthemilitarybrats.BecauseGeneralFosloorAdmiralJastenorsomeonelikethattoldthemtoknockusdownsotheirkidcouldbenumberone.”Thanegottohisfeet,expressiondark.

EventhoughsheunderstoodwhyThanewouldbeonedge,Cienafelt

annoyed.“Whyareyouturningthisintosomebigconspiracytheory?”

Jude,whohadbeensittingsilentlyatherterminal,chimedin:“Itisaconspiracyofsomesort.Theonlyquestioniswhoshouldbeheldresponsible.”

“Nobodywouldbestupidenoughtosetupanofficialattheacademy,”Thaneranted.“Nobodysmartenoughtosetthisupinthefirstplace,

anyway.SothatmeanstheStudentOutcomespeoplehavetohavedoneit.”

“Youcan’tbeserious.”Coldfearbegantopoolinsideher;Thanewasedgingpastunderstandableangerintodangerousterritory.Youdidnotquestionthemethodsoftheacademy.

“Yeah,I’mserious.Theytookabribeorsomething.Howmanycreditsdoyouthinkitcoststobuyyourkid

thetoprankintheclass?Howevermuchthatis,it’sasmuchastheacademythinkswe’reworth.”

“Yourealizeyou’remakingacriminalallegation,don’tyou?”Cienaretorted.

Heshotback,“What,areyougoingtoreportme?”

Judesatverystillatherterminal,hereyesmovingbackandforthbetweenthemastheyargued.Cienaknewtheyoughttotoneitdownat

leastuntiltheywerealone,butshewastooangrytodothat,andsowasThane.“I’mnotgoingtoreportyou.Butyouneedtorememberwhywe’rehere,andwhoweserve.”

“YouthinkeverythingtheacademyandtheEmpiredoisperfect!”

“Andyouthinkeveryauthorityfigureisevillikeyourfather!”

Thane’seyeswentwide,

andsheknewshe’dwoundedhim.Hesteppedtowardher.“Don’teverbringmyfatheruptomeagain.It’snoneofyourbusiness.Gotthat?”

He’dnevertoldheranythinginhislifewasnoneofherbusiness.Theykneweverythingabouteachother;theykeptnosecrets.NowThanehadputupabarrierwheretherehadneverbeenonebefore,awallofstone,andCienafeltlikeshe’djust

slammedintoitattopspeed.“Yourealizewehaveto

confrontthemaboutthis,”hecontinued,becauseapparentlyhewassoangryhe’dlosthismind.

“Youwantustoaccuseacademyofficialsofdishonesty?”

“Yes!Iwantthemtoadmitwhatthey’vedoneandtakeitback!That’souronlychanceatgettingourranksreinstated—”

“They’renotgoingtoreinstateusaftersomethinglikethat!They’dexpelussofastwewouldn’tevenhavetimetopackourbags.”

“Youwon’teventry?You’dratherliedowninthedirtthanadmityourpreciousteacherscoulddosomethingwrong?”

Cienawantedtoshakehim.“Wewouldonlymakethingsworse,Thane.”

“Soyouwantmetojust

takeit.Justacceptthatmywholefirsttermhereattheacademywasawaste.”

Asifeverythingthey’dlearned,done,andseenwaswastedjustbecauseoftheirstupidcourserankings.Infuriated,sheshotback,“Yes,Ido!Youneedtoletgo,learntodeal,andgrowup.”

Hestaredather,openmouthed,withnothingbutscorninhiseyes,then

said,“Ineverthoughtyouwereacoward.”

Thatstung.“IneverthoughtyouwereunfitforImperialservice.Now,though?Ihavetowonder.”

“Sparemeyouranalysis,okay?We’redonehere.”

Withthatheturnedtowalkout.Cienabothwantedtoberidofhimanddidn’twanttoleavethingslikethis.Soshecalled,“Don’tyouwanttoseewhatelseJude

digsup?”“She’snotgoingtodigup

anythingelse.Wehaveouranswer.You’rejusttoonaivetobelieveit.”Thane’svoicedrippedwithcontempt.Itscouredherraw.Shesaidnothingmoreashestalkedout.

Itfeltasifabombhadgoneoff.Cienasensedthisincidenthadonlybeenthetrigger—thatsomedrasticchangehadbeenwaitingto

happenbetweenthemforalongtime.Butshe’dneverdreameditwouldleadtoaconfrontationsougly.Acrevassehadopenedintheirfriendship,andThanestoodontheotherside.NolongercouldshebelievehelovedtheEmpireasshedid;nolongercouldshetrustinhisunderstandingandsupport.SomehowCienaalreadyknewthingsbetweenthemwouldneverbethesame.

“Well.”Judesoundedawkward.“So.Ididkeeplooking,anditseemslikethetrailendsatStudentOutcomes.Thatdoesn’tmeanthey’reguilty—theofficemayonlyhavebeenaconvenientreroutingfortheoriginalsabotageofthedatarecords.Andofcoursetherestoftherepair-bayinfohasbeenerased.I’mafraidmysearchendshere.”

Cienanodded.Thedata

terminalsbeforeherblurredandshewipedawayhottearswiththeheelofherhand.

Judecontinued,“Weshouldfocusoureffortsonimprovingyourclassrankinfuture,soyoucanmakeupforthisloss—”Suddenly,shestoodup,lessprimthanshe’deverbeenbefore,andhuggedCienatightly.ThenitwasfinallyallrightforCienatocry.

FORTHEACADEMYcadets,thenexttwoandahalfyearsseemedbothtolastforeverandtorushbyinablur.Astheexamsgrewmoredemanding,theflyingmoredifficult,andthedisciplinemoreexacting,thebunks

begantoemptyout.Thelineupstightenedformationagainandagain.Thecorridorsseemedlesscrowdedasmoreandmorestudentsflunkedoutorsimplygaveup.

BothThaneKyrellandCienaReeweretootoughforthat.Theystillbothaimedforthetopslotintheclass,everyterm—whichmeanttheyclashedwitheachothertimeandtimeagain.

InCoreWorldsClassicalCulture:“WhoherecantellmewhichoperathecomposerIgernisbestknownfor?”

Ciena’shandshotup,andwhentheprofessornoddedather,sheanswered,“ChaliceandAltar.”

“Verygood,CadetRee.Andcanyoutellmethethemesforwhichthisoperaisfamed?”

Uh-oh.Shecouldhumseveralmelodiesfrom

ChaliceandAltar,butshedidn’tenjoyoperamusic.Thatmadeitdifficultforhertoconnectmusictoplot.

Afteronlyamoment’spause,theprofessorturnedaway.“Memorizingbyrote,CadetRee?Unfortunate.Doesanyoneelseknow?”

ThesoundofThane’svoicefrombehindherpiercedherlikeaknifebetweentheshoulderblades.Hesaid,“Theoperadealswiththe

moralityofself-sacrificeandtherepressionofdesire.”

“Excellent,CadetKyrell.”ItwaslikeCienacould

feelThane’ssmugsmileburningthroughherback.ShegrittedherteethandresolvedtolistentooperaeverysinglenightuntilthenextCultureexam.KendyandJudecouldjustdealwithit.

InDestroyer-LevelCraftOperations:“Allotherefforts

havefailed,”intonedtheprofessorfromthemockcaptain’schairoftheStarDestroyersimulator.“Ourvesselhasbeenboarded,battlesrageoneverylevel,andwecannotletourenemiestaketheship.Thereforewemustself-destruct.Whichofthethreemethodsofself-destructshouldwechoose?”

Thaneswiveledaroundinhisconsolechair.“Weshould

settheautomaticself-destruct,usingthecodesgiventothethreetopofficers.Theautomaticgivesusthelongesttimetodetonation,whichmeansmoreofourtroopswillbeabletomakeittoescapepods.”

Theprofessorsteepledhishandsinfrontofhim.“Aninterestingchoice.DoesanyoneseeanyproblemswithCadetKyrell’sscenario?”

Cienaliftedherheadfromherviewscreen.“Yes,sir.Iftheshiphasbeensothoroughlyinfiltratedbytheenemy,thereisnoguaranteethatthethreetopofficerswillallbeonthebridge,orevenalive.Also,theextratimetodetonationwillonlygiveourenemiesagreaterchancetoescape,aswell.”

“Verygood,CadetRee.Whatwouldyousuggestinstead?”

“Notthecoreenginemethod,whichwouldrequireustohaveeasyaccesstotheengineroom—again,notguaranteedduringintrashipcombat.Insteadweshouldgoforthecaptain’s-wordmethod.Thecaptainsignalsforalltoabandonship,sealsherselfonthebridgewithaspecificpasswordorphraseknownonlytoher,andremainswithintofireweaponsatenemyvessels

andprovidecoverforescapepods.Shethenpilotstheshipintothenearestplanetaryobject,star,orsingularity.”Cienaliftedherchininthinlyconcealedpride.

“Thatmeansthecaptainmustdiewithhership,”theinstructorsaid.

“Yes,sir,”Cienareplied.“ButallImperialofficersshouldbepreparedtosacrificetheirlivestodotheirduty.”

“Excellent,CadetRee.”Theinstructorsmiledather.Thatoldcreepneversmiledatanybody.“YouransweristheoneIfindidealinatacticalsense—andamoralsense,aswell.”

Thaneclenchedhishandsaroundtheedgesofthecontrolpaneltokeephimselffrommakingagesturerecognizedonmostworldsasextremelyrude.

Moral.Whatwasmoral

aboutblowingyourselfup,whenyoucouldjustaseasilyescapewithyourlifeandcomebacktofightanotherday?Thanefumedoverthattherestoftheafternoon,includinginHand-to-HandCombat,wherehistemperfueledhispunchesuntilhehitVedtoohard.ThatmeanthenotonlygotademeritbutalsohadtopromiseVedallhisdessertcreditsforaweektomakeamends.

ScrewingupinHand-to-Handwashisownfault,andThaneknewit.Buthecouldn’thelpfeelinglikeitwasyetanothermesshe’dgottenintobecauseofCiena.

MaybeshestillboughtintotheideaoftheEmpireastheperfectstate,everysingleplanet’spopulationsingingitspraisesnonstop.Thanehadlearnedbetter.Althoughtheofficialinformationchannelsspokeofbuildingprojects,

successfultradenegotiations,andendlesseconomicprosperity,heknewthatshinewasmostlygloss.TheEmpirebuiltnewbasestosolidifyitscontrol.Its“tradenegotiations”alwaysseemedtoresultintheEmpire’sgettingeverythingitwantedontermsthatcouldn’tpossiblyhavebenefitedtheplanetinquestion.Andasforthemoodofthepopulace,eventheofficialinformation

channelshadbegunspittingvenomaboutasmallgroupofterroristswhoplottedevilandcalledthemselvesrebels.

Thanehadnothingbutcontemptforterrorists,buthealsounderstoodthatsuchdissidentfactionsrarelycameoutofnowhere.TheywereareactiontotheEmpire’sincreasingcontrol—anoverreaction,definitely,butproofthatnoteverybodyacceptedtheEmperor’srule.

Despitehisdisenchantment,ThanehadnoplanstoleaveImperialservice.Howelsewouldhegettoflythegreatestshipsinthegalaxy?Smalleremployerscouldalsobecorrupt,andtheworkwouldbelesscertain.WiththeImperialfleet,Thanewasguaranteeddecentpay,accesstotop-of-the-lineships,andregularpromotions.Bestofall,he’dneverhavetoliveon

Jelucanagain.Soitwaswithoutenvy

thathesawCienaReeassignedtocommandtrack.Hisowntrack—eliteflight—suitedhimfarbetter.HeevenwelcomedthefactthatheandCienasharedfewerclassesaftertheydividedintotracks.Thanefeltrelievedthathedidn’thavetoseehereverydayanylonger.Sometimesevenlookingatherhurt—

No.Itirritatedhim.

Angeredhim.Itdidn’thurt.Orsohetoldhimself.All

Thaneknewwasthatsincetheirriftoverthefakesabotageincidentmorethantwoyearsprior,heandCienahadneverbeenabletopatchthingsupcompletely.Thehumiliationhe’dfeltwhenshebroughtuphisfather—thatshewouldsuggestanythinghedidcamefromhisfather—itstillstungeverytimehesawJudeEdivon.

(Judehadalwaysbeenextranicetohimsincethatday,whichonlymadethingsworse.)Cienahadstoppedconfidinginhim,whichfeltcoldandstrange;hewonderedifshe’dbecomesofanaticalaboutherImperialdutythatshetookhisdistrustoftheacademy’smethodsasapersonalinsult.Howstupidwouldthatbe?Norcouldheforgetthatshe’drefusedtochallengetheirsuperior

officers,leavinghisclassrankseverelydamaged.

Itwasn’tasifhehatedCienaoranything,andhedidn’tthinkshehatedhim,either.Butneitherofthemcheeredfortheotherinracesanylonger,orofferedcongratulationsafteratournamentwin.Theydidn’thangoutduringthescantfreetimeacademyrigorallowed.

Butoccasionally—attheleastconvenientmoments—

theenduringconnectionbetweenthemwouldmakeitselfknown.Asheswouldbecomeembers.

Oneday,onlyafewmonthsbeforegraduation,Thaneheadedbacktotheuniformdispensary,atriphe’dmadeatleastonceeachterm.He’dfinallystoppedgrowing,whichwasarelief,becausehetoppedoutasthethird-tallestmemberoftheirclass,onlyahairbeneath

Nash.Buthisbodywasnowaddingmuscletobone,broadeninghischestandshoulders,whichmeantnewuniformjackets.HewasonlythinkinghowtightanduncomfortablehiscurrentjacketwaswhenheturnedthecornerandsawCienastandingfartherdownthecorridor,stillinherlooseblackshortsandgraytankfromE&Aclass.Insteadofherusualproudbearing,she

leanedagainstthewallandheldonehandtoherface.Evenwithoutglimpsingherexpression,Thaneknewshewasupset.

Inthatinstant,hesuddenlyrememberedsomethinghehadn’tthoughtofinyears—thedayhe’dmetCienasolongbefore.Whentheotherboyshadmockedherasshestoodinthehangarinherplainbrowndress,Thanehadthoughtofheras

anautumnleaf,fallenandfragile.

He’dlearnedCienaReewasanythingbutfragile.Yethethoughtoftheautumnleafnow.

“Hey,”hesaid.Afteramoment’shesitation,hesteppedtowardher.“Areyouallright?”

Cienastartled,straighteningupasshetriedtocomposeherself.Shehadn’tbeenweeping,but

Thanecouldseetheglimmerofunshedtearsinhereyes.“I’mfine,”shesaidhoarsely.“Thanks.”

Youcheckedonher.She’sgood.Dutydone.Getoutofhere.Thanehesitated,onthevergeofturningtogo,butthenhecouldn’t.“Youdon’tlookfine.”

Shemadeastrangesound—halflaugh,halfsob.“It’sstupid.”

“What?”

“…Igotaholofrommyparents.Themuunyakdied.”

“TheoneyouusedtorideuptotheFortresssometimes,whenwewerelittle?”ThanehadnotspokenoftheFortressinyears.

Cienanodded.“Yeah.Him.Hewasprettyold,andIknewwhenIcamehereI’dprobablyneverseehimagain—butstill.”Sherolledhereyes,mockingherownemotions.“Stupidtoget

upset,huh?”“It’snotstupid.That

muunyakwasgreat.”Thanehadriddenhimacoupleoftimes,too.Herememberedbeingachildandsittingonthebeast’sbroadfurryback,hisarmsloopedaroundCiena’swaist,bothofthemlaughinginmingleddelightandterrorasthemuunyaknimblywalkedanarrowridgealongsidethemountain.

Shesmiled.Ithadbeena

longtimesinceThanehadseenhersmileathimandmeanit.“Hewas,wasn’the?”

“Yeah.”Theireyesmet,andfora

moment,itwasasifthepastcoupleofyearshadfallenaway—

ButthenCiena’sexpressiondimmed.Herposturebecamemorerigid,andshesaid,formally,“Thankyouforyourconcern.

Ifyou’llexcuseme,IneedtochangeformyAmphibiousBattleTacticsstudygroup.”

Thaneheldhishandsinfrontofhim,apush-backmotion.“You’reexcused.”

Shealwaysdidthat—wentcoldandshuthimoutagain.Hetoldhimselfhewasusedtoit,thathe’dlongsincestoppedcaring.Still,theentirewaytothedispensary,

Thanecouldn’tstopthinkingoftheFortressthey’dcreatedtogetherandhowheusedtositupthere,waitingforhisonetruefriend.

Healwaysdidthat—actednicejustlongenoughforCienatoforgethowhe’dlashedoutather.She’dstartconfidinginhimthewaysheusedto,thencatchherselfassherememberedhow

thoroughlyThanehadshutherout.

Asshesatinherstudygroup,watchingholosofrealamphibiousinvasionsfromhistory,Cienabroodedonthatodd,fracturedencounterwithThane.Shewishedshehadn’tgonesocold—butitseemedlikeeverytimeshetriedtobeherselfwithhim,heturnedaway.

Whathadshedonethatwassowrong?Hewasthe

onewhohadgonecrazyafterthestupidcannonprojecttwoandahalfyearsbefore,assumingtherewassomemassconspiracyatwork.Hewastheonewhowouldhavedraggedthemintoanadministrativehearingbasedonnoevidence,whichwouldhaveresultedintheirimmediateexpulsion.Andsometimesheseemedsooffendedwhenshebeathimontestsorchallengesthat

Cienafeltlikehecouldn’tbelievethatsomeonesoinferiorhadbestedhim.Didhestillconsiderhernothingbutalittlevalleywaif?

Maybehe’dalwaysseentheirfriendshipasanactofcharity.Allthosepracticeflights,allthosestudysessionswithCZ-1—maybetheyhadn’tsharedthoseexperiencesasfriends;maybeinsteadthey’dbeengiftsfromtherichboytothelittlegirl

heexpectedtoworshiphiminreturn.

Thatwastoomuch,andCienaknewit.SheandThanehadtrulybeenfriendsandonsomelevelstillwere—butitwasalevelshecouldnolongerreach.

Herstudygroupleaderkepttalking.Cienasatthere,hearingbutnotlistening,rememberingthewaysheandThanehadsatintheFortressforhours,sharingtheir

secretsanddreamingaboutthestars.

Afewweeksbeforegraduation,thecommandantannouncedthatahandfuloftopcadetswouldattendareceptionandballattheImperialPalace.ThethoughtofittookCiena’sbreathaway.OfcoursetherewaslittlechancetheEmperorhimselfwouldpresideover

thegathering.YettheImperialPalacewasoneofthegrandestandmostelegantstructuresontheentireplanet;apparentlyithadoncebeenatempleofsomekind.Hundredsofseniormilitaryofficerswouldbethere,nottomentionmanymembersoftheImperialSenate.Anycadetsinvitedtoagatheringsuchasthatwerebeingnotedformorethanmeregoodgrades;itwasasignoffavor,

aninvestmentinthosefutureofficers.Theirintroductionstopowerfulpeopleinthemilitaryandinpoliticscouldchangethecourseoftheircareers.

SowhenCienasawherownnameonthelist,shefeltlikecheeringoutloud.Onlymuchlaterdidsherealizewhoelsewouldbeinattendance.

“ThaneKyrellandVedFoslo,”shesaid,flopping

backonherbunk.“Ofalltheguysinourclass,thosetwohadtobeinvited?”

“Anylogicalanalysisofclassperformancewouldsuggestthemaslikelycandidates.”Judeneverlookedupfromhercomputerconsole,herfingersdancingonthescreenasshefinishedherlatestLongformComputerOperationsproject.“Theirinvitations,likeours,wereallbutinevitable.”

“You’rejustrubbingitin,”Kendysaidfromherbunk,good-naturedly.Thisclosetograduation—withtheirfutureassignmentsallbutguaranteed—asenseofcalmhadsettledovertheacademy.Withtheruthlesscompetitionatanend,peoplecould…notrelax,precisely,butstopworryingaboutthehereandnowandstartlookingavidlytowardthefuture.“Justtellmeyou’re

notgoingtowearyouruniforms.”

Cienahesitated.“I—well—dressuniformsareappropriateforallformaloccasions.”

“However,theyarenotrequiredatnonmilitaryfunctionssuchastheball,”Judesaidbriskly.“Undoubtedlyyouwishtowearadressuniformbecauseyoudonothaveadequatecreditsforappropriate

civilianattire.”Thankgoodnessherskin

tonewasdarkenoughthatnobodycouldseeherblush.Cienatriedtosoundfirm.“Theuniform’sfine.”

JudesighedasshefinallylookedupatCiena.“Yourprideisusuallyastrongmotivator,buttherearetimeswhenitonlygetsintheway.Pleaseallowmetopurchaseyourattirefortheevent.”

“Icouldn’t,”Ciena

protested,hacklesrising.Hervalleyupbringinghadtaughthertobeprouderofherragsthanthesecond-waverswereoftheirsilks—evenwhenshehadthoughtthesilkswerepretty.

Moresoftly,Judesaid,“We’refriends.You’vehelpedmetremendouslyduringourtimehere.MymotherholdspatentsonnumerousdevicesusedinBespin’scloud-mining

technology.Assuch,ourpersonalwealthismorethanadequatetoourneeds.Whyshouldn’tIgetyouadress?”

“Myculturedoesn’t—”Uncharacteristically,Jude

interrupted.“Ihaveaculture,too.Wevaluegenerosityandthegracefulacceptanceofgifts.”

Cienasearchedforthewordstoobject,but—ifitwaspartofJude’sculture.“Well…”

Judelookedhopeful.“Idon’tneedtoowna

dress,but—maybeyoucouldhelpmerentone?”

Soshefoundherselfarrivingatthegrandballintheonlyformaldressshe’deverworn.Surelyvanityfueledthehappinessbubblingwithinher,butshecouldn’thelpit.Thesoftviolet-bluefabricsparkledsubtly,andboththeshortcapeandthelongskirtflowedaroundher

asifinanunseenbreeze.Manyofthewomenin

attendance—andnotafewofthemen—worefinerymuchgrander,suchasthicklyjeweledbraceletsorheadbands,oroutfitsmadeofembroideredsilkandvelvet.YetCienaknewshelookedaselegantasanyoneelsethere.Insteadofresortingtotightbraidsasusual,she’dfreedhercurls,softeningthemslightlywithlightfragrantoil.

KendyhadloanedheriridescentcombsmadeofshellsfromIloh,toholdherhairbackatthetemples,andsimplepearlearrings.Cienalookedrightfortheoccasion,andyetshealsofeltlikeherself—notlikeanimpostor,thewayshewouldhaveinoneofthegrand,wide-skirted,elaboratedressesandrobesshesaw.

“Thereyouare,”Judesaid.Cienaturnedtogreether

—thenstared.SinceJudehadn’tsaida

wordaboutherowndress,Cienahadassumedherfriend’spracticalitywouldgovernherchoiceofgown:somethinggrayorivory,perhaps,simplytailored,appropriateforalloccasions.Instead,Judestoodthereintight-fittingorangefabric—atleast,apartfromafewstrategiccutoutsthatshowedherflatbellyandwillowy

back.Hermilitary-shorthairhadbeengelledintospikes,andhergoldearringsdangledallthewaydownherlongnecktobrushhershouldersinawaythatwas,frankly,sexy.

AsCienagaped,Judefrownedinwhatlookedlikegenuineconfusion.“Whatisit?”

“I—youlookgreat.”Judebeamed.“Asdoyou,

Ciena.”Theyflowedwiththe

elegantcrowdintoaninteriorhall,surelyoneofthegrandestpublicspaceswithintheentireImperialPalace.Thevastcorridorstretchedseeminglyintoinfinity,withmassivecolumnsliningeitherside.Brilliantredbannershungfromtheceiling,theirhemsweightedsotheywouldremainmotionless,neverflutteringinanyslightbreeze.Shiny,well-polisheddroidsrolledalongwithtraysof

drinksandhorsd’oeuvres;theyswervedeasilythroughthethrong.Theairitselfhadbeenperfumed,thoughtheheavyscentmadeCienacoughalittleatfirst.Brilliantcrystallinesculpturesstoodonpedestals,shiftingshapefluidlyfromabstractformsintoperfectImperialsymbols.Lightshadbeentrainedonthesculpturessotheywouldsparklebrightestattheexactmomentofthe

transformation.“Thisisastonishing,”

Judesaid.“Thinkofthetroublethismusthavetaken.”

“Andthemoney,”Cienareplied.WhathadbeenspentonthiseveningaloneprobablycouldhaverebuiltanorerefineryonJelucan.…

Butthereshewentthinkinglikeaprovincialagain.Eachworldhadtorebuilditself.Yes,theEmpirewastheretohelpandto

govern,butintheend,Jelucanandworldslikeitneededtobecomestrongontheirown.

CienameanttosayasmuchtoJude,butthatwaswhenshecaughtsightofVedandThane.

VedhadtakenadvantageoftheoccasiontowearCoruscantfashion—alongcape,silkyshirtwidecutatthechest,andsoon.YetCienathoughtitwas

impossibleforanyonetolookatVedwhileThanestoodnearby.Heworehisdressuniform,likeatleastanothertwohundredmeninattendance,yettherestseemedto…fade,nexttohim.Andeventhoughshe’dspentthepasttwoyearswatchingThanegrowolderandtaller,onlythendidsheseehimasaman.

Herreactionconfusedher,butnotnearlyasmuchas

themomentwhenThanerecognizedherandsherealizedthesightofherhadhithimwithequalpower.Thewayhiseyesseemedtodrinkherin—

“Look,”Judewhispered,pullingCienaasideatwhatwaseitherthebestorworstpossibletime.“It’sthejuniorsenatorfromAlderaan—LeiaOrgana,theprincess!”

Cienastoodontiptoe,eagertoseesomeoneso

famous.Shegotasingleglimpseoftheprincess,whowaswearingaslimwhitegown,herlonghairintricatelybraided.ThenthecrowdsclosedaroundSenatorOrganaagain,hidingherfromtheirsight.

“Canyoubelieveit?”Judesaidastheyjoinedtheprocessionintotheballroom.

“Itmakessensethatshe’dbehere.”YetCienafounditintimidatingthatagirlalmost

exactlyheragecouldalreadyholdaplaceintheImperialSenate,couldbesopoised,sophisticated,important.

“Imeantit’ssurprisingthatshecametoanyofficialfunction,givenherspeechintheSenateyesterday.”

Cienarememberedthen:PrincessLeiahadannounced,onherfather’sbehalf,impending“mercymissions”toplanetstheOrganasclaimedtobenegatively

affectedbyImperialpolicies.“Thatwasridiculous,”shemuttered.“Puregrandstanding.Missionslikethatcan’tbenecessary;theEmpirewouldhelpthepeopleonitsown.That’swhattheEmpireisfor!”

Judenoddedinagreementbutsaid,“Weshouldbegenerous.EveniftheOrganasaremisguided,they’reprobablyactingoutofaspiritofkindness.”

Maybeso,butCienacouldn’tresistshakingherheadatthearroganceofanyonewhothoughtsheknewbetterthanthewholeEmpire.

DancingwithpartnerswasoneofthosehabitsCienahadthoughtofassecond-waverdecadencebeforeshecametoCoruscant.Oh,theydancedinthevalleys,butdanceswerefortheentiregroupaspartofcertainkey

rituals.YetCoreWorldsCulturehadtaughthertothinkofthepracticeascivilized—evenbetweencouples,fornopurposeotherthanpleasure.Shewasgratefulforthatnow,evenmoregratefulthattheclasshadalsotaughtherthestepsofthemostcommonlyperformedformaldances.Theglitteringassemblyinthathuge,ornatelytiledandmirroredhalldidnot

intimidateher;shewalkedconfidentlyacrossthefloortoherpositionandawaitedwhicheverpartnerthecomputerswouldassigntoherfirst.

Ofcourse,itwouldhavetobeThane.

Hestoodinfrontofher,amidtheshiftingandsettlingcouplesallaround,notquitemeetinghereyes.“Iguesstheywantedthecadetstobegintogether,”hesaid

shortly.“Guessso.”Cienaturned

herhead,tryingtolookanywhereelse—butwhatsheglimpsedmadehersmile.“Believeitornot,we’retheluckyones.”

Nexttothem,VedscowledupatJude,whostoodmorethanaheadtallerthanhim.Judeattemptedtolookdignified,butCienaknewherwellenoughtotellthatshewasstiflingalaugh.

Thanemusthaveseenwhatshe’dseen,becausesheheardhimlaughslightly.“Youhaveapoint.”

Thentheorchestraplayedtheopeningmeasures—acalenada,Cienathought,recognizingthedance.Sheknewthecorrectpositiontobeginandevenheldherhandsup,butthatdidn’tprepareherforthemomentwhenThane’sbroadhandcurvedaroundherwaist.

Theireyesmet,andthedancebegan.

Thethousandpeopleinthehallallknewthecorrectsteps;theymovedinunison,brilliantspinningcolors,everchangingbutalwaysinsetpatterns,likethebitsofglassinakaleidoscope.Nobodysetonetoeoutofplace.Cienaimaginedthemasjewelsgleamingintheirsettings,claspedtightlyinmetalthatwasallbutinvisiblebehind

theshine.Thanesaid,“Ithought

youconsidereddancing—whatwasit—licentious?Risqué?Apreludetosin?”

Shehadonce,beforeCoreWorldsCulturehadtaughthertobelesssmall-minded.NowitonlyannoyedCienathathewouldremindherofherprovincialways.“Inyourdreams.”

Thatmadehimlaugh—butfromcontemptor

surprise?“Youseemsureofyourself.”

“Iam.”Ithadbeenbanter,not

quiteanargument.Butsomethingshiftedinthatmoment.Cienahadnotrealizeduntilshespokethatshewasineffectdeclaringherownbeautyandattractiveness.ThatgaveThaneanopeningtobenotmerelyirritatingbutcruel.

Insteadhesaid,quietly,

“Youshouldbe.”Theireyesmetagain,and

Cienabecamenewly,vividlyawareofthewarmthofThane’shandclaspinghers,thefeelofhisfingersbracedagainstherback.Theyhadn’tbeenthisclosetoeachotherinaverylongtime.Everymoveinthecalenadarequiredhimtolead,hertofollow,whichaddedanotherlayertotheintimacyofthemoment.Thegaudyswirlofthe

dancersaroundthemfadeduntilitfeltasifthetwoofthemwerealone.

Cienapartedherlipstospeak,thoughshestilldidn’tknowwhattosay—butthen,withaflourish,thesongended.SheandThanestoppedonthebeat,buttheyremainedstandingthere,handsclasped,forafewmomentsaftereveryoneelsehadbeguntoapplaud.Thenitwastimetoswitchpartners,

andThanesteppedawaywithoutanotherword.

Forthenexthour,Cienacontinuedtoplayherroleinthedance,tolaughandsmilealongwiththerestofthecrowd,butshecouldn’thaverepeatedanythinganyonesaidtoher.Shecouldn’thavesaidwhichdancessheperformed,towhichsongs,orwhoherpartnerswere.Herthoughtsracedasshewentoverandovertheriftbetween

herandThane,tryingtosomehowmakesenseofit.

Finally,duringabreakinthedancing,Cienahurriedtowardaserverdroid.Shereachedpastthemanyglassesofwinetograbatumblerofcoolwater.Asshegulpeditdown,sheheard,“Thereyouare.”

Cienadidn’tturntofaceThane.Shecouldtellhestoodveryclose.“HereIam.”

“Listen,weshould’vetalkedaboutthisalongtimeago,andmaybethisisn’tthetimeorplace—”

Shewheeledaroundthen.“Areyougoingtoapologize?”

“Apologize?”Thane’seyescouldburngas-flameblue.“Forwhat?Standingupformyself?”

“Forshuttingmeout!”“You’retheonewho—”Thensomeonestumbled

betweenthem:VedFoslo,alreadysloppydrunk.Helaughedoutloud.“Youguysaresostupid.”

“Excuseme?”Cienawrinkledhernoseasshesteppedback.VedstankofCorellianbrandy,whichwasn’tevenbeingservedatthisparty;hemusthavehiddenaflaskwithinthepocketofhiscape.

“Stupid.You.Thane.Bothofyou.Sostupid.”Ved

shookhisfingeratthem,asiftheywerewaywardchildren.“Youkeeparguingaboutthatlasercannonthing.Whocaresaboutthelasercannonthing?Andyoubothgotitupsidedownanyway.”

Atfirstthewordsdidn’tmakesense.ThenrealizationfloodedoverCienainanalmostdizzyingrushofshockandanger.“Itwasyou?”

ThatonlywidenedVed’sgrin.“No!Me?Whywouldit

beme?Youstilldon’tgetit,doyou?Bumpkinsfromarockontheedgeofthegalaxy—ofcourseyoudon’tknowhowtheacademyandtheImperialfleetreallywork—”

ThaneputonebroadhandagainstVed’schest.Althoughitcouldlooklikeasobermanhelpinghisdrunkfriendtoremainupright,Cienasensedtheveiledthreat.JudgingbythewayVed’ssmilefaded,

hegotit,too.Inalowvoice,Thanesaid,“Whydon’tyouexplainittous?”

Vedtookacoupleofstepsback,outofThane’sreach,beforehereplied.“WeattendtheacademytobecomecitizensoftheEmpire.Theinstructorsdon’tlikeitwhencadetsfromthesamehomeworldstayclosetoeachother—itstrengthensyourtiestoyourownworld.Itweakensyourcommitment

totheEmpire.”“No,itdoesn’t!”Ciena

protested,buthewasn’tgoingtolisten.

“Theysetyouup.”Vedlaughedagain.“Theysetyouupsoyou’dhateeachother,andyouswallowedthebait.”

Thane’seyesnarrowed.“Whenwebothweremarkeddownonthatassignment—youmoveduptonumberone.Atleast,untilJudeEdivonovertookyoutwoweeks

later.”“YoustillthinkIdidit?

Noway.Ican’thacklikethat.EvenJudecan’t.Onlytheinstructorshavethatkindofpower.AndifIweregoingtoframesomebodyforanything,thelastpeopleI’dgoafterwouldbetheOfficeofStudentOutcomes.Myfathertoldmeallaboutthem.”Ved’ssmilewasbothsloppyandsmug.“Thefactthattheywereabletoboost

therankofageneral’sson?I’msurethatwasanextraincentive.Buttheydiditmostlytomakesurethetwoofyouwouldstopclingingtoeachother.AndyouJelucaniidiotsreactedexactlythewaytheythoughtyouwould—exceptyoumadeitworse.Theyprobablyonlymeantforyoutwotobickeraboutit.Notgetall—”Ved’shandmadeawavymotionintheair.“Youdidn’tjustget

angry.Youpracticallystartedhatingeachother.SoIguessthatmakesyoutwotheperfectacademycadets.Again.”

Heseemedtoloseinterestthen,lurchingofftowardtheserverdroidtograbhisnextdrink.CienafeltasifalltheshameVedshouldhavefeltsayingsuchthingshadsettledonherinstead.

Butshedeservedtofeelashamed.Shehadlashedout

atThaneforthinkingtheacademywasresponsible—andhe’dbeenrightallalong.Theacademy’smotiveshaddiffered,but,still,he’dunderstoodthebasics.Andshehadletthatdriveherawayfromthelastpersonsheevershould’veletgo.

Thanedidn’tknowwheretobegin.“Ciena—”

Sheshookherhead,

thoughhedidn’tknowwhatshewassayingnoto:Ved’sstory,theacademy’sguilt,Thanebeingthefirsttospeak,anything.Heputonehandonhershoulder,butshewincedasifhistouchhurt.Whatcouldhesayordo?

Sothenofcoursethedamnedorchestrastartedtuningupagain,andCienaswiftlywalkedawaytohernextplaceinthedance.Sheneveroncelookedbackat

Thane.Hehadlittlechoicebutto

joinin,butthroughouttherestoftheball,Thanecouldthinkofnothingelse.Sometimeshewantedtogobacktotheacademy,gothrougheverysinglecorridoroneverysingleflooruntilhefoundthatOfficeofStudentOutcomes,thenlookwhoeverworkedthereintheeyesandpunchthemintheirfaces,hard.Othertimeshefeltmore

likelocatingatimemachinesohecouldgobackandtellhisyoungerselfnottobesuchatotalidiot.Heevenconsideredwhatsuchaployontheacademy’spartsaidabouttheEmpireandthewayittreateditsofficers.

Morethananything,though,hewantedtotalkwithCienaalone.

Whentheballfinallyended,Thanepushedthroughthecrowds,lookingfor

Ciena’sdarkcloudofhairortheuniqueblue-violetshadeofherdress.Itwashardtoseethroughallthefawningdiplomats,laughingcourtiers,andblack-garbedmilitaryofficers—andwhywasitsostrangetorememberthathewasoneofthem?

HesawJudefirst.Shewasaheadtallerthanmostpeopleintheroom,andhervibrantorangegownstoodout.AsThanewalkedcloser,

hecouldhearJudesaying,“Aswehavenocurfewtonightorassigneddutytomorrow,thisisanidealoccasiontoexplorethefamousnightlifeinthisareaofCoruscant.I’vealwaysbeenquiteinterestedintheclubshere,especiallytheCrescentStar.…”

OnlyJudeEdivoncouldmakeanightofpartyingsoundlikeascienceexperiment.Thanehadto

smileatthethought—butthenhesawCienaandeverythingelseinhismindfaded.“Actually,Jude,”hesaid,seizinghischance,“IwashopingCienaandImight,ah,spendsometimecatchingup.”

Judelookedbackandforthbetweenthetwoofthem,oneeyebrowraised.

Cienatookadeepbreath.“ThaneandIshouldtalk.Ifyoudon’tmind,Jude.”

“Notatall.I’llbewiththeothers.”Judegesturedtowardagroupofyoungerofficers,severalguysandafewgirls,whoseemedtobewaitingonher.

AfterJudewasoutofearshot,Thanesaid,“Whichoneofthemissheleavingwith?”

“Possiblyallofthem.”Cienaturnedtofacehim,herhandsclaspedinfrontofherinagestureThanerecognized

fromthevalleys;hewasn’tsureofitssignificance,butheknewitwasformal,andimportant.“Thane,Ididn’tbelievetheacademytoberesponsibleandarguedwithyouaboutitandineffectchallengedyourhonor.Suchatransgression—”

“No.Youdon’tgettodothat.Thisisn’tonyou,Ciena,atleastnotanymorethanit’sonme.Iguesswewerebothidiotstogether.Butthereal

blamebelongstowhatevermonsteratStudentOutcomesdidthistous.”

Sheblinked,asifinshock.“Theydidn’tintendforittogetthisbadbetweenus.Wedidthattoourselves.”

Gallingasitwastoadmit,Cienawasright.

“Besides,thinkaboutit,Thane,”shecontinued.“GeneralFosloprobablybribedsomeonetodoitandVed’slyingtocoverforhis

father.”That…seemedpossible,

thoughThanewasn’tconvinced.Atthemomentitwasirrelevant.“Eitherway,youwererightaboutconfrontingtheacademyinstructors.”Itstungtoconfesshowwronghe’dbeen,butthisknowledgehadcreptuponThaneoverthepastfewyears,anditwaspasttimeforhimtoadmititbothtoCienaandtohimself.

“Wewould’vebeenexpelledforsure.Ishouldn’thavelashedoutatyouaboutit.”

“Ishouldhaveunderstoodyouwereupset.”

Cienawassodeterminedtoapologize.Thanedidn’twanttohearit.“Mypointis,neitherofusdidanythingwrong.I’msotiredofbeingangrywithyou.Can’twefinallyletitgo?”

Shestoodup,straightandformalagain.“I’mwillingto

restoreourfriendship.”Thatstatementsounded

likeitshouldbefollowedbysomeelaboratevalleyritualofreconciliation,butThaneneitherknewnorcaredwhatthatmightbe.“Can’twejust—talk?Comeon,Ciena.Idon’tcarewhoshould’veknownbetterorwhytheacademydiditoranyofthat.Ijustwantmyfriendback.Therestdoesn’tmatter.”

Itwasn’taseasyforher

toletitgo,heknew,buthealsosawtheshadowofhersmilewhenhetalkedabouthavingherback.“Wheredowestart?”

“Westartwithtonight.”Goingouttonightclubs

wouldmeanshoutingoverdancemusic,nottomentionshakingoffthecountlessguyswhoseemedlikelytoapproachCienawhileshewasinthatdress.Returningtotheacademywasnowayto

spendafreenight.NeitherThanenorCienahadanyotherideasaboutwhatwasavailableinthearea,andratherthansearch,theywoundupsittingontheterracenearesttheballroom,onalowstonebenchbythefountain,talkingforhoursasthecleaningdroidswhirredandbuzzedaroundthem.

Theydidinfactstartbytalkingabouttheballitself,whoandwhatthey’dseen.

Thanegottobrag,“IevendancedwiththeprincessfromAlderaan.Nashisgoingtochokewhenhehearsthat.He’shadacrushonhersincehewasnine.”

“PrincessLeia?Whatwasshelike?”

“Evenshorterthanyou,”Thanereplied,whichgothimanot-very-hardkicktotheshin.Hemimedpainevenashecontinued,moreseriously:“Idon’tknow.Itwasonlya

dance,andshewasn’tevenpayingthatmuchattention.Shewasn’tbeingrude;itwasmorelikeshewasdistracted.Iguesssomeonelikehermusthavealotonhermind.”

Cienaopenedupmorewhentheytalkedabouttheirfutureassignments.“Commandtrackisanhonor.SometimesIthinkabouthavingashipofmyownsomeday,andIjust—”Sheshivered,andnotonlyfor

show;Thanenoticedthegoosepimplesonherarms.“ButthatmeansI’mnotgoingtospendmuchtimeinsingle-pilotfighters,notafterthefirstfewyears,anyway.”

“Whichiscriminal,”Thanesaid.Nearby,agoldenserverdroiduseditsfivearmstovacuumthebrokenshardsofadroppedglass.“You’reaphenomenalpilot,Ciena.Youshouldalwaysbeinthesky.”

He’dforgottenhowsly

hersmilecouldbe.“Iwillbe.Onlyinabiggership.”

Bythetimeitwasnearlydawn,theywereconfidingineachothercompletelyagain.Cienashowedhimhowshekept,inasmallpouch,theleatherbraceletthatstillboundhertohersister.“Ialwayswondered,”hesaidquietly,lookingatthesoftwornbraid.“Itwasn’tregulation,andyou’dneverbreakregulation—butIknew

you’dnevergetridofit,either.”

“No.”Ciena’sfingersclosedsoftlyaroundthesmallpouch;itsrough-wovenfabricmadeThanebelieveshemighthavefashioneditfromascrapofclothtakenfromhome.“Never.”

Bythentheskyhadbeguntoturnpink.Therushofskytraffichadneverceasedthroughoutthenight,buttheshipscamethicker

andfaster.Ciena’sbarefeetrestedonthestonebench;hersparklyshoeslayemptyontheterracetiles.Theserverdroidshadgiventhemfinalglassesofwinebeforesettlingintotheirnightrechargingstations,andasThanedrankthelastswallowofhis,hewatchedCienayawn.Aslateasitwas—asexhaustedastheybothwere—shestilllookedbeautiful.

Hewasn’tgoingtoacton

thatnow.Maybehewasn’tgoingtoactonitever,giventhattheymightbeassignedtooppositesidesofthegalaxywithinacoupleofmonths.Besides,theirreunionwastoonewtoaskforanythingmore.Later,Thanedecided.Laterhe’dthinkaboutCienaandtheirfutures.Thatnightwasenoughonitsown.

“Weshouldgotothetransport,”hesaid,gettingtohisfeet.“Comeon.”

OnceCienahadsteppedbackintohershoes,Thaneofferedherhisarm.Shetookitassherosetoherfeet.Wearyastheywere,heexpectednothingbutsmalltalkabouthowmuchsleeptheywould,orwouldn’t,beabletoget.Instead,Cienasaid,verysoftly,“I’msogladtohaveyouback.”

Later,heremindedhimself,moreforcefully.“Metoo.”

“TODAYMARKSNOTanendingbutabeginning.Everythingyouhavedoneduringyourthreeyearsattheacademy—andinsomeways,everythingyouhavedonethroughoutyourlifeuntilthismoment—wasallforone

singlepurpose:preparingyoutobecomethebestImperialofficersyoucanbe.YouhavealwaysbeencitizensoftheEmpire,buttodayyoubecomeapartoftheEmpireinwaysnocivilianscaneverfullyunderstand.TheuniformsyounowwearserveasasymboloftheEmpire’spower,andyourservicemakesthatpowerevergreater.”

Ciena’sheartsangwith

prideasshestoodthereamidtheranksofcadets—no,newofficers.Sheworeacommand-tracklieutenant’suniformingrayandblack,newinsigniagleaminginbrightsquaresjustbelowhercollarbone.Hernewassignmenthadbeengiventoherthatmorning,onlymomentsbeforetheceremonybegan.ThesunshonebrightinthepaleCoruscantsky,enormousred

bannerswavedgentlyinthebreeze,andshefeltasifthefuturehadbeenlaidoutbeforeherlikeavelvetcarpet,softandplush,definingherpath.

Severalrowsback,theeliteflightgraduatesworeblackTIEfighterpilotgear.Thanefoundthatkindofridiculous.Thearmorwasheavyandhot,too;itwasdesignedtobewornintheupperatmosphereorouter

space,notonthesurfaceonasunnyday.Andthesamehelmetthatfeltsonecessary—andsobadass—whilehewasflying?Ontheground,itlookedridiculous.Still,hisirritationwiththearmordidn’tcomeclosetohisannoyancewiththespeaker’saddress.HetalksliketheEmpirejustswalloweduswhole.Plus,hekeepstalking.CouldhepleaseshutupsoIcangochangeintosomething

else?Thebestpartofthe

ceremony,inhisopinion,wastheend,whenhewasabletofindCienainthecrowd.Oncehe’dpulledoffhishelmet,shethrewherarmsaroundhiminahug;Thanecouldhardlyfeelit,thankstothechestplate,buthegrinnedanyway.“Sowhereareyouposted?”

“AStarDestroyer.TheDevastator.”

“Whoa.That’soneofthetopshipsinthefleet.”Thanewaspleasedforherbutnotsurprised.He’dneverdoubtedthatshe’dgofar.

Ciena’seyesshonewithdelight—andhope.“Andyou?What’syourposting?”

“I’massignedtothedefensefleetforaspacestation.”

“Whichone?”“That’stheweirdpart—I

don’tknow.Apparently,this

stationisbrand-newandstill‘classified.’”

“Exciting,”shesaid.“AndIbetthere’sagoodchancetheDevastatorwillvisitthisnewstation.”

“Yeah.Soundslikeit.”Thanecouldn’thelphoping.Ifthey’deachbeenassignedtooppositesidesoftheOuterRim,hewould’vehadtoacceptthathispathmightnotevercrosshers,atleastinthelineofduty.Butshe’dbeon

oneofthemostimportantshipsinthefleet—andhe’dalreadygatheredthatthisnewstationwastop-of-the-line,thekindofplaceimportantshipswouldbedocked—whichmeanthemightseeheragainbeforelong.Andwhentheyweretogetheragain,notasplaymatesorcadetsbutasfellowofficersandadults—thenwhat?

Thanewasn’tsure,buthethoughthe’dliketofindout.

“Keepmeposted,allright?”“You’dbettersend

messagesandholos.Allthetime.”Cienatriedtomakeitsoundasifshewereteasing,buthecouldheartherealhopeinhervoice.“AndmaybeI’llevengettoseeyoubackhome.”

“Definitely.”Then,quickly,hebentandkissedheronthecheek.Ciena’sfulllipspartedslightlyinsurprise—andpleasure.Thane

realizedheshould’vedonethatalongtimebefore.Hewantedtosaysomethingtoher,buttherightwordswouldn’tcome.Sohestucktothebasics:“Congratulations,LieutenantRee.”

“Congratulationstoyou,too,LieutenantKyrell.”Shehelduponehandassheturnedtogobutgavehimalingeringlookoverhershoulderbeforeshewalked

intothecrowd.Thanewatchedhergo.

Evenamidathrongofhundredsofstudentswearingvariationsonthesameuniform,Cienaremainedseparateandunmistakabletohim.Onlywhenshe’dpassedoutofsightdidheturnaway.

Backhome,hethought.AlthoughhehopedtoseeCienabeforetheirnextfurlough,helikedtheideaofbeingwithherbackon

Jelucan.He’dplannedtoputoffanypostgraduatevisittohisfamilyaslongaspossibleandhopefullyforever;now,however,hefoundhimselfwillingtoreturnatleastonce.ItwouldbedifferentifheandCienatookthejourneytogether.MaybetheycouldevenseetheFortress.Dustwouldhaveblownintotheircavehideaway,butitwouldn’ttakemuchefforttomakeitniceagain.Orthey

couldtraveldowntoValentiatogether,asthey’dalwayspromisedtodobutneverhad.…

ThreeweeksintoherserviceaboardtheDevastator,CienafinallystoppedfeelinglikeacadetimpostorandstartedfeelinglikeatrueImperialofficer.Thechangecamethefirstdayshewasfinallythrownintoactionagainstthe

rebels.They’refiringback?She

couldhardlybelieveit.AtinyblockaderunnertryingtotakeonaStarDestroyer.Itwasbeyondimpossible—itwasinsane.

Thenagain,weren’talltherebelsinsane?

“Closein,”thebridgecommandersaid.“Theirpowerreservesmustbenearlydepletedbynow.Let’spullthemintothedocking

bayandendthis.”Cienaactivatedthetractor

beam,thenlookedupfromthegleamingblackconsoletowitnessthesceneforherself.Thesmallwhiteformoftheshipaheadwashardlymorethanaspeckinthestarscape,dwarfedbythedesertplanetbeneath.Viewscreensprovidedfarmoredetail,buttherewassomethingfulfillingaboutwatchingtherebelship’sdefeatwithherown

eyes.Onceshewould’vetaken

thatdefeatforgranted.Therebelswerearagtagbunchofmalcontentsreducedtoterroristactsbecausetheylackedeitherpopularsupportormilitarymight—orsotheyhadallbelieveduntilrecently,whentherebelshadstruckatthemfromahiddenbase.TotheundyingshameofwhatevercomplacentImperialofficialswere

responsible,therebelshadactuallywontheengagement.NotonlydidtheEmpirehavetobearthatincomprehensibledefeat,butitalsohadlostvitalintelligenceinformation.Althoughthespecificswerenotwidelydiscussed,Cienahadgatheredthattheintelhadtodowiththeplansforanew,secretImperialspacestation.

ThathadtobethebaseThanewasassignedto.If

theserebelshadgottenaway,wouldtheyhaveattackedthatstation,puttingThane’slifeatrisk?

Ciena’seyesnarrowedasshestaredattherebelshipandthought,Youactuallybelievedyoucouldattackusandgetawaywithit.Youknowbetternow,don’tyou?

Theblockaderunnercontinuedtobroadcastitsprotestsaboutbeingona“diplomaticmission,”but

Cienaignoredthat,asdideveryoneelseonthebridge.Withsatisfactionshesawtheshipdisappearfromthewindows,becomingonlyagreenbliponherreadouts.

Anofficernearbysaid,“LordVaderhasgiventheordertoboardtheTantiveIV,sir.”

Thecaptainnodded.“Excellent.They’lltaketheprincessintocustodyinnotime.Standdownonmain

lasercannons.”Cienanodded,swiftly

inputtingthecommander’sorders.ShehadtodisguisehershockatthethoughtofPrincessLeiaofAlderaanasarebel,aterroristandatraitor.ButherfatherhadlongbeenatroublemakerintheImperialSenate,mistakinghisplanet’simportanceforhisown.Toobadhisdaughterhadinheritedhisarrogance.

Today,they’dshownherandeveryotherrebelthattheycouldn’tgoupagainsttheEmpirewithoutpayingtheprice.

OneoftheTantiveIVescapepodslaunched;readoutsshowedfourlife-formsattemptingtoescapetothedesertplanetbelow.Thepodwasshotdowneasily.

Whatcouldtheyhavebeenthinking?Cienawonderedasshequickly

routedthereportsfromtheboardingparties.HowcouldtheyeverexpecttogetawayfromaStarDestroyerwhentheywerealreadytrappedinsidethedockingbay?

Iguesstheyweretooscaredtothinkstraight.Theydeserveeverythingthat’scomingtothem,butIcan’tblamethemforbeingscared.…

Anotherescapepodlaunched,rousingherfrom

herthoughts.TheofficernexttoCienamuttered,“Theregoesanotherone.”

Thecaptainseemedbored.“Holdyourfire.There’snolife-forms.Theymust’veshort-circuited.”Withinmoments,theescapepodwasinvisibleagainsttheyellowsandsoftheplanetbelow.

Shortlyafterward,Cienamanuallydeliveredcopiesoftheauxiliarybridge’shard

datafilestotheISBinternalaffairsofficeronboard;theImperialSecurityBureaulikedtomonitorallinteractionswithsuspectedrebeltargetstoensurenoonebetrayedanylackofloyaltytotheEmpirethroughwordordeed.Onherway,sheranintoNashWindrideratthedoorwaytothemainbridgelift.HewasoneofthefewalumniofherclassassignedtotheDevastator—andwhile

theyhadn’tbeenclosethere,duetothatstupidriftbetweenherandThane,theykneweachotherwellenoughtocountasfriendsnow.Nashstillworehishairlong,thoughtightlybraidedinthebackperregulations.“Don’ttellme,”hestage-whisperedtoherastheliftdoorsslidopenandtheywalkedinside.“You’rerunninganerrandtomakesureyoudon’tgetsenttothatbroilinglumpofsand

downthere.”“Tatooine,”she

pretendedtocorrecthim.Theliftbeganitsswiftascent,theglasspanelsinitsdoorsshowingthemlayerafterflickeringlayerofthevastStarDestroyer.“Itakeitthat’swhereyou’reheaded?”

“No,andthankgoodness.Goingdownthereinstormtrooperarmor’sasgoodasbeingbakedalive.”

Theliftwouldreachthe

mainbridgewithinafewmoments,soCienatookthatchancetosaysomethingthatneededtobesaidtoNashinprivate.Gently,shebegan,“Iwantedtosay,I’msorryaboutyourprincess.Youmustfeelso…betrayed.”

Nash’sgrinfaded.Hedrewhimselfuptohisfulllankyheightandclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.“PrincessLeiacanonlyhavebeenmisledbyhercourtiers.

Ifeelsurethatathoroughinvestigationwillclearherofanyrealwrongdoing.”

“Ofcourse.Ishouldhavethoughtofthat.”Cienadidn’tknowifshebelievedsuchaneasyexplanationwasplausible,butNashknewmoreabouttheprincessthanshedid.Maybehewasright.

Theliftdoorsslidopen,andNashsteppedout.“Untillater,”hesaid,turningawayfromhertoreturntohisduty

station.Cienawishedshehadn’tsaidanythingabouttheprincess.Itwasn’tNash’sfaultifoneofhisplanet’ssenatorshadturnedouttobeatraitor.Shehopedtheinternalaffairsofficerwouldfeelthesameway.

Cienahadonlybeentothemainbridgeoncebefore,onabrieforientationtouroftheshipthedayshe’darrived.Sothesightstillawedher:theimpossiblylongcorridor,

theenormousviewscreen,thecountlessmonitorsallwhirringandblinkingonthelowerlevelasseniorstaffersworkedfuriouslyinthedatapits.ItwastheheartoftheDevastator,thesoulofthemachine.

Quickly,sheturnedherattentiontoCaptainRonnadam,whowassittingathisstationintheuniquewhite-jacketeduniformoftheISB.“Sir.Thedatapackets,

asrequested.”Ronnadamtookthe

packetswithoutevenglancingbackather;hisfocuswasonlyforwhateverlonglinesoftextwerescrollingdownhismonitor.Cienacouldnotleavethemainbridgewithoutbeingdismissed,soshestoodatattention,waiting.

“You’rebeinglaxinyourprotocols,Ronnadam,”saidadry,crispvoicebehindher.

“Fortunately,theyounglieutenantherefollowsprocedure—andhasbettermanners.”

CienalitupassheturnedandrecognizedGrandMoffTarkinhimself—intheformofahologram,flickeringingray-greenlight.HelookedatCienawithsomeinterest.“Youseemtoknowme,Lieutenant.ButIdoubtwe’veservedtogetherbefore.Whoareyou?”

“LieutenantCienaRee,L-P-eight-eight-eight,graduateofthemostrecentclassoftheRoyalAcademyandnativeofJelucan,sir.”WaituntilItellThaneIsawTarkinagain!

TheGrandMoffnoddedpolitely.“Jelucan.OntheOuterRim,yes?IwasthereforitsannexationintotheEmpire.”

Aresponsewasnotrequired—butitwasn’tforbidden,either,andCiena

couldn’tresist.“Youwere,sir.Imetyouthatday,rightaftertheceremony,whenIwasjustalittlegirl.”

Tarkin’sangularfacestudiedherforalongmoment,andthen,toherastonishment,hesaid,“Thetwochildrensneakingaroundtheshuttlegrounds.Wereyouoneofthose?”

ShehadheardtalesofTarkin’ssharpmemory—thatheneverforgotafavorora

slight—buttheproofmadehersmile.“Yes,sir.YouaskedmethatdayifI’dliketoservetheEmpirewhenIgrewup,andhereIam.”

“Well,well.”Tarkinputhishandsbehindhisback,clearlypleasedwithhimselfandwithher.“Thepowerofdiplomacyinaction.”

“Theboywithmethatdayjustgraduatedfromtheacademy,too,atthetopoftheeliteflighttrack.Now

he’sLieutenantThaneKyrell.”

Tarkin’ssmilewasthinbutunmistakable.“ApparentlyIshouldrecruitonJelucanmoreoften.Ishallmakeapointofkeepingupwithyouboth.”

Cienastruggledtomaintaincorrectmilitarycomposure,butshefeltsureherdelightshowedonherface.GrandMoffTarkindidn’tseemtomind,

however.Asthehologramfadedout,henoddedather—asclosetofriendlinessasanysuperiorofficerwouldevershowtowardamerelieutenant.Ifhe’drememberedthatincidentwiththeLambda-classshuttleallthoseyearslater,he’ddefinitelyremembertolookupherrecords,andThane’s.MaybeTarkinwouldbemorethantheirinspirationforjoiningtheImperialStarfleet;

maybehe’deventurnintoamentor.

CapturingarebelshipandwinningpraisefromaGrandMoffbeforelunchtime?Cienagrinned.Thisdaywasturningouttobespectacular.

Thanehadn’trealizedexactlyhowenormoustheDeathStarwasuntilthefirsttimehehadflownhisTIEfighteronpatrol.Immediately,hehad

hadtoadjustthethrustersforthekindoftakeoffmorecommonwithinaplanetaryatmospherethanonaspacestation—becausetheDeathStar’senormitygaveitheavygravitationalpull.

JustthethoughtofthatmadeThanegrin.He’dneverimaginedbuildingsomethingthatcolossalwasevenpossible.Nowthespacestationhadbecomehishome,andalreadyhedreadedthe

dayhe’dbeassignedsomewhereelse.TheDeathStarwasmeanttofunctionasaworldofitsown,whichmeantithadcreaturecomfortsmostothermilitarypostingsdidn’t:decentfood,recareas,cantinaswithlatest-modelbartenderdroids,commissarieswithselectionsoftreatsandluxuries,albeitatastiffprice.AlthoughThanelivedinacommunalbarracks,apparentlythere

wereenoughprivatebunksthatmostpeoplecouldexpecttoreceiveonewithinthreetosixmonths.Usuallyyouhadtomakelieutenantcommandertoliveinthatkindofluxury.Tobeabletoenjoysuchacomfortablepostingandhavethethrillofdeep-spaceflighteveryday—thatwentbeyondThane’swildestdreams.

Sodidthemessagehereceivedthatmorning.

“You’recomingheretoday,”herepeatedashelookeddownatCiena’sfaceonthesmallscreen.“Asin,now.”

“Seehowwe’recommunicatingwithoutadelay?TheDevastatorshoulddockwithinthehour.”Hereagernessshonethroughthescreen;Thaneimaginedhisdid,too.“Willyouhaveanyfreetime?”

“Yeah.Definitely.I

alreadyfinishedmypatrolfortheday.”Asforthenextday—well,tradingdutyshiftswasn’tagainstrulesifyougotapprovalfirst.He’dflyanyshiftforanyoneifitmeanthecouldspendthewholedaywithCiena.“Wecouldgotooneofthecantinas.Catchup.”

“Nashcan’twaittoseeyou,either,”Cienasaid.

“Right.Definitely.Ofcourse.”Nashmighthave

beenoneofhisbestfriends,butThanehadneverbeenlessinterestedinhangingoutwithhim.Fortunately,Nashwassavvyenoughtoknowwhentoexcusehimself—Thanehoped.

“AndIwanttoseeJude,”Cienacontinued.“She’sonboard,isn’tshe?”

“Yeah,JudeEdivon’sassignedtotheDeathStar,butIhaven’trunintoheronce.Thisplaceisthesizeof

amoon—it’slikeshe’shalfwayacrosstheplanetfromme.”WhenCiena’sfacefell,Thanehastilyadded,“Butwhenyoutellheryou’recoming,she’llfindherwaytoyou.Countonit.”

“Youwill,too,right?”“You’dbetterbelieveit,”

hesaid,smilinglikeanidiot.MaybeIdidn’tlooklikea

totalidiot,Thanethoughtseveralhourslater,ashewentthroughhissecondaryduty

shiftasamaintenancemechanic.Everypilothadtobeabletomaintainandrepairallsingle-anddual-pilotcraft,andbythentwinionengineswereasfamiliartoThaneashisownhands.Sohewasabletogothroughhischecklist,hittingeverypoint,whilestillallowinghismindtorace.Shewassmiling,too.Sothat’sagoodsign,right?

Hedidn’taskhimselfwhatitwasagoodsignof.

TheexcitementhefeltatthethoughtofseeingCienaagainremainedsomethinghepreferrednottoexamineorname.Allheknewwasthathehadn’tdreamedofseeingheragainsosoon,andyetnowevenanotherdayseemedliketoolongtowait.

TheDevastator’salreadyhere.Ciena’sontheDeathStarrightnow.WhydidIhavetopullthisstupidshift?ItradedsoI’dhavetomorrow

free,butwhatifCienacan’tgettimeoffthen?

Thanetoldhimselftostopworryingaboutit.HetookadeepbreathandgotbacktoworkontheTIEfighterinfrontofhim.Thecontrolpanelactuallyneededsomenewwiring,ataskdetailedenoughtokeephimoccupiedforawhile.Justasheputthepanelplatebackinplace,however,heheardtheannouncement:“Allhandsin

sectorfour-seventeentotheauxiliarydockingdoors.”

Thatwashissector.Luckily,Thanealreadystoodnearby,sohewasabletogetintoformationfirst,rightinthefrontline.Hismechanic’sjumpsuitboreafewgreasestains,butthatwasn’tinappropriateforthemiddleofaworkshift.Nonetheless,hefeltshabbycomparedwiththemanyofficersaroundhimineitherofficer’suniformsor

gleamingstormtrooperarmor.Probablythecommander

wouldn’tnotice,though.Hestruttedinfrontofthemasheannounced,“Asoftoday,theDeathStarisfullyoperational—anditisthewilloftheEmperorthatwedemonstrateitspowertotheentiregalaxy!”

Afewcheerswentupfromthegroup.Thaneclappedacoupleoftimes.Heguessedtheyweregoingto

bringthestationcloseenoughtoplanetaryorbitforthepopulacetoseeit;thatwouldwowanyone.He’dfeltthemainenginesatwork,soobviouslythestationhadtraveledsomewhereimportant,maybeCoruscant.…

Thedockingbaydoorsslidopen.AlthoughThanefullyunderstoodtheforcefieldsthatkeptatmosphereinandthehostilechillofspace

out,hestillfeltamoment’sawewhenhelookedoutonthevastdarknessbeyond.Slowly,asthedooropened,aworldappeared.Thesoftbluesphereseemedtoshinewithitsownlight,andasalwaysThanethoughtabouthowbeautifulandyetfragileplanetslookedfromthatdistance.

“BeholdtheplanetAlderaan,”thecommandersaid.

Nash’shome!Thanecouldn’thelpgrinning.WhatlucktobenearthatworldwhiletheDevastatorwasvisitingthestation.HowmanytimeshadNashpromisedtoshowThaneallthesights?Ithadseemedlikenomorethanadream,butnowThanemightactuallygettotakealookatAlderaanforhimselfifhecouldwranglethefreetime.Hefoundhimselfrememberingevery

storyNashhadtoldhimaboutthebestplacestogo,theincrediblenaturalbeautyhisworldwassaidtocontain.Whereshouldwegofirst?CloudshapeFalls?TheIsatabithrainforest?

“Assomeofyouwillknow,”thecommandersaid,“AlderaanisrepresentedintheImperialSenatebyamemberoftheOrganarulingfamily.However,ithasbeendiscoveredthatthesenator,

herfather—and,webelieve,theentiretyoftheupperechelonsofAlderaaniangovernment—havebeensecretlyfinancingandsupportingtheRebelAlliance.”

Ittookamomentforthewordstosinkin.Thanecouldn’tbesurehe’dheardcorrectly.HowcouldtheroyalfamilyofAlderaanbemixedupinterrorism?Hiscynicalnaturetoldhim

nobodywastoopureornobletobecorrupted—butitalsotoldhimpeoplewhobenefitedfromthestatusquorarelytriedtochangeit.

Thecommanderwenton:“Thisstationhasbeenchosentosendamessagetotheentiregalaxy.Weshalldemonstrate,nowandforalltime,thattheEmpire’sstrengthissupreme.LongmaytheEmperorrule!”

“LongmaytheEmperor

rule!”shoutedalltheofficersstandingatattention,Thaneincluded.Hehardlypaidattentiontothewords,whichbynowweresofamiliarastoberote.Hismindwasstilltryingtomakesenseofwhathe’djustheard.

Thenadeepvibrationinthecoreofthestationrippledthroughthedecks,differentandmorepowerfulthananyThanehadsensedinitbefore.Hishairstoodonend,though

hedidn’tknowwhetherthatwasfromfearortheionizationoftheatmosphere.

What’shappening?hewondered—

—andthentheDeathStarblastedAlderaan,andanentireworldexplodedbeforehim.

INSHOCK,ALMOSTNUMB,Cienathought,Lookthroughmyeyes.

ShewassupposedtoletWynnetseetheterribleaswellasthebeautiful.ThatmeantCienahadtoshowherthis.

Ontheviewscreen,fragmentsoftheplanetAlderaanscatteredinathousanddirections,allthepiecesglowingwiththeheatoftheirworld’sdeath.Cienathoughtofthebillionsofpeoplewhohadjustdiedbeforehereyesandthoughtshemightbegintocry—butthenshesawtheofficernexttoherontheauxiliaryassignmentstation.

NashWindriderhadgone

sopaleshethoughthemightfaint.HewasanativeofAlderaan.Hisentirefamily—everyplacehe’deverbeen—hishomehadjustbeenobliteratedbeforehiseyes,fordisloyalty.

Instantly,CienarealizedthatifNashdidfaintorcryorshowanyvisiblesignofemotion,itwouldbeseenasaprotest.HewouldbethoughtguiltyofthesametreasonastheOrganasandcouldbe

throwninthebrig,ifnotstrippedofhiscommissiononthespot.

Shecouldn’thelpanyoneelse,soshewouldhelpNash.Reachingoutwithonehand,CienatouchedNash’sarmtosteadyhim.Herespondedbyclutchingherfingersandsqueezingsotightlyithurt,butshedidnotpullaway.InsteadshewatchedasNashforcedhimselftobreathedeep,evenbreaths,holding

ontoherhandasifitwereatowlinetobringhimtoshore.

Tohome,Cienanearlythought.Butshecaughtherselfintime.

Intheaftermathoftheblast,CienawalkedNashtowardtheliftthatwouldtakehimbacktotheDevastator’sdockingbay,sohecouldboardtheship,gotohisbarracks,andperhapsbealone.Nashsaidnothingtheentiretime.Hedidn’teven

makeeyecontactwithCienabeforewalkingthroughtheliftdoors.Inthelastsecondbeforetheyshutagain,shesawhimleanheavilyagainstthewallofthelift,asifotherwisehemightfall.

Atleastshehadafewhoursfreetocollectherthoughtsandanoldfriendtotalkthingsthroughwith.No,itwasn’ttheoldfriendshe’dmosthopedtosee—butstill,awelcomeface.

“Naturally,Iunderstoodthecannon’sfullpotential,”JudesaidassheandCienasatononeofthesmallobservationdecks,beforealonglineofwindows.“Thesuperlaserisfueledbyanarrayofgiantkybercrystals,whichgivesitnearlyunlimitedpower.ButIhadthoughtitwouldbeusedtobreakupasteroidsforminingpurposes.Oruninhabitedworlds.Notthis.”

Cienaglancedaroundtoseeiftheywerebeingoverheard.“Jude,doyouthink—whatwesawtoday,whattheDeathStardid—isthereanyjustificationforthat?Cantherebe?”

Insteadofansweringrightaway,Judesatverystill,considering.Cienahadalwayslikedthataboutherfriend—thecalm,reasonedwayJudeworkedthingsthrough.Whentheywere

youngcadets,sometimeshergravityhadledherroommatestoteaseher,butnowCienawasgratefulforit.

“EventhoughI’veonlybeeninactiveserviceforafewweeks,”Judefinallysaid,“ithasalreadybecomeevidenttomethattheRebelAllianceisafarlargerandmoredangerousgroupthanofficialbroadcastshaveeveracknowledged.Wedonotoperateasapeacetime

military.Ourpreparationsaremoreappropriateforatimeofwar.”

Cienahadalreadysensedsomeofthatforherself,butwhenJudeputitinthosewords,everythingcrystallized.ThethreatposedbytheRebelAlliancehadbecomeveryreal.

Judecontinued,“TheOrganasareguiltyoftreason,butmostofthecitizenswerenot.”

Atleastitwasquick,Cienathought,buttherationalizationsoundedholloweveninsideherhead.Sheimaginedherselfasachild,lookingupward,seeingtheslate-coloredskyturnredandknowingforonesickeningmomentthatitcouldonlybetheend.ThefearthechildrenofAlderaanwouldhaveknown—thehorror—

“Butitisincorrectto

thinkofwhathappenedtoAlderaanaspunishingthepopulace,”Judesaid,becomingmorebrisk.“Theonlyjustificationforsuchanextremeactisthatthisaloneiscapableofputtingdownanevenmoreseverethreat.Therebelsmustbereckless—evenfoolish—toattempttoconquertheentireImperialfleet.Sohowcantheybemadetoseereason?Tounderstandthelimitationsof

theirpowerandtheinevitabilityoftheEmpire’svictory?Nothingbutademonstrationonthisscalecouldeveraccomplishthat.Surely,now,therebelsseethattheirgoalsarehopelessandtheirtacticsunwise.We’llbesafefromwarnow.Thebillionsofpeoplewhodiedtodaymayhavesavedcountlesslivesthroughtheirsacrifice.”

Thathadtobetrue.No

terroristcellinthegalaxy,nomatterhowzealousorbloodthirsty,couldbelieveithadthepowertodefeattheEmpirenow.ButthatsacrificewasonetheinhabitantsofAlderaanhadneverchosentomake.

Judesighedandstareddownatherdrinkforalongmoment.Forsomereason—thewaythelightfellorthelostexpressiononJude’sface—shelookedyoungerto

Ciena,likethegirlshe’dbeenwhenthey’dmetmorethanthreeyearsearlier.Herimmaculatelypressedandtailoreduniformseemedlikeacostumeforachildplayingdress-up.MaybeCienaalsofelttooyoung,toonew,togotowar.

Nodoubteveryonefeltthatwayatfirst.

Cienasaid,“Sowhathappenedtoday—asmanypeopleaswerelost—even

morewoulddieinamassivegalacticwar.”

“Exactly.”Judenodded.“ThinkofthebillionswhoperishedintheCloneWars.”

“Butbyendingthewarnow,beforeittrulybegins,theDeathStarwillsavemorelivesthanittook.”Thatwasahardthingtothinkabout,thekindofdarkcalculusCienahadhopedwouldneverberequiredofheroutsideCommandEthicsclass.Yet

nowshehadtofaceitanddoherduty.

IfonlytheEmpirehadnotbeenforcedtotakesuchdramaticaction.IfonlytheRebelAlliancehadneverarisenfromwhatevermixtureofdiscontentandarrogancefueleditsleaders.TheseterroristshadgambledonthepropositionthattheEmpirewouldneverstrikeback.Nowatlasttheyhadbeenprovedwrong—butCienawondered

whethertheirleaderswouldevertakeresponsibilityforthehorriblemeasuresnecessarytostopthisrebellion—thiswar—beforetheentiregalaxyhadbeenplungedintochaos.Probablynot.

TheRebellionhadstartedthis.Evenprovokedit.

Cienafeltbetternowthatsheunderstoodwhomtoblame.

Anannouncement

sounded,echoingfromthespeakersasofficerslookedup.“Attention:TheDevastatorwilldepartfromthestationatthebeginningofthenextdutyshift.Allpersonnelshouldbeonboardandpreparedforneworders.”

“Oh,no.”Cienadidn’twanttoleaveJudejustwhenherfriendwashelpingtheworldmakesenseagain.ThelastthingNashneededwasa

newandmoredemandingdutyshiftinsteadofsometimetocollecthimself.Andshehadn’tevenlaideyesonThane,muchless—

“IdoubttheDevastatorwillbegoneforlong,”Judesaid.“WordhasitLordVaderintendstoremainuntilthecurrentcrisishasbeenresolved.TheDevastatorishisflagship,soyouwouldundertakeonlyalimitednumberofmissionswithout

him.”Ofcourse.Ciena’sspirits

brightened.WhatevermissionawaitedtheDevastatorcouldn’tlastmorethanacoupleofweeks,notwithoutDarthVaderonboard.“ThenI’llseeyouagainsoon.”

Theyhuggedgood-byequicklybeforeCienahurriedoutintothecorridor.Shehardlytookintheactivityaroundher;thestation’senormityfailedtoawe.

Alreadyhermindwasonthefuture:helpingNashthroughthenextfewdays,returningforLordVader—anditseemedlikelytheDevastatorwouldvisitthisstationoften,soshe’dhaveplentyofchancestovisitJude.She’dbebacktoseeThanesoquicklyitwouldbeasifshe’dnevergone.

Thanestaredatthescreenof

thecommunicationsmonitor,willingittolightupwitharesponsefromCiena.Onlyblacknessstaredback.

HeknewshewasprobablyontheDevastator,maybeonduty.Howcouldanyonekeepgoingafterwitnessingthemurderofanentireplanet?ButThanehadcontinuedstandingatattentionalongwiththerest,afactthatamazedhimmorewitheverypassingmoment.

Wekilledbillionsofpeople.Weslaughteredbillions,andafterwardwewereexpectedtoapplaud.

AlderaanhadbeenNash’shomeworld.IfThanewassickenedbywhathe’djustseen,howmustNashbefeeling?Theguyhadtobeatthepointofcollapse.Thanedidn’tsendamessagetohim,however.Heknewthecommunicationsrecordmightbelookedoverbytheinternal

affairsofficer,andanycalltoorfromanAlderaanianwouldautomaticallybesuspect.Forhisownsake,Thanedidn’tcare.Heknewhowtochoosehiswordscarefullysothelistenerwouldhearwhathadtoremainunspoken;itwasaskillmostpeoplecultivatedattheacademy.ButNashhadtobefurious—andinhisgriefandrage,hemightsaysomethingthatwould

incriminatehim.No,Thanewouldhaveto

reachouttoNashlater,whenitwassafer.Anyway,itwasCienaheneededtotalkto.She’dalwaysbeenhistouchstone.Ifhewerewithher,hethought,hewouldn’tfeelsonauseatedandangry.He’dfeelasifhecouldbreatheagain—

Thecommunicationsmonitorlitup,andThane’sspiritsroseforthesplit

secondittookhimtorealizethemessagewasn’tfromCiena.Instead,itwashiscompanycommander,orderingthemtoreportforduty,immediately.

“Dantooine?”herepeatedtooneofhisfellowofficersastheyboardedthetrooptransport.“That’sinthemiddleofnowhere.”TheplacewasnearlyasobscureasJelucan.

“That’sthewholepoint,”

saidtheotherofficerassheclimbedtheentryramp.“Whereelsecouldtherebelshide?”

They’dbetterhide,hethought.Nowthatthegalaxyhadlearnedwhatthisspacestationcoulddo,surelynobodywouldriseupagainsttheEmpireagain.

AtleastThanehadacoupleofmomentsbeforeboardingwascompletetorecordamessage,oneCiena

couldlistentowhenevershegotoffshift:“Badnews—someofusarebeingshippedoutonalast-minutepatrol.That’sonlygoingtotakeadayortwo,butIdon’tknowhowmuchlongertheDevastator’sgoingtobedockedonthe—station.”

ThewordsDeathStarwereharderforhimtosaynowthatthedeathwasreal.

“IreallyhopeIgettoseeyou,”hesaid,willingherto

hearhowdeeplyhemeantit.“Ifnot—nexttimeonJelucan.Ipromise.Soyouhavetopromise,too.Allright?Kyrellout.”

ProbablyheshouldhavesentNashamessage,aswell,buthestillhadnoideawhattosay.Duringthetrooplander’svoyagetoDantooine,ThanekeptwonderingwhattodoforNash,buthecouldthinkofnothingmoreusefulthansittinghisfrienddown

withabottleofCorellianbrandy.

Oncetheyreachedtheplanet,scanspickedupevidenceofarebelbasefairlyquickly.BeforeThanecouldgetintobattlearmor,however,wordcamethatthebasewasdeserted.They’ddoasweepforintelbutnomorethanthat.Soundedlikethey’dcomealongwayfornothing.

Butthenthetrooplanderarrivedattheabandonedbase

intheheartofDantooine’sgloomybadlands,andThanesawnotsomeramshacklehangarorscrubbysmuggler’sdenbuttheremnantsofarealmilitaryorganization.

Theycould’vehaddozensofsmallstarfightersinthisareaalone,hethoughtashescannedthevastenclosure.Datascrollingpastonhisscreentoldhimtheinstallationhadalsohelddozensofdroid-charging

ports,sophisticatedcommunicationstechnologythatwouldallowfornear-instantaneouscross-galacticinformationtransfer,andbunksforseveralhundredrebels.Andthereseemedtobeatleastadozenstructuressimilartothatone.Plustheyfoundevidenceofextensivediggingunderground,soapparentlytherebelshadatonepointplannedtoexpandthebase.

Thiswasnosmallbandofmalcontents.TheRebelAlliancewasanarmy.

No,theirfightingforcewasnowherenearthescaleoftheEmpire’smight.ButThanehadtakenenoughtacticsclassesattheacademytoknowthatanenemydidn’thavetobeyourequal;aslongasitsforcesreachedacertaincriticalmass,theyhadthepowertocauserealdamage.Itlookedtohimlikethe

Rebellionwasnearlythere.Hisusualtrainofthought

abouttherebelsbegan:They’reterrorists,they’rethugs.TheEmpirehasitsflaws,butsodidtheRepublictheseguysworship.Youcan’ttrustpowernomatterwhat.Itdoesn’treallymatterwho’sincharge.

He’dthoughthewasbeingsoworldlyandwise.Now—withtheblazeofAlderaan’sdestructionstill

glowinginhismind—Thaneknewhowhollowhisrationalizationshadbeen.Terrorismcouldneverbetheanswer,butasofthatday,theEmpirewasasguiltyofactsofterrorastheRebelAlliancewas,ifnotmore.

Histourofduty,postgraduation,wasfiveyears.Afterthat,technically,Thanecouldresignhiscommissionandtakewhateverworkhechose—but

thevastmajorityofImperialofficersremainedinserviceuntiltheyhitmandatoryretirementageordied,whichevercamefirst.He’dalwaysfiguredhewouldbealifer.Nowitfeltlikehecouldn’twearthatuniformanotherfiveminutes.

Howmanytimeshadhesaidhe’dstayintheImperialStarfleetjustsohe’dgettoflythegreatestshipsinthegalaxy?Thewordssounded

socallownow.Juvenile,even.

Youdon’treallywanttowalkout,Thanetoldhimselfashecontinuedtakingreadings,hisexpressioncarefullyimpassive.Whatyou’veseentodayproveswe’reonthebrinkofgalacticwar.Theyneedyou.

Butwhenhethoughtofthey,hewasn’timaginingtheEmperorandhisadmiralsneedinghim.Heimagined

protectinghisfellowtroops,thepeoplearoundhimhe’dalreadybeguntothinkofasfriends.AndNash.

AndCiena.

AlthoughtheDevastatorhadlefttheDeathStarbehind,theStarDestroyer’screwhadbeeninstructedtoremainlinkedtothestation’sdatafeeds.Thedesignatedviewscreenswereslightlyto

theleftofCiena’sstation,sofromthecornerofhereyeshecouldseethefebrilesurfaceofYavin,animmenseredgasgiant.Otherscreensshowedoneoftheworld’smoons,Yavin4,apparentlythereallocationoftherebelbase.

SotheysentThaneawaytoDantooinebasedonbadintel.Fornothing.Shelongedtotalkwithhimabouttheterribleeventsofthepastcoupleofdays.Talkingwith

JudehadhelpedsteadyCiena,butshestillcouldn’tsleep.Overandoveragain,inhermind’seye,shesawAlderaanexploding.

Nowshemightbeabouttowatchthedeathofasecondworld.

Butthisisamilitarytarget,sheassuredherself.Nocivilianswillbehurt.

Thatexplanationwouldmakesensetohereventually.Atthemoment,hergutached

atthethoughtofseeinganotherplanet’sdestruction.ItwastoosoonafterAlderaan;hernerveswereraw.

Therebelsrealizedtheirdoom,andtheyfoughtback—butinthemostabsurdwaypossible.

“Unbelievable,”mutteredacommanderstandingnearherdutystation.“TherebelssentahandfulofstarfighterstotargettheDeathStar?That

littleuprisingmustbeonitslastlegs,ifthat’sallthepowertheycanmuster.”

It’suninhabited,sheremindedherself.TheonlypeopletherearemembersoftheRebellion,theoneswhoaretryingtostartawar.Theychosetheirpathwillingly.Thisiswhatwarmeans.

Yetshethoughtoftheanimalsthatlivedthere,smallinnocentcreatures,andeventhetrees—

OnemonitorshowedX-wingfightersracingthroughatrench,withTIEfightersinpursuit.ShewonderedwhytheyhadevensenttheTIEsoutagainstsuchapitifulattack.Thenagain,evenminordamagetothestationwouldhavetoberepaired.Theshipszoomedpastatsuchspeedthatthefirefightwasoutofsightagaininmoments.Maybeanothercamerawouldpickitup.

Instead,ashorttimelater,shesawanX-wingandaclunkyoldfreighterheadedbacktowardYavin4attopsublightspeed.Cienareported,“Sir,therebelshipsareflyingawayfromtheDeathStar.”

“Trackthem,”hercommandersaid.“WewillwanttoprovidethemostcompletereportpossibleforGrandMoffTarkin.”

Shecontinuedlogging

everydatapacketthatarrivedfromtheDeathStar,importantorincidental.Theauxiliarybridgecontinueditsbuzzofactivity,butvoicesdroppedandtasksslowed.CienakneweveryonewaswaitingforthemomentYavin4wouldexplode.Nauseawellinginside,sheattemptedtobraceherselfforthesuddenblazinglight—wheninsteadeveryscreenconnectedtotheDeathStar

wentblack.Instantly.Simultaneously.

Cienarealizedthestreamofdataflowingfromthestationhadstopped,too.

“Didthecircuitsfail?”someonesaid,checkingoutthosemonitors.Hethoughtthescreensthemselveswereatfault.Sheknewbetter.

“TheDeathStarhasgonesilent,sir,”shereported.“Noincomingdata.”

Hercommander’sface

tookonastrangeexpression,bothconfusedandangry.“That’simpossible,Lieutenant.Therebelshavecreatedsomeformofinterference,orthosefightersweresenttoknockoutthestation’scommunications.”

X-wingfighterscouldn’tdothattoaspacestationthesizeoftheDeathStar.Couldthey?

Buttheonlyalternativewas—unthinkable.

“THAT’SIT?Theydon’tknowanythingelse?”

“TryagaintogetthroughtoCoruscant.”

“Everycommunicationnetworkiscompletelyjammed—”

Voicesechoedthroughout

theabandonedrebelbaseonDantooine,whichhadbecomeforthetimebeingamakeshiftImperialstation.Groupsofofficershuddledaround—somestillinfulllandingarmorbutmostbythenwearingonlypiecesoftheplating.Althoughtheirtroopcommanderremainedincharge,forhoursnoordershadbeengiventoanyonebutcommunicationsofficers.Therewasnothingforthem

todobutwaitandbeafraid.Thanepacedthelengthof

thehall,whichseemedtohavebeenblastedfromsolidrock,makingitfeelabitasiftheywerehuddlinginacave.Thepiecesofinformationthey’dbeenabletogathersofarwerecontradictory,confusing,andominous.SomesaidtheDeathStarhadbeendestroyed;othersclaimeditwasdamagedandunabletocommunicate;still

otherssaidthenewshadtobefalse—aploymeanttocoaxtherebelsoutofhidingsotheycouldbemoreefficientlyslaughtered.

Mostofthesoldiersintheroomseemedtobelievethelastscenario,whichhadledtoalotofcursingandbigtalkabouthowwhentheywereincharge,they’dneverinitiateanactionlikethatwithoutproperlyinformingandpreparingeveryonedownthe

chainofcommand.Afewothersprotested,sayingthatspiescouldbeanywhere.IfevenamemberoftheImperialSenateasillustriousasPrincessLeiaOrganacouldturntraitor,anyonecould.Sothisbigdiversionhadtobekeptsecretuntilthelastpossiblemoment.

Noteveryonewasconvinced,though.Thanehadexchangedglanceswithahandfulofotherswho

remainedtenseandsilent.TheDeathStarcan’thave

beenlost.ItwouldtakeadozenStarDestroyersandattackcruiserstomakeanyimpactonastationthatsize.TheRebelAllianceisclearlymorepowerfulthanoursuperiorofficersletusknow,butiftheyhadafleetthatlarge,theywould’veprovokeddirectactionbeforenow.ThatpartofhisanalysisfeltrocksolidtoThane;

however,therestwaslesscertain.IftheDeathStarhasbeendamaged,howbadly?It’sthesizeofanentiremoon,sohowcanallthecommunicationssystemsbedown?Andwhywouldn’ttheshipsdockedtherebeabletorespond,either?

IftherebelshadattackedtheDeathStarwithafleetcapableofcausingrealdamage,thebigImperialshipswouldhavebeen

launched.Theywouldhavegoneintobattle.

Thaneleanedagainsttherough-hewnstonewalloftherebelbase,canteenofnutritivemilkinonehand.HethoughtoftheDevastatorinallitsmajestyandpower,andheimagineditslasercannonsblastingtherebelfleettoshreds.Hepictureditoverandover—theshardsofmetal,thespinningdebris,thebriefpulsesofflamebefore

theyweresnuffedoutbythevacuumofspace.

IfheimaginedtheDevastatorwinning,hedidn’thavetoimaginewhatelsemighthavehappenedduringthebattleheenvisioned—totheship,toNashWindrider,ortoCiena.

Afterafewhoursatherpost,Ciena’searsrangwiththesquealsofbadlyfiltered

transmissions.Herheadswamwiththeendlessamountsofdatashehadtoprocess,fast.FornowshehadtogivehershipandherEmpireeverythingshehad.

TheDevastator’sseniorofficerswereinconference,astheyhadbeenforwhatseemedlikehours.IfanyofthemknewthereasonbehindtheDeathStar’ssudden,terrifyingsilence,theyhadnotyetshareditwiththe

crew.ForthetimebeingCiena

coulddonomorethancontinuetosortthroughtheendlessdatapacketssentfromtheDeathStarbeforeitwentquiet.Manyofthesecontainednousefulinformationwhatsoever,butuntiltheyhadafullexplanation,shecouldaffordtoignorenothing.

WhensherecognizedJude’snumberononepacket,

sheopeneditimmediately.Shedidn’tcarewhetherthisonewasimportantornot;CienaneededtoknowwhatJudehadbeendoingbeforetheDeathStar—becamedamaged,orinfiltrated,orwhateverhadgonesohorriblywrong.

ButJude’sdatawasimportant.CienareadareportfromJudeEdivontohersuperiorofficerandalllocalcommandersinwhichJude

explainedthatheranalysishadshowntherebelattackwithsmallstarfightersdidinfactposeathreattotheDeathStar.She’dfoundaflawnobodyelsehadsuspected—somethingtodowithanexhaustport—andhadsensedaweaknesswhereeveryoneelsesawinvulnerability.

Althoughthelikelihoodofadirecthitisremote,Judehadwritten,theconsequencescouldbehighlydestructiveto

thestation,evenfatal.Ifanyonehadsenta

responsetoJude’swarning,Cienahadnotyetfoundit.

Fataltothestation?TotheDeathStar?No.Judemusthavemeantonlythatofficerswouldbekilledinsomeresultingsmallexplosion.ThatmadefarmoresensethantheideathatanX-wingfightercoulddestroysomethingthesizeofamoon.

Yetthedarknessandsilenceremained.

ShortlyafterCienahadsentthisinformationtocommand,shereceivedamessagetoreporttodockingbayforty-seven.Nashshotheralookasshewalkedout,clearlyascuriousasshewasaboutwhatcouldpossiblybegoingon.Shehopedtobeabletofillhiminsoon.

Instead,shefoundshehadanewassignment.

Astone-facedcommandertoldherandtheotherpilot,“LieutenantRee,LieutenantSai,you’retotakeaGozanticlassfreightertotheYavinsystemtorendezvouswithLordVaderandbringhimbacktotheDevastator.”

Itwasasthoughsteelbandshadbeentighteningaroundher,thenweresuddenlyloosed.Cienamanagednottosighoutloud.DarthVaderisalive.Hewas

abletocontactourship.SowhateverhappenedontheDeathStarwasn’ttheworst-casescenario.Shestillhadn’tallowedherselftofullycontemplatewhatthe“worst-casescenario”mightbe.

Thecommandercontinued:“Youaretodiscloseyourmissiontonoone—notduringyourjourneyoratanytimeafterward.Youwillmaintaincommunicationssilence

unlessotherwiseorderedbyLordVader,orif…therendezvousdoesnottakeplaceasplanned.”

Whatwasthatsupposedtomean?Cienaglancedsidewaysatherfellowpilot,whoseexpressionmightaswellhavebeencarvedinstone.

Oncetheywerealoneinthefreighter’scockpit,however,LieutenantSaiprovedtobeanythingbut

stoic.“Whatarewesupposedtodo?”shesaidjustaftertheirshiphadgoneintohyperspace.“FlyuptothetotallysilentDeathStarwithoutaskingthemanyquestions?Orevengettingpermissiontodock?”

“It’sgoingtomakemoresensewhenwegetthere,”Cienasaid.

“Whyareyousosure?”“Becauseitcan’tmake

anylesssensethanitdoes

now.”Thatearnedheralaugh.

“True.Bytheway,I’mcalledBerisse.”

“Ciena.”Berisseturnedouttohave

graduatedfromtheacademyonLothaltheyearbefore.Herbrilliantsmileshonebrightlyagainsthertanskin.Shewasasstoutasregulationsallowed,withdark,shininghairshekeptevenmoretightlybraided

thanCiena’s.WhenshelearnedthatCienahadbeenontheDevastatoronlyafewshortweeks,shepromisedtoshowheraround,andevenofferedsomesympathyforNash.“That’srough,”shesaid.“Imaginefindingoutyourentireplanetturnedtraitor.”

Eventhatcan’tbeasbadasseeingitcompletelydestroyed,Cienanearlysaid—butthatwaswhenthe

sensorsbegantochime.“Yavin,”shesaid,swingingbackintopositionatthecontrols.“Droppingoutofhyperspace.”

“Droppingoutofhyperspace,”Berisseconfirmed.She,too,wasbackinofficialmode.

ThedreadCienahadkeptatbaybychattingwithBerissereturned,strongerthanbefore.Shetoldherselfthatatleastnowshewould

knowhowbadthesituationwas.Shewouldn’thavetoworryaboutJudeanylonger.Nothingcouldbeworsethannotknowing.

Thefreighterdroppedoutofhyperdriveandintohell.

Berissegaspedoutloud.Cienacouldn’tevencatchherbreath.Theywereontheoutskirtsofavastdebrisfield,twistedmetalfloatingineverydirection.Somepieceswereenormous—thesizeofa

lightcruiser—butotherswerefragmentsevensmallerthanahumanhead.Splintersconnectedwiththefreighter’swindowsandstucktothetransparencyinpatternslikefrostorcracks.

“Ican’tbelieveit,”Berissesaid,voiceshaking.“It’sgone.It’scompletelygone.”

TheDeathStarhadbeendestroyed.

Jude’swarningechoed

louderinCiena’shead.Fatal.NowsheknewJudewasdead.

AfewotherclassmateshadbeenstationedaboardtheDeathStar;atleastadozenpeopleCienaknewhadbeenmurderedthatday.Thousandsuponthousandsofsoldiers,mostofthemnotevenrousedtobattlestations—theywouldhavebeensleeping,eating,gettingadrinkinoneofthecantinas,

withnoideathatmomentwasoneoftheirlast.ButJudehadknownthedanger.Wasshefrightened?Inherlastterriblemoments,hadJudeknownitwastheend?TheideamadeCiena’sthroattightenandhereyesfillwithtears.

“LordVader’ssignal.”Berissesnappedoutofhershocktogetbacktowork.“Let’sgo.”

Numbly,Cienasteeredthefreighteraroundtheedge

ofthedebrisfield.Shewantedtocry;shewantedtoscream.Thecommandofficershadtohaveknownwhathappened.Whyhadn’ttheytoldthefleet?Theentiregalaxy?Butmaybetheyhadbelievedthisasimpossibleasshehad.CienafinallyrecognizedthathermissionwasnotonlytoretrieveDarthVaderbutalsotoconfirmthattheworsthadhappened.Theyhadsenthertobearwitness

toanothermassacre.HersorrowforJude

floodedherminduntilshecouldn’tfeelanything.CienawentthroughthemotionsastheyapproachedLordVader’sdamagedTIEfighter,gratefulforthetrainingthathadtaughtherhowtorespondevenwhenshewasfallingapart.

Vader’sshipslowlytookforminthedarkness.Shefirstsawthestrangerotationof

severalpiecesofdebris,asiftheywerebeingshovedbackbyrepulsorbeams.ThenshesawtheformofaTIEfighterwithangledwings.Vaderwasflyingjustbeyondtheever-expandingdebrisfield.

“Initiatingairlocksequence,”Cienasaid.ShewasgratefulBerissedidn’tknowherverywellyet,soshewouldn’thearhowstrainedandunnaturalhervoicehadbecome.“Three—

two—one.”Berissehitthecontrols

thatwouldreleaseoneofaquartetofdockingumbilicalsfromtheship’sbelly.Carefully,theyextendedthetubetothetopoftheTIEfighter’ssphericalcockpit.

“MetLordVaderyet?”Berissesaidlightly.

“I—uh,no.”Cienacouldhardlyfocusenoughtospeak.

“I’mgoingtoletyougobackthereandgreethim.”

Normally,Imperialofficersstrovetobethefirsttotalktoanyoneofhigherrank.Thosewereopportunitiestostandoutfromthepack.Cienahadnevercaredlessaboutadvancement.AndyetshehadtheimpressionBerissewasn’tdoingherafavor.

Theysayheisagreatman,sheremindedherselfasshestoodattheairlock,waitingfortheallclearto

enterthebay.ThathehastheEmperor’sfavor.AndtheysayhecanbendtheForceitselftohiswill.ThoughCienabelievedintheForce,shewasdoubtfulthatanyonecouldcontrolitsocompletely.Shewonderedifshewouldbeprovenwrong.

Cienaneededasuperiorofficershecouldrespect.Someonewhowouldtakecharge,someoneinwhomshecouldputhertrust.She

walkedintotheairlockcorridorjustasthepressuredoorhissedopen.Reassured,shesteppedforward—

—thenstoppedasshesawVaderforthefirsttime.

Blackarmorsheathedhimentirely.ThiswasnoTIEpilot’sgear,however;insteadCienarecognizedalife-supportsuit,onemorecomprehensivethanshe’deverseenorimaginedbefore.NothingofVader’shuman

skinorfaceremainedvisiblebeneathhisgleamingcarapace,andablackcapeshroudedhimfromshouldertofloor.Ashesteppedforward,sherealizedhowtallhewas—tallerthananyotherhumanshehadeverencountered.Inthecrampedcorridor,hisstaturewasevenmoreintimidating.Butworstofallwasthesoundofhisbreath.Theharshraspofhisrespiratorsystemechoeduntil

itseemedtofillthespace.Whatishe?Ciena

wondered.HersplinteredmindrefusedtoacceptLordVaderashuman.Heseemedmorelikeanightmarevision,oracreaturefromthescarystoriesMummausedtotellaroundthekindredgatheringfires.Evilseemedtooozefromhim,topoolwithinthespaceuntiltherewasnomoreair.Ciena’suniformcollarfelttootight.

Onlyafewmomentsbefore,she’dbeendeterminedtogreethersuperiorofficerwithdignity.Nowsheonlyhopednottofaint.

AsDarthVadersteppedawayfromtheairlockdoor,sheheardhisdeepmetallicvoiceforthefirsttime.“AreyouherebytheEmperor’scommand?”

“Wereceivedourordersfromthecommandstaffof

theDevastator,sir,”Cienamanagedtorespond.ShehadtofighttheinstinctiveneedtodrawawayfromVader.“IhavenoinformationregardingtheircontactwiththeEmperor.”

Vadertookthisinforwhatseemedtobeaverylongtime.Ciena’snervousnesscontinuedtogrowuntilheordered,“Youandyourfellowpilotwillremainintheholdforthe

remainderofthevoyage.IwilltakecommandofthisfreighteruntilwehavereturnedtotheDevastator.”

“Yes,sir.”Shedidn’tcareabout

beinghauledbacktoherStarDestroyerlikesomuchcargo.Cienawasgratefultosinkdowntothefloor,putherheadonherknees,andtakedeepbreaths.Atleastnowshedidn’thavetoact.Eventothink.Shetriedtoforget

she’deverseenDarthVader,andalmostsucceeded.Herbatteredmindcouldholdontonothingbutthesceneofdevastationshe’dwitnessed,andhergriefforJude.

AthousandmemoriesofherfriendshoneinCiena’smemorylikecandles:thetimesthey’dlaughedandtalkedintheirbunkslateatnight,howJudehadrushedtodefendCienawhenshe’dbeenaccusedofsabotaging

Thane’slasercannonandthencomfortedheraftertheargumentthatfollowed,evenhowunexpectedlyglamorousJudehadlookedatthereception.Oneofthebestfriendsshe’deverhad,orwouldhave,hadbeenannihilated.Blastedtoatoms.

BerissewasapologeticwhenshejoinedCiena.“LordVadercanbealittle—overpoweringwhenyoufirstseehim.”

“Yeah,”Cienasaidfaintly.

“Ididn’tfeellikeIcouldtakeit.Doesn’tmeanitwasanyeasierforyou.Sorry.”Berisseleanedbackagainstthewalllikeapuppetfreedfromitsstrings.“Iknowhe’sjustwearingalife-supportsuit,andit’sstupidtobefrightenedofsomeonewhohasdifferentneeds,right?Butthatrespirator—”

“Hecouldbemonitoring

usrightnow,”Cienapointedout.Berissefellsilent.

WhentheyreturnedtotheDevastator,Cienawasgratefultofinallybeoffduty.Shewenttothedeckwherehercrewquarterswerelocated.Shefreshenedup.ShespentafewminutescryingintoatowelforJude.Thenshepulledherselftogetherandwalkedback

towardherbunk—onlytopauseasshesawanotherjuniorofficerinthecorridorheadingtotheauxiliarybridge.“Nash?”

NashWindridernodded.Hestillmovedslowly,abitlikeamansleepwalking,buthisuniformwasregulationneatandhisvoicecalm.“Allhandsareneeded.”

“You’resureyou’reready?”

“Ihavetobe,”hesaid

simply.Sheputonehandonhis

arm.“Areyoupositive?You’vebeenthroughalot.”Howinadequate.Hisentireplanethadbeendestroyedinthehopesthatitwouldendawar,andthosehopeshadprovedfutile.Nashhadtobeprofoundlydevastated.

Hisvoicelow,hesaid,“TheEmpireisallIhaveleft.Ineedtobeofuse.Iwanttoserve.”

CienastillwonderedwhetherNashcouldhandleit,butshedecidedtostopfightinghim.Hedeservedthechancetotry.“Okay.I’llwalkyouupthere.”

Nashnodded,hissilenceperhapsatacitacknowledgmentthatheremainedontheemotionalbrink.

Shenoticedthenthathe’dcuthishair;thelongbraidshe’dworntiedatthenapeof

hisneckthroughouthisacademyyearshadbeenshorncompletely.MaybethebraidshadcarriedmeaningonAlderaan,ormaybethechangewassymbolicforNash—somethinghe’ddoneasakindoffarewell.Regardless,Cienaknewbetterthantoask.

ThecorridorsoftheDevastatorwereeerilysilent;onlyafewcourierdroidsandahandfulofguardswalked

alongthemetal-meshfloors.Withouttheusualbustleofactivity,thefewsoundsremainingwereamplifiedtostrangeeffect:theechoingoftheirfootsteps,eventhefainthissoftheship’sventilationsystem.Despitehermiseryandfury,sherealizedthatdeepwithinherwasasmallsenseof—reassurance.

TheDeathStarwillneverdestroyanotherworld.

Shewouldalwaysmourn

JudeandtheotherswhohaddiedaboardtheDeathStar,wouldalwaysrecognizeitsexplosionastheactofterrorismitwas.YetCienatooksomecomfortfromthefactthatnootherplanetwouldsufferAlderaan’sfate.ItsdestructionhadbeentheEmperor’slast-ditchefforttoendabloodywarbeforeitbegan;thatefforthadfailed.Warhadcome.Thedevastationtofollowwould

nodoubtbeterrible;Cienaexpectedtoseeconstantcombatandwarreadinessforalongtimetocome.Shewouldhavetokillandriskbeingkilled.

Butthatwaswar.Thecombatantswouldbesoldierspreparedforbattle.ThatCienacouldaccept.

Shortlybeforetheyreachedtheauxiliarybridge,Nashsaid,“Ciena?”

“Doyouneedoutofthis

dutyshift?”ExhaustedthoughCienawas,shewouldvolunteertoworkthenextfewhoursinNash’ssteadifitwouldhelp.

“No.It’sjust—beforeIleftmycabin,IwasthinkingofThane.Iwantedtotalkwithhim.SoIsearchedforinformationabouttheDantooinetransport.”Nashhesitatedbeforefinishing.“They’dreceivedorderstoreturntotheDeathStar.”

Thebloodinherveinsfroze.Cienastoodstock-stillinthecorridor,unabletotakeanotherstep.Sheswallowedhard.“AndThane?”

“Hewould’vebeenaboard.Doyouknowifthetransportdockedbeforetheexplosion?”

“No.”Allthattime,Cienahad

keptgoingbypromisingherselfthatshe’dbeabletotalkabouteverythingwith

Thanesoon—byremindingherselfthatatleastherbestfriendintheworldhadescaped.

Butwhatifhehadn’t?WhatifThanehadbeenkilled,too?

Ittookalmostaweek—thelongestandmostagonizingofhislife—forThane’sshiptoreceivenew,definiteorders.Hisvessel,ashort-haul

transport,hadn’tbeenstockedwithnearlyenoughprovisions,sothey’dhadtocommandeerfoodstuffsfromthenearesttown.Althoughtheshiphadbunks,theywereintendedmoreforemergencyusebytheinjuredthanforactualsleep.Ratherthanlieonthose,Thaneandseveralothershadmovedintothebunkstherebelsleftbehind.

Howstrangeitfelttolieontheenemy’sbed,tosee

wheresomeonehaddrawnacrudefigureofanX-wingfighteronthewall,andtoknowanX-winglikethathadbeentheweaponthatdestroyedtheDeathStar—andmaybeCienawithit.

SoThaneshouldhavebeenrelievedtobebackaboardhisownship,fullyarmoredandwithhisblasterathisside.Nothingwasworsethannotknowing,he’dtoldhimself.Oncethey’d

rendezvousedwiththeImperialfleet,hewouldfinallyfindoutforcertainwhathadhappenedtoallhisfriends.

Butwhenhetriedtoimaginewhathe’ddoiftheytoldhimCienawasdead,hismindwentblank.Itwasasifhisbrainrefusedtoshowhimanythingbeyondthatpoint.

“Kyrell,”hiscommandersaidastheypreparedforlightspeed.“Didyounotsend

familymessagesconfirmingyoursurvival?Ishowyouasayes,butwe’vegotnoresponses.”

“Youwouldn’t,”Thanesaid,withoutmuchemotion.Hedidn’tthinkhisfamilyactuallywantedhimdead—thoughmaybeDalvenwouldn’thaveminded—butwritingbackwasapparentlybeyondtheirinterests.

WhatdidIeverdotothem,besidesbeingborn?he

thoughtforthethousandthtime.

YetthinkingofthatmadehimwanttotalktoCiena,theonlypersonwho’deverreallyunderstoodhowscreweduphisfamilywas.Thepitoffearinhisbellygrewheavier,andhespokehardlyonewordontheirwaytorendezvouswiththefleet.

Whenthetransportcameoutoflightspeed,afewpeoplemutteredandone

personemittedalowwhistleofsurprise.OutsidehoveredmoreshipsthanThanehadeverseeninoneplace,evenoverCoruscant.TIEfightersswarmedlikegnatsscurryingoverthesurfaceofeverylargervessel.CountlesstransportsandsmallershipshadbeenpulledintoroughformationaroundthedozenorsoStarDestroyersthatobviouslyformedthenewcoreoftheImperialStarfleet.

WasoneofthoseStarDestroyerstheDevastator?Fromtheoutsidetheshipswereasidenticalasslicesofthesamepie.

Evenastheirtransportroseintothemaindockingbay,theircommanderwasshoutingtheirneworders.“N-O-Seven-One-Eight,you’retoreporttotheStarDestroyerEliminatorimmediately,toLieutenantCommanderCherik.N-Y-

One-One-Two,sameorders.A-V-Five-Four-Seven—”

Thaneliftedhishead.“Youtransfertothetroop

shipWatchtowerfortransportanddeploymenttoKerevDoi.”

Hewasbeingsenttoaspice-miningworld?TheordersoundedabsurdtoThanefortheinstantittookhimtoputthepiecestogether.Whereverspicewasacommodity,finances

becameshady.Ifyouwantedtohidemoney—vastsumsofit,thekindoffundsthatcouldsupportanentirerebelarmy—KerevDoiwasoneoftheveryfewplacesinthegalaxytowhichyoucouldturn.Theywerebeingsenttoshaketheplacedown,maybetocuttheRebellionoffatthesource.Thatmadesense.YethefoundhimselfthinkingofKerevDoiinaverydifferentlight.Spiceworldswere

heavilytraffickedbyshipsbothlegitimateandcriminal.Evenmanyofthelegitimatevesselsdidn’tkeepcarefulrecordsabouttheirtripsthere.Everystorybookorholoaboutrunningawayfromhomefeaturedoneofthespiceworldsandcolorfulimagesoftheexoticshipsandtraderswhomightwhiskanyoneawayfromthelifetheyhadknownbefore.

KerevDoiwasaplace

wherehecouldgetlost.Thanecaughthimself.It

wasn’tlikehewasactuallyplanningonleavingtheImperialfleet,atleastnotyet.Notuntilhe’dlearnedwhathadbecomeofCiena,Nash,andtherest,andmaybenotever.Buthewasperhaps…testingtheidea.Gettingusedtoit.

IfCienahaddied,whatwasleftforhimthere?Nothing.

“Sir?”hesaidtohiscommandingofficer,wholookedannoyedattheinterruption.“WhichStarDestroyeristhis?”

“Doesitmatter,LieutenantKyrell?”

“Itdoestome,sir.”Hiscommandingofficer

wasn’timpressedbyanyshowofindependence.“You’reontheDevastator.Butifyou’renotontheWatchtowerwithinthehour,

you’reoutofthefleet.”TheDevastator.Thane

breathedout.Okay,Ciena’sprobablyfine.Shewassafeandsoundonhershiptheentiretime.

UnlessmaybeshestayedbehindontheDeathStarforadutyassignment—orshewasvisitingJudeandtheDevastatorpulledouttooquicklyforhertorejoinit—

Hedisembarkedwithonlyawristcommunicatortotell

himwheretofindtheWatchtower’sdockingberth.Fromthelooksofthings,hedidn’thavemuchtime,butmaybeenoughtostopatacommunicationspanel.Evenifthesysteminformedhimshewasonduty,itwouldbeproofshewasalive.HowwashesupposedtogetonanothershipandflyawayfromtheDevastatorwithoutevenknowing?

“Thane!”

HeturnedandsawCiena,halfwayacrossthecrowdedbay,anditwaslikethehardshellaroundhimcrackedandcrumbledaway.HeforgotaboutKerevDoi,aboutescape.Itwasimpossibletothinkaboutanythingbutthesightofherthere,then,alive.“Ciena!”

Thenallthatmatteredwaspushingthroughthecrowd,shoulderingasidestormtroopergruntsand

seniorofficersalike,sohecouldgettoher.

CienaflungherarmsaroundThane’sneck,andheembracedherbacksotightlythatshecouldbarelybreathe.Shedidn’tcare,notnow.

“You’realive,”shesaid,hervoicebreaking.“You’realive.Wedidn’tknowwhetheryourtransporthadreturnedtotheDeathStar—”

“Ididn’tknowiftheDevastatormadeit,andnobodyknowswhatthehellisgoingon—”

“It’ssoterrible—”“Didyou—?”Theystoppedtryingto

talkovereachotherandjustlaughedforamoment,outofpurejoy.CienalookedupatThane,andshesawthemanhehadbecome,theoneshewasinsomewaysonlybeginningtoknow—andyet

whowasalreadyasmuchapartofherasherboneorblood.

“I’msupposedtoreporttotheWatchtowerwithinthehour,”Thanesaid.“Areyoufree?”

Shecould’vegroaned.Alreadyshewaslatetoreportforhernextshift—butthen,totheside,shesawBerissegesturingather,clearlysaying,Goon!I’vegotit!CienaturnedbacktoThane.

“Ihaveafewminutes.”Theyworkedtheirway

throughthebusydockingbaytoasidecorridor;itledtoarecreationareaand,assuch,wascurrentlydeserted.Thoughtheroarofactivitycontinuedonlyafewmetersaway,therethetwoofthemcouldbenearlyalone.

“Areyouallright?”Thanebrushedaloosecurlbackfromhercheekasheframedherfacewithhis

hands.Cienaknewhewasn’t

talkingaboutbattleinjuries.“NashWindriderissafe.He’stornupaboutAlderaan—”Itwashardeventosaytheplanet’sname.Thanewincedwhenheheardit.“Still,he’sonduty.ButJudediedontheDeathStar.”

“I’msorry.”Hepulledherbackintohisarms,andsheleanedherheadagainsthischest.

They’dnevertouchedeachotherlikethat;nodoubtThanewasasvividlyawareofthatasshewas.Andyetembracinghim,beingheldbyhim,feltnatural.Right.

“IreallythoughtI’dlostyou,”shewhispered.“EverythingelseIcouldhandle,becauseIhadto,butwhenIrealizedyoumighthavebeenkilled—IknewIcouldn’tgetthroughthat.Notever.”

Cienaexpectedhimtosaysomethinglike,“Ofcourseyoucould;you’restrong”or“Don’tworryaboutme.”Instead,Thanefoldedherdeeperinhisembrace.“Thiswholeweek,Ididn’tknowifyouweredeadoralive.TheEmpirehasbeenturnedupsidedown,andwe’regoingtowar,andnotonedamnbitofitmattered.YouweretheonlyoneIcouldthinkabout.”

Cienastoodontiptoeto

hughimtighter.Thane’sfingerstracedalongherjawlineashebrushedhislipsagainstherforehead,thentiltedherfaceuptowardhis.ButitwasCienawhobroughttheirmouthstogetherfortheirfirstkiss.

Oh,shethoughtastheirlipsopenedagainsteachother.It’snotwhetherhe’smyfriendorsomeoneIlove.He’sboth.Thane’salwaysbeenboth,sincethe

beginning.Thiswasn’tthestartof

something;itwastheirdiscovery,theiradmission,ofwhathadbeenbetweenthemforaverylongwhile.

Whentheypulledapart,Thanetookadeepbreath.“Thatwas—very—”

“Yeah.”Thentheybothlaughed,moregentlythistime,andhekissedherforeheadagain.

Sheslidherarmsdown

hisshoulderstotakehishandsinhers.Thane’scrookedsmilemadeCienafeelasifsheweremeltinginside.Whycouldn’tthishavehappenedatamomentwhentheycouldreallybealone?

Butafewstolenminutesinanoisydockingbaywerealltheyhad,andshedidn’tintendtowastethem.“Listentome,”Cienasaid.“Ascrazyasthingsare,we’llbe

togetheragain.Idon’tknowwhereorwhen,butit’sgoingtohappen.”

“Itwill,”heanswered,brightening.“Nomatterwhat,I’mgoingtofindyou.”

Thatwasastrangewaytoputit.Oncetheyworkedpastthisinitialconfusion,Imperialrecordswouldbeabletoconnectthetwoofthematanytime.ButCienadidn’tcare.Shewastooovercome,alreadyyearning

forthenexttimethey’dbetogetherbeforethey’devensaidgood-bye.“HowcanImissyouwhenyou’restillhere?”

“BecauseIalreadymissyou,too.Butit’snotforever.Notevenforlong.”

Thanekissedheragain,andafterdaysofholdingstrongagainstloss,grief,andterror,Cienaletherselfsurrendertoamomentofhappiness.

Thenshewalkedhimtohistransport,kissedhimoncemoreattherampasafewofficersinsidewhistled,and,finally,ranlikehellforherdutystation.

Whenshegottoherconsole,Berissesteppedasidewithamotionlikeawaiterpresentingthedessert.“Ioweyouone,”Cienabreathedasshetriedtosteadyherself.

“Youowemewaymore

thanone,”Berisseanswered.Cienaglancedsidewaysat

Berisse;thetwoofthemstartedtosmileatthecrazinessofitall.Amazinghow,insituationslikethat,youcouldbecomegoodfriendsinonlyacoupleofdays.Shegotbacktowork,butononeviewscreenshebroughtupthedockingbayfeedsoshecouldseetheWatchtowerdisengageandsetofffortheinfinityof

space,takingThanewithit.

INTHEADVENTUREstoriesandswashbucklingholo-seriesThanehadwatchedasachild,spiceworldswereexoticlandspeopledwithbeautifuldancers,wisecrackinggangsters,anddaringpilots

whoflewsouped-upstarshipsastheyoutranthoseno-goodOldRepublicenforcers.

Thestoriesallsuggestedthatspicesmugglerslongedforadaywhentheycouldtradetheirgoodsfairly—andthattheEmpirehaddeliveredthespiceworldsfromtheirmoredangerous,yetcolorfulpast.ThanenolongerbelievedintheEmpireasanyone’ssalvation,andheknewhe’dlearnedallthat

fromtalestoldtochildren;yettheromanceofspiceworldslingereduntilthemomenthesetfootonKerevDoi.

Hedidn’tknowwhathe’dexpected,butitwasn’tthis.

KerevDoi’spinkskiesnolongerspreadovervastopenland;insteadtheyhadturneddarkerandhungoveragrim,disheartenedpopulace.Peopledidn’twearfancyoutfitsortradequips;theyhid

withinheavycloaksandsaidaslittleaspossible.Spicefarmsdominatedthelandscape.Everythingabouttheplanetthatwasn’tordinarywasprofoundlydepressing.

Okay,soyourchildhoodstoriesdidn’tpanout,Thanetoldhimselfroughly.Getoverit.Thisisreality.

Hisdutywouldhavebeeneasierifhe’dhadmoretodoonKerevDoi,butthe

Watchtower’srolewasprimarilytoferrytheofficialsinchargeofshakingdowntheplanet’snotoriouslycorruptbankingsystemandtoprovideashowofstrength.SoThane’staskswerelimitedtotakingouthisTIEfightereverydayandflyinglowoverareasthatneededareminderoftheEmpire’spowerandreach.

Once,Thanemightatleasthavefounditfunny,the

waypeoplecoweredandscatteredasheflewoverhead.AfterAlderaan,seeingpeoplescaredoftheEmpire—well,henolongerfeltlikelaughing.

Onafreenight,hewentouttotheBlueConvor,alocalnightclubfamousfrommanyoftheholos.Thatwaswhereheroesandheroinesmeteachother,exchangedsoulfulglancesoverdrinksthatglowedintheradiant

light,andmadeplansthatwouldearnthemmoneybeyondimagining.Thaneheldoutlittlehopefortheplace;atworstitwouldbeasseedyandrun-downasmostofwhathe’dseenofKerevDoisofar.Atbestitwouldbeatouristtrap.

ButsomehowtheBlueConvorturnedouttoberelativelyclosetowhatThanehadpictured.Theambiancewaslow-key(helpedalongby

thenewrulethatonlyImperialofficerscouldbringtheirblastersinside).Lowcoucheswerecushionedindeeporangeandrichpink,andhangingplantsdangledtheirlushbloomsoverhead.Levitatingcandledroidsilluminatedonlytheirimmediatesurroundings,leavingplentyofinvitingshadows.Themusicwasexcellent,lowsultryrhythmsplayedbyalong-snoutedguy

atacircularkeyboard.Thane’sdrinkcameinatallglassandwasjuststrongenoughtosoftentheedges.

I’lltellCienaaboutthisinmynextmessage,hethought.Sheusedtolikethoseholos,too,whenshegottoseethem.ItwouldmakeherhappytoknowatleastonethingaboutKerevDoiisjustasgoodasweimaginedit.

Thanefelthimself

grinningandtriedtostop,buthecouldn’t.EventhethoughtofCienablewhismindthesedays.

EversincethatdayontheSkyLoopwhenThanehadfirstrealizedthenewpotentialinhisrelationshipwithCiena,he’dresistedit.Evenwhenhehadn’tbeenangrywithheraboutthatdumb-assincidentwiththelasercannon,he’dbeenafraidofwhatwouldhappenifthe

bondbetweenthemchanged.Butithadn’tchanged.

Thatwastheamazingthing.They’dalwaysbelongedtoeachotherinwaysthatweredifficulttodefine;Thanefeltasthoughthey’dsimplyacknowledgedwhathadbeentruefromthestart.

Andshe,too,wasconsideringleavingtheImperialStarfleet.

Thatmadesense,ofcourse.Cienadefinedherself

byherhonor,andtherecouldbenohonorinwhattheEmpirehaddonetoAlderaan.Obviously,theRebelAlliancewasnobetter;ithadblownuptheDeathStarwithnearlytwomillionpeopleonboard.Butonewrongdidn’texcuseanother.Shehadprobablythoughtaboutabandoningherpostevenbeforehehad.

Onceagain,Thanereplayedthosefewincredible

minutesinhismind—theoneandonlytimehe’dbeenabletoholdCienainhisarmsandkissher.Shehadsaid,We’llbetogetheragain.Idon’tknowwhereorwhen.

Shewouldn’thavesaidthatifshethoughtthey’dbothremainintheImperialNavy,wheretheycouldfindeachotherthroughanydatabase.Surelyshe,too,wantedout.

Butwantingoutandgettingoutweretwodifferent

things.Whatexactlywashesupposedtodoifheabandonedhispost?Hewouldimmediatelybecomeawantedcriminal.Alow-prioritycriminal,maybe—especiallywiththerebelsoutthereasamoredangerousthreat—buthe’dstillbeatriskofbeingthrowninthebrigthefirsttimeanImperialofficerperformedascanandrealizedhewasadeserter.PlusCienawouldfindit

incrediblyhardtobreakherpromisetoservetheEmpire.Shebelievedinbothoathsandhonorassacred.Whathappenedwhenthoseoathsandherhonorwereatodds?

Iguesswehavetowait,hethoughttiredly.Doourfiveyears.Trytogetassignedtothesamestationorshipforawhile.MaybeputdownthisdamnedrebellionandavengeJude,beforeourtoursofdutyareup.Thenwecanresign

andwalkaway.Andafterthat…Thane

didn’tknow.Theywouldn’treturntoJelucan;thatmuchwascertain.Butitwasabiggalaxy.Thepossibilitieswereendless.Alltheyhadtodowassearchfortheirfuturetogether.

Hesippedhisdrinkanddaydreamedaboutthisnightasascenefromoneoftheholos.Nowhewasaswaggeringspicepirate,all

egoandcharm.Cienacouldslinkindressedlikeoneofthoseclassicfemmefatales—inadeep-redrobethatclungtoherbody—andwhispertohimthatsheneededhelpfromamanwhowasafraidofnothing.

“That’sme,”hewhisperedtotheCienainhismind.Heimaginedkissingheragain,andthenextdaydreamslastedhimuntilhehadpaidforhisdrink,leftthe

club,andreturnedtohisbunk.

Thane’sfive-yearplanfellaparteightdayslater,whenheflewovertheLower-SeaProvince.

Hedidafewdramaticswoopsanddivesforthebesteffect.ThedistinctivescreamofaTIEfighter’sengineswouldechointhecanyons.Noonewhohearditcould

doubtthattheEmpireremainedstrongandomnipresentthroughoutthegalaxy.Bythetimehelandedtomeetwiththelocalgarrisonandgrabhismiddaymeal,Thanewasfeelingfairlypleasedwithhimself.

ButashewalkedtowardthelocalHQ,hissmilefaded.

Alineofworkerstrudgedalongthetrailleadingupfromtheminecrevasse.Inmostofthespicemines

Thanehadseenupuntilthen,droidsandlesserautomatonsservedasthemainlaborforce.There,however,theminerswereallsentientbeings.Heevenrecognizedtheirspecies:apalereptilianpeoplecalledtheBodach’i.TheirplanethadcontinuallyresistedImperialregulations—everyoneknewthat,astheBodach’ihadbeenopenintheirdefiance—butsomemonthsbefore,ithadbeen

announcedthatorderwasrestoredandnewsanctionslevied.

Thanehadimaginedthat“sanctions”meantfinesortradingpenalties.Hehadnotrealizeditmeantslavery.

TheBodach’iworerestraintcollarsandwristlets.Ontheirown,therestraintswerenomorethanheavyandcumbersome;however,anydeviationfromtheprogrammedtasksorpaths

wouldresultinelectricshocksorevenmetalspursjabbingintothewearer’sflesh.

Ithoughtthoserestraintswereforviolentcriminals,notfor…regularpeople,Thanesaidtohimself,dazed,ashewalkedslowlyalongtheborderoftheImperialoutpost.Beyond,theBodach’istaggeredundertheirburdens,unabletostopandrest.Theywere

monitoredbyImperialstormtrooperswhostoodmanymetersapartalongthelinethatseemedtostretchintoinfinity.Afewtownspeoplewatched,eitherinsilentfearorcompleteapathy.Thanecouldn’ttellthedifference.

NauseatightenedhisthroatandbellyashesawtheBodach’istruggling.Mostofthemweren’tevenfitlaborers.Therewere

younglingBodach’ithere,hardlybigenoughtocarrytheburdensthey’dbeengiven.Elders,too,theirscalesgonedustywithage.

Thiswaswrong.Worsethanwrong—evil.IftheBodach’ihaddefiedtheEmperor,sanctionsmightbeappropriate,butnotthis.Nothingcouldjustifypunishinganentireracethisway.

Enslavingthem.

Whydoesn’tsomeonehelpthesepeople?Thanewonderedashescannedtheblankexpressionsofthelocals.Theircollarscouldbeunfastenedduringthenight,theirescapescoveredup.…

Thenithithim.Nobodyhelpedthe

Bodach’ibecausethesepeopleallfearedtheEmpire.AndwhenThanehadflownoverhead,showingoffhisTIEfighterandlettingthe

populacehearitsenginesscream,hehadmadethemevenmoreafraid.

Thecrushingweightofthattruthsettledonhim,andforamomentThanefeltasifhecouldhardlybreathe.

OneofthelocalchildrenhadbegunjeeringattheBodach’i.“That’swhatyouget!YouthinkyoucanpushtheEmperoraround?Showedyou!”Oneofthestormtroopersnoddedin

approval,thenpattedthechild’shead.

Thatboycouldbenomorethansevenoreightyearsold—theageThanewaswhenhe’ddecidedtojointheImperialfleet.Thatwashowevilmagnifieditself:ittookrootintheyoungandgrewalongwiththem.Eachgenerationprovidedthenextlevelofabuse.

We’reteachingchildrentoapproveofslavery.We’re

teachingthemcrueltyisavirtue.

Buttheworstpartwas—Thanehadbeenthatkid.He’dsatinthepilot’sseatofashuttleandfeltproud.Feltbig.AllbecausehemightbepartoftheEmpiresomeday.He’dfollowedthepaththatledfromthere,andwherehadittakenhim?Nowheflewshipsonlytofrightenpeople,inthenameofanEmpirethatslaughteredentireworlds.If

hecouldgoback,wouldhehavethestrengthtochooseadifferentpath?

DoIhavethestrengthtodothatnow?

AnotherstormtroopercuffedoneoftheBodach’i,whostaggeredtotheside.Shehadlostmanyscalesandhertaildraggedalongthesand,eventhoughtheroughterrainhadtohavenickedandbruiseditcountlesstimesbythen.Thecreature’sweakness

lancedThanethrough,especiallybecausetherewasnothinghecoulddo.Absolutelynothing.Notagainstanentiregarrisonofstormtroopers.Hehadtojuststandthereandwatch,andknowhispartintheevilhebeheld.

Thatnighthepaidtheexorbitantamountofcreditsittooktobuyaholonet

message.IfCienadidn’tgetthesignalintime,orwasn’tfreetorespond,he’djusthavetotryagainthenextday—buttoThane’srelief,shesignedinalmostimmediately.Hetookhisseatinthedarkholo-booth,feltthewarmbeamsoflightscanninghisfaceandbody—

—andCienamaterializedbeforehim.

Herhologramwasnearlylife-size.Thesoftbluelight

caughteveryfacetofher—thecurlshalf-loosedandfallingdownherback,herfulllips,thewayshesmiledtoseehim.“Iwasn’texpectingthis,”shesaid,hervoiceonlyslightlyblurredbythetransmission.Sheworeuniformtrousersbuthadstrippeddowntohersinglet,exposingherarmsandshoulders.“Ican’tbelieveyousprangfortheholonet—butI’msogladyoudid!It’s

sogoodtoseeyou.”“Evenbettertoseeyou.”

Thesightofhernowhadlostnoneofthepowerofthatfirstmomenthe’dglimpsedherontheDevastator.Thanestillfeltjustasgratefulandhumbledatthemerefactshewasalive.“Ineededtotalk.Ididn’twakeyouup,didI?”

“No.Myshiftjustended,andmyroommate’sout.”

Onewordofthatstruckhimasodd.“Roommate,

singular?”Ciena’sgrinbeamedat

himthroughthedarkenedholo-recordingbooth.“You’retalkingtoLieutenantCommanderRee,asofyesterday.”

“That’samazing.”Aslittleaseitherofthemcaredaboutadvancementatatimelikethis,ThanecouldstillappreciatewhatthepromotionmeanttoCiena.Itwasproofshe’ddoneher

duty,andbrilliantly.“It’snotsurprising,though.Notforsomeoneasgoodasyouare.”

YetthatmadeCiena’sfacefall.“It’snotonlyaboutmyperformance.Notevenmostlyaboutthat.IgotpromotedbecausetheEmpirelostsomanypeopleontheDeathStar.”

Ofcourse.Thestationhadbeenhostingmanyofthetopofficialsofthefleetandtheirstaffs.Nowtherewasa

powervacuumatthetop.“Everythinghaschanged,”hesaid,carefully.

Cienanodded.Onestrapofhersingletslippedoffhershoulder,andtheillusionofthehologramwassostrongthatThanewantedtoleanforwardandnudgeitbackintoplace—ormaybenudgetheotheroneoff,too.Buthehadtostayfocused.Hehadtothink.Holonetmessageslikethesewouldn’tbedirectly

monitored,buttherewereprogramstoscourwhattheysaidandlookforsuspiciouswordsorphrases.

SoThanecouldn’tcomeoutandsayexactlywhathewasthinking.Neithercouldshe.Butmaybetheycouldmakeeachotherunderstand.

Cienasatontheedgeofherbunk,drinkinginthesightofThane’sholograminfrontof

her.Inthedarknessshecouldalmostpretendhewasreallythere.

“Areyouallright?”sheasked,speakingassoftlyasshecould,rightintotheholo-receiver.“AshappyasIamtotalkwithyou,Iknowyouwouldn’thavesurprisedmelikethisfornoreason.”

Thane’sfacewasetchedingoldenlight,onlyashadelighterthanhisred-tingedhair.Initshecouldreadthe

deepestconcernandsorrow.“It’shardtoknowhowtogoonafteratragedylikethis,”hesaid.

AgainCienathoughtofJude,andshehadtoblinkbacktears.“Ican’tgetitoutofmyhead,either.It’sliketheexplosionplaysoverandoverinmymind,andIwanttosavethembutIcan’t.Ijust…can’t.”

“Doyoufeellikewehavetowaitandseewhathappens

withthiswar?”Thanesaid,hiseyessearchingherssointenselythatitwaslikehetrulywastherewithher.“Ordoesthischangehowwegofromhere?”

Herheartachedtothinkofhimsystemsaway,tryinginvaintoimaginetherightstrategythatwouldgivethemaquickvictoryandpreventfurtherbloodshed.Thosedaydreamswereonlynatural,butthatwasalltheycould

everbe:dreams.“Wecan’tjuststandaside

andletsuchthingshappen,”Cienaremindedhim.“Notwhenwehavethepowertomakeadifference.Whateverwehavetodo—howevermuchwehavetosacrifice—thenwe’llfacethatasitcomes.Together.”

“Together,”Thanerepeated,andhissmilethenwassosadthatshecouldfeelhisvulnerability,andhers,as

surelyandpainfullyasanywound.

Cienareachedouttotouchthehandofthehologram;Thaneresponded,andtheflickeringlightofhisfingerspassedslightlythroughherrealhand.“Imissyou,”shesaidoncemore.Thewordsweresoinadequate;nothingshecouldpossiblysaywouldcommunicatewhatshefelt.

“Itwon’tbelongbefore

we’retogetheragain,”Thanepromised,soconfidentlythatshehadtobelievehim.Infact,heseemedsosurethatCienawonderedifhe’dalreadyreceivedhisnextorders—whetherheknewsomethingshedidn’t.

Thanelookeddownatherhand,carvedofflickeringbluelight,reachingtowardandthroughhim.

“Ihopeyou’reright,”Cienasaid,hervoiceechoingslightlywithinthebooth.“Iwishitwouldonlybeafewdays.No—aslongasI’mwishing,Iwishyouwerewithmerightnow.”

“Metoo.”Themeterbegantoblink,signalingthattheirtimewasalmostup.Thanewantedtostuffmorecreditsintoitandbuyanotherfewminutes—butthey’dsaidalltheycould,andnowmore

thanever,heneededtosavehismoneyformoreimportantthings.“Gottago.I’msorrythecall’ssoshort,Ciena—”

“It’sallright!I’msogladIgottoseeyou.”Cienakissedherownfingertips,thenheldthemoutuntiltheyseemedtobrushhislips;Thaneimaginedhecouldfeeltheenergyofthebeams,electricandwarm.“Good-bye.”

“Good-bye,”hesaidin

thelastinstantbeforeherimageblinkedout.

Ashewalkedfromtheholo-boothbacktohisbarracks,Thanekeptreplayingtheirconversationinhishead,marvelingathowthey’dmanagedtosayeverythingandnothing.CienahadagreedwithhimaboutthetragedyofAlderaanandfeltthesamedesperate,futilelongingtosavethelost.Morethanthat,she’dagreed

theycouldn’tjusthangaroundinImperialservice,doingwhattheyweretold.Theyhadtotakeactionimmediately.

Thanehadalreadyknownwhathispathmustbe,butnowthatheknewCienawaswithhim,nothingcouldholdhimback.

Thenextday,hecompletedhismorningflightpatternasusual,thenmanagedtoswitchtoanight

flightinsteadofhisusualafternoonrun.Heusedthoseafternoonhourstowithdrawasmanycreditsaspossiblefromhisaccount,tradetheminforspice,andthentradethespiceinforunmarkedcredits.Thaneusedthemoneytobuycivilianclothes—adarkbluejacket,blackpantsandboots,andagrayshirtthatwouldlookathomeonanyworldinthegalaxy.

Thenandonlythendidhe

gotothespaceportandfindanindependentfreighter.

“IwanttogettothenearestHubworld,”Thanesaid,tryingtosoundasconfidentandcocksureasthecharactersinthoseholosfromlongago.“That’sallyouneedtoknow.Asknoquestionsandyougettwo-thirdsofthefeeupfront,one-thirdatlanding.”

ThereptilianFalleenpilotlaughed.“Sillyhuman.I

don’taskquestionsanyway.Youreadytogo?Weblastoffwithinthehour.”

ForonemomentThanehesitated,thinkingofCiena.Wouldsheknowwheretofindhim?

Ofcourseshewill.ShemightevenhavelefttheEmpirebeforeIdid,andgottherebeforeme.We’rebothheadinginthesamedirection.Nothinginthegalaxycanstopus.

“Yeah,”Thanesaid.“I’mready.”

AsCienalayinherbunkafewnightslater,shewhispered,“DoyouthinkweshoulddosomethingforNash?”

“Ughhhh.”Berisse’svoicewashoarsefromsleep.“Youdorealizethisisthemiddleofmydownshift,right?”

“Sorry.I’mjustworriedabouthim,that’sall.It’slikeNashissleepwalkingthroughhisduties.Onlyhalfalive.”

“Soundsaboutright,afterwhathappened.”Berisseleanedovertheedgeofhertopbunk;herlongblackhairstreamedaroundherupside-downface.“You’rethinkingaboutNashmostlybecauseit’stheonlythingthatkeepsyoufromthinkingaboutThane,aren’tyou?”

“Itisn’t!”Cienarolledoverononeside,flippingbackhergrayblanketsoshecouldgestureforemphasis.“I’vehardlybeendaydreamingonmyshifts—theyevenletmehandleauxiliarynavigationyesterday.”

“Ididn’tmeanonthejob.Putyouatyourdutystationandyou’reflawless.It’sonlyeveryotherwakingmomentthatyou’rededicatedto

Thane.”“You’rejustteasingme

becauseIwouldn’tstoptalkingabouthisholotheothernight.”

“Exactly.Soshutupandletmesleep.”Berisse’sfacevanished,andaboveCienaheardtherustleofblanketsandmattress.

Still,Berissewouldn’tbeasleepagainyet.“WereallydohavetodosomethingforNash.Imeantthat.He’s

hurtingterriblyandwon’tadmitit.”

“He’sdoingaboutaswellascanbeexpected.Nashispickingupextrashifts—keepingbusy.Bestthingforhim.”

Probablythatwastrue.“Still,wecouldfigureoutotherwaystofillhistime.Maybeinvitehimtoworkoutinthegymsomeday,playgrav-ball,thatkindofthing.”

“Sure.Giveitatry,”

Berissemumbled.Bythenshewasdeeplydrowsy,barelyconscious.NodoubtshehadnoideawhatCienahadevensaid.

Grav-ball.ThesuggestionwassotrivialitembarrassedCiena;thatwasnoconsolationforthelossofaworld.Thenagain,whatwas?Nashwouldhavetorebuildhislifedaybyday,evenhourbyhour.Fornow,asafriend,allCienacoulddowashelp

fillsomeofthosehours.Sherolledoverand

clutchedherpillowasshetriedtosettledown.ButsheremainedworriedaboutNash,miffedthatBerissehadaccusedherofthinkingaboutnothingbutThane—

—andhappytokeepthinkingaboutThane.

Thatwasthetimetothinkofhim,though.Noduty,nodistractions,onlythememoryoftheextraordinaryholo-

messagefromafewdaysbefore.Cienasmiledtoherselfasshethoughtofthewaythey’dsaidsomuchinsofewwords.Thanehadagreedwithheraboutstickingtotheirduty,concentratingonfightingthewartothebestoftheirability,andfindingwaystobetogetheragainasoftenastheirservicewouldallow.

Shefellasleepamidavisionthatwashalfhope,half

dream—ThanetransferredtotheDevastatorasaTIEpilot,flyingalongsideLordVaderhimself,comingbacktoherattheendofeveryshift.Thatdreamsuffusedherentirenight,whichwasonereasonwhythenewsthenextmorningcameassuchawretchedshock.

“Therehastobeamistake,”Cienasaid,staringatNash.“Yougotthenameswrong.”

“Iwashisroommateforthreeyears.Trustme,Iknowhisname.”Nasheventurnedthetabletaroundsoshecouldseeforherself.Theystoodoutsidethecommissary;nobodywasaroundtooverhearexceptafewgroggypilotsstaggeringintogettheirbreakfastandcaf.“LieutenantThaneKyrell,designationA-V-five-four-seven,deserteddutyasofthreeKerevDoidaysago.”

SheclutchedatthesleeveofNash’suniform.“Hewouldn’tdesert.Hisshipcrashed—orhe’sbeentakenprisonerbysomelocalroughs,somethinglikethat.”

“You’dthinkhissuperiorswouldhavecheckedthatout.Butperhapsyou’reright.It’snotlikeThanetorun.”Nashsteppedclosertoher,loweredhisvoice.“Ididn’ttellyouthistofrightenyou.OneoftheISBofficers

questionedmethismorningaboutThane’sloyalties,politicalbeliefs,alltherest.IwasabletoassurethemthatThaneisnorebel,butIcantellthey’renotsatisfied.”

Cienaunderstoodnow.Theywouldquestionhernext.

SoshewalkedstraighttotheofficeoftheseniorISBofficeraboard,CaptainRonnadam,andhadherselfannounced.Shestoodinfront

ofhimatattentionasshesaid,“I’vecometovolunteerwhatinformationIhaveaboutLieutenantKyrell,sir.”

“OurvagabondonKerevDoi.OronceonKerevDoi.”Ronnadamsquintedather.“Doyouthinkhe’satraitorormerelyadeserter?”

“Heisnotraitor,”sheansweredwithasmuchforceasshedared.Itwasimportantthatthegeneralunderstandtheywereonthesameside—

allthreeofthem.“Thane—LieutenantKyrellhasrepeatedlydescribedtherebelsasterrorists,sir.Inourlastcommunication,heexpressedhisdeepsorrowandanguishaboutthedestructionoftheDeathStar.”

“Thenwhy,LieutenantCommanderRee,hasheabandonedhispost?”

“Icanonlythinkthatheis—indespair,sir.Overcome

bythelossofsomanyfriends.”Cienahesitatedbeforecontinuing.ThiscameclosetobetrayingThane’ssecrets,andshehadalmostdonethatoncebefore,whenshe’dmentionedhisproblemswithhisfatherinfrontofJude.ButsheneededtosaveThaneandhiscommissionnow,anywayshecould.“LieutenantKyrellgrewupinextremelydifficultcircumstances.Hisfamily

providesnosupportwhatsoever.Sohisfellowofficers—we’rehisfamily.Allhehas.Thatlosshasaffectedhimprofoundly.”

“He’snottheonlyonewholostpeople,”Ronnadamsnapped,butthenhisexpressiongrewmorethoughtful.“Andhe’snottheonlyofficerwe’veseenfalter.Thesameoffensesthatwouldhavegottenamancashieredtwoyearsagoarenow

handledonacase-by-casebasis…fornow.Therewillofcoursebeapenaltytobepaid,butifLieutenantKyrellreturnstodutyinshortorder,hecancontinuehiscareerwithoutunduedifficulty.”

Cienabreathedoutinrelief.AtleasttherewasstilltimetosaveThanefromaterriblemistake.

“Doyouknowwhereheis,LieutenantCommanderRee?Ifso,yourealizeyou

mustreportthatinformation.”“No,sir.Idon’thave

LieutenantKyrell’scurrentlocation.ButIknowwheretobeginlookingforinformation:ourhomeworld,Jelucan.”

“Verywell,LieutenantCommander.I’llputthroughordersforyoutotraveltoJelucanonthenexttransport.”

Hereyeswidened.“Me,sir?”

Ronnadamsnapped,“Doyouthinksuchdutyisbeneathyou?”

“No,sir!Isimplythought—anISBofficer—”

“Ouragentsarebusiernowthanatanyothertimeinourhistory.You’realreadyfamiliarwiththearea,sosendingyouinsteadisabetteruseofresources.”Hisvoicehadacquiredadangerousedge.“Unless,ofcourse,youhavesuperiorideas?”

Cienawasalmostgladforthemisunderstanding;betterifRonnadamdidn’trealizehowbadlyshewantedtobetheonetofindThane.“No,sir.I’llleaveforJelucanimmediately.”

“Searchforhimhighandlow.Usewhateverresourcesyoumust.”Ronnadam’seyesnarrowed.“AndifyouhearsomuchasonewhisperofKyrell’sinvolvementwiththeRebellion—youwillfollow

thatwhisperwhereveritleadsandreporteveryword.Doyouunderstand?”

CienahadachancetorescueThanebecausetheEmpirewantedtouseherasaspy.She’dneverwantedtoinformonanyone,foranyreason.Dutydemandedloyalty,butloyaltywasowedtofriendsaswellassuperiors.Forthefirsttimesherealizedhowdarkthetasksthatfelltoherinthis

warmightbe.Butthatwasthepriceof

findingThaneagain.“Yes,sir,”shesaid,

thinking,Whateverittakes.

ITWASTHEFOURTHandfinalfreighterhaulthatgottoThane.

He’dkepthisheaddown,remainedquiet,andmadeitoffKerevDoieasilyenough.Theshipshehadboardedforthenextfewtripsgavehim

notrouble,either.Onapassengership,hewould’vehadlittleprivacyandanoverlyinterestedcrewtodealwith.Onafreighter,however,thefewextraberthsweresoldtoworkerswhowantedcheaptransportandnofrills.Thanedidn’thavetoworryaboutbeingnoticedthere.

ButwhenthelastfreightercameoutofhyperspacenearJelucan,Thanegrabbedhisbagand

headedforthedisembarkationarea.Longmetalbenchesboltedtothewallshadafewharnessesforthoseworriedaboutabumpyridedown;hestrappedhimselfinandwaited.Anotherpassengerdidthesame—thenanother—andafourth.

NoneofthesepeoplebehavedmarkedlydifferentthanThanehimself.Theyworethesortofnondescript

clothingthatcouldbepurchasedonalmostanyworld.Theyshowednoundueinterestinthepeoplearoundthem.

AndyetanyoneofthemcouldbeanImperialspy.

TheidealatchedontoThanesohardhecouldscarcelybreathe.Thewomanwiththelongsalt-and-pepperbraid—hadshejustglancedathisface?TheOttegan,withhiswide-seteyes—whoknew

whathemightbeobserving?OrtheVolpaithere,withallthefingersonallfourofhishandstappingathisdatafeed—washereportingThanetotheauthoritiesevennow?

Everywhereelse,Thanehadknownhepossessedtheadvantageofsurprise.TherewasnowayfortheEmpiretopredicthisearliermoves,buttheymighthaveguessedhe’dreturntoJelucan.Sosomeonecouldhavetracedhimtothat

freighter.Oranentireplatoonofstormtroopersmightbewaitingforhiminthelandingbay—

Instead,thefreighterlandedwithoutincident.TheotherfourpassengersdispersedwithoutevenlookingatThane.Helaughedathisparanoiaasheshoulderedhisbag.You’reonfamiliargroundnow.Soonyou’llfeellikeyourselfagain.

Yethedidn’t.

AtfirstThanebelievedhewasonlysufferingfromreversecultureshock,thestrangenessofhomeafteralongtimeaway.Valentia,thegrandcityhe’dadmiredasaboy—ofcourseitwouldlooksmallandprovincialafterhe’dspentthreeyearsonCoruscant.Ifpeopleseemedguardedandlessfriendly,probablythatwasbecausehewascontrastingtheirreactionstothesmallboy

he’dbeenwiththemorereservedreceptionthey’dgiveanadult.Andhewasstillonedge.Hisuneasedeepenedtheshadows.

Butthelongerhelookedaround,themorecertainhewas.Hisworldhadchanged.TheEmpirehadchangedit.

ThesenatorialbuildingeveryonehadbeensoproudofonthedayJelucanjoinedtheEmpire—thathadbeentakenoverbythemilitaryto

sequestertroops.Thanekepthisdistance,buthecouldtellthatitwasnoshort-termemergencymeasure.Alreadyengineerswereconstructingahighsurroundingwall,andtheperimeterforcefieldoverheadglintedwhensunlightbrokethroughthegraysky.

ValentiamightneverhaveapproachedCoruscant’spolishandsophistication,butithadbeenavibrant,bustling

city.Nowtheentireplaceseemedmorecrowdedandemptieratthesametime.Ramshackle,makeshiftshantieshadbeenbuiltnexttotheolder,stone-carvedbuildings;theseclearlyservedashousingforitinerantworkers,whohadcomeoutofthemountainslookingfornewopportunitiesthatnevermaterialized.

Orhadthesepeoplebeenforcedout?Thanewasn’t

sure.Hecouldtellfromtheclothestheyworethatbothvalleykindredandsecond-waverswereamongthenewvagabondpopulation.Yetthetwogroupswerehardertotellapartthanthey’dbeenbefore.Boththebrilliantsilksandplainhomespunclothhadbeguntobereplacedbycheapmass-producedgarments.Adense,stultifyingsamenesshadsettledovertheland.

Eventheentertainmentwasaffected.Thane’srentedroomstoodonthehigherfloorofabuildingthatalsohousedacantinaatgroundlevel.Whenhewasaboy,hisfatherhadsometimestakenhimintosuchestablishments,promisingtohave“justonedrink.”SoThanehadspentmanylonghourssittinginafarcornerwatchingpodracesorthespice-worldholosheenjoyedsomuch.

Thecantinaswereroughernow—lessneighborhoodpub,moreseedybar.Mostofthepatronswerenotlocalcharacters;outworldersseemedtohavecrowdedthemout.AsThanenursedhisale,hestaredatthescreensindisbelief.EverysingleprogramwasImperialpropagandaofsomekindoranother:adocumentaryostensiblyabouttheEmpire’s

successful“buildingprograms”onThurhannaMinor(reallyenormouspowerfacilitiesthatsquattedoveronce-prettycountryside)wasbrokenupbyrecruitingcallsforstormtroopers(“DiscoveradventureandserveyourEmpire!”)ornewsitemsaboutEmperorPalpatinereceivingguestsashesmiledandnodded.Worstofallwasanadforaspecialreportscheduledtoairsoon,

inwhichthe“fullextentofthetreasonousactsofseditionontheplanetAlderaanwillfinallybeexposed!”

ThanehadthoughteveryonewouldbetalkingaboutAlderaan.Noonedid.ThesilenceaboutanentireCoreWorldplanet’sdestructiontoldThanemorethananygossipwouldhave.Everyoneisthinkingaboutit.Everyoneisafraid.IftheEmpirewoulddestroya

worldasimportantandprosperousasAlderaan…noplaceinthegalaxywassafe.

(TheImperialbroadcastswerevagueabouttheDeathStar’sdestruction,speakingonlyofan“unprecedentedattackbytheRebelAlliance.”ThanehadfirstthoughttheEmpirewouldplayitupasarebelatrocity,butthenherealizedthatitwasmoreimportantforthepopulacetobelievethattheEmpirecould

destroyanotherworldatanymoment.)

Whenhewalkedoutside,hewasdisturbedevenbythecolorofthesky.Jelucan’satmosphereusuallyshoweditselfasmoregraythanblue,buttheairhadalwaysbeenclearandsparkling,andthegrayoverheadhadthesheenofafinemineral.Nowtheskiesweredarkerevenwhentheywerecloudless,asifexpectingastormthatnever

came.Hadtheminingbeguntoaffecttheatmosphere?

Thanehadarguedwithhimselfaboutwhetherornottocontacthisfamilywhenhearrived.LittleashisfathercaredforhimandasmuchashismotherwantedtocurryfavorwiththeEmpire,hecouldn’tbelievethey’dactuallyturnhimin.Eveniftheywouldn’thaveprotectedhim,theywouldn’thavewantedtoenduretheshame.

Athomehecouldhavesavedhiscredits,takenhistime,andwaitedforCiena.

HecouldevenhaveriddenhisoldlinedowntotheFortress,tidieditup,madeitnice.Itseemedsorighttomeetherthereagain—

Intheend,though,Thanehaddecidedagainstcontactinghisparents.Hehadnoneedforhisfather’sdrunkencontemptorhis

mother’soutrage;leastofalldidhewanttohearthemtalkingabouthowDalvenwasdoing.

(GiventhesevereshortageofImperialtroops,evenanoaflikeDalvenhadprobablyreceivedapromotion.He’dbefoolenoughtotakeprideinit,too.)

Butasthedayswenton,hisspiritssunklower.Cienastillhadn’tappeared.Whatif

she’dtriedtodesertbutbeencaptured?Thethoughtofherinjail,feelingshamedandhopeless,sickenedhim.(Hedidn’tgiveintodespair;Cienawastoosmart,toocapabletobeeasilycaught.She’dwaituntilthemomentwasright,butthatmomentmightnotcomeforawhile.)ThescantfundsThanehadmanagedtoescapewithhadmostlygonetopayforhisfreightertrips.Hisrentonthe

tinyroomalreadyseemedliketoomuch,andhewaslivingonnothingbutstreetfood—thinslicesofsuspiciouslysourcedmeatcookedonsmallmakeshiftgrillersoutsidetheshanties,orthin“stews”thickenedwithgroundgrain.

Likemostcadets,Thanehaddreamedofhavingafewdaystosleeplate,ignoremilitarydiscipline,anddowhateverhewanted.Yet

withoutthestrictframeworkhe’dlivedwithinforthepastfewyears,hefoundhimselfrudderless—bewilderedandirritatedbymorefreedomthanheknewwhattodowith.Insteadoffulfillinghisassignedtasksatapresetschedule,hedid…nothing.Stubbleappearedonhisfaceasthebeardsuppressantworeoff,andbuyingmoredidn’tseemworththecreditsitwouldcost.Everynighthe

hadnightmares—aboutAlderaan,theDeathStar,hisfather,orCienaindanger.Theonlythingthatseparatedhimfromthedown-and-outersaroundhimwasthatThanedidn’tspendallhismoneyonale,thoughbynowheunderstoodwhysomepeopledid.Witheachdayhesunkdeeperintomelancholy.

Atfirsthe’dthoughtitwouldbeeasytofindsomekindofemployment;there

wasalwaysworkforpilots,evenunlicensedones.Butnowherealizedhecouldn’tdothatonJelucan.TheEmpire’spresencetherewastoostrongforadesertertowanderthroughtheportsaskingforajob.Nodoubthecouldindenturehimselftooneofthelesssavoryfreightersthatpassedthrough—theyneverlookedintopeople’sbackgrounds—butthatwasonlyonestep

removedfromsellinghimselfintoslavery.

Veryfewthingsseemedworthtryinganylonger.Itfeltasifhisentirelifewerefrozenintime,waitingforCienatoarrive.Andifshenevercame,hedidn’tknowwhatwouldbecomeofhimanddidn’tmuchcare.

Thanehithislimitonenightabouttwoweeksin,ashesprawledonhisbedinhissleeptunicandpants.The

paleplasterwallsofhisroomwereblank,hiscoverletalightbeigewithoutanypattern.Givenitsprice,thespacewassurprisinglycomfortable—butThanefeltasifitweretauntinghimwithitsemptiness.

Intheacademy’sSecurityProtocolsandInterrogationTechniquesclass,they’dtaughtthatoneofthemosteffectivemethodsforbreakingapersondownwas

simplytomakethatpersonstareataplainwallwithouteversleeping.Thesleepdeprivationandboredomdidwhatpainandthreatscouldnot.Aprisoner’smindwouldsplititselfopen,spillingeverywordhiddeninside,justtoendtheexhaustingmonotony.Thanehadneverunderstoodhowthatworkeduntilnow.

Acommotionoutsidemadehimsitupright.It

soundedlikesomeofthestreetmerchantswerefoldinguptheirnot-quite-legalwaresinahurry.Thanewenttotheonesmallwindowinhisroomandpulledbackthescreen.Onthegroundafewfloorsdown,hesawanImperialpatrolcruiserthathadobviouslyjustpulledup.

Then,onthestairsoutside,heheardthethumpofbootsassomeoneheadedhisway.

Allright,thinkfast.That’sasingle-personcruiser.Theyonlysentoneguy.Youcantakeoneguyout.Notwithoutaweapon,though.Wasthereanythinghecoulduse?Butthefewitemsintheroomwerealleithertoobigtobeliftedortoosmalltodoanymeaningfuldamage.

Maybeheisn’tcomingforyou.Therearedealersintheneighborhood.Prostitutes.

Smugglers.Plentyofpeopletoarrest.Butthenthey’dsendoneofthelocalparamilitaries,notanImperialofficer.

Thanetookadeepbreathasheranhishandsthroughhisshorthair.He’dhavetobluffhiswaythroughitasbesthecould.IfhedeniedbeingThaneKyrellandactedcompletelyconfused,hemightthrowtheguyoffforaminute—longenoughtograb

theofficer’sblaster.Butcouldheshootaguy

whowasjustdoinghisjob?Someonewhohadbeenhisfellowofficerjustafewdaysago?

AfistthumpedonThane’sdoor.Hemussedhiscoversasifhe’dbeenasleep,wenttothedoor,andsaid—asifgroggy—“Mmhmmn.Yeah?Whoisit?”

Thereply:“I’mhereonofficialbusiness.”

Heknewthatvoice.Instantly,Thaneopened

thedoorandsawCienastandingthereinuniform.Thesightofherfeltlikethefirstbreathhe’dtakeninyears.

“Youmadeit.”Hepulledherinsidehisroom,lockedthedoorbehindthem,andhuggedhertightly.Ashebreathedinthescentofherskin,hehadtomarvelatCiena’sbrilliance.Shehadn’t

deserted;she’dcomehereonofficialbusiness,makingsuretheEmpirewouldpayherwayanddelayinganyotherpursuit.“You’reagenius,youknowthat?Ikeptwaiting,andIthoughttheymighthavestoppedyou,buthereyouare.Hereyouare.”

Thanekissedherthen,longanddeeply.Thatdamnedgrayuniformwastoostiffagainsthishands,buttheycouldworryaboutthat

later.Cienakissedhimbackjustaspassionately—butwhentheirlipspartedshelookedsotroubledthathewonderedifhe’ddonesomethingwrong.

Ormaybeshewasworriedabouttheirsafety.“DidtheEmpiresendanyoneelse?”

“No.Theyweresureyou’dgosomewherebesidesJelucan.Iknewyou’dguessthat,soofcourseyou’dcome

here—”Thanegrinned.She

understoodhimsowell.ButCienalookedeven

moredistressedthanbefore.“Thane,whathaveyoudone?”

Andthenhefinallybegantorealizehowfaraparttheystillwere.

Anhourlater,CienasatwithThaneinthecantinabelow.

She’dbeenafraidtheywouldbeoverheard,witnessed,maybeeventurnedin,butThanehadshakenhishead.“Trustme,”he’dtoldher.“Thekindofpeoplewhocomehere?TheygiveImperialofficersawideberth.Nobodyweknowislikelytoshowup.”

“It’snotworththerisk,”she’dsaid.

ButThane’ssquarejawhadsetinthewaythatshe

knewmeantcompletedeterminationorjustplainstubbornness.“IfIdon’tgetoutofthisroom,Iamgoingtoloseit.Trustme.We’llbesafe.”

Sureenough,theyhadtheentirecorneroftheplacetothemselves.Mostofthepatronswerenewcomerstotheplanet,notnatives,andtheycrowdedatthefrontneartheviewscreens.SheandThanesatattheirsmalltable

alone.Merelybeinginarun-downcantinalikethatwouldhaveunnervedherafewyearsagoorevennow,ifsheweren’tsowrappedupintryingtostopThanefrommakingtheworstmistakeofhislife.

“Youcancomeback,”sherepeated.“Iknowyouthinkthey’llarrestyou,andatanyothertimetheywouldhave,buttheybadlyneedqualifiedofficersafterwhat

happened.”“Idon’twanttocome

back,”hesaid,notforthefirsttime.

Cienastillrefusedtobelieveit.“Threeyearsintheacademy—allthatwork,allthateffort,fornothing?”

“YouthinkI’mhappyaboutthis?I’mnot.ButafterwhatI’veseen,whattheEmpireisdoingtotheBodach’i—afterAlderaan—Ican’twearthatuniformany

longer.”Thaneleanedoverhisglassofale,headinonehand,likeamanwithaheadache.“Ithoughtweagreedaboutthis.”

“IthoughtweagreedthatafterwhathappenedtosomanyofourfriendsaboardtheDeathStar,weneededtostandtogether.Therebelskilledthousandsofourfellowofficers.TheykilledGrandMoffTarkin—”

“Tarkinwasnicetous,”

Thaneadmitted.“Meetinghimchangedourlives.”

“—andtheykilledJude,”Cienacontinued.“Doyoucondonethat?”

“I’mnotjoiningthedamnedRebellion,Ciena.I’mnotcondoningwhathappenedtotheDeathStarorwhathappenedtoAlderaan.Areyou?That’simpossible.You’dneverthinkdestroyinganentireworldwastherightthingtodo.”

Miserably,sheshookherhead.“No.IunderstandthethinkingthatledtotheattackonAlderaan—butIdon’tcondoneit.Thethingis,Idon’thaveto.”Cienaleanedcloser,lookingintoThane’sblueeyesandwillinghimtounderstand.“TheEmperorandtheMoffshavetosee,now,thatdestroyingAlderaandidnogood.Itdidn’tstoptheRebellion;ifanything,itmadetherebels

moredesperate.”“Sotwobillionpeople

diedinvain,”Thanesaid.“Andnearlyamillion

aboardtheDeathStar.”CienarefusedtoignoreJude’sdeath.Shestillhadnightmaresofrunningthroughthestation’scorridors,screamingforJudetogetonashuttlecraft,butneverfindingherfriend.“NowtheDeathStarisgone.EveniftheEmperorwanted

todosomethingsodrasticagain,hecouldn’t.Besides—theonlyreasontoattackAlderaanwastopreventanevenmoredevastatingwar.Thewarhasbegunanyway.It’stoolatetosavethegalaxyfromthat.AllIcandoisfightonthesideoflawandorderandstability.”

Thane’slaughwasharsh.“Thingsfallapart,Ciena.OurparentssawtheRepublicself-destruct.TheEmpiremight

lastanotheryearoranotherdecade,buteventuallythere’sgoingtobeabrand-neworderandbrand-newlaw.Whowillyouservethen?”

“Youdon’thavetobecrueljustbecauseIwon’t—becauseIcan’tdesertmypost.”Shecouldn’tevenbeangrywithThane;hersorrowwastoogreat.OfcoursehewouldrageagainstAlderaan’sdestruction,butthatdidn’thavetochange

everything.Andofcoursehehatedslavery—shedid,too—buttheEmpirehadscarcelyinventedthepractice.Whatcountednowwasbiggerthananyindividualincident.Thiswasamatterofthedeepestprinciple.“Wetookanoath.WesworeourselvestotheEmpire’sservice.Wecan’tbreakthat,notever.”

Thaneshookhishead.Theamberlightsinthecantinapaintedhishaira

deeperredandcastshadowsonhisfacethatshowedhowmuchhewasstruggling.“You’restillthegirlfromthevalleys.Youwon’tgoagainstyourword,evenwhenyou’vepromisedyourselftoaleaderandafleetthatdon’tdeserveyou.”

“Andyou’restillthesecond-waver.Youfinditeasiertobreakyourpromisesthantokeepthem.”ButCienawasashamedofthe

wordsassoonasshe’dspokenthem.Thatwasherfather’sprejudicetalking,andherownmiseryatthethoughtoflosingThane.

Hewasn’toffended.Insteadhewhispered,“It’snoteasyformetoleaveyou.It’sthehardestthingI’veeverdone.”

Sheturnedaway,unabletolookathimanylonger.

Thaneseemedtothinkshewasreactingoutofanger

ratherthangrief,becausehespokemoreformallywhenheasked,“Willyoureportme?”

“I—”Whatcouldshesayordo?ShewastrappednowbetweenherloyaltytoThaneandherloyaltytotheEmpire.AsangryasshewaswithThanefordesertinghiscommission,shecouldn’timaginesendinghimtojail.Howcouldsheeverdosomethinglikethattothepersonsheloved?“Idon’t

know.”“Youdon’tknow.Great.”

Heranonehandthroughhishair.“Doyouatleastknowifyou’regoingtoreportmetonight?”

Somethingwithinherbroke.“Ofcoursenot.”

Thane’svoicehadturnedharsh,cutting.“Thatwon’tbebreakingyouroath?Destroyingyourprecioushonor?”

“Sometimeswe’reloyal

tomorethanonething.Whenthere’saconflict,wehavetochoosewhichloyaltytohonor.”Cienahadbeguntrembling;shefeltasifshewerebeingtornintwo.“Idon’tknowwhatI’mgoingtodotomorrow.Buttonight,rightnow,Ichoosemyloyaltytoyou.”

AlltheangermeltedawayfromThanethen.Hishandcuppedthesideofherface,andshecouldn’tholdback

anylonger.Cienaleanedcloser,clutchingathisjacketsohewouldn’tgetawayfromher.Shewantednothingbutforhimtostaywithhernow,tonight,howeverlongtheycouldhave.Shewantedtobelievehewouldn’tgoaway.

Thanekissedheragain,moredeeplythanbefore.Cienaclosedhereyes,woundherarmsaroundhim,andimaginedthatshecouldstoptime.Thismomentwouldbe

crystallizedandeternal—hischestpressedagainsthers,thesoftraspofhisstubbleagainsthercheeks,thelowroughsoundhemadeashishandfoundthecurveofherwaist.

Whentheypulledapart,breathinghard,sheleanedherforeheadagainsthisandwhispered,“Upstairs.”

IttookThaneanothercoupleofbreathstoanswer.“Areyousure?”

Inthatmomentshefeltasifshecouldbesureofnothing.Thane—oneoftheconstantsinherlife,herpolestar—wasleavingforever.Theworldhadturnedupsidedown,andshesuspecteditcouldneverbeputfullyrightagain.

Butthatwaswhyshewasdeterminedtotakeeverythingshecouldhave.Tolivecompletelyinthismoment,thisnightwithThane.Tostop

time.“Yes,”shewhispered

againsthismouth.“Yes.”

Thanecouldn’tsleep.Itwasthedeadofnight

andhewaswornout,butitdidn’tmatter.AllhecoulddowaslookatCiena.

Shedrowsedagainsthisshoulder,notentirelyasleeporawake.Hertightlycurledhair,setfree,spreadaround

herheadonthepillowlikeadarkhalo.Herfulllipswereswollenfromtheirkisses.Andeventhoughhe’dspentthebetterpartofthelastthreehourslearningabsolutelyeverydetailofherbody,itstillexhilaratedhimtoseeherlyingnexttohim,wearingnothingbutacornerofthesheet.

Ashelaybesideher,Thane—forthefirsttime—askedhimselfifhecoulddo

whatCienaasked.Couldhereturntobase,admittoamomentofweakness,andgobackintoservice?ProbablyCienawasrightaboutthecurrentcrisisabsolvingmanysins.Whatwould’veearnedhimmonthsinthebrigayearagowasnowlikelytobenomorethanasmudgeonhisrecord.

Ifhereturnedrightnow,hecouldstaywithCiena—

Buthecouldn’tgoback.

Notafterwhathe’dseen.He’dspenthisentirechildhoodsufferingunderthecrueltyofonehypocrite;herefusedtoinflictsufferingonbehalfofanother,evenifthatpersonwastheEmperor.

ForCienaitwasdifferent.Herloyalty,oncegiven,wasabsolute.TheEmpiredidn’tdeserveher,yetithadherinitsgraspforever.Shedidn’tremainapartoftheEmperor’smachinebecause

shewasambitiousorcorrupt.No,theEmpirehadfoundawaytouseherhonoragainsther.Thestrengthofhercharacterwastheexactreasonwhyshewouldremainintheserviceofevil.

Itwasasifshewerealreadygoneforever,evenashefelthersoftbreathagainsthisshoulder.Thanehuggedhertighter,burrowinghisfaceintothecurveofherneck.Cienasighedsoftlyas

shecameclosertoconsciousness;herhandslippedaroundhiswaisttodeepentheirembrace.

“Youawake?”hemurmured.

“Mmm-hmmm.”Thenshestirredagainandansweredmorebelievably,“Iamnow.”

“Iloveyou.”Hecouldn’tbelievehe’dneversaiditbefore.Itwaslikestatingthattheskywasoverhead—so

obvious,sofundamentallytrue,thatverbalizingitoughttobeunnecessary.

Sheliftedherfacetohis.“Iloveyou,too.Alwayshave.Onewayoranother.”

“Iloveyouineveryway.”

“Yes.”Cienasmiled,buttheexpressionwassosadthatithurtThane—aliteralacheinthecenterofhischest.“Ineveryway.”

“IfIbeggedyoutostay

withme,itwouldn’tmakeanydifference,wouldit?”

Sheshookherhead.“IfIbeggedyoutogetonthenexttransportbacktoCoruscant,youwouldn’t,wouldyou?”

Hedidn’thavetosayanything.Theybothknewtheanswer.

“Sothat’stheend.”ThewordscameoutmoreharshlythanThanehadintended,buthetrustedCienatounderstandhisangerwasn’t

aimedather.“TheEmpiretakesusfromeachotherforever.”

“Ifitweren’tfortheEmpire,wewouldneverhavecometogetherinthefirstplace.Thinkaboutit.Wouldyouhaveevermadefriendswithagirlfromthevalleysanyotherway?”

ThanehadbeensosmallwhenJelucanwasannexedbytheEmpirethathisearliermemorieswerejumbledand

unsure.Insomeways,itfeltlikehislifehadtrulybegunthatday,withhisdreamofflyingfortheEmpire,andwithCiena.“Iguessnot.”

Cienasatup,asifshewasgoingtogetoutofbed,butThanepulledherback.Shewouldn’tlookhiminthefaceanylonger.“Ishouldgo.”

“Stay.”“IfIstay,leavingwill

onlybeharder.”“Wouldleavingnowbe

anyeasier?Really?”“No.”Finally,Cienamet

hiseyes.“Thane,youhavetogetoffJelucan,withintheweek.Becauseattheendofoneweek,I’mgoingtoreportyou.”

Thanefeltitlikeastabwoundbetweentheribs.“Whathappenedtochoosingwhichloyaltytohonor?”

“Ichoseyoutonight.IwishIcouldalwayschooseyou.ButifIcoveredforyou

forever,myoathofloyaltytotheEmpirewouldbeworthless.Thisistheonlytime,doyouunderstand?”Bynowhervoicehadbeguntoshake.“Thisisthefirsttimeandthelast.”

Somehow,deepinside,ThanehadstillbeenconvincedhewouldseeCienaagain.Hewantedtobelievetheycouldfindeachothernomatterwhat.Butnowherealizedthatwas

foolish,thedreamofachild.“Doyouunderstand?”

Cienarepeated.“…yes.”Thewordwas

bitter.“Soyou’dthrowmeinamilitaryprison,evenafterthis.”Thanegesturedattherumpledbed,theirdiscardedclothesonthefloor.Herinsigniaplaqueshoneslightlyinthedimlight.

“Igaveyoufairwarning,justnow!Besides,youhavetogetonthemovesooneror

later.Howmuchtimehaveyouwastedhere?”

“Wasted?Iwaswaitingforyou.”Hehadn’tknownhecouldbesoangryatsomeoneandstillloveher.“Iguessthatwaswastedtimeafterall.”

Cienawincedbutshekepton.“Youcan’tgetajobonJelucan.Catchthenextfreightertoanindependentworld—anddon’teventhinkaboutindenturingyourself,

okay?FindyourselfsomeworksomewhereelseintheOuterRim,wherethey’llneverlookforyou.”

“Idon’tneedyouradvice—”

“Youneedsomeone’sadvice.Otherwiseyou’rejustgoingtostayhereinValentia,mopingandlosingyourway.”

Thatstung,butThanebegantorealizeshewasn’tcompletelywrong.“Okay,

fine.I’llshipoutofheresoon.”

“Withintheweek.”Becauseafteroneweek

shewouldreporthim.ThewomanhelovedwouldreporthimtotheEmpire.“Yeah,”hesaidflatly.“Withintheweek.”

Shetookadeepbreath.“Sothere’snothingmoretosay.”

ButCienamadenomovetoleave.Insteadshebrushed

herpalmagainsthischeek;herthumbtracedthelineofhischeekbone.

Heoughttotellhertogetout.TotellherhewasdonesharinghisbedwithsomeonewhocaredmoreabouttheEmpirethanshedidabouthim.CruelwordsliketheoneshisfatherandDalvenusedcameintohismindfullyformed,asifthewickednesshe’dknownfromthemhadbeenburieddeepinside,

waitingtohatch:I’vealreadyhadeverythingIwantfromyou.Gaveitupeasy,didn’tyou?

Buthesaidnoneofthat.Insteadheaskedhimselfwhathe’dregretmore—leavinghernoworgoingtobedwithheragain.Eitherwaywasgoingtohurt.

Theirgazesmet,andwhensheleanedcloser,hecuppedhishandaroundthebackofherheadtobringher

inforakiss.ThetimeThanehadleft

withCienacouldbemeasuredinmerehours.Theywouldn’twasteit.

Ronnadamscowleddownatherreportonhisscreen.“You’requitesureofthis,LieutenantCommanderRee?”

“Ascertainasanyonecanbewithoutfindingabody—

andinthecrevasses,it’sdifficultforevenscannerdroidstosearch.Theskyburialtakesthedeadwithindays,sir.”

“Skyburial?”Cienawishedshecould

havetakenbackthosewords;herthoughtsweretoomuchonJelucanandallshehadleftbehindthere.“OnJelucan,sir,weputourdeadinopencairnsathighaltitude.Birdsdevourthebody,takingboth

thefleshandthesoulofthedeceasedintotheskywiththem,forever.”

“Barbaric,”Ronnadamsaidwithasniff.Shemanagednottoflinch.“ButIsupposethesamethingwouldhappenwithanaccident—orsuicide,asitseemswehavehere.”

Cienanodded.“LieutenantKyrellwasovercomewithgriefafterthelossofsomanyfellow

officersandfriendsaboardtheDeathStar.BasedonmyinterviewsonJelucan,Ibelievethatheoriginallydesertedandreturnedtohishomeworldinanefforttorestorehiswilltolive,butitdidn’twork.Heleapedfromoneofthehighercliffsinourhomeprovince,leavinghisridgecrawlerbehind.Stillrunning.”

Sheshouldn’thaveaddedthat.Lieswerebestkept

simple,orsoCienahadbeengiventounderstand.Butshehadliedsolittleinherlife.Thedishonestytastedfoulinhermouth.

Whenshe’dpartedfromThane,Cienahadfullyintendedtoliveuptoherwordandreporthisdesertionafteroneweek.Aweekwaslongenoughforhimtogethisacttogether,escapetosomeobscureworld,andvanishfromherlifeforever.

Thatalsogavehertimetogohometoherparents,whohadbeenhappyandsurprisedtoseeher—andnodoubtevenmoresurprisedwhensheburstintotearsatthedoor.AlthoughCienahadpulledherselftogetherwellenough,andhadsaidnotonewordaboutThanetoherfamily,sheknewtheysensedthatthiswasnoroutinevisit.Mummahadsatupwithherlateintothenight,askingno

intrusivequestions,simplybraidingCiena’shairthewayshe’ddonewhenCienawasalittlegirl.Hermother’stouchhadbeencomforting,butnothingcouldassuageCiena’smiseryatthethoughtofturningThanein.

Intheend,shehadn’tbeenabletodoit.IftheEmpiremadeanyefforttotrackhimdown,howeverminimal,itwaspossibletheywouldfindThaneandbring

himbacktostandtrial.Soshechoseherloyalty

tohimonceagainandprotectedhimwiththebestlieshecouldcreate.

“Verywell.”Ronnadamsignedoffonherreportwithoutevenfullyreadingit.HadThanedesertedatanylessdesperatetimefortheImperialfleet,Cienarealized,herstorywouldhavebeenscrutinizedmuchmoreclosely.NowallRonnadam

wantedtodowascrossataskoffhislist.“Youhandledthiswell,LieutenantCommanderRee.”

Thepraisefeltlikestonesonherback,growingheavierthroughouttheday.Cienaburnedwithshametohavebeencommendedbyasuperiorofficerforviolatingheroathofloyalty.

Neveragain,shepromisedherself.Fromthatdayon,herservicetothe

Empirewouldbemorethanherduty:itwouldbeheratonementforlovingevenonepersoninthegalaxymorethanherhonor.

SevenMonthsAftertheBattleofYavin

THANETURNEDDOWNtheblue-whiteflameoftheweldingtorch,liftedhisgoggles,andfrownedatthe

snarlofmetalhewasattemptingtofix.TheindependentfreighterMoahadbeenoldbeforehewasbornbutkeptgoingthankstoaseriesofmakeshiftupgradesinstalledoverthedecades.Rightthenhewastryingtomakeasixty-year-oldpowercellworkinsideatwenty-year-oldprocessor—withlimitedsuccess.

Cursingunderhisbreath,heshutoffthetorchand

walkedthroughtheMoa’scorridorsuntilhereachedthebridge.Itwasn’tthedark,angularkindofspaceThanehadlearnedtoexpectonImperialvesselsbutasmall,brightlylitchamberwhereconsolepanelsglowedinfivedifferentcolors,eachtestifyingtoacompletelydifferentorigin.Everythingontheshiphadbeenpiecedtogetherfrompartstosuittheveryparticularneedsofthe

Moa—or,moreprecisely,theshipeveryoneonboardusuallycalledtheMoa.Thatwasonlyanacronymforitsfullname,MightyOakApocalypse,atitlethatapparentlysoundedalotmorebadasstoWookiees,suchastheircaptain.

“I’mstillonlygettingsixtypercentcharge,”ThanereportedtoLohgarra.“WhenwedockatZeitooine,we’vegottopickupabetterpower

cell.”Lohgarragrowled,

wantingtoknowwhere,exactly,theywouldgetthecreditsforanewpowercell.

“Iknowwe’rebroke.”Technically,Thanewasonlyahiredcopilotandnavigator,butLohgarratreatedhercrewmemberswithrespect—likemembersofateam.Hecouldbringupobjections;hecouldsaywe.“Butitdoesn’thavetobeanewpowercell.Just

onethat’snotquiteasold.”Lohgarraaskedwhether

Thanethoughtalloldthingsshouldbethrownout.Thatwasajokeatherownexpense;shewaselderlyevenbythestandardsofthelong-livedWookiees,herfurbythenalmostentirelywhite.

Thaneleanedagainstthewallandsmiled.“Mostthingsdon’tageaswellasyoudo,Lohgarra.”

Thatearnedhima

dismissivewaveofherhand.SheagreedtogivehimabudgettosearchforanewerbatteryfortheaftsensorarraybutwarnedhimwithagrowlthatZeitooinemightnotbethecheapestplacetopickoneup.

“Iknow.Butwe’renotgoingtodomuchbetterinthisareaofspace.We’dfindsomethinglessexpensiveintheOuterRim.”

BeingwithintheInner

RimoftheEmpiremadeThaneuneasy.He’dsignedontotheMoapreciselybecauseLohgarraandhercrewmostlystucktotheOuterRim,ortheExpansionRegion.Workingforherhadseemedlikeagoodwaytohideoutforawhile.Lohgarratransportedonlylegalcargo,butsheoperatedonthefringes,whereImperialoversightwasrarelyanissue.AlthoughThanehadn’t

outrighttoldLohgarrathathewasanImperialdeserter,hecouldtellshe’dguessedrightaway,andthatshedidn’tcare.Eventhoughherdarkblueeyeshadgoneslightlymilkywithage,hervisionandmindwerestillsharp.

Lohgarrahiredcrewmemberswhowerenotonlycompetentbutalsoeasytogetalongwith—andnotdriventomakemoneybyanymeanspossible.Thejobstheytook

weredeterminedmorebyLohgarra’scharacterthanbyanyquestforriches;alucrativerunofluxurygoodsmightbefollowedbyazero-sumhaulofemergencygeneratorstoatroubledoutpost.Shesaidsheneededpeoplearoundherwhocouldbetrusted;privately,Thanebelievedshewastootrusting,butitwashershipandherbusiness.She’drunafreighterforacoupleof

centurieswithouthishelp,sohefiguredshecouldsizepeopleupwellenough.Ashe’dlearnedtounderstandShyriiwookbetter,he’drealizedhowintelligenthiscaptainwas.AndwhenLohgarrareallytookacrewmemberunderherwing—asshehadThane—shecouldbeaffectionatetothepointofactingmaternal.Itwasalittleridiculous,buthedidn’tmind.Atleastheworkedfor

someonehecouldrespect.Alwaysperceptive,

Lohgarrahadobviouslypickeduponhisunease.SheremindedhimbrisklythatZeitooinewasajungleplanetwithonlyahandfuloflargecities,andnotanactivetradingcenter.

“Yeah,Iknow,”Thaneadmitted.“We’llbefine.”Buthestillfeltuneasyandprobablylookedit,too.

Theonlyother“crew

member”onthebridgeatthemomentwastheirastromechdroid,aJJH2modelinpurpleandblack.ThanewasgratefulthatnobodyelsewouldseehisdiscomfortatthethoughtoflandingonaworldwithanImperialpresence.Lohgarrahadtoremaintheonlyonewhoreallyunderstoodwhatwasgoingon.

Concerned,sheleanedforwardtopeeratThane,squintingherblueeyes,then

saidhe’dbecometoothinandaskedifhewasgettingenoughfood.

Hemanagednottorollhiseyes.“Yes,I’meating.”

ButLohgarraknewitcouldbedifficult,findingrationsthatwouldprovideadequatenutritionforallthedifferentspeciesaboard—

“IpromiseI’mfine.Don’tworry,allright?”Thaneturnedtogo.

Asthebridgedoorslid

openagain,Lohgarrawhinedonalow,scoldingnote.

Helaughedinexasperationashewalkedout.“Mycoatisplentyshiny!”

Ashewalkeddownthecorridor,hethought,Ijustcalledmyhair“mycoat.”BeforetoolongIoughttospendsometimewithotherhumansagain.

Eventhen,hedidn’tconsiderreturningtoJelucan.

Hehadnoreason.Everyonceinawhilehe’dwatchnewsholosfromhome,butneveroutofasenseofnostalgia,onlytomakehimselfevenhappierhe’dneverhavetogoback.Hisfamilywasnodoubtgladtoberidofhim,andCiena—hehadtoclosehiseyesforamomentwhenhethoughtofher—shewouldn’tbethere,either.NotgiventheintensifyingwarbetweentheEmpireandthe

RebelAlliance.HedoubtedCienahadgottenmorethanthreedays’leaveinarowsincethey’dsaidgood-bye.

IfThaneeverwentbacktoJelucan,hewouldimagineCienaasalittlegirlinanyofthesmallfliersdartingthroughtheskies.ThemountaintrailswouldremindhimofhowtheyhadexploredtogetheraschildrenandhadfoundthecavethatbecametheFortress.AndValentia

wouldneverbeonlyacitytohim;itwouldalwaysbetheplacewherethey’dcometogetherforonenight—andwheretheyhadpartedforever.

It’sbeenawhilenow,hetoldhimself.Yououghttobeoverit.

Thatwasalie.Youdidn’tgetoverlosingyourfirstlove,yourbestfriend.ButThanehadthoughtitwouldn’talwayshurtasbadly

asithadthatlastterriblemorninginValentia.

Sofarhehadbeenwrong.

Zeitooinewasacoldworld—notoneoftheonestrappedinperpetualwinterbutchillyenoughthatThaneandhiscrewmatessteppedoutintoahardfrost.Thespaceportstoodattheedgeofthecity,sointhedistancehecouldseetalldeciduoustrees,all

bareoftheirleaves.Hisbreathmadecloudsintheair.

“Timeslikethis,it’sgoodtohavefur,”saidBrill,theirTarsuntengineer,whohaddyedherlong-hairedpeltshockingpink.“Don’tknowhowyouhumansdoit.”

“SometimesIwondermyself.”Thaneturnedupthecollarofhiscoat.“Let’sjustgetthisjobdone,okay?”

Thatwasmetwithathumpingpurrofagreement

fromMethwatTann,theIthorianmaintenanceofficer.HisenormouscurvedheadandneckwerewrappedinascarfspeciallyknittedforhimbyLohgarra,buthe,too,wasshivering.

TheirjobonZeitooinewassimpleenough:deliveryofseveralconstructordroids.ThanehelpedMethwatandBrillunload,thenhurrieddeeperintothespaceporttolocateavendorof

secondhandparts.Usuallyyoucouldfindoneortwohangingaround.Afterafewminuteswithoutanyluck,hefinallydaredtoasksomeone,whotoldhimthenearestplacewastenminutes’walkaway.Hefrowned,checkedhischrono,anddecidedtogoforit.Bettertorunalittlelateandgetchewedoutforitthantoworkwiththatdamnedantiquatedpowercellanylonger.

Sohecutthroughthetown,goingasquicklyashecould,untilhecametoacrowdedtownsquare—andstopped.Nobodywaswalking,orevenmoving,andthenhesawwhy.

“You’reunderarrest,”astormtroopercaptainsaidinaboredvoiceasatleastadozenofhismenstoodaround,usingtheirblasterstokeepeveryonebackfromthesceneaspeopleweredragged

outofanearbyhouse.Afamily,Thanerealizedwithajolt.Thedaughtercouldn’thavebeenmorethanthirteen,andsheweptasastormtrooperpulledherafterhimsofastshecouldbarelywalk;hisfistwasclenchedinherhair.

“Please,”themothersaid,onherkneesinfrontofthecaptain.“Please.We’llpaythefines—youcansellourhouse,allourpossessions—”

Thestormtroopercaptainsoundedbored.“Repeatedviolationsoftheprohibitionagainstindependentpublicationsarepunishedwithimprisonmentwithoutterm.”

Anotherstormtrooperbroughtoutanevenyoungergirl,perhapsonlyfive,smallenoughtobetuckedunderhisarm.Thisgirldidn’tcry;shewastooterrifiedforthat.Insteadherwideeyesstared

intothecrowd,asiflookingforsomeonetohelpthem.

Nobodymadeamove.Thestormtroopers’blasterssawtothat.

Lessthanayearago,Istoodbywhileslaveswerebeaten,Thanerealized.OnceagainherememberedprowlingtheskyinhisTIEfighter,allsothepeopleofKerevDoiwouldbeafraid.

Themothercontinuedbegging.“Notthechildren.

MyhusbandandI,wedidthis.Thechildrenareinnocent.Whyshouldthey—”

Herwordschokedoffasthecaptainsmashedthebuttofhisrifleintoherface.Shefelltotheground,crying,asanotherstormtrooperbentdowntocuffher.

Dosomething!ButThanewaspowerless.Hecouldn’tactagainstthatmanyarmedmen.Hecouldn’tevenspeak

up.BydesertingtheImperialStarfleet,hehadputhimselfinapositionwherehecouldneverdrawattentiontohimselforstepoutoflineagain.Theinvisiblecagearoundhimwasofhisownmaking.

Sickened,heturnedawayandheadedbacktothespaceport.AshewalkedtowardtheMoa,Brillcaughtsightofhim.“Hey!Where’sthatnewpowercell?”

Thanesnapped,“Theydidn’thaveanythinginourpricerange.Okay?”

Behindhimhecouldhearhermutter,“SorryIasked.”

Thatwasn’thowyoumadefriendswithyournewshipmates.ButThanedidn’twanttomakefriends.Hewantedtolockhimselfinhisbunk,turnoffthelights,andtrytoforgeteverythinghe’dseen,orbeen.

CienastaredatthescenebeforeherontheplanetIvarujarandthoughtthatthiscouldonlybehell.

Inthedistance,thevolcanocontinuedtospewashintotheair,sofarupthatnooneonthisworldwouldbeabletoseetheskyforyears.Lavaglowedorangeandominousonthehorizon;alreadythecapitalcityhadbeencompletelyoverrun.WhenCienalookedthrough

herquadnoculars,shecouldseeyetmorebuildingsblackeningastheycrumbledtoashfromtheheatalone.

Astheclosestshipinthesector,theDevastatorhaddispatchedseveraltrooptransportstoevacuatetheImperialgarrisonsonIvarujar.Theirownshipshadbeenbadlydamagedintheoriginaleruption,sotheyweretrapped—and,ifshedidn’treachthemsoon,

doomed.Cienahadbeenputinchargeofthetransportflyingclosesttothevolcanoitself.Hazardousduty,butshefoundherselfenergizedbytheexperience.Itwasn’tthatshedidn’tlikeworkingonthebridgeofaStarDestroyer…butshe’dbeenoverduetogetherbootsontheground.

“LieutenantCommanderRee,wehavevisual,”saidthestormtrooperpilot.Sheturned

backfromthetransportwindowtoseethescreenimageofstormtroopersatopabuilding.Theystoodinformation,rigidandmotionlessastheyawaitedrescue,thoughbythentheheathadtohavebeenunbearable.

“Goodwork,”shesaid.“Bringusin.”

Thepilothesitated,thendouble-checkedhisinstruments.Ciena

understoodwhyhewasuncertain;theintenseheatwasstartingfires,creatingbackdrafts,andwhippingupwindsthatcoulddestabilizealargercraftthantheirtransport.

Yougotstrangewindsupinthemountains,sometimes.

“Here.I’lltakethehelm.”Cienamotionedhimoutofthechair.

“Ma’am—I’mcapableoftheflight—”

“Iknowyouare.ButyouhavethestrengthtocarryanyinjuredmenontothecraftandIdon’t.”Well,notmorethanoneortwo.

Assuredhewouldn’tbereportedforcowardice,thepilotjoinedtheotherstormtroopersintheback.Cienatookthetransportinlow,throughurbancanyonswherelavaranoverwhathadrecentlybeenstreets.Thehellishredlightfrombelow

contrastedwiththeblacksky.Althoughitwasabumpyride,shecouldstabilizethemwellenough.

Clunkything,shethought,wishingbrieflyforashipwithsomeagilitytoit.Still,thetransportcouldenduretheheat,andnothingelsemattered.

Shesetthetransportdownontheroofofthegarrisonbuilding,andassoonasthey’dopenedthedoors,

thetroopsbegancrowdingin.Theirarmorhadgonegrayfromvolcanicash,andseveralofthemcoughedandstumbled.Withinanotherhalfhourorso,theywouldhavepassedout,ordied.Cienarememberedthemstandinginformation—holdingtruetodisciplinetothelast—andfeltsuchprideherheartcouldhaveburst.

“Allright,”shesaid,andshewasabouttoutterthe

wordsMovingoutwhenshesawanotherbuildingfartheraway.Peoplehadhuddledonthatroof,too—Ivarujariancitizenswhomusthavefailedtomakeittotheciviliantransportsintime.Ormaybetherehadn’tbeenenoughroomforeveryone.…

“LieutenantCommander?”Thepilothadreturnedtothecockpit.“Arewereadyfortakeoff?”

“Yes,”shesaid.“We’re

goingtomakeonestopbeforereturningtotheDevastator.”

“A…stop?”Noordershadtoldhershe

couldrescuecivilians,butnoordershadtoldhershecouldn’t.“Makeasmuchroombackthereasyoucan.We’repickingupmorepassengers.”

WhenCienatookoffagain,shecouldfeeltheunsteadinessoftheair

currentsaroundher.Bitingherlowerlip,shetookthetransporthigherupsothey’dhavetodiveintotheworstofitonlyattheveryend.Thevolcanorumbledagainsoloudlythatthesoundvibratedthroughtheentireship;they’dbeengivenwarningsaboutapotentialsecondaryeruption,whichseemedasifitcouldhappenatanyminute.

Youdon’thavetheright

toriskthelivesyou’reresponsiblefortosavethoseyouaren’t,shethought,heroldacademytrainingkickingin.Afteramoment,though,Cienashookitoff.Liveswerelives—andbesides,shecoulddothis.

Onceagainshealightedonthecornerofabuilding,andthensheleftthecockpittohelpciviliansonboard.Theywerecoughingevenharderthanthestormtroopers,

sincetheyhadn’tbeenwearinghelmetswithventilationmasks;afewofthemwereonlysemiconscious.Cienaheldherarmsoutforasmallchild,liftedhimintotheship,thenputherhandouttohelpthefatherin,too.Aroundher,thestormtroopersdidthesame,followingtheircommandingofficer’sleadasalways.

Bythetimethelastpersonhadbeenpulledon

board,theshipwasfilledtocapacityandthensome.Cienahadtopushherwaybackthroughtothecockpit,wherethepilotwasnolongerevenattemptingtofly.Hestoodaside,saying,“Atthisweight,Idon’tknowifwecan—”

“Wecanandwewill,”Cienasaid,withmoreconfidencethanshefelt.Thetransportwascapableofcarryingthatmuchweight,

butitsmaneuverabilitywouldbecompromised—aseriousriskwhendealingwithsuperheatedgale-forcewinds.

Shetooktheenginestofullpowerandsoaredintotheair.Atfirstthetransportrockedbeneathher,soviolentlythatshenearlyfellfromherchair;shecouldheartherescuedIvarujarianscryingoutinfearfromthehold.Bythenbuildingswereflaringintoflamelikestruck

matches.Inanothermoment,itwouldbecomeatruefirestorm—andhershipcouldbecaughtinthemiddleofit.

Cienapointedthenosestraightup.Theywereascendingmoreslowlythantheyshould,buttheyweremoving.…

Onthehorizonshesawflameswhipuphigher,thenhigher,thenbegintoswirlinacycloniccurrent.Ifthetransportgotcaughtinoneof

those,theyweredead.Butsheremainedsteady,

fightingtheterriblewindseverycentimeteroftheway,untilatlasttheywereoutofdanger.Cienabreathedoutwithrelief,andfromthebackofthetransportsheheardcheers.

Ifshecouldn’tresistasmile—whocouldblameher?

Theanswerturnedouttobe“CaptainRonnadam.”

“Youweretaskedwith

retrievingthesoldiersinthatgarrison,”hesaid,pacingthelengthofhisofficewhileshestoodatattention,stillinhersoot-grimeduniform.“Notwithacivilianrescue.”

“Myordersdidnotforbidmefromdoingso,sir.”

Ronnadam’seyesnarrowed.“Lookingforloopholes,Ree?Adangeroustrait.”

“No,sir!Imean—Ireactedinstinctivelyandsaw

noobstacletodoingso.”“Youreacted

instinctively,”hesneered.“Inotherwords,youfailedtoclearyourplansthroughyoursuperiorofficers!”

Wehadnotime,shewantedtoprotest,butsheknewbetter.“I’msorry,sir.Ishouldhaveclearedmymissionbeforeundertakingit.Iwon’tmakethatmistakeagain.”

“Seethatyoudon’t.”

Ronnadamstaredherupanddownbeforeaddingstiffly,“Youhavenootherdemeritsonyourrecord,soyourpunishmentwillbelenient—onlyfiveweeksofdouble-dutyshifts.Nexttime,however,wewillnotbesomerciful.”

“Therewon’tbeanexttime,sir.”Andfiveweeksofextradutywasasmallpriceforfortylives.

Asshewalkedoutofhis

office,Cienabreathedoutinrelief.Atfirstshe’dbeenangrythattheyplannedtoreprimandherforsavinglives—butnowsheunderstoodthattheyweredispleasedonlybecauseshe’dsubvertedthechainofcommand.Itwasn’tasifshehadactuallydonesomethingwrong,rescuingthosepeople.TheEmpirewouldneverobjecttothat.

Besides,thatwassomeof

thebestflyingshe’ddoneinherlife.IfonlyshecouldtalktoThaneaboutit.InCiena’smindshecouldseehisfaceasshetoldhimaboutthecyclonicfire.Hewouldhavebeensojealoushedidn’tgettoflyinthathimself.

EventhethingsshewasproudestoffelthollowwithoutThanetotellthemto.

EighteenMonthsAftertheBattleofYavin

THEMOA’SCARGOholdswerefilledwithmedicalsuppliesforthefarsouthernpeninsulaofOulanne’ssingle

megacontinent.Amonthbefore,amassiveearthquakehadstruck,devastatingvirtuallyeverystructureoveravastradius.However,theEmpirehadsentnomedicalaid—aneconomicallyunimportantplanetdidn’tmeritsuchattention.AfewwealthierOulannistswholivedonotherworldshadofferedwhattheyhad.Themedicalsuppliesthefreightercarriedwereonlyafraction

ofwhatwasneeded,buttheywouldhelp.ThanestronglysuspectedLohgarrahadagreedtodotherunforfree.

Astheycameinthroughtheveryhighestlevelsoftheatmosphere,Thanecheckedtheclimatologicalsensorsandwhistled.“Notgood.”

Lohgarrawantedtoknowwhattheywereinfor.

“We’relookingatamassivestorm.Amegahurricane,coveringa

goodquarterofthelandarea.”

JJH2confirmedthis,beepinginalarm.Methwatmadeavibratosoundofdismay.

“Likethesepeoplehaven’tgotenoughtroublealready,”Brillsaid,shakingherfurrypinkhead.

Thaneadded,“Andnowwe’vegottrouble,too.”Normallystormsweren’tanissueforspacecraft;anything

thatcouldtaketheravagesofspacecouldhandlealittlerainandlightning.However,acargoshipasoverladenastheMoacurrentlywascouldbecomeunwieldyintheatmosphere,andwindsthisextremewouldhavethepowertooverwhelmtheirstabilizers.(Onlyforafewminutes—butthatwasmorethanlongenoughtoplowashipintothedirt.)

Theycouldsimplyhave

headedtothenearestsafeport.Inthiscase,though,thatmeantbeingthousandsofkilometersawayfromthedisaster.Themedicalsupplieswereprobablyneedednowmorethanever.

SowhenLohgarraaskedThaneifhecouldlandinthoseconditions,hesaid,“DamnrightIcan.”

MethwatturnedtowardThanewithaworriedlookonhisface;hewastoopoliteto

questionanyoneoutright,butitwasclearhedidn’tlikethelookofthis.

“Trustme,”Thanesaid.Withthathestrappedintohischairandtooktheshipin.

Theblacknessofspacebrightenedintosky—stillbluebutnotformuchlonger.Beneaththemswirledthestorm,theominousspiralcloudsprawledoutlikethetentaclesofsomevastoceancreature.Asthewindsbegan

buffetingtheship,thehullshudderedaroundthem.

Lohgarragrowledforallcrewmemberstobracethemselves.JJH2swiftlyfedThane’sstationalltheatmosphericdataitcouldhandle.

Brillmuttered,“Hopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,Kyrell.”

“Thatmakestwoofus.”Hedivedintotheeyeof

thestorm—thecalmpatchat

thecenterofanycyclone.AsthebroadwhitewingsoftheMoastretchedoverthechurningsea,theviewscreendisplayedthesurrealimage:sunlightonthewaterastheyspedtowardblackcloudsandsheetsofrainsothicktheyblindedThanetotheworldbeyond.

Thesensorswouldtellhimallheneededtoknow.Healignedtheship,decreasedspeed,andtook

themsolowtheycouldmakeoutthewhitecapsontherestlesswaves—andthenthedebrisstrewnontherockyshorebelow.

Theentireshiptiltedhard,asifithadbeenpunchedbyagiantfist.Damn!ThewindshearwasevenworsethanThanehadthought.“Comeon,”hewhisperedashesteeredthemintotheanglewherethatcurrentcouldworkfortheminsteadofsinking

them.“Wecandothis.”“Areyoutalkingtothe

shiportome?”Brillsaid.Insteadofanswering,

Thaneasked,“Didyoulockthesystemontothehangarcoordinates?”

Brill’spinkhairstoodonend.“Youwanttotakethisinonautonav?”Fromhercaptain’schair,Lohgarragrowledherdisbelief,andJJH2whistledthehighnoteofdroidpanic.

“Notjustautonav!”BythentheMoawasshudderingsostronglythatThanehadtoshouttobeheardabovetherattlingandgroaningofthehull.“Thisboat’ssooldwe’vecribbeditssystemsfromadozendifferentspacecraft.Soturningontheautonavdoesn’tdeactivatethemanualnavigation.We’regoingtousethembothatthesametime.”

Brill’sfingerstappedon

thecontrols,doingwhatThaneasked.“Yourealizeifyoucan’tsyncyourmovementswiththeautonav,you’llripusintwo.”

“I’vegotit.”Thanefelttheautonav

kickin.Itwasabitlikehavinganotherpilottrytowrenchthecontrolsawayfromhim.

Buthe’dspentmostofhischildhoodlearninghowtoflywithapartner.Youdidn’t

fightforcontrol;youbuiltittogether.

Theautonavremainedlockedonitstarget,oblivioustoseverewindconditions;thatmadeitThane’sjobtotiltandsteertheshipinwaysthatwouldfightthatwindwhiletheystayedthecourse.Atonepointthedisconnectbetweenthetwojerkedtheshiphard,shakingeveryoneviolentlyenoughthatevenmild-manneredMethwat

yelped.ButThanegotthembackinsyncwithinafewmoments.

Whenthehangarappearedonthehorizon,Thanefinallyfeltlikehecouldbreatheagain.Dampers—slowthrust,hoverdown—andtheMoasettledsafelyontotheground.

AsBrillandMethwatbegantoapplaud,Thanefoldedhisarmsbehindhisheadlikehehadn’tbeen

worriedatall.“That’sright,”hesaid.“I’mgood.”

“You’relucky!”Brillinsisted,butwithahugegrin.

“Allright,I’mlucky.Whateverworks.”

Youwouldn’thavebelieveditifyou’dbeenthere,heimaginedsayingtoCiena.Thenagain,ifyou’dbeenthere,youwould’veinsistedontakingthecontrolsinsteadofme—andprobablywould’vebroughtusinforan

evensmootherlanding.Thanekeptstoringup

anecdotestotellhersomeday,eventhoughheknewthatdaywouldnevercome.He’dtriedtostop,buthecouldn’thelpit.

LohgarratoldThaneshewasvery,veryproudofhimandwrappedherhugefurryarmsaroundhiminahug.Thensheshowedthehighestformofpraiseandaffection,foraWookiee:shestarted

groominghim.Thanesighedasshegotto

workonhishairinearnest.Thiswasn’thowtheydidthingsintheEmpire.

Thenextday,thestormhadmovedalongfarenoughthattheycouldstartdistributingtheirsupplies.ToThane’ssurprise,anothergroupofpilotshadlandedafewdaysbeforewithasubstantialhaul

ofmedicalgearandemergencyrations,sotheywoundupworkingsidebyside.

“Youbroughtthatshipinyesterday?”saidtheirleader,ablack-hairedmanafewyearsolderthanThane.“Thatwasanicepieceofflying.”

“Thanks.”“Youdoalotofhauls

likethis?Toworldsintrouble?”

“Sometimes.Lohgarra

getsthecreditforthat,”Thanesaidasthetwoofthemunloadedcrates.“ButIlikethatshedoesit.”

“Lessmoneyinitforyou.”

“Nevercaredmuchaboutmoney.”

“Whatotherrunshaveyoubeenon?”

Thanehesitatedbeforeanswering.IfhewassuspectedofdisloyaltytotheEmpire,hecouldbe

reported…buttherewasnowaytotalkhonestlyabouthisexperiencesofthelastseveralmonthswithoutmakinghisfeelingsclear.

He’dknowntheEmpirewasrotten,buthehadn’trealizedhowdeeptherotwent.TheplightoftheBodach’ihaddisturbedhimdeeply,andyetnowheknewtheywereonlyoneofhundredsofentirespeciestheEmpirehadsubjugatedfor

labor.He’dflowntheMightyOaktoworldsminedsosavagelythatnewseashadbeencarvedintowhatwereoncecitiesandfarmlands.He’dlookeddownatcitiesstrafedtorubbleandashbyImperiallasercannonsaspunishmentforevenmilddefiance.

“Zeitooine,”Thanesaid.“AndDinwaPrime,andArieli.Morerecently,IveraX.”Hespokeevenlybutwas

awarewhathe’dsaidwasineffectalistoftheEmpire’swarcrimes.

Theothermanmethiseyesevenly.“Thenyou’veseenalot.”

“Yeah.”“Whenwegetdonehere,

youandIshouldhaveachat.I’vebeentoseveralofthoseworlds.Goodtohearwhatotherpeoplebelieveshouldbedone.”

Ishethinkingabout

reportingme?Thaneknewitwaspossible,buthisguttoldhimno.Slowly,henodded.“Sure.We’lltalk.I’mThaneKyrell,bytheway.”

Theblack-hairedmansmiledandheldouthishandtoshake.“WedgeAntilles.”

Theywoundupsharingacoupleofrationtraysjustinsidethehangardoors.Theworstofthehurricanehadpassedthroughbythattime.Heavy,silverysheetsofrain

stillfell,butthewindshaddieddownuntilthepalmsandjungletreesmerelyswayed.Thesoundofrustlingleavesandraindropsonthemetalroofremainedloudenoughtodrownouttheirconversationifanyoneattemptedtolisten.

“Youshowedcourage,”Wedgesaid.“Leavinglikethat.”

Thaneshrugged.“Ilaunderedmycreditsandsneakedaway.Notthe

bravestthinganyone’severdone.”

“YoudefiedtheEmpirealone.Yougaveupthelifeandcareeryou’dbuiltratherthanviolateyourprinciples.I’dcallthatbrave.”

“Stoptryingtogetonmygoodsideandsaywhatyou’retryingtosay.”

Thiswasmetwithasharplook—apparentlyWedgeAntilleswasn’tusedtonotbeingtakenathisword.

MaybeThanewasbeingunfair,butsowhat?Hehadtobecarefulaboutwhomhechosetotrust.LohgarraandtherestoftheMoacrewhadearnedthat;Cienawouldalwayshavehisloyaltytosomedegree,evenifheneversawheragain.

Butthisguy?Heneededtocomeoutwithitalready.

Evenly,Wedgesaid,“WecouldusepilotslikeyouintheRebelAlliance.”

Therebels?Here?Thanewouldn’thavedreamedthey’ddareshowthemselvesonlytohelpaplanetindistress.ButheknewWedgewastellingthetruth.“No.Sorry.”

“YouhatetheEmpire.Afterwhatyou’veseen,youcouldn’thelpit.”

“True,”Thaneadmitted.“ButIdon’tcaremuchforyourrebellioneither.”

“We’refightingtofree

thegalaxy—”“Youstartedawar,anda

lotofpeoplearegoingtodiebecauseofit.”

Wedge’sdarkeyesblazedwithintensity.“Palpatinebeganthewar.We’regoingtoendit.”

Thestrengthoftheman’sbeliefwasslightlyunnerving.“AgainsttheEmpire?I’llgrantyouthismuch—you’rebrave.Butyou’refoolingyourselvesifyouthinkyou

cantakeonaforceliketheImperialfleetandwin.”

“WedestroyedtheDeathStar,didn’twe?Withahandfulofsingle-pilotfighters!Iflewonthatmission,andI’mstillhere.AlotofImperialofficerscan’tsaythesame.”

“Includingsomefriendsofmine,”Thanesaidquietly.Hehadn’tbeenthatclosetoJudeEdivon,butherememberedhowkindshe’d

been,howbright.She’ddeservedalongerlifethanthat,andabetterdeath.Andthefellowofficershe’djustbeguntoknow,youngguyslikehimwhowerestartingtheircareerstogether—sometimestheirfacesflashedthroughThane’sheadatnightwhenhewastryingtosleep.“Listen,Igetwhyyoudidit.IknowtheDeathStarhadtobestopped.Butdon’tfoolyourself.Thatwasbloody

work.”“Iknow,”Wedgesaid

quietly.“It’slikeyousaid:theDeathStarhadtobestopped.JustastheEmpiremustbedestroyed.Ifthat’sgoingtohappen,someofushavetogetbloodonourhands.Wehavetobewillingtokill,andwillingtodie.It’snoteasyanditneverwillbe.ButIcantellyouthismuch,Kyrell.It’seasierthanstandingbyanddoing

nothing.”Thanerememberedthat

dayonZeitooineandthefamilyhe’dseendraggedawaytoprison.He’dfeltsouseless,sopowerless.AslongasheremainedarefugeefromtheEmpire,hewouldneveragainbeabletoactonhisbeliefs.Hewouldneverbeabletostandupforanyoneagain.

Unlesshedidnotstandalone.

Latethatnight—afterhoursofwork,hoursmoreoftalkingwithWedge,andacoupleofCorellianales—ThanereturnedtotheMoa.Hewalkedtowardhisbunkquietly,knowingbothMethwatandBrillwouldbeasleep,butLohgarrasatinthegalley,munchingonanenormousslabofcheese.

“Hey,”hesaid.“Can’tsleep?”

Lohgarraadmittedshe’d

wokenuphungry,thensaidThanelookedworried.

“‘Worried’isn’texactlytheword.”Thenumberofpeoplehetrustedenoughtosharethiswithcouldhavebeencountedononehand,withfingersleftover—butLohgarrawasamongthem.“LieutenantCommanderAntilles,fromthe,uh,unaffiliatedgroupearliertoday?Hewantsmetoflywiththem.”

Thatearnedaroarofindignation.Howdarethatmantrytostealherbestpilot?Takingadvantageofacrisislikethatwasunthinkable.She’dseetoitthatThanegotaraise,ifthatwaswhatittooktokeephim—

“No,no,Lohgarra,youdon’tunderstand.”Thaneloweredhisvoice.“They’rewiththeRebellion.”

Shefellsilent.Wasthat

shockordisapproval?Heleanedforward,trying

toputhisthoughtsintowordsnotonlyforhersakebutalsoforhis.“IneverthoughtaboutjoiningtheRebellion.Youknow,IunderstoodtheEmpirewascorrupt,butIthoughtsowastheOldRepublicbytheend.Sowouldbewhateverothergovernmentmightfollow.Itoldmyselfitwasallthesame.ButwhatI’veseen

thesepastseveralmonths—itgoesbeyondcorruption.TheEmpirewrecksworldsandenslavesentirespeciesanddoesn’tgiveadamnaboutanyoneunderitsrule.Imean,asrichasCoruscantis,theycouldn’tsendanyhumanitarianaidhere?”

LohgarraquietlysaidtheneedonOulannewasgreat.

“Exactly.TheEmpiredidn’tcomehere,buttherebelsdid.Theseguysare

fightingawar,alwaysontherun,andtheystillsharedtheirsupplies.”NoneofitmadesensetoThane.Mostpeopledidn’tdotherightthingevenwhentheyweren’tindanger—

—buthe’dlearnedfromCienathattherewereactuallyafewidealistsoutthere.

Hecontinued,“Ci—ThisgirlIknewbelievedtheEmpirewouldneverdestroyanotherworldoncethe

Rebellionhadbeendefeated,butthat’sbecauseshe’ssogoodshecan’tevenrecognizeevilwhenit’sstaringherintheface.Imean,whywouldtheEmpiregotothetroubleofbuildingaspacestationthatcoulddestroyplanetsifitwasn’tgoingtouseit?AndiftheEmpirewoulddothat,there’snothingitwouldn’tdo.”Thanestraightenedandtookadeepbreath.“Idon’tknow

whatcomesaftertheEmpire.Ican’tsaythatwhoevergetspowernextwillbeanybetter—butitcan’tgetanyworse.That’snotpossible.Ifthere’sevenachanceIcandosomethingthathelpstaketheEmpiredown,IfeellikeIhavetodoit.”

Afteralongmoment,LohgarraquietlysaidthatherownpeoplehadbeenenslavedbytheEmpire.Kashyyykhadbeensucha

beautifulplacewhenshewasyoung.Nowithadbeenturnedintoahell.Shefounditdifficulttospeakofherhomeworld’stragedy,butsheneverforgotit.

ThanethoughtaboutthesheerlevelofbrutalitynecessarytoconqueraspeciesaspowerfulastheWookiees.“Isthisyourwayoftellingmeyou’rejoiningtheRebellion,too?”

Sheshookherhead.The

Moawashardlyinshapetohaulcargo,muchlessgointobattle—andforBrillandMethwat,itwasnotonlyashipbutalsotheirhome.AdecisiontojointheRebellionwouldhavetobeunanimous,andLohgarrafeltThaneknewaswellasshedidthattheyweren’tthereyet.

Thatwastrue.But—“Wecouldputinsomewhere,refurbishtheship.Talktotheothers.Nobodyherehasany

lovefortheEmpire.Inamonthortwo,Ibetwecouldbringthemaround.”

Probably,Lohgarraadmitted.AfterapausesheaskedifhewantedtowaittojointheRebellion,ifhewasn’treadyrightaway.

Thaneflushed.“I’mnotacoward.”

Hermassivehandpettedhishead.Lohgarraknewhewasbrave.YetshealsosuspectedThanehadother

reasonstohesitate.AllthosemonthsThane

hadtriedsohardtokeephispast,andhisfeelings,tohimself.Heshould’veknownhiscaptainwastooperceptivenottoguessatsomeofthetruth.“It’sjustthatIusedtoserveintheImperialStarfleet.AlotofmyfriendsandclassmatesarestillwiththeEmpire,includingsomeonewhoI…whomeansalottome.Onsomelevel,

attackingtheEmpirefeelslikeattackingthem.”

LohgarrapointedoutthathehadacceptedtherisksofcombatwhenhejoinedtheImperialfleet,andsohadeveryoneelse.

“Yeah,Iknow.”Heleanedbackinthecreakyseatandtookadeepbreath.“ButjoiningtheRebellion—leavingtheEmpireisonething,buttakinguparmsagainstitisanother.The

friendsIservedwithbeforewouldneverforgivethat.EspeciallythewomanIwastellingyouabout,Ciena.She’dneverspeaktomeagainifsheknew.Notthatshe’slikelytoanyway,Iguess.”

Withasoftwhine,LohgarratoldhimtheForcehadawayofbringingpeopletogetherwhenthetimewasright.

Oh,great,theForce.My

bestbetisthiscrazymagicoldvalleykindredstillbelievein.ButThanesaidnothing,knowingLohgarra’sbeliefswereimportanttoher.Insteadheasked,“Isthisyourwayofsayingit’sallrightformetogo?Since‘theForce’willmakesurewemeetagain?”

Hisanswercameintheformofabighugthatenvelopedhiminwhitefur.AshehuggedLohgarraback,shetoldhimtopromiseher

hewouldeatwell.Hehadtolaugh.“I

promise.”I’mreallydoingit,he

thought.Itstillseemedunreal.I’mgoingtowaragainsttheEmpire.I’mjoiningtheRebelAlliance.

“YOURSERVICETHESEpasttwoyearshasbeenexemplary,LieutenantCommanderRee.”

CienastoodatattentioninfrontofAdmiralOzzel,handsheldfirmlyathersides.Juniorofficersdidnotmake

eyecontactwithsuperiorsduringevaluations,soshestaredfixedlyatthemetal-tiledwallbehindhim.

“YoufrequentlyvolunteerforextrashiftsortohelptrainnewerofficersonStarDestroyerprotocols.AsidefromtheunfortunateincidentonIvarujar,youhavereceivednopunishmentsorreprimands—anditdoesnotescapemynoticethatyouroffensethenhasneverbeen

repeated.You’veneverevenbeenadmonishedaboutyouruniform.”

TheleatherbraceletshecarriedforWynnetremainedinitsclothpouchinherpocket.Noregulationsaidshecouldn’tkeepsomethinginherpocket.

“YouweretransferredtotheExecutorfromtheDevastatorattherequestofLordVaderhimself.Ahighhonorindeed.”

Cienadidnotrespond.Privately,shethoughtVader’srequesthadbeenmorethreatthanreward.Shehadseenhimadriftinspace,nearlyhelpless.Hewouldnotwantanyonetothinkofhimasvulnerableinanyway.SohehadtoremindCienathatsheremainedforevervulnerabletohim.

Ozzelcontinued:“AlthoughyouarefartooseniorforTIEfighterduty,

youputinthesimulatortimetomakesureyourpilotinginstinctsstaysharp.”

Cienadecidedshecouldspeak.“Weneverknowwhatacrisismaydemandofus,sir.”

ShealsolovedflyingforitsownsakeandsometimesdreamedallnightofswoopingthroughthecanyonsofJelucanwithThanebyherside.Butitwasn’tagainstregulationsto

lovewhatshedid—ortorememberwhatshehadlost.

“Verywellsaid.”AdmiralOzzelcameasclosetosmilingasshe’deverseenfromhim.“Inshort,LieutenantCommanderRee,yourperformanceaboardtheExecutorexceedsexpectationsoneverypoint.Keepthisupandyou’llmakecommanderbeforelong.”

Commander.Cienawasn’taswrappedupinthe

ideaofadvancementasshehadbeenthreeyearsago,butshecouldtakesatisfactioninhavingdoneherdutysowell.EvenwiththeunnaturallyfastrateofpromotionfollowingtheDeathStar’sdestruction,makingcommanderlessthanfiveyearsoutoftheacademywasamajorachievement.“Yes,sir.Thankyou,sir.”

Afterward,asshewalkedthroughthedarkmetalcorridorsoftheExecutor,she

mulledoverherlikelypromotion.Itoughttohavebeencauseforcelebration;sheshould’vemessagedNashandBerisseimmediately,tellingthemtomeetherlaterforacuportwoofale.Instead,thepraisefromhersuperiorofficeronlyremindedherofhowshehadfailedtheEmpireonce—whenshehadliedtoprotectafriend.

Worstofall,Cienaknew

ifshehadtomakethesamechoiceagain,shewouldstillpickThane.

Asshewalkedpastoneoftheobservationdecks,shelookedoutatthestarsandwonderedwherehemightbe.Surelyhe’dleftJelucanasshe’dtoldhimtodo.Theirworldwasdangerousforhim;thosesnakeshecalledfamilywouldturnhiminforatwo-creditpiece.YetCienaremainedhauntedbythe

visionofThanetrappedwhereshe’dseenhimlast—broke,stuckinatinyroomaboveaseedyValentiabar,withthatlostlookinhisblueeyes.

Stopit,shetoldherself.Thane’ssmart.He’satalentedpilot.Bynow,surely,he’sfoundworkandagoodplacetolive.Probablyhe’shappy.

You’renotsmallenoughtobegrudgeThaneahappy

lifewithoutyou.Right?Cienastraightenedupand

smoothedherhandsdownthefrontofheruniformjacket.TheshadowyreflectionshesawsilhouettedagainstthestarsinthewindowwasonceagainthatoftheperfectImperialofficer.Theexcellenceofherservicehadlongsinceceasedtobeonlyamatterofhonoringheroath.Shealsothoughtofitasthepriceshepaidforgiving

Thanehisfreedom.Noonewouldeverbeabletosayshehadn’tpaidinfull.

Iknow;I’lltellMummaandPappaImightbepromoted.MostImperialofficerslimitedtheirmessagestoandfromhomeasasymboloftheircommitment,butCienafiguredthatwaseasierforpeoplefromCoreWorlds,whocouldexpecttoseetheirfamiliesinpersonmorethan

onceeveryfiveyears.Shestillcommunicatedwithherfamilyatleastonceatenday,tellingthemabouteverythingfromgrav-balltournamentstoBerisse’sjokes—well,thejokesthatwererepeatable.

TheonlysubjectherfamilyneverdiscussedwasThaneKyrell.Cienadidn’twanttolietoherparentsabouthim;also,sheknewthey’drealizeshewaslyingrightaway.Thefewerpeople

whosuspectedthetruthaboutThane,thebetter.

Herparentsalwaysseemedhappytoreceivehermessages,especiallyMumma.Butlately,Cienahadbeguntonoticethattheirreplieswerealmostentirelyaboutherlife,nottheirs.Theynolongerknewallthevalleygossip,ornolongercaredtoshareit.Mummawouldsometimesspeakabouthersupervisoryjobatthe

mine,butovertheyears,hertonehadshiftedfrompridetoamatter-of-factweariness.Maybethatwasonlynatural,butCienacouldn’thelpnoticingit—aswellasthefactthatherfatherrarelymentionedanythingabouthisownlifeorthegreatervalleyatall.…

“Thereyouare,”saidapleasant,culturedmalevoice.CienaturnedtoseeLieutenantNashWindrider

walkingtowardherwithaslightsmileonhisface.DuringthethreeyearssinceAlderaan’sdestruction,hehadgraduallyrecoveredsomeofhisoldwitanddash.No,hewouldneverbethesameagain—butshenolongersawtheterribleshadowsunderhiseyesthathadscaredhersointhebeginning.BothheandherfriendBerisseSaihadbeentransferredfromtheDevastatortotheExecutor

whenDarthVaderchoseitashisnewflagship;theywerealsopostedtothesamequadrantwithinthevessel,soshesawthemoften.“I’vebeenlookingforyou,Ciena.”

“Why?IsthisaboutBerisse’sbirthday?”Cienafoldedherarmsandglaredathim.“Youruinedthesurprise,didn’tyou?”

“Youdon’tgivemenearlyenoughcredit—eitherformyexpertisewithsurprise

parties,whichisconsiderable,orforknowingwhat’simportantenoughtomeritpullingyoubackontothebridgewhenyou’reoffduty.”

Thehairsonthebackofherneckprickledwithasenseofbothdangerandexcitement.“What?”

“OneoftheprobedroidspickedupaveryinterestingsignalontheiceworldofHoth,”Nashsaidwithrelish.“Wemayhavefinallylocated

therebelbase.”Cienasuckedinasharp

breath.“Andwe’regoingin?”

Nash’sgrinwidened.“WithfiveImperial-classStarDestroyersbyourside.”

TheimageofJude’ssmileflashedthroughCiena’smind.AtlasttheyhadachancetoavengethemselvesonthepeoplewhohaddestroyedtheDeathStarandmurderedherbestfriend—

andtostampouttheRebelliononceandforall.

Thanegroanedastheyopenedthebaydoorsagainandablastoffrigidairsweptpastthem.“I’mgoingtofreezemychoobiesoff.”

Theguyshowinghimaround—DakRalter—laughedasheunsaddledanotherofthetauntauns.“Thereareeasierwaysto

switchgenders,youknow.”“Ididn’tmeanIwantedto

freeze’emoff.Ijustmeant—it’ssocold.”AfterachildhoodspentinthehighmountainsofJelucan,Thanehadthoughtheknewhowtohandlebeingcold—butHothwasonanotherscaletogether.

“Don’ttalkaboutit.Don’teventhinkaboutit,”Daksaidearnestly.“Justkeepyourpantsonandfocusonthebigpicture.”

“Iknow,Iknow.WemadeourbaseonthisfrozenhunkofrockbecausetheEmpirewouldneverthinktolookhere.Becausewhointheirrightmindwouldsubjectthemselvestothis?”Thane’sgesturetookintheicewallsoftheirbase,thebitterchillthatpiercedtothebone,andthepungentodorofthetauntaunstheywerecurrentlyfreeing.“Nobodycouldeversaywejoinedthe

Rebellionforthefunofit.”“Nobodywouldsaythat!”

DakRalter’sfacefellasifsomebodyreallyhadaccusedthemoffightingawarjustforkicks.“Orthey’dbetternot.Anybodywhodoesn’tthinkweneedtostanduptotheEmpire—”

“Takeiteasy.Iwasjustjoking.”

DakshotThaneareprovinglook,asiftosaythiswarwasfartooserious

foranythingaslowbrowashumor.Someofthenewrecruitswerelikethatatfirst—soidealisticthatspendingtimewiththemfeltlikebitingintopuresugar.

Orsothelong-timerssaid.ThaneoutrankedDakbyagrandtotalofthreeweeks.ButhefeltlikehewastwodecadesolderthanDak,ratherthantwoyears.Thanehadneverbeenoneoftheidealists;he’daccepted

WedgeAntilles’sinvitationnotbecausehebelievedtheRebellionwaspuregoodbutbecausehe’dlearnedtheEmpirewaspureevil.Evenforhim,though,theadjustmentfeltstrange.SmallastheMoawas,everycrewmemberlivedinaprivatecabinofhisorherveryown;eveninImperialservice,he’dneverhadtobunkwithmorethansevenotherguys.IntheRebellion,Thanesleptinan

enormousbunkerwithacouplehundredotherpeople,themajorityofwhomseemedtosnore.Rationswerescanty,theoddsterrible,andtherisksevengreaterthanThanewouldhaveimagined—andsofarhe’dbeeninnoneoftheepicbattleshe’dbeenanticipating.Instead,hehadmadeafewsupplyrunswhileavoidingImperialbordercontrols.He’dhelpedsetuptheHothbase.Andnowhere

hewastakingitdownagain:settingtheirpackcreaturesloosesothey’dbelonggonebythetimetheEmpirearrived,becauseapparentlyaprobedroidhadfoundthemalready

They’djustgottensetuponHoth,too.HehalfwantedtoaskRebelCommandhowtheyweresupposedtowinawarwhentheEmpirecouldfindtherebelbaseswithinamonth.

Helookedoverthebackofthegruntingtauntaunnearesthimtotakeintheentirebasearoundhim.Mechanicsworkedfeverishlyonfighters,theirbluish-whiteweldingtorcheslightingthemurkyrepairbay.PrincessLeiaspokeintentlytoGeneralRieekan,herintensityobviousevenatthatdistance,Thanethought.(They’dpassedeachotherincorridorstwicewithouther

recognizinghimfromthatlong-agodance.)Droidswhirredthroughthefrayasnoncombatpersonnelranforthefirsttransports;boardinghadbegunalready.Thaneknewonlythathisgroup—CoronaSquadron—wasn’tupyet.Fornow,hejusthadtokeepfreeingsmellytauntauns.

Dak’schatterbrokehisreverie.“Istillcan’tbelieveIgotassignedasgunnerto

LukeSkywalker.TheguywhosinglehandedlydestroyedtheDeathStar!”

“Somebody’sgoingtobehisgunner.Mightaswellbeyou.”Thanewasmostlygladitwasn’thim.Yes,Skywalkerhadshownincrediblecourageandmadeanear-impossibleshot—hedeservedrespect—butthatparticularactofheroismwasoneThanepreferredtoadmirefromadistance.

“AndtheysayhehopestobecomeaJediKnight,justlikeintheoldendays,”Dakcontinued,talkingasdreamilyasaschoolkidwithacrush.“Doyouknowhehasareal,truelightsaber?HeevenlearnedhowtousetheForcefromthegreatGeneralKenobi,thelastoftheJedi!”

ItwasallThanecoulddonottogroan.Please,notmoresuperstitiousnonsenseaboutthe“Force.”Inhisopinion,

therebeltroopsneededtobemotivatedbytheharshtruthabouttheEmpire,notcrazyreligiousbeliefs.

ThenherememberedCiena’svoicesovividlythatitwasasifshe’dwhisperedinhisear.Believinginsomethinggreaterthanourselvesisn’tcrazy.It’sproofwe’resane.Lookhowvastthegalaxyis.Don’tyouhavetoadmitwecan’tbethegreatestpowerwithinit?

ShehadsaidthattohimduringoneoftheirfinaldaysonJelucan,beforetheyleftfortheacademy.He’dlaughedatherforsuggestingthatmaybetheForcehadmadesuretheywenttothesameschoolonCoruscant,tokeepthemtogether.Bynow,evenCienawouldhavetoadmittheyweren’tluckyenoughtoshareadestiny.

Sowhywasthememoryofherstillmorerealtohim

thanthepersonactuallystandingameteraway?

“Let’sjustgetthisdone,allright?Wedon’twanttorunoffandleavethesethingstostarvepennedupinhere.”Thanepattedonetauntaunonthenosebeforeslippingoffitshalter.Thebeastboundedaway,eagertofindapackandburrowdownforwarmth.“Wehavetohauloutofherewithintheday,Rieekansays.Idon’twanttogetstranded

onHothbecausewedidn’tfinishtauntaundutyintime.”

“Sorry,”DaksaidsoearnestlythatThanefeltatwingeofguilt.

Sohegentledhistone.“Bytheway—youmusthaveimpressedsomebodytogetassignedtoflywithSkywalker.Theywouldn’tpairhimupwithjustanyone.”

“…really?”“Definitely.”

HeglancedoveratDakandsawthatthekidwassmiling.Withthat,theyclearedthestallofthefinaltwotauntauns.Asthebeastsranintothesnow,leavingonlytheirstinkbehind—

—everysirenonthebasewentoffatonce.

Theshriekingechoedwithinthecavewalls;Thanejerkeduprightanddroppedtheharnesseswithinthefirstsecond.Dakyelled,“What

doesthismean?”Asgreenashewas,Dak

knewtheanswer.Hejustdidn’twanttobelieveit.Thaneshoutedoverthedin:“TheEmpiregotherefasterthanwethought.They’vefoundus!”

AfteraquickbriefingfromPrincessLeia,itonlytookThanefourminutestosuitupandruntohissnowspeeder.

Fourminuteswasalmosttoolong.

“HaulyourJelucaniassuphere!”shoutedYendor,Thane’sTwi’lekcopilotandafellowmemberofCoronaSquadron.He’dalreadydonnedhisspeciallyfittedhelmet,whichallowedhisbluelekkutotraildownhisback.“We’vegotmultipleImperialwalkersmarchingin.”

“Itrainedonwalkersat

theacademy.”Thaneswungintohisseat.Evenasheputonhishelmet,theoverheadcanopydescendedandlocked.“Iknowtheminsideandout.”

“Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthesethings?”Yendorflippedtheswitchesthatwouldpreparethemfortakeoff.

“They’rethemostheavilyarmoredgroundvehiclesintheImperialArmy.”

“…sowhatyou’resayingisthatyouhaveathoroughknowledgeofjusthowscrewedweare.”

“Prettymuch,”Thanesaid.“Lookatitthisway.IfeventheDeathStarcouldfall,there’snothingtheEmpirehasthatwecan’ttakedown.”

Yendorreleasedtheclamps.“Let’stestthattheory.”

Thaneputhishandstothe

controlsandfelttheenginessurgetolifebeneathhim.“Herewego.”

Thesnowspeedershotoutofthebaseandintothefray.Laserboltsstripedthesilver-whitesky,andrebelshipsscatteredwidetofacetheintrudingarmy…becausethatwaswhattheyhadhere.Notastriketeam.TheywereupagainstthefullgroundforcesoftheEmpire,atleast.Howmanysnowtroopersaredown

there?Thanewondered.Andthey’llprobablysendflametroopersintothebasetoburneverythingstillinside—andeveryone.Worstofall,hecouldalreadyseefiveAT-ATwalkersonthehorizon.Eachonewouldcarrydozensofsoldiersandcountlessarmaments,nottomentionthedeadlycannonsmountedinfront.

Itwouldn’tmatterhowfarthewalkersmadeitifthe

rebelscouldjustgetthetransportsaway,Thaneremindedhimself.Actuallydestroyingoneofthosemonsterswouldbeabonus.

Yendorsaid,“Didyourclassesattheacademytellyouhowtodealwiththewalkers’heavyarmor?Becauseourblastersaren’tworthadamnagainstthesethings.”

Thanetookthespeederinfastandlow,sendingflurries

ofsnowoutinaplumebeneaththem.“Noteveryplacecanbefullyarmored.Thinkaboutit.Thelegsarevulnerableexactlywhereanycreature’slegswouldbe.”

“Gotcha,”Yendorreplied.“Targetingthejoints.”

Theentiresnowspeedervibratedwiththepowerofthefiretheyshotatoneofthewalkers,specificallyits“ankles.”Whiletheirblastersdidn’thavethestrengthto

destroythosealloys,itmightbepossibletoweakentheboltsandfrysomeofthecircuitry.

Wecanmakethemunstable.Slowthemdown.Anythingtohelpthetransportsgettosafety.

Eachofthosetransportswouldcontainnearlyahundredrebelsoldiers,theheartoftheirfleet.IftheEmpiretriumphedtoday—ittrulycouldbetheendofthe

Rebellion.ButYendor’saimwas

sureandsteady.HekepthittingtheAT-AT’slowestjointsintheexactsamespots,maximizingthedamage.AsThanezoomedinwithhissensors,herealizedtheyevenhadachancetotakeoneofthefeetoffthething,whichwouldstopitdead.

“Keepitup!”ThaneshoutedtoYendor.“I’mtakingusallthewayin!”

“Icanactuallytargetquitewellfromadistance,youknow,”Yendorjoked,evenashestartedfiringfaster.

Bythenthelowestsectionofthewalkerloomedlargeintheviewscreen.Thanelookedupwardtoseethethingforreal.Atfirsthewishedhehadn’t—themonsterslookedbigenoughwhenyouwereinthem,butfrombelowtheyseemedtooutweightheentire

sky.Butthenhetoldhimself,

They’renotasbigasthemountainsbackhome.Youflewthroughthose.Youcanmakeitthroughthese.

Soheaccelerateduntilthesnowylandscapewasnomorethanablur,bringingthembackinasfastaspossible.Yendorkeptfiringwithpinpointaccuracy,everyhitnowwinningapuffofblacksmokeorashowerof

sparks.Theywerewithintwo

hundredmeters—onehundredmeters—

Thanemadethedecisioninaninstant.Atthelastsecondhecould’veswerved,hedidn’t.

Yendoryelped—stillfiring—asThanesteeredtheirsnowspeederdirectlyattheAT-AT’sfeet.Inthefinalmomentsbeforeimpact,hejerkedthespeedersideways

untilitwasperpendiculartotheground,slidingbetweentheAT-AT’slegsuntilhespunoutbehindit,stillinonepiece.

Thatwasmorethanhecouldsayforthewalker,nowhobblingonburning,damagedfeet.Oneofthelegsliftedminusitsfoot,thenfroze;thatAT-ATwasn’tgoinganywhere

“So,thatwasnotasuiciderun?”Yendorsaid.

Thanelaughedashetookthesnowspeederaroundforanotherpass.“Iusedtoturnsideslipslikethatthroughmountainstalactiteseverydaybackhome.Youweresafeasababythewholetime.”

“Remindmenevertohireyouasababysitter.”

AsThanezoomedbacktowardtheconflict,herealizedthatsomebodyelsehadmanagedtobringa

walkerdown—asin,allthewaydown,flatinthesnow.Theheadblewashewatched,acoughofblacksmokeagainstthewhiteground.Foramomentheimaginedhimselfinsidethewalker.Itwould’vebeensounbearablyhotjustbeforetheexplosion;theheatmust’vecookedthoseguysintheirarmor.…

That’sright,hetoldhimselfsavagely.We’reheretokillthem,justlikethey’re

heretokillus.Betterthemthanyou.

Yendorsaid,“GotwordfromCommanderSkywalker.Theyloopedthewalker’slegswithatowcable.”

“That’sfaster,”Thanesaid.“Andsavesourenergyforlater.”

“Anddoesn’tmakeusdothatdamneddeath-somersaultthing—”

“Don’tknockthemovethatjustsavedourbutts,”

Thanesaidasheheadedstraightforthenextwalker.“Justgetthetowcableready.”

Astheyspedbackintothethickofthebattle,Thanesawatransportrocketthroughtheatmosphere,preparingforitsleapintohyperspace.Weretheyactuallygoingtoescapethismessafterall?

Someofthemwould.Buttherewerecrashedsnowspeederslyingonthe

ground,cindersblowinginthewindaroundthem.Nomatterhowmanytransportsgotaway,theRebellionhadtoleavebehindatremendousamountofshipsandmaterial.Andalltheworkthathadgoneintobuildingthebasehadbeenwasted.Nowthey’dhavetowanderthroughthegalaxyagain,lookingforsomeplaceevenmoreobscureandunlivablethanHoth…ifsuchaplanetevenexisted.

MaybetheRebellionbrasshadalong-rangeplanthatwouldrendertheday’sbattlemeaningless,butfornow,theEmpirewasmakingthempaydearlyfortheirdefiance.

Thanegrittedhisteeth.ThelargerstrategyoftheRebellionwasn’tuptohim.Hehadonejobonly:tocoverthetransports.

Forthenextlongwhile,heallowedhimselftothinkofnothingbutthetargets,todo

nothingbutflyinascloseaspossiblesoYendorcouldmakeeveryshot.Thegroundtroopsbeneaththeirspeederweresometimesnomorethanshadows,theirwhitesnowtrooperarmorrenderingthemalmostinvisibleagainstthewintrylandscape.Oncethelastwalkerwentdown,theotherrebelscheered.Thanestaredupatthebleakskyabovethem.Whataretheygoingtosenddown

next?Nothingcame.Nomore

Imperialshipsdescended.Thatmeanttheywerewaitingabovetheatmospheretopickofftherebelfightersonebyone.

Themomentthefinaltransportstreakedintothesky,ThaneandYendorrushedtheirsnowspeederbacktobase.Bynowtheyhadmereminutestogettheirindividualstarfightersoffthe

ground.AllThanehadtodowas

flysafelyoutofplanetaryatmospherebeforegoingtolightspeed—butfirsthehadtooutruntheTIEfightersthathadjustzoomedintorange.

Damn!Ifhe’dtakenofffiveminutesearlier,theTIEswouldhavemissedhimentirely.NowThanewouldhavetoshoothiswaytofreedom.

ButTIEfightersweren’t

assturdyaswalkers.Theyprovidedalmostnoprotectionfortheirpilots—whichwasthemainreasonwhybeingaTIEpilotwassoreveredintheImperialStarfleet.Flyingoneofthosethingstookguts.

Knowingthatdidn’tmakeiteasierforThanetoshoottheTIEfightersdown,buthediditanyway.AshisblasterboltsrakedacrossoneoftheTIEs,ashowerofgreensparksflumedintotheair,

andthentheshipwasspiralingdown,wingsclipped,fallingtoitsdoom.

ThanehadexperiencedthatinTIEfightersimulators.Heknewwhatitlookedlikefromtheinside.

Thiswasawar.They’dallchosentheirsides.SoThaneacceleratedupward,notbotheringtowatchonsensorsastheTIEfightercrashedtotheground.

Assoonasthespace

outsidehisX-winghadturnedblackandthesensorsshowedallclear,helaidinacoursefortherendezvouscoordinatesandpreparedfortheleaptolightspeed.OnlyinthelastmomentsdidheseetheImperialfleetamassedoffhisstarboardside,soenormousthateventhedarknessofspacedidnotdwarfit.Therewasnotimetostudyitindetail,hardlyevenaflashofsilverbeforethe

starschangedfrompointsintoatunnelandhisengineswhinedashisshipleapedintolightspeed.

Thanefeltasifhecouldn’tbreathe.Heknewwhathe’dseeninthatfinalsplit-secondviewoftheImperialfleet:aSuperStarDestroyer.

WhenIleft,CienawasassignedtotheDevastator.They’dneverposthertoanyshipsmallerthanaStar

Destroyeragain.Bynowsheprobablyisn’tassignedonTIEpatrolsveryoften,butshecouldbe—andshe’dvolunteerjustforthejoyofflying.

Hewasbeingridiculous.OfthemanyStarDestroyersundertheEmperor’scontrol,whatweretheoddsthataparticularonewouldbeassignedtothatbattle,onthatday?

Buthoweverremotethe

chanceswere,thepossibilitywasreal.Andnow,sickenedbyfear,ThanerealizedtheTIEpilothe’djustkilledcouldhavebeenCiena.Itwasnolesslikelytobeherthananyotherpilotinthefleet.Ifso,hehadn’tevenbotheredtowatchherdie.

Theworstpartwasthathewouldneverknow.

THEMETALLICRASPofLordVader’sbreathingechoedthroughouttheExecutor’sbridge.Cienaknewbetterthantoglanceupwardorgiveanyotherindicationthatsheevenrealizedhewasthere,

standingonthehigherlevelonlyacoupleofmetersabove.Althoughshedidn’tbelievesomeofthewilderrumorsaboutDarthVader’svindictiveness,bynowsheknewitwaswisestnottodrawhisattentionforanyreason.Hisrageswhenhewasdispleasedwerelegendary.

Rightnow,hehadtobedispleasedintheextreme.

Howcouldsomanyrebel

transportshavegottenaway?Evencomingoutofhyperspacetooearlyshouldn’thaveunderminedtheirentireattack.TheImperialStarfleethadsentdownastrikeforcethatshouldhavebeenabletoparalyzetheenemy’sdefenses.Butinsteadofvictory,theyhadthreedemolishedAT-ATs,onebadlydamagedone,severaldozendestroyedTIEfighters,

andseveralhundreddeadsnowtroopers.Thehighnumberofrebelcasualtiesthey’dinflictedwassmallconsolation.

Later,Cienaresolved,shewouldwatchtherecordingsoftheBattleofHothandstudytherebels’tacticsindetail.TheEmpirepossessedeveryadvantageintermsofmanpowerandfirepower.TodayoughttohavebeenthedaytheydealttheRebelliona

final,fatalblow.Instead,theirvictorywasincomplete.IftherebelscouldavoidbeingcompletelycrushedbyanImperialstrikeforceledbysixStarDestroyers,thensuperiororatleastsurprisingtacticalmoveshadtobethereason.AnalyzingthoseingreaterdepthmightgivetheImperialstheinformationtheyneededtofinallyendthisgruesomewar.

Fornow,though,Ciena

andeveryoneelseontheExecutorhadanother,farmorevitalpriority:capturetheMillenniumFalcon.

Ifanyoneonthebridgeunderstoodwhyitwassoimportanttocatchthatantiquepieceofjunk,nobodysaidso.LordVaderwantedtheshiptowedaboardanditspassengerstakenalive.SoinsteadofsimplyblowinguptheMillenniumFalcon—somethingtheycouldhave

doneinaninstant—theyhadtotrytopluckitfromthesky.

Unfortunately,whoeverwassteeringtheFalconwasonehellofapilot.He’dgoneintoanasteroidfield,apparentlychoosingsuicideovercapture.Nosmallshipcouldhopetoemergefromanasteroidfieldintact.Therebelshipatleasthadshields;TIEfightersdidn’tevenhavethatmuchprotection.

Yetfourofthemhadbeen

sentin.WhileCienasattheretryingtofathomthepurposeofthatsuicidemission,CaptainPiettsaid,“Ree,provideauxiliarynavigationalassistance.”

Herheartsankevenasshesaid,“Yes,sir.”

Shewenttotheaux-navpostinthedatapitandlookeddownatthefourscreensthatshowedhertheTIEfighters’designationsandcoordinates.Anyassistanceshecould

providewouldbeminimal—butifshecouldgivethosepilotsachance,shewould.HerfingersflewasshesetthetriangulationsbetweentheirshipsandtheMillenniumFalcon,andthensheyankedontheheadsetthatwouldlethertalktothepilotsdirectly.“O-L-Seven-Zero-One,adjustthirty-sevendegreesstarboardanddown—N-A-Eight-One-One,followbutgoup—”

NA811wasaguycalled

Penrie,whomshetalkedtoonceinawhile,agraduateoftheacademyonLothal.Whenhelaughed,noonecouldhelplaughingwithhim,andsinceheseemedtofindeverybody’sjokeshilarious,thelaughterwasconstant.AlthoughPenriewasacoupleofyearshersenior,hesoundedyoungerashesaid,“Affirmative.”

“C-R-Nine-Seven-Eight,pullup—pullup!”But

Ciena’sorderhadcometoolate;oneoftheTIEfightersvanishedfromthegrid.

Thatwasonedeadmanonherwatch.Please,nomore.

“O-L-Seven-Zero-One,newtrajectorylinkingtoyournavcomputernow—”

“Gotit.”“J-A-One-Eight-Nine,

yourcomputerisn’tlinkingup—”

“Ican’t—”Thenaburst

ofstaticaccompaniedthewildspinningofanotherTIEonherscreengrid.“Clippedoneofmyengines!Can’tsteer—needatractor—”

LouderstaticwasfollowedbysilenceastheimageofJA189’sTIEfighterfadedawayforgood.

SweatmadeCiena’sgrayjumpsuitsticktoherskin.Shekepthereyeslockedonthegridandhervoiceasevenasshecouldmanage.“O-L-

Seven-Zero-One,N-A-Eight-One-One,you’regettinginreallyclosetooneofthelargerasteroids—”

“Targetseemstobelookingforcover.We’reonhim.”ThatwasOL701.ThroughtheNA811uplink,Cienaheardonlybreathingthatwastooshallow,tooquick.Penriehadjustseentwootherpilotsexplodeinfrontofhiseyes.

ToCaptainPiett,shesaid,

“Sir,iftheMillenniumFalconlandsonalargerasteroid,wecouldfocusourlasercannonsonthatandblowitaway.We’dtaketheFalconoutintheprocess.CanIordertheTIEfightersback?”

Piettstoodverystill,obviouslywaitingforLordVadertocountermandtheorder.Vadersaidnothing.Hedidn’teventurnaround.Finally,Piettsaid,“Very

well,Ree.”Hoperushedthroughher.

Atleastshecouldsavetwoofthepilots.“N-A-Eight-One-One,O-L-Seven-Zero-One,abortpursuit.Chartyoursafestcoursebackand—”

“He’sinoneofthecanyons,”OL701replied.“We’vealmostgothim—”

CienawaitedtohearfromPenrie.Insteadhescreamed—aterribleshortsoundcutofftoosoon.Inthatinstant,

bothoftheremainingTIEfightersdisappearedfromherviewscreen,leavingitdark.

Fourpilotsdead,anditwaspartlyherresponsibility.WouldPiettreprimandher?Worse,wouldVader?

Whatifthoserumorsweretrue,abouthowVadertreatedthosewhodispleasedhim?

Butnobodypaidanyattentiontoher.PiettandVaderactedasifshehadn’t

letanyonedown,asiffourloyalofficershadn’tjustdiedfornoreason.TherewasnothingforCienatodobutreturntoherusualstationandgobacktomonitoringthesituation.

Tothecommanderwhosatbesideherinthedatapit,shewhispered,“Whyaren’tweatleastfiringontheasteroid?”

“Noclearshot.Thetargetcouldjustaseasilyhave

changedcourse.Wenolongerhaveitonvisualsorsensors.”

Awaveofnauseasweptthroughher.ThosefourTIEfighterpilotshaddiedfornothing.NoonewouldeverhearPenrie’slaughagain.Incommand-trackcoursesattheacademy,theteachershadcounseledthemthattheycouldn’tthinkoftheirtroopsasindividuals;todosowouldleadonlytohesitationand

thusdefeat.Theyprotectedtheirpeoplebyforgettingtheywerepeople,insteadviewingthemaspiecesinavast,elaborategame.Itwastheonlyelementofcommand-tracktrainingthathadevergivenCienapause.Sheknewnowthatshewouldneverbeabletodothat,notthewayPiettandVaderdid.

YetVadercouldnothavebeentotallydevoidofemotion,becausehethen—

unbelievably—orderedtheExecutorintotheasteroidfield,too.

Impactsbegantosendshuddersthroughouttheship.Cienawincedasifthedamageswereactualinjuriestoherbody.WhatStarDestroyershadinsheerpower,theylackedinmaneuverability;theywouldtakecountlesshitstoday.WhatregisteredasminordamageonaSuperStar

Destroyercouldmeanthedemolitionoftwoentiredecksdownforafewthousandmeters—andallthepeoplestationedonthosedecks.Moreofficersandstormtrooperswoulddieneedlessly,allbecauseLordVadercouldn’tletonerattyoldshipgo—

No,Cienaremindedherselfsternly.Thedeathsshe’dseenthatday,theuselessriskanddamage—

thatwasallbecausetheRebelAlliancehadstartedawar.

Whenhershiftended,Cienastoodtogoandwinced.EverymuscleinherbodyhadtensedsobadlyduringtheTIEfighterflightsthroughtheasteroidfieldthatshefeltassoreasifshe’drunthirtykilometers.Thedoorsslidopentoletherwalkout—or,asitturnedout,toletPiett

return.Immediately,shestoodatattention,awaitingthereprimandshenodoubtdeserved.

Piettsaidonly,“Welldonetoday,LieutenantCommander.”

“But—”Washethinkingofsomeoneelse?“Ilostallfourpilots,sir.”

“Theyhadnochance,really.Youkeptthemalivelongerthantheycouldhavemadeitontheirown.”

Hewastellinghershe’ddoneagoodjob.Ononelevelsheunderstoodwhyhesaidso,butitdidn’tchangehowwretchedshefelt.Therewasnothingelseforhertosay,though,except—“Thankyou,Captain.”

“Oh.Yes.Youweren’tonthebridgeyetfor—when—”Piettdrewhimselfup.“Ihavebeenpromotedtoadmiral,effectiveimmediately,assumingAdmiralOzzel’s

command.”Whathappenedto

AdmiralOzzel?Thequestiondiedonherlips.IntheImperialStarfleet,sometimesitwasbettertobeabletobelieveyoudidn’tknowtheanswer.“Yes,Admiral.Congratulations.”

Piett’sexpressionlookedbleak.“Thatwillbeall,Ree.”Withthathereturnedtothebridge,theblackdoorsslidingshutbehindhim.

Cienafelttooexhaustedtomove,muchlessputinextrahours.Yetinsteadofreturningtoherbunk,shewenttoaspareanalysisboothandpulledupallthefootagefromtheBattleofHothavailabletosomeoneatherclearancelevel.Sheintendedtogoovereverysinglesecondofit,untilshefiguredouthowabunchofpoorlyarmed,ragtagrebelswereoutwittingthegreatest

militaryforcethegalaxyhadeverseen.

Wasitarrogancetothinkshecouldcomeupwithananswerthathadeludedtheadmiralty’sfinesttacticalminds?No,sherealized.Itwasdesperation.Shewantedthiswartoend—neededittoend—sothatthebloody,mercilessmethodsofwarwouldend,too.Strongasshewas,determinedasshewastoseethisthrough,Cienaknew

shecouldn’tendureyearsmoreofsendingpeopletofutile,meaninglessdeaths.

It’snotlikePenrieandIwerefriends,buthewasmorethanacallnumber.Irememberhislaugh,hisbirthmark.SoIcan’tforgetthathewashuman,thatsomewhereouttherehehasamotherandfatherwhowanthimhome.Whentheyhearthetruth,itwilldestroythem,assurelyasitwilldestroy

MummaandPappaifIdieduringmyservice.That’sjustonelittletragedy.Multiplythatanguishandlossbythebillionsofpeoplealreadydeadinthiswarandit’sunbearable.

WheneverCienaspokeinherheadlikethat,shealwaysenvisionedthesamelistener.IfonlyshecouldtalktoThaneforreal—hewouldknowhowtoadviseher,howtocomforther.Evenifhe

coulddonothingelse,hewould’vetakenherinhisarmsandletherholdontightlyuntiltheworstofthepainhadebbedaway.Sometimesshecouldn’tfallasleepwithoutimaginingtheonenightsheandThanehadspenttogether—notthesex(well,notonlythesex)buttheafterglow,thewayhehadtenderlykissedherhairandcurledhisbodyagainsthers.Shecouldn’trememberany

othertimeshehadfeltsosafeandwarm.

Cienabitherlowerlip;thepainbroughtherbacktothehereandnow.EveryfewmonthssheresolvednottothinkaboutThaneeveragain.Hehadchosenhispath.Whereverhewasinthegalaxy,shehopedhewaswell,andhappy.Shewouldneverknowforsure,andsheneededtomakeherpeacewiththat.

Soconcentrateonwhatyou’redoing,shetoldherself.CienabeganplayingbacktheHothfootage,takingnotesonherdatapadthewholetime.Abandonedsnowspeeders—meanstheylostshipsandvaluablematerialwhenweranthemoff—possibletosimplychasethemuntilresourcesrunout?Warofattrition?Andthenextfootageshowedtherebellasercannons.The

armamentsthemselveswereamatchforImperialstandard,orverynearly,but—Inadequatebodyarmorforsoldiersappearstobestandardthroughouttherebelforces.Lookatweaponsthatexpelshrapnel,possiblyrazor-edgedmicrodroids?

NextwasfootageofthedestructionoftheImperialwalkers.Cienacould’vegroanedwhenshesawhoweasilytheharpoonsand

towlinestookthefirstAT-ATdown.Surelytherehadtobesomekindofdefensetheycouldinstallforthat.Thesecondoneseemedtoexplodefrominside,sothatwasprobablytheImperials’faultratherthantherebels’.Mechanicalmalfunction?Apossiblesaboteur?shejotted.Andthenanotherwalkerfellpreytoarebelpilotwhosomehowknewoneoftheonlyvulnerablespotsinthe

armor—Hermindwentblank.The

beepingandbuzzingofthecomputersaroundherturnedintosomuchwhitenoise.Astonishmentandbetrayalrippledthroughherlikeanearthquakeanditsaftershocks.ButCienashookherhead.Iimaginedit.Musthave.Becausethere’snoway.

Quickly,sheputthefootagebackinandwatched

again.Shehadn’timaginedit.Therebelsnowspeederkeptfiringattheidealtargetsonthelowestjointsofthewalker’slegsasitzoomedforwardatsuicidalspeed—then,attheverylastmoment,itspunsidewaysthroughthenarrowgapthatledtosafety.

Justlikeflyingthroughthestalactitesbackhome.

Anynumberofpilotsinthegalaxymusthavelearnedthatmove.Cienaknewthat.

Butitdidn’tchangewhatshewasabsolutelysureshe’djustseen:

ThaneKyrellhadjoinedtheRebellion.

THANEWENTTHROUGHthemotionsasblanklyandautomaticallyashisastromechdroid:reachrendezvouspoint,inputcodestoreceivelocationofthenextrendezvouspoint,leapintohyperspaceagain,andfinally

connectwiththeirnewbaseship,theMonCalamaricruiserLiberty.

TheLibertywasfarlargerandmoresophisticatedthanmostofthevesselsinthemotleyrebelfleet.However,itwasdesignedforthecomfortoftheMonCalamari,nothumans.Temperatureswerehigher,andthehumidityintheairwassointenseThane’sskingrewdampwithinminutes.

Heneededsomedistractionfromthediscomfort,Thanedecided.Betternottobealonewithhisthoughtsanyway.HekeptseeingthatTIEfightertumbledown,keptimaginingCienadyingintheheartofit—andhehadtostopthatsomehow.

Firsthesoughtoutfriends.WedgeclappedThaneontheback,andThanemanagedtosmileastheycongratulatedeachotheron

thewalkersthey’dtakendown.ButWedge’sfacefellwhenThaneaskedaboutDakRalter.“Dakdiedduringthebattle.Theirsnowspeederwashit;onlySkywalkermadeitout.”

Onlyhalfadaybefore,ThanehadbeenteasingDakabouthero-worshipingLukeSkywalker.NowDaklaydeadandabandonedonHoth,hisbodycrushedbyanAT-AT.

Thekidhadn’tevenbeennineteenyearsold.

“Ifit’sanyconsolation,”Wedgesaid,studyingThane’sexpression,“LukesaidDakdiedfromtheblast.Instantly.”

“Consolation,”Thanerepeated.“Right.”

Wedgelookedlikehemightsaymore,butThanedidn’twanttohearit.Heturnedandwalkedthroughthelaunchingbay,watching

theactivityaroundhimasifhe’dneverseenanyofitbefore.Pilotslaughedandjoked,becausethatwashowyoudealtwithunendingmortaldanger:youpretendeditdidn’texist.Onlyahandfuloftherebelsstandingaroundshowedanyevidenceofgrieforshock.

TheywereprobablyimaginingscenesasterribleastheoneplayingoverandoverinThane’smind—Ciena

andDak,bothdead,theirbodiesbrokenastheylayonthesurfaceofHoth.Soontheywouldbecoveredbythesnow,nevertobeseenagain.

“Hey,areyouallright?”Yendorfellinstepbesidehim,hisbluelekkuhangingdownhisback.

“I’mfine.”“Ifthisiswhat‘fine’

lookslikeforyou,Ireallydon’twanttoseeyourversionof‘bad.’”

“DakRalterboughtit.”“Sorrytohearthat,”

Yendorsaid.“Hewasagoodkid.”

“Yeah.”“Didn’tthinkyouguys

werethatclose,though.”“Weweren’t.”It’snot

justDak.ImighthavekilledCienatoday—andIrealizeitalmostcertainlywasn’ther,butitcould’vebeenherandI’llneverknow—“Skipit,allright?”

Yendorwassmartenoughtomoveon.“Consideritskipped.Comehelpmegetthenewrecruitssetupwithsomegear,whydon’tyou?AcoupledozenofthemwereontheirwaytoHothwhenthealertwentout.”

“Sure,”Thanesaid.Itwassomethingtodo.

Heevenhadonepleasantsurpriseashehandedouthelmets,blasters,andcommunicatorstotherookies

—afamiliarface.“Lookwhatthegundarkdraggedin,”saidKendyIdele,abroadsmilespreadingacrossherface.Herdarkgreenhairhunginalongbraiddownthebackofherwhitecoveralls,afewdampstrandsclingingtoherforehead.“ThaneKyrell.NeverthoughtI’dseeyouhere.”

“Kendy.IthoughtyouwereintheImperialStarfleetforlife.”

“Showshowmuchyouknow.”Kendylaughedoutloud.Sheseemedalittlehappiertoseehimthanhewastoseeher.ItwasgoodtofindKendyagain,insomeways;theyhadn’tbeengoodfriendsattheacademy,buthe’dalwaysadmiredher.Inparticularherememberedhowdeadlyshe’dbeenonthepracticerange,howshecouldtakedownthreetargetflierspersecondwithherblaster.

TheRebellionneededpeoplewhocouldshootlikethat.

ButshehadbeenoneofCiena’sbunkmatesandbestfriends.Thanecouldn’tevenlookatKendywithoutexpectingtoseeCienaatherside.

Nothingmuchwouldgetdonethatdayexcepttakingnames,takingstock,andsweating.EchoBasecommandcenterhadbeenhit,whichmeantdisorganization

anduncertaintyhadtakenover.Severalvitalpersonnelweremissing,apparently.NotonlyhadLukeSkywalkerfailedtoshowattherendezvouspoint,buttheMillenniumFalconhadgonemissingalso,withPrincessLeiaOrganaaboard.GeneralRieekanhadcalledanemergencyconferenceoftheseniorofficersattachedtothisportionofthefleet,whichWedgegotpulledinto.That

lefttherestofthemtofixdamagetotheirstarfighters,haulequipmentintosomethingvaguelyresemblingregulation,andwaitfornewordersandtheirnextdestination.

Soitwasn’tthatsurprisingwhenoneofthetransportpilotsmentionedthatthey’dbrewedalittleengine-roomhooch.

Makingjetjuicewasoneofthosethingsthebrass

officiallybannedbutinfactturnedablindeyetoaslongasneitherthemanufacturenorconsumptioninterferedwithduty.Forthenextdayortwo,beforetheymigratedtotheirnextlocation,theywereasfreefromdangerasitwaspossibleforarebelarmytobe:iftheImperialStarfleethadanyideawheretherebels’rendezvouspointswere,itwouldhaveimmediatelyfollowedthemin

force.Anygoodofficerknewsoldiersneededachancetoblowoffsteam,particularlyafterabigbattle—sonobodysaidawordwhenthecupsstartedbeingpassedaround.

Thanegulpeddownhisfirstsoquicklyhiseyeswatered.Whateverelseengine-roomjetjuicemightbe,itwasn’t“mellow.”Butassoonashe’dfinishedcoughing,heheldouthiscupforarefill.

“Hittingithardtonight,”Yendorobserved,onelekquirkinginquisitively.

“Whynot?”Thanesaid.Hedidn’tmeetYendor’seyes.

Itwasn’tasifThaneneverdrank.He’dhadacoupleofcupsofhoochonoccasion,andhedidn’tmindanaleortwo.Overtimehe’devendevelopedatasteforAndoanwine.Butheavydrinkinghadneverinterested

him,notevenwhenhewasakidonJelucanandtheotherboysinhisschoolwouldgetcompletelywastedonfestivalnights.

HehadnevereventriedanyinebriatesbeforethateveningintheFortress,withtheflaskofvalleywineCienahadsmuggledinherrobes.Theyhadbeennomorethanfourteen.Bothofthemhadhatedthesticky-sweetstuffandwounduppouringmost

ofitout.Herfulllipshadstillbeenstainedberrydarkasshehadrinsedouttheflask,laughing,sayingtheyshouldn’tevenhavetosmellitanylonger—

Ciena.AlwaysCiena.DidThanepossessamemoryworthhavingthatshewasn’tapartof?Couldhedrinkenoughtoblotouteventhethoughtofher?

Apparentlynot.Buthedidn’tfailforlackoftrying.

Anotherdrink.Thenanother.Thane’sexperienceoftheeveningbecamefragmentedandsurreal.HeknewKendyhadtoldthestoryofhowherentirepatrolhadmutiniedonMiriatin,andhowonlyone-thirdofthemhadmanagedtoescapewiththeirlives.Herememberedagameofsabaccbutnoneofthecardshe’dheld.MaybesomeguysfromOrdMantellhadsunganobscenesong

abouttheuniquepleasureseachspeciescouldprovideinbed.Atsomepoint,YendorhadaskedThanewhetherhedidn’twanttolayoffandgotosleep,butThanehadtoldhisTwi’lekfriendtomindhisownbusiness.Whentheroomspunaroundhim,ThanesimplybracedhimselfagainstthesideofthenearestX-wingandkeptgoing.

Thatwashowhefoundhimself,atsomeunknown

hourofthenight,stumblingthroughtheunfamiliarbasealoneandtryinghardnottofallflatonhisface.

C’mon.Youcanfigureoutwherethebunksare.Theyshowedyouearlier.ButhisdrunkennesshadfoldedthestrangecorridorsoftheMonCalamarishipintoevenstrangerangles.Thewallskeptshowingupwherethefloorshouldbe,andviceversa.FinallyThanedecided

sittingdownwouldbeagreatidea.

Ashisbacksliddownthewall,hefelthisstomachturnover,athreatofwhatwastocome.He’dneverdrunktothepointofvomitingbefore.Thatwasnotanexperiencehe’dbeeneagertotry.Firsttimeforeverything,hethoughtinahaze.

Thensomeonehelpedhimtohisfeet,awomanhe’dnevermetbefore—orhe

thoughthe’dnevermetbefore—butsheseemedkindassheputoneofhisarmsaroundhershoulders.ThatseemedasgoodareasonasanyforThanetotellherhislifestory.

“Imean,reallyI’monly—onlytellingyouthepartsaboutCiena,”hemumbledasthewomansteeredhimtowardthenearesthead.“Butthat’sprettymuchmywholelife.Thegoodpartofmylife,

anyway.”“Soundslikeit.Here,sit

down.”Shepouredhimintoa

chair.Thanelethisheaddroopbackward.“IknowIprobablydidn’tshootherdowntoday.ButIcould’vedoneit.Oranyoftheotherguys—theycould’vedoneit,andthey’reonmyside,youknow?They’remyfriends,andweallhatetheEmpire,butifIeverfoundoutoneof

themhadkilledCiena—andit’scrazy,because,youknow,sheturnedmeintotheEmpire.Canyoubelievethat?Shegavemeaheadstart,butsheturnedmein.SometimesIthinkaboutthatandIgetsoangryIcould—butitstillkillsmetothinkabouthergettinghurt—”

“Shhh.”Thewomanlaidsomesortofcool,damptowelacrosshisforehead.Thiswasthebestideaanyone

hadeverhad.Thanedecidedshewassomekindofgenius.

Somaybeshecouldhelphimfigureoutwhatwasgoingon.

“Whathappensif—whatifsomedayI’minbattleagainsttheEmpireagainandIfreezeup?WhatifIcan’tfirebecauseIknowCienacouldbeinanyoneofthoseTIEfighters?WhatifIdofireandsheisinoneofthem?”Thanebecameawarethathe

wasonthevergeoftearingupandmanagedtostop.Hemightbeasloppydrunk,buthe’dbedamnedifhe’dbreakdown.“Idon’twanttokillher.AndIdon’twantotherpeopletodiebecauseI’mafraidofhurtingthisonepersonintheentireImperialStarfleetthatIlove.”

“Iunderstand,”thewomansaid,puttingacupinhishands.“Drinksomewater.You’llthankmelater.”

Afterthat,thingsbecameevenblurrier.Atsomepoint,Thanemusthavefoundhisbunk,becausehedimlyperceivedcrawlingintoitfullyclothed,downtohisboots.Andthatwaswherehewokeupthenextmorning,hatinglife.

“Thisiswherealesserbeingwouldsay,‘Itoldyouso.’”YendorgrinnedasThaneleanedoverthenearestbucket.

“Pleaseshutup.”“NotuntilItellyouthat

oursquadronhasabriefingwiththetopbrassin,oh,halfanhour.”

Thanerolledhiseyesathisownstupidity,thenwinced.Hehadn’tknownrollinghiseyescouldhurt.“Canyougetridofhangoversbydunkingyourselfinabactatank?”

Yendorconsideredthat.“Huh.Youknow,that’snota

badidea?We’llhavetotestitsomeday.Rightnow,though—you’reoutoftime.”

“Great.Justgreat.”Throughwhatfeltlike

superhumaneffort,Thanemanagedtoshowerandgetintouniform.Thedarkcirclesunderhiseyesandthefaintreddishstubbleonhischeeks—well,peoplehadshowedupforrollcalllookingrougherthanhedid.Thesurgicaldroid2-1Bgavehim

aninjectionthatwouldrestorehisbloodchemistrytobearablelevelswithinanhourortwo.AllThanehadtodowasmakeitthroughthebriefing.

Whentheentiresquadronstoodatattention,GeneralRieekanenteredtheroom—buthewasn’talone.Behindhimwalkedacomposed,majesticwomanwithdarkredhair,dressedallinwhite.

“Idon’tbelieveit,”

Kendywhispered.“Meeither,”saidYendor,

whostoodbyThane’sside,ahugegrinonhisface.“WefinallygettomeetMonMothmaherself!”

MonMothma.OneoftheonlysenatorstoopenlydefyPalpatineasherosetopower.“MostWanted”oneverylistofcriminalstheImperialStarfleetkept.OneoftheleadersoftheRebelAlliance.

Andthewomanwhohad

spentthepreviousnightlisteningtoThanespillhisguts,literallyandfiguratively.

Howcouldhehavefailedtorecognizeher?He’dbeenevendrunkerthanhe’dthought.OfcoursethenewsreportsfromtheEmpireonlyshowedimagesofMonMothmafrommanyyearsbefore;shehadbeenundergroundforsometime.ButThanehadbeentoo

intoxicatedtorecognizethewomanevenwhensheheldhisheadoverabasinashepukedhisgutsout.

Great.Justgreat.Ifonlyhecouldhavesunkintothefloorandletitclosebackoverhimtohideanyevidencethathe’deverexisted—butThanehadtostandthereandpretendeverythingwasnormal.

“Goodmorning,”shesaid,hervoiceascalmand

steadyasithadbeenthenightbefore.“ItisanhonortomeetmoreofthewarriorswhohavehelpedtheRebelAlliancestaystrongduringthesedarktimes.”

Priderippledthroughthesquadron,evengettingtoThanedespitehisshame.TothinkthattheleaderoftheentireRebellionwouldsayitwasanhonortomeetthem.HedoubtedtheEmperorhadeversaidsuchathingtoany

ofhistroops.Mothmacontinued,“All

ofyouunderstandthatobviouslywemustbeonthemovesoon.”Hereyesstudiedeachofthepilotsinturn;Thanewonderedhowavoicethatgentlecouldbelongtothesamepersonasthatsteelygaze.“However,CoronaSquadron,youwillnotaccompanytherestofthefleettotheirnewrendezvouspoint.”

Everyoneexchangedglances.Wasitsomekindofpenaltyfortheircarousinglastnight—orsomeother,moresignificantinfraction?Buttheyhadn’tdoneanythingworthanykindofpenalty,sofarasThaneknew;infact,theywereoneofthetopsquadronsinthefleet.

MonMothmathensaid,“Wehave…importanttasksforyou.”

Nofurtherwordswerenecessary.Shemeantintelligencework.Thatalsomeantdanger.ButThanehadn’tjoinedtheRebelliontoplayitsafe.

“You’vebeenchosenforthisworkeventhoughmanyofyouarenewtotheRebellion.However,youhavetherightskillsforthetaskstocome.”MonMothmatookaseatattheonedeskinthesmallspace.Somehowthe

sheerpowerofherpresencetransformedtheroomintoachamberofstate.

She’salreadytheEmperor’smatch,Thanethought,evenifPalpatinedoesn’tknowityet.

GeneralRieekanspokeup.“Fortheforeseeablefuture,CoronaSquadronwillremainbasedontheLiberty.You’llgetpermanentbunkassignmentswithinthenextfewhours.”

“Aw,man,”Yendordeadpanned.“IalwayshopedI’dgettoliveinasaunasomeday.”

Rieekanraisedaneyebrow.“Excuseme,PrivateYendor?”

“Imeant,IalwayshopedI’dgettoliveinasaunasomeday,sir.”

Thatmadetheotherslaugh,andevenRieekansmiled.MonMothma’sfaceremainedimpassive—butnot

disapproving.Thesameminorinformalitywould’velandedanImperialofficerinthebrig;intherebelfleet,disciplinecouldcoexistwithhumanity.

“Bothgroupandindividualassignmentswillbediscussedastheyarise,”MonMothmacontinuedassmoothlyasthoughtherehadbeennointerruption.“Butyoualldeservetoknow—theriskswillbeconsiderable,

evengreaterthanthoseyoualreadyface.Itispossiblethatanyorallofyoumaybeaskedtogoonmissionswithlittleornochancethatyouwilleverreturn.Ifyoufeelyoucannotacceptsuchmissions,speaknow.Thereisnoshameindoingso.”

Everyoneremainedsilentandatattention,wordlesslyacceptingthedanger.Thanekepthisgazestraightforward,notdirectlylooking

atanyoneintheroom.ButhecouldfeelMonMothma’sgazeonhim.

Whenthequiethadgoneonlongenough,Rieekannodded.“Good.Fornow,getyournewmembersuptodateonourprotocols”—thatwasaccompaniedbyanodtowardKendy,thenewestofthemall—“andawaitfurtherinstructions.”

“Thankyouforyourcourageousservice,officers,”

MonMothmasaid.“Youaredismissed.”Aseveryoneturnedtogo,andjustasKendyleanedtowardThanetoaskaquestion,Mothmaadded,“LieutenantKyrell,I’dliketohaveaword.”

Andhe’dbeensoclosetomakingacleangetaway.

Thaneturnedaround,againatattention,tofaceMonMothma.FromthecornerofhiseyehecaughtaglimpseofGeneralRieekan;

thegeneralseemedsurprised.AtleastMonMothmahadn’tsharedthetaleofThane’sdrunkenmopingwiththeentireRebelCommand.

Notyet,anyway.Thedoorsslidshutafter

thelastoftheothersleft,andThanewasalonewithMonMothma.Undermostcircumstances,juniorofficerswaitedfortheirsuperiorstospeakfirst.Thanethoughtthismightbeanexceptionto

thatrule.“Ma’am.Iapologizeformy—improprietylastnight.Obviously,Ioverindulgedinour,uh,celebrations.Itwon’thappenagain.”

MonMothmaleanedbackinherchair,mouthquirked.“LieutenantKyrell,ifIdrummedpilotsoutoftheserviceeverytimeoneofthemhadalittletoomuchoftheengine-roomhooch,therewouldbenoRebellion.”

“Yes,ma’am.”Butwhythenhadshesingledhimout?Herememberedsomeofwhathe’dsaidlastnightaboutfreezingup,andhishorrordeepened.“Ifyou’reconcernedthatI’llfailtodomydutyononeofthespecialmissionsforCoronaSquadron,youdon’thavetobe,ma’am.”

“Myconcernsareirrelevant,”shesaidcrisply.“Theproblemhereisthat

you’requestioningyourself.Self-doubtwillcrippleyoumoresurelythanfearevercould.Ihearyou’reanoutstandingpilot,Kyrell.Momenttomoment,Ifeelcertainyou’lldoyourduty.However,ifyoufallapartaftereverymajorengagement,you’llself-destructbeforelong.”

Thanecouldsaynothing.Heknewshewasright.

Shecontinued,“Many

peopleintheRebellionhavefriendsorfamilywhoservetheEmpireinsomecapacity,oronplanetsorshipsthatmayfarebadlyinthiswar.Youaren’ttheonlyonewithconflicts.”

Yendorsometimesspokequietlyofhisson,Bizu,leftbehindonRyloth.Kendy’sentirefamilybackonIlohwouldnowbeatriskbecauseofherdefection.“Yes,ma’am.Irealizethat.”

MonMothmarosetoherfeet,andasshesteppedcloserThanesawinherexpressionthekindnesshe’dsensedthroughhishazethepreviousnight.“It’sallrightifyoustilllovesomeoneontheothersideofthiswar—aslongasyoulovewhatyou’refightingforevenmore.”

Hehadneverthoughtofhimselfasfightingforanything.ThanehadjoinedtheRebelliontofightagainst

theEmpire,notfortherestorationoftheRepublicoranyoftheothergrandschemespeopletalkedabout.AslongastheEmpirefell,he’dfigured,therestcouldsortitselfout.Now,however,hefinallyaskedhimselfwhathisdecisionreallymeant.

FightingagainsttheEmpiremeantfightingforgalacticauthoritythatvaluedjusticeandvalormorethanrawpower,thattreatedthe

governedwithrespectinsteadofendlessdeceptionandmanipulation.FightingagainsttheslaveryoftheBodach’iandtheWookieesmeantfightingforindividualstohavetherightofself-determination.FightingagainstthosewhohadcallouslyandbrutallydestroyedAlderaanmeantfightingforeveryotherinhabitedworldintheentiregalaxy.

Thanebelievedinallthosethings,enoughtodieforthem,andyetheknewthatwasn’twhyhewasinthefight.He’djoinedtheRebelliontotakedowntheEmpireandremainedunmovedbyallthosestarry-eyednotionsoftheNewRepublictocome.JustbecausehethoughtthenextgalacticgovernmentwouldbebetterthantheEmpiredidn’tmeanhethoughtitwouldbe

good.Intheenditwouldbeanotherbureaucracy,anothergroupdominatedbytheCoreWorldswhiletheOuterRimhadtohandleproblemsonitsown—superiortotheEmpireineveryway,ofcourse,butthatwasn’texactlyahighbartoclear.

Sohisanswerwasno.Hedidn’tlovetheRebellionmorethanhelovedCiena.

Buthecouldbewillingtodieforonlyoneofthose

things,andheknewwhichonehehadtochoose—nomatterhowmuchithurt.

MonMothmasaid,“Canyoudoyourduty,Kyrell?”

“Yes,ma’am,”hesaid.Thanefeltthefullweightofhiswords.Hehadjustsworntodowhateverittook,uptoandincludingtakingCiena’slife.

Yetheknewhewouldneverhesitatetofireinbattleagain.

JUDEHADNEVERmentionedthatBespinwassobeautiful.

Cienastareddownattheviewscreendisplayingtheimagesofround-edged,clay-coloredbuildingsseeminglyaloftintheclouds.Itwasso

likeJudenottohavementionedthewaythefilteredsunlightturnedtheskyaneternalsunsetpink,ortheeleganceofCloudCity’sstructures,whichbloomedaboveslenderunipodcablesasthoughtheywereparasolsunshadesdanglinginmidair.Instead,whenevershehadtalkedaboutherhomeworld,Judehaddiscussedthegeologicalreasonstibannagasminingwassodifficultor

theaerodynamicpropertiesoftheglidersshe’dflownasachild.Nomatterwhat,Judehadalwaysbeenascientistfirst.ShehadsearchedfortruthasavidlyasthosebountyhuntershadsearchedfortheMillenniumFalcon.(HowgallingtohavethatscumsucceedwhereImperialofficershadfailed.Yetsmallcivilianvesselshadtheadvantageofpassingthroughspacelargelyunnoticed—the

onethingnoStarDestroyercoulddo.)

AlthoughCienawouldhavelikedtohavegonedowntoCloudCity,perhapstomeetJude’sparents,sheremainedaboardtheExecutor.ThestriketeamtaskedwithcapturingthecrewoftheFalconcomprisedonlyafewindividuals—includingLordVader,whousuallypreferredtooverseeoperationspersonally.

Whateverelsewashappening,allthethousandsofotherpeopleassignedtotheExecutorhadlittletodobutwait.

Cienawouldhaveappreciatedataskatthemoment—anytask,nomatterhowdifficultortime-consuming.ItwouldhavebeenadistractionfromherfuryatThaneKyrell.

Bespinmadethingsworse,becauseBespinmeant

Jude.EventhinkingofherlostfriendremindedCienaofthewayJudehadhelpedfigureoutthetruthaboutthatstupidlasercannonproject.

ThatincidenthadprovedthatCienaandThanecoulddisagree—asdidhisdecisiontoleavetheImperialStarfleet.AsupsetasCienahadbeenwhenThanedeserted,shehadatleastunderstoodhisdecision,evenifshewouldneveragreewith

it.ButjoiningtheRebellion?HowcouldThaneever

havebecomeaterrorist?He’dalwaysheldtheRebelAllianceinasmuchcontemptasshehad—whenhadthatchangedandhow?HadheforgiventhedestructionoftheDeathStar,andofthehundredsofthousandsofpeopleaboard?Yes,Alderaanhadbeendestroyedfirstasagambittoendthewarbefore

itbegan,andthatgambithadfailed.Butthatwasonespacestation,oneplanet,oneterribleday.Therebels’attacksonImperialshipsandbaseshadneverceased,asiftheycouldnotspillenoughbloodtoslaketheirthirst.IftheyfoughtforaprincipleinsteadofmindlesshatredoftheEmpire,theywouldproposepeacetalksorattempttoclaimanindependentstarsystem

wheretheycouldliveunderwhatevergovernancetheychose.Butno.Insteadtheykilledagain,andagain,andagain.ForallThane’sstrength,forallhisskillincombat,hehadneverbeenaviolentman.Sohowcouldhebeapartofsuchhorror?

Maybehisfatherdidthistohim,CienathoughtasshewalkedthroughthecorridorsofCloudCity.AfewgruntingUgnaughtshurried

pasther,butshehardlyevenregisteredthem.Inhermind’seye,shestoodbehindThanethedayhe’dcollapsedontheE&Aobstaclecourse,whenshehadbandagedhimafterward.Atthetimeshehadbeenmovedalmosttotearsbytheevidenceoftheabuse,theknowledgethathisfather’scrueltyhadbecomephysicalaswellasemotional—andbythefullrealizationofhowbravelyThanehad

enduredhisinjuriesuntiltheverymomentofhisfall.

Thosewhowerebrutalizedsometimesbecamebrutalinreturn.WasThanenowlashingoutattheworldthathadhurthimfirst?

No.He’dalwaysswornhewouldbenothinglikehisfather;Cienahadalwaysbelievedhim.Butthatleftherwithnoanswersatall.

“Idon’tbelieveit,”saidNashWindrider.

Startledfromherreverie,Cienasawshe’dreachedthelandingplatform,whereherfriendstoodinfrontoftheMillenniumFalcon.TheirpreyhadflownstraighttoBespin,asLordVaderhadpredicted.Sowhydidweevenbotherwiththeasteroidfieldchase?shethought.Wecouldjusthavecomehereandsetthetrapforthemevenearlier.

ShewalkedontotheplatformwhereNashstood,

handsonhishipsashelookedatthecapturedship.“WhenIsawitduringtheinitialchase,Icouldn’tunderstandwhythatthingwasn’tinthejunkyard.NowthatIstudyitupclose,Irealizenojunkyardwouldacceptit.”

“It’samiraclethethingstillrunsatall.”ShefeltasparkofgrudgingadmirationfortheFalcon;assomeonewho’dlearnedtoflyonaV-

171,occasionallyshegotsentimentalaboutclunkyoldships.“Ourorders?”

“We’retodisablethehyperdrive.”

“Whyarewedisablingashipwe’vealreadycaptured?”

“LordVaderhashisreasons,”Nashsaid,raisingoneeyebrow.Thesubtextseemedtobe,Doyouwanttotellhimhe’swrong?

Cienanodded.“Gotit.”

SheandNashworkedtogetherforseveralmomentsinsilence.EveninthetightconfinesoftheengineeringpitwithintheFalcon,itseemedtoherthatNashstoodcloserthannecessary.ButmaybeshewasimaginingthingsbecauseshewantedsomuchtobealonewhilesheworkedoutherthoughtsaboutThane.

Disablingthehyperdriveprovedsimple.Beforelong

sheandNashwereontheshuttlethatwouldtakethembacktotheExecutor;theywereclearedtoflyopenlynow,becauseanotherpilotsoughtbyDarthVader—anothertargetluredintothistrap—hadjustlanded.Withinminutes,thisentirechasewouldbeover.PrincessLeiawouldstandtrial.Herfellowrebelswouldbemadeanexampleof.PerhapstheRebellionitselfwouldbe

exposed……andThanewithit.Shemovedthroughthe

shiponautopilot,reportingtoherbridgeshiftwithgratitudethatthenextfewhourspromisedtobeuneventful.Thatpromisedidn’tcometrue;Vader’ssuspicionsdid.Sureenough,theMillenniumFalconzoomedoffitsplatform,nearlymadeitsescape—theninexplicablyheadedbacktoCloudCity

anddivedbeneathit.“Wheredotheythink

that’sgoingtogetthem?”Nash’slongfingershitthetogglesthatwouldfocusallsensorsontheFalcon.

“Whoknows?”Shecouldalmostpitythesepeople,believingintheirfreedomwheninrealityDarthVaderhadbeentwostepsaheadofthemtheentiretime.

AlthoughthebridgeoftheExecutornowbuzzed

withrenewedactivity,Cienacoulddolittlebutmonitorthesefinalmomentsofthehunt.Stillshefeltoddlydetachedfromeverythingthatwashappening,evenwhenLordVaderreturnedtothebridge.

AdmiralPiettsaid,“They’llbewithinrangeofthetractorbeamwithinmoments,mylord.”

Throughtheheavyraspofhisrespirator,Vadersaid,

“DidyourmendisablethehyperdriveontheMillenniumFalcon?”

“Yes,mylord.”“Good,”DarthVader

said.“Preparetheboardingpartyandsetyourweaponsforstun.”

Cienawouldnormallyhavefeltalittlethrillofprideatherservicebeingrecognized.Insteadshefeltdetached,asifthiswereonlyadrill,oramemory—until

thehorrifyingmomentwhentheFalconleapedintohyperspaceandvanished.

Howthehelldidtheydothat?

Nashgapedatherindisbelief.Cienamighthavesharedhisoutrageifshehadn’tcaughtaglimpseofAdmiralPiett’sface.Hehadturnedashen,andevenfromherplacedowninthedatapits,shecouldseetheknotinhisthroatbobashe

swallowedhard.We’reabouttobekilled,

shethought.Theadmiral,NashandI—Vaderwillmurderusall.Wecompletedourassignmentbutitdoesn’tmatter.

Foryearsshe’dbeenthankfulshe’dneverseenoneofVader’s“eliminations”inperson.Nowitlookedasifthefirstoneshe’deverwitnesswouldbeherown.

ButVadersimplystood

thereafewmomentslonger,insilence,thenturnedandwalkedoffthebridgewithoutanotherword.Whenthedoorsslidshutbehindhim,Piettsaggedforamoment,likesomeonewhohadputdownaheavyburdenandwhosebodystillfelttheweight.Nashleanedontohismonitors,headinhand.Cienawaitedtofeelrelief,too,butthedreadonlydulledanddeepeneduntilitfeltasifit

hadsunkintoherverybones.

Thatevening,astheysatinacornerofthequadrantcafeteria,emptyplatesinfrontofthem,Cienaasked,“WhydoyouthinkpeoplejointheRebellion?”

Berisseshrugged.“ThesamereasonotherpeoplecommitrobberyorgointobusinesswiththeHutts.Theycan’tfitintoanynormal

society,sotheyhatethoseofuswhodo.”

Thanehadbeenatthetopoftheeliteflighttrack.Ifhe’dstayedintheservice,Cienahadnodoubthe’dbelookingatanearlypromotiontocommander,too.She’dhavetofindanotheranswer.“Whatdoyouthink,Nash?”

“Whocareshowscumlikethatgetstarted?”hesaid,toolightly.“Ionlywanttoseethemfinished.”

“Whydoyouask?”Berissetookanothersipofhernutritivemilk.Whilemore“regular”mealswereavailableuponrequest,onlythemostseniorofficerscouldindulgewithoutbeingthoughtsoft.Cienahadeatenherlastpieceofbreadmorethantwoyearsago.

Cienashrugged.“Noreason.”

“You’reinanoddmoodtoday,”Nashsaid.Hiswarm

browneyesstudiedhers.Hehadbecomesothinsincethey’dgraduatedfromtheacademy,hisframegoingfromwirytogaunt—buthiseyes,atleast,werethesame.“What’swrong?”

Shedidn’tdaretellthewholetruth,butifanyonecouldhelpherunderstandThane’schoice,itwouldbeNash.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutThanealotlately.”

Berisseslidanarm

aroundCiena’sshoulders;Nash’ssmilefadedintosadness.“Istillcan’tbelieveit,”hesaidsoftly.“ThanewasthelastpersonIeverthoughtwouldcommitsuicide.”

“AftertheDeathStar,noneofuswereourselves,”Berissesaid,shakingherhead.

“Buthehadsomuchtolivefor.Hiscommission,toprankingasapilot,revengeagainsttherebels,and—and

hehadyou,Ciena.”Nashstumbledoverthelastpart,thoughhecovereditwellenough.“Thatoughttobeenoughforanyman.”

Cienadidn’tmeethiseyes.“Ikeepwonderingwhyhefeltsohopeless.”

OnlyamanwithouthopewouldgofromtheEmpiretotheRebellion.ItwasonethingforThanetowalkawayfromhisoathbecausehefelthecouldnolongerkeepit.

Buttojoinagroupofnihilisticguerrillawarriors?Hewasnoidealist,sohecouldn’thavebeenconvertedtowhateverbizarrepoliticaldogmatheyusedtoswaythegullible.Thanecouldonlybegoingthroughthemotions,nomore.

“DidThanehaveanyotherclosefriendsaboardtheDeathStar?Maybesomeoneyoudidn’tknowabout?”Berissehesitated,tuckinga

loosestrandofblackhairbackintoherregulationbun.“Like—well—agirlfromtheacademy?Frombeforehefellforyou,Imean!Hecouldstillhavebeenupsetbyherdeath.”

ItwasNashwhoanswered.“Hewasneverwithanyonewhilewewereatschool.Idon’tsupposetherewasanyonebackonJelucan?”

“No.”Cienahad

occasionallyseenhimwalkingoutwithsecond-wavegirls,butneverthesameonetwice.

Withashrug,Berissesaid,“Maybeitwassomethingthathappenedonyourhomeworld.HewasupsetaftertheDeathStar,helefthisdutybutmeantonlytogohomeandcollecthimself—andthenthevisitwentterriblywrong.”

“Ialwayshadaninkling

hisrelationshipwithhisfatherwasstrainedatbest.Abusiveatworst,”Nashsaid.“Oh,don’tgivemethosewideeyes,Ciena.IlivedinthesameroomasThaneforthreeyears.YouthinkIneversawthescarsonhisback?”Hisexpressionhadbecomeset,hard.“I’llbethisfatherlitintoThaneattheworstpossiblemoment.Drovehimovertheedge.”

“Iwouldn’tputitpast

Thane’sdad.”Thatmuch,atleast,wascompletelytrue.ButbythenCienarealizedNashhadnoanswerstooffer.Thane’schoicetojointheRebellionwouldremainaninfuriatingmystery—anarrowlodgedinherflesh,onethatcouldn’tbepulledfreeandsokeptthewoundopenforever.

SheremainedlostinthoughtuntilNashhadescortedheralmostallthe

waybacktoherroom.Herdoorstoodatthefarendofthelongestcorridorofthebarrackssection,sotheywerefarawayfromanyoneelsewhenheputonehandonherarm.

“Goingtobedalready?”hesaid,histonelight.Butnobodycouldmisshistruemeaning.

Cienahadsuspectedthismightbecoming,butinherpreoccupationhadfailedto

seeitwouldbetonight.NowonderBerissehadexcusedherselfearlier;shewasgoingtobeinserioustroubleforenablinghim.“Nash—it’sabadidea.”

“Onthecontrary,it’sawonderfulidea.”Hiseyesdancedwithmischiefandanticipation.“Don’tyouthinkwedeservetohavealittlefun?”

Asgentlyasshecouldmanage,Cienaanswered,“I

thinkyouwantmorethanfun.AndIcan’tgiveittoyou.”

Nashtiltedhishead,notdisagreeingwithherbutnotwithdrawing,either.“CouldIperhapspersuadeyoutospendmorerectimetogether?SowecouldgettoknoweachotherwithoutBerisseorourotherfriendsintheway?Irealizetheshiftfromfriendsto,well,more—itcanbetricky.ButIthink

it’sworthtrying.Andforyou,I’dbewillingtowait.”

Shetookastepawayfromhim.Herbackbumpedagainstthemetalmeshofthewall.Howridiculous,tobeasbashfulandclumsyasaschoolgirl.Morefirmlyshesaid,“Ican’t.”

Hisfacefell,andshecouldseehe’dgonefromflirtytoaghastinonlyseconds.“WhatanidiotI’vebeen.Weweretalkingabout

Thaneonlyanhourago.Ioughttohaverealizedthisishardlythetime.Pleaseforgiveme.”

“It’sokay.Really.”“Imisshim,too,you

know.”NashlookedsostrickenthatCienafoundherselffeelingguilty.Thelieshe’dtoldaboutThane’ssuicidehadsavedhislifebutwoundedhisotherfriendsforever.“Ididn’tmeantomakelightofhowyoufelt

abouthim.”“Iknowyoudidn’t.”

Cienamanagedtosmile.“Solet’ssaygoodnight.”

Nashsighed.“Let’s.”Hesqueezedherhandonce,justforamoment,andthenwalkedaway.

Asherbunkdoorsslidshutandlocked,Cienasaggedontoherbed,sotiredshefeltasifshe’dpulledthreeshiftsinarow.

Shetoldherselfthatshe’d

turnedNashdownbecauseshehadnoromanticfeelingsforhim.Sofarasitwent,thatwastrue.

Butshecouldn’tdenythatabigpartofthereasonwaswhatshestillfeltforThaneKyrell.

Ishouldhatehimnow.Ihavetolearntohatehim.ButIcan’t.Inevercould.

Thesmallcommunicatorunitinhercornerofthebunkblinked—thebluelightthat

meantthemessagewasfromanon-Imperialsource.ForCiena,thatcouldonlymeanaholofromhome.Herfingershadalmosthitthebuttonbeforeshecaughtherself.ShouldIwatchthisrightaway?

ShouldIwatchitatall?ShestillmissedJelucan.

Eventhoughshedrankhernutritives,shelongedforapieceofbreadeverysingletimeshewalkedintothe

cafeteria.Shespoketoherfamilyregularly,byholo,insteadofrelyingonthebimonthlycommuniquéssuggestedbytheinternalaffairsofficer.

Fromherpocket,CienapulledthesmallpouchinwhichshekepttheleatherbraceletthattiedhertoWynnet.Ithadbeenalongtimesinceshe’dlastaskedherdeadsistertolookthroughhereyes.

Toolong,shethoughtwithasurgeoffeelingthatmadeherfingersclosetightlyaroundthepouch.Idon’thavetochoosebetweenbeingJelucaniandbeingagoodImperialofficer.Icanbeboth.

Cienawassmilingasshestartedtheholoandsawherpappa’sfacelookingoutather.Afteronlyafewwordsofhisprerecordedspeech,hersmilefaded.

Ronnadam’sgrayeyebrowswerearchedsohightheynearlyreachedhisrecedinghairline.“Youwanttoreturntoyourhomeplanetforan…undefinedperiodoftime.”

“I’veaccruedsevenweeksofleavetime,sir.IstronglydoubtIwillusethemall.”

IdealImperialofficersusednoleavetimewhatsoever,unlesstheyhadtorecoverfromaserious

illnessorinjury.Cienahadneveraskedtotakeasingledayuntilnow.

Ronnadamrosefromhisdeskandclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.Hisgreeneyeshadastrangelymilkyquality,asiftheybelongedtoafarolderman.“Yourdecisiontouseyourleavetimeisyourown.ButIamnotquestioningthelengthofyourabsence.I’mquestioningyourmotivation

toreturntoyourhomeplanetatall.”

“Mymotherwillbeputontrialforembezzlingfundsfromthelocalminewheresheworks—workedasasupervisor.”ThewordsalonesoundedsurrealtoCiena.Hermother,athief?Itwasimpossible.Shecarednothingforphysicalpossessionsbeyondthefewthingstheyalreadyowned,andherpromotionattheminehad

madethemallsoproud.“InthevalleysofJelucan,tohaveone’shonorquestionedisthemostseriouscrisisanindividualcanface,sir.Thosewhobelieveinthatperson’shonormustgatheraroundthematthattime.Itisasacredduty.”

“‘Sacred,’indeed.”InRonnadam’smouth,thewordbecameasneer.“Youdorealize,LieutenantCommanderRee,thatthe

chargesagainstyourmotherwouldhavebeenbroughtbythelocalImperialauthority.AreyouquestioningthejudgmentofafellowservantoftheEmperor?”

“Ofcoursenot,sir.Butmymothercouldhavebeenframedforthecrime,ortheremaybesomeothermistakethathasledtoa…misunderstanding.”

Ronnadampursedhislipsinsympathy,anexpression

thatwasmeanttomockCienamorethanconvinceher.“Doyouhearyourownrationalizations,Ree?”

“Idon’twanttojudgebasedonincompleteinformation,sir.Imustinvestigatethisformyself.”Shemanagedtolookhimintheeyes.“Nomatterwhatthetruthmaybe,Iwillfaceit.”

Slowlyhenodded.“Yes.Thiscouldbealearningexperienceforyou.”He

pacedinfrontofher,stepbymeasuredstep.“Takeyourleave,LieutenantCommander.Witnessyourmother’strial.”

Cienatriedtoimaginehermotherstandingbeforeajudge,handsshackled.Shecouldn’t.

Ronnadambegantosmile.“Andwhenyoureturn,reporttomeimmediately.Letmeknowthefinalrulingonherguiltorinnocence—and

tellmewhetheryoubelievethatjudgmenttobejustified.”

Nomatterwhatthejudgeruled,Cienawouldbeexpectedtosupportit—evenifhesenthermothertoaprisoncamp.…

Thatwon’thappen.Itcan’t.Thejudgewillmaketherightdecisionintheend.

Soshetoldherself.Shewantedtobelieveit.

Butforthefirsttime,heroathtotheEmpiredidnot

sustainCiena.Thefeelingshehadworkedhardtokeepatbayforthepastthreeyears—theoneshehadneverallowedherselftoconsciouslythinkofbefore—couldbeheldbacknolonger:

Doubt.

THANEANGLEDHISX-winglow,untilitnearlyskimmedthethickcanopyoftreescoveringthesurfaceofD’Qar.Inthetwilighthecouldseeleavesthrashingbeneaththeothershipsasifcaughtinawindstorm.If

anyonewereonthegroundbeneaththem,CoronaSquadronwouldbedetectedwithinminutes.

We’renotgoingtobeherethatlong,Thaneremindedhimself.Heopenedthesecurechannel.“CoronaFive,thisisCoronaFour,doyoucopy?”

“Copy.”Kendyreplied.“Negativereadingshere.I’mnotpickingupanyartificialpowersources.”

“Samehere.”CoronaSquadronhad

beensenttocheckoutD’QarforanypossiblesignofanewImperialoutpost.Apparently,deep-coverspiesonCoruscanthadreportedmassiveamountsofmaterielbeingprocessedfortheImperialStarfleet;nobodyknewpreciselywhatitwasbeingusedfor,buttherewererumorsofanewlarge-shipconstructionfacility…

ButiftheEmpirehadbegunbuildingnewStarDestroyersorsomeotherkindsofsuperweapons,itwasn’tdoingsoonD’Qar.They’drunscansoneveryhemisphere,searchedplanetaryandsolarorbits,andcomeupempty.

Thanerealizedhe’dratherhavefoundsomething.Atleastthenthey’dhavelearnedwhattheEmpirewasplanning,andtheycouldhave

takenmeaningfulaction:sabotagingthefactories,placingafewsurveillancedroidsinkeylocations,andsoon.Fornow,hesimplyhadtoendurethesuspense.

Hesaid,“CoronaTwo,doyoualsoreadnegative?”

“Confirmed.CompletenegativeonImperialactivity,”Yendorreplied.“UnlesstheEmpire’sdraftingsmallwoodlandcreaturesallofasudden.”

“Doubtit.”Thaneconsideredforamoment.“Weshouldlistthisplanetasapotentialbaseinfuture.TheEmpire’snotinterested,notmuchspacelanetrafficinthisarea,andthere’splentyofwater.”

“PlusitbeatsHoth,”Yendorsaid.

“ThebellyofasarlaccbeatsHoth.”Thanebeganpunchinginthenavigationalcodesthatwouldtakehim

backtotheLiberty.CoronaLeaderapparently

agreed.“Let’sgetoutofhere.”

Oncetheyhadreturnedtotheirship,therestofCoronaSquadronwentthroughmaintenanceontheirX-wingsinthemuggyrepairbayoftheLiberty,tradingtheusualbanterbackandforth.“Comeon,”Yendorsaidtothesquadronleaderandtheeldestpilotinthegroup,a

statelywomanwhowasaddressedonlyastheContessa.“Youcan’ttellmethisisn’tmorefunthanlifeinapalace.”

Shegavehimalook.“Youneedtospendmoretimeinpalaces.”

“Youknow,Ido,”Yendoragreed.“Youcanfixmeupwiththat,right?”

“Honestly,”theContessahuffed—butnotwithoutaffection.“Youcouldlearn

fromSmikeshere.Heneverpretendswe’rehavingabettertimethanweare.”

“We’reneverhavingagoodtime,”SmikessaidfrombeneathhisX-wing.HehadabandanatiedaroundhisforeheadtocombattheendlesssweatsufferedbyanyhumanwholivedonaMonCalamariship.“We’reinawar.What’sfunaboutthis?”

“Socranky,”Yendorsaidamiably.“SomedayI’m

goingtohearyoulaugh,andIhopeaprotocoldroidisaroundtorecordit.”

“Don’tbesohardonSmikes,”Kendysaid,tossingherdarkgreenhairoverhershoulder.“He’sjustgrumpy.”

“I’mnotgrumpy,I’marealist,”Smikesinsisted.Hewasinfactalwaysgrumpy,butagreatpilot.

Thaneshookhisheadashelookedatallofthem—asmixedupacrewasyouwere

likelytofind,peoplewhowouldn’thavespenttimetogetheroutsidethissquadronorthiswarunderanycircumstances.Butatleasttheyhadhisback.

Unlikesomepeople.Muchlater,once

everyoneelsehadfinishedup,Kendysaid,“Ihavetoadmit,intelligenceworkisalittlelessglamorousanddramaticthanIalwaysthoughtitwouldbe.”

Thanedidn’tlookupfromtheopenpanelinhiswing.“Myguessisthatthedramaticstuffiswhat’smostlikelytogetyoukilled.Wecandealwiththatwhenwecometoit.I’lldowhateverwehavetodo,butI’mnotsuicidal.”

Noreplyfollowedforafewminutes,duringwhichThaneremainedengrossedinhiswork.He’dalmostforgottenheandKendywere

evenspeakinguntilshesaid,inalowvoice,“Youknowthat’swhatCienareported.”

Heremainedwherehewas,staringintothewiresandchipsthatpoweredhisship.Thewrenchinhishandremainedpoisedabovethecouplingheintendedtoworkon.Hedidn’tlookupatKendy.“WhatdidCienareport?”

“SheidentifiedyouasaprobablesuicideonJelucan.I

heardaboutitthroughsomeotherclassmatesofours—andIsentaholotoCienarightaway,becauseIcouldn’tbelieveit.Shedidn’treallywanttotalk,though.AtthetimeIthoughtitwasbecauseshewashurting.ThenwhenIrealizedyouwereherewiththeRebellion,Ifigured,hey,Thanecoveredhistracksprettywell.ButthemoreIthinkaboutit…youcould’vefooledanyoneelseinthe

galaxymoreeasilythanCiena.Thetwoofyouknoweachothertoowell.Shecoveredforyou,didn’tshe?”

“Yeah.”ItwasasifThanewerebackonJelucan,shuttingthedoorbehindCienaassheleft.He’dbelievedshewouldturnhiminnomatterwhat.“Shedid.”

Kendywhistled.“CienaReebrokeanoath?”

“Sometimeswe’reloyaltomorethanonething.”He

spokefrommemory,haltingly,butstillsure.“Whenthere’saconflict,wehavetochoosewhichloyaltytohonor.Iguess—Iguessshechoseme.”

Cienahadcoveredforhim.She’dorchestratedthatelaboratelie—whensheneverlied—allforhim.Knowingherashedid,knowingwhereshecamefrom,Thanerealizedwhatithadcosthertodothat.The

hardknotofangerhe’dbeencarryinginhischestforthepastthreeyearsfinallywentslack.

Butthatmadeitworse,becausehisangerhadbeenhisonlyshieldagainstlosingher.

ThethumpofbootshittingthefloorofthehangarmadeThanelookupfromhisX-wing.Kendyhadhoppeddownfromherownstarfightertostandbeneath

his,handsonherhips.“Thenwhyisn’tshehere?”

“—Ciena?”“Shealwayssaidanoath

wasforever,apromiseisapromise,youhadtobetruetoyourpersonalhonor,”Kendysaid,andshehadbeguntosoundangry.“Ididn’teventhinkshecouldlie.NowIdiscoverthatshebrokeherwordtosaveyou,butshestillservesintheImperialStarfleet.Howcanshedo

that?Ifshecoulddefythemforyoursake,whywon’tshedoitforthesakeoftheentiregalaxy?”

“CienawasneverdisloyaltotheEmpire.”Thanehatedthatbutknewittobetrue.“Onetime,backthen,shechoseherloyaltytome.Thatdoesn’tmeanshesetasideheroathtotheEmpire.”

“Idon’tseethedifference.”

“That’sbecauseyou’re

notfromJelucan.”Andyoudon’tknowCienalikeIdo.Thecouplingcouldwait.Thaneshutthepanel,stowedhistools,andsliddowntofaceKendy.“Listen.YouandIwereintheImperialStarfleet,too,remember?Goodpeoplecanwindupintheserviceofevil.”

Kendyshookherheadasshefoldedherarmsacrossherchest.Theairsmelledlikeweldingtoolsandengine

grease;herdarkgreenhairglintedintheharshhangarlights.“GoodpeoplecanstarttoservetheEmpire.Butiftheystay,theystopbeinggood.Youdoonethingyouthoughtyou’dneverdo—followoneorderthatmakesyoufeelsickinside—andyoutellyourselfit’stheonlytime.Thisisanexception.Thisisn’tthewayit’salwaysgoingtobe.”

Thanerememberedhow

he’dtriedwillinghimselfnottonoticethepitifulslaveryoftheBodach’i.“Yeah.Iknow.”

“Butyoukeepgoing,”Kendycontinued.Hergazehadbecomedistant.Bynowshespoketoherselfmorethantohim.“Youmakeonemorecompromise,andthenanother,andbythetimeyourealizewhattheEmpirereallyis,you’realmosttoofardownthatroadtoturnback.I

managedtodoit,butiftheothershadn’tfeltthesameway—ifI’dhadtoleaveonmyowninsteadofgettingawaywithagroup—Imighthavestayed.AndIdon’tlikethepersonIwouldhavebecome.”

BynowThanehadrealizedthatKendywastryingtowarnhimthattheCienahehadknown,theonewhohadsavedhim,mightnotevenexistanylonger.

Probablythatwastrue.BynowCienamighthaveparticipatedinoneofthepunitivemassacrestheEmpireinflictedonnoncompliantworlds.ShecouldhavebeeninoneoftheStarDestroyersintheBattleofHoth,coollyaimingtheirlasersatthemanyrebelstarfightersthatnevergotaway.TheEmpirehadprobablycorrodedherhonorintostiffness,snobbery,and

ruthlessness.Knowingallthatdidn’t

makeiteasiertoaccept.Thanesaidonly,“Guess

we’llneverknow.Notlikeeitherofusisevergoingtoseeheragain.”

Intheinstantbeforeheturnedtowalkawayfromthehangar,heglimpsedtheexpressiononKendy’sface.Itwaspity.

Althoughhecontinuedworkingthroughouttheday,

ThanebroodedenoughthatYendorfinallyaskedhimwhodied,andevenSmikestoldhimtocheerup.Afterthey’dfinishedthefullbriefingaboutD’Qar,heexcusedhimselffromtheusualgroupmealandafter-shiftcardgames.InsteadheholedupinoneoftherareemptycomputerbaysontheLiberty,sohecouldbealone.

Solitudewasarareluxuryforarebelpilot—justasit

hadbeenforanacademycadet.Herarelygottobealonewithhisthoughts.Asaboy,ifhe’dwantedtobealone,hewasalwaysabletosneakouttotheFortress.SometimesCienahadbeenthere,butherpresencehadneverdisturbedhim.Beforetheyweretenyearsold,they’dknownwhentoleteachotherremainsilent,howtobeclosetoeachotherwithoutintruding.Howmany

peopleeverunderstoodsomeonethatwell?

Wewouldn’tunderstandeachotheratall,now,heremindedhimself.She’sbeenanImperialofficerforyears.EverythinggoodinsideCienagotpoisonedalongtimeago.Ifwemetupagainnow,shewouldn’tcoverforme;countonit.Ineedtomoveon.

Thanestretchedout,wipedhisbrow,andpulledupthenewsfeedsfrom

Jelucan.Seeinghisnativeworldmadehim…whatevertheoppositeof“homesick”was.Theplanetchangedmonthbymonth,alwaysfortheworse;itwasimpossibletoreadthereportswithoutrealizingthattherugged,primitiveworldhe’dgrownupondidn’treallyexistanylonger.Thegirlhe’dknownandcometolove,theCienawhohadbeen,wasaslostastheoldJelucan.

Soheletthefirstfewgloomyimagesplayoutinfrontofhim,thedesolationironicallyeasingtheachehefeltinside—

—untiltheyreportedontheupcomingtrialofVerineRee.

Thanesatupsofasttheholorippledintostatic,unabletoassesstheidealdistancetoprojectfromitsviewer.That’snotpossible,hetoldhimself.Iimagined

thatbecauseKendyandIjusttalkedaboutCienaandI’vegotheronmymind.ButthenthefaceofCiena’smotheragaintookshape.ThelabelhoveringbeneathherimagereadTHEACCUSED.

Embezzlement?Impossible.Someonefromthevalleysmightsnapinafitofrageandhitorkillyou.Crimesofpassiontookplacetherethesamewaytheydidanywhere.Perhapstheyalso

fellpreytoothercriminalimpulses—stealingfromshopkeepers,thatkindofthing.Butacrimeaspremeditatedandcorruptasembezzlementwentagainsteverythingtheybelieved.

Surelytherewerehypocritesamongthevalleykindred,butnotanyoneinCiena’sfamily.HeonlyhadtoknowCienatobesureofthat.

Thane’slipspressed

togetherinahard,tightline.IfanythingremainedoftheCienahe’dknown,itwouldn’tsurvivethis.OnceCienacondonedherownmother’sconvictionandimprisonment,shewouldtrulybelostforever.AslosttohimasifhereallyhadkilledherthatdayaboveHoth—

Good-bye,hethought,rememberingthelittlegirlinherplainbrowndress,the

fallenautumnleaf.Itwastimetoleaveherbehindforever.

Thiscan’tbeJelucan,Cienawantedtosaytohershuttlepilot.You’vebroughtmetothewrongsystem.

Yetsheknewtoowellthatshewasontherightplanet.Itwasjustthateverythinghadchanged.

Thickfogseemedtohave

settledpermanentlyontheground,andtheairwasthickwithgrimysoot.Theminesthathadcarvedgougesinsomanyofthemountainsdidnotattempttofilterthebyproductsofthework,sopeoplesimplywalkedthroughit,coughing,somewithkerchiefsorlightmasksovertheirmouthsandnoses.

AtfirstCienathoughtthemaskswereconfusingher,makingitharderforherto

tellvalleyfolkfromsecond-wavers.Althoughshe’dseenmoremass-producedclothingthelasttimeshe’dbeenhome,thetwogroupshadstillbeendistinct.Nowitwasimpossibletodiscernanydifference.She’dneverthoughtshewouldmissthegaudylongcoatsofthesecond-wavers,butshesearchedinvainforevenoneflashofcrimsonorcobalt.Noshaggymuunyakswandered

thestreetsanylonger;peopleeitherroderidgecrawlersorwalked.

Valentiahadseemedgreatlychangedtoherthreeyearsago,butithadatleastbeenrecognizablethen.Nowthemigrant-workershantieshadmultipliedtothepointthattheoriginalbuildingscarvedofstonewerealmostinvisible.ThesenatorialbuildingthathadbecomeanImperialgarrisonwasnowa

fullmilitaryoutpost,ringedbyaforcefieldthatglowedasicklygreenandwithaconstantflowofofficersandstormtrooperswalkingthroughitsgates.

Jelucanipeoplewalkedmorequicklypasttheoutpost,Cienanoticed.Theydidn’twanttoattractnotice.Nobodywouldmeethereyes.

“Ishouldn’thaveaskedyou

tocome,”ParonReerepeated,justoutsidethedoorofheroldbedroom.“Ithoughtofmyself,andnotofyou.Whatwillyoursuperiorofficerssay?”

“They’llsayamistakehasbeenmade,becauseithas.”Cienatossedasideheruniformjacket,whichlandedatophertrousersandboots.Heroldclothesstillfitandwereonlyslightlymusty.Themauveleggingsandtunic

seemedsoimpossiblysoft;hadshereallywornthingslikethiseveryday?Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedintothemainroom,whereherfatherstoodwithhishandsclasped,asifpreparingtogiveaformalreport.Shetookholdofhisshouldersandsqueezed.“It’sallright,Pappa.Thetruthwillcomeout.”

Herfather’sfaceremainedtenseanddrawn.

“Therealculpritisunlikelytobeidentifiedbytheauthorities.”

“Becausetheyhaven’tfoundhimyet?Well,we’llseeaboutthat.”Ifonlyshe’dalreadymadecommander!Thatrankmighthavedonehersomegoodwhenshewenttospeakwiththemagistratethenextday.“Forgivemysayingit,Pappa,butyoudon’tlookgood.Haveyoubeeneating?”

“Withyourmothergone,I—losetrackoftime.”

Cienapaused.Shehadn’trealizeduntilearlierthatdaythathermotherremainedjailed,andshecouldn’tbelieveherfatherwhenhesaidMummacouldn’tevenhavevisitors.Thatwasanotherthingtotakecareofwiththemagistratethenextday.She’drequestedanaudienceforfirstthinginthemorning,sosurelyshewould

hearfromhisstaffshortly.Surely.Herfatherhadsomemeat

androotvegetablesintherefrigerationunit,soshestartedthrowingtogetherabasicsoup.Shehadn’tcookedinsolong,butshestillrememberedwhichherbstocrushandthewaythescentclungtoherfingersafterward.Herstomachgrowled,eagerforsomething—anything—thatwasn’t

Imperialnutritives.(Cienahadtakenacoupleofbottlesofnutritivedrinkwithher,but…bettertosavethoseforthetriphome.)

Whenthebrothbegantobubble,Cienasteppedawayfromthehearthandsatonthefloorcushionsbesidethelowtable,acrossfromherfather.Onlyaftershe’dtakenherplacedidsherealizeitdidn’tfeelawkwardatall,evenafteryearsofeatingathigher

tables,sittingonbenchesorinchairs.Homeremainedhome.

Paronshookhisheadslowly.“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,mygirl.”Hetouchedthesideofherface,justforamoment.

“Ishouldhavecomeearlier.”

“No.Iknowthere’sawaron.Youdowhatyouhavetodo.”

Thenewgrayhairathis

templessurprisedCiena,butnotasmuchashisdemeanor.Herfatherhadalwaysbeenherrock—unyieldingandoftentough,butinvariablyfair.Foreverstrong.Nowhisspiritwasweary,somuchsothatshecouldseeitasclearlyasshecouldseethenewlinesonhisface.

“Therearen’tanyflagsoutfront,”Cienasaid.“Arethekindredrefusingtoacknowledgethecharges?”

Thatwasanactofdefianceagainstauthority—anathematothoseinthevalleys—andyettrulyunjustaccusationssometimesearnedthatresponse.

“Theyacknowledgethem.”Herfather’svoicetightened.“Butnoonehascome.”

Thatcouldn’tberight.“Noone?”

Henodded.Sherememberedthedays

she’dremainedatthehomeoftheNierrefamily,standingbythemintheirdarkesthours.TheyhadallcelebratedtogetherwhentheaccusershadfinallybackeddownandacceptedtheImperialversionofevents…thoughnowthatmadeCienawonder.“HowcouldanyonewhoknowsMummathinkshewouldeversteal?”

“Theyknowshedidn’ttakethemoney!”herfather

snapped.“Theyallknowit,butnotonewillsayso.”

“But—torefusetostandbysomeonewronglyaccused—”

“TheEmpireaccusesher.WeoweourallegiancetotheEmpire.Tostandagainstitwouldbethemostbasedishonor!”

“Youcan’tstandagainstMumma.”Cienastaredatherfatherinshock.“…canyou?”

“Yourmother

understandsthedemandsofhonor,asdoI.Haveyouforgottenthem,Ciena?”Hispiercinggazecaughthershort,andshedaredsaynomore.

Butwhataboutthetruth?shethought.Howcouldthetruthnotmatteranymore?Whendiditbecomehonorabletoacceptbald-facedlies?

“Forgivemytemper,”hesaid,andhesoundedeven

moreexhaustedthanbefore.“Thesedayshavebeendifficult.”

“Iknow.I’msorry.ButI’mherenow.”

Anhourpassed.Theyatesoupandbreadinsilence,andallherfearandworrycouldnotkeepCienafromrelishingthetasteofrealfoodinhermouth.Sittingnearherownhearth,beingwithherfather,evenhearingthecriesofsalthawks—atmomentsshe

couldimaginethatshehadneverbecomeanofficer,neverevenleftJelucan.Thatitwasalladream.

Butshecouldn’tindulgeindaydreamingforlong.Realityweighedonhermoreheavilywitheveryminutethatpassed,becausetheansweringmessagefromthemagistrate’sofficenevercame—andneitherdidanyonefromthevalleykindred.Notonesoul.The

lowtrenchofsandoutsidetheirhomeremainedempty,advertisingthedepthsoftheReefamily’sshame.

TheskyhadgonecompletelydarkoverheadbeforeCienadaredtoask,“Pappa,whyareyousosurenoonewillfindwhoreallydidthis?”

“Youknowtheanswer.Don’tinsultusbothbymakingmetellyou.”

Shehadalreadydrawn

themostlogicalconclusion:theembezzlerwasanImperialofficial,someonewhorankedhighenoughtofalsifytherecords.“Themagistratewon’tpubliclyquestionImperialofficials?Eventhen,prosecutingMumma—”

“Ciena,listentome.YouareamemberoftheImperialStarfleet,andI’mproudofthat.AllthatisgoodintheEmpirecomesfromyouand

thoselikeyou.”Hepattedherhand.“Buteveryrule,andeveryruler,hasitsbadsideaswell.HereonJelucan,we…haveseenmoreofthebad.Butweshallnotwaverinourloyalty.”

Shethoughtagainofthesootyskies,themountainsscarredwithdeepgashesthatlookedliketheclawmarksofsomemonstrousbeast.Herfatherrefusedtogivewayevenwheneverythingaround

himspokeofcorruptionandruin.

It’sonlyJelucan,theresultofonedishonestgovernor.Higherofficialsdon’tknowthetruth,becauseiftheydid,they’dtakeaction.

SoCienatoldherself.Butevenwithinherownmind,therationalizationssoundedsolaughablethatshecouldnotbelievethem,muchlessspeakthemaloud.ShekeptthinkingofRonnadam’sface

ashe’dgrantedherleave,andhowhe’dbeensocompletelycertainthattheImperialcourtswouldmaketherightdecision.Heknewthatbecauseheknewthe“right”decisionwouldnotbetheonethatarrivedatthetruth;itwouldbetheonethatjustifiedanyactionstakenbyImperialofficials.Theappearanceoffairnessmatteredmorethanthereality.

Andyet.“Notonepersonfromthekindred,Pappa?”

Hegesturedtowardtheemptysand,thelackofflags.

Afterthat,thereseemedtobenothingmoretosay.Cienamovedthroughthehouseasifinatrance,puttingawaytheextrasoupandcleaningthepots.Onceagainhalfherworldseemeddreamlike,butnowitwasherownhomethathadbecomesurrealtoher.Howcouldshe

beinsuchbelovedsurroundingsandstillfeelsosmallandsickinside?ShealmostlongedtobebackontheExecutor,wheretherecirculatedairsmelledofozoneandnobodyeverdeviatedfromthesafetyoftherules.

ThefinaltransportjourneytoJelucanhadtakentenhours;Cienahadbeentooagitatedeventothinkofsleepingduringthetrip.Now,

anothertenhourslater,wearinesshadmorethancaughtupwithher.Herheadswamandhereyesstung.Butduringtimesoftrial,someonealwaysremainedawakeatthehouseoftheaccused.Normally,loyalfriendsandfamilymemberstookturnsfortheovernightvigils,butCienaandherfatherwerealone.Astiredasshewas,sheknewPappawasevenmoreworndown.

“Gotobed,”shesaidquietly.“I’llkeepthevigil.”

“Youneedyourrest.”“Andyoudon’t?”“Afteryoumadethetrip

allthewayhere…”Butherfather’svoicetrailedoff.Helackedeventhestrengthtofighther.

Outsidesheheardthehummingofaridgecrawler.Shewassoeagerfortheapproachofafriendthatthesoundmadeherearsprickup,

butimmediatelyshechastisedherself.Manypeopletravelthiswayfartherdownintothevalleys.Theyhaven’tcomeforyou.

Butthentheridgecrawlerstopped.NextCienaheardfootstepsand—oh,thanktheForce—theunmistakablesoundofastickbeingthrustintosand.

Smilingtriumphantly,Cienapattedherfather’sshoulderandrantothedoor.

Atleastonepersonhadbeenfaithful.Onepersonstoodbythemnomatterwhat.WoulditbeoneoftheNierres,paleskinblushingscarletastheyapologizedforcomingsolate?Woulditbeoneoftheelders,sayinghetooktheriskofdefyingtheImperialofficialsonbehalfofallthekindred?

Sheflungopenthedoorevenbeforetheirvisitorcouldknock—thenfrozeinshock.

Itwasimpossibletomove,oreventospeakanywordbesideshisname.

Cienawhispered,“…Thane?”

ASOFTENASCienahadthoughtaboutThane,eventhoughheremainedapartofher,shehadgenuinelybelievedshewouldneverseehimagain.Andyettherehestoodinfrontofher,unsureofhiswelcome,hispaleblue

eyesunfathomable.Herfatherspokethen.

“Yes?”“Mr.Ree.It’sThane

Kyrell.IheardaboutCiena’smotherand—Iwantedtostandvigilwithyou.Ifyou’llhaveme.”Thanegesturedtowardthetroughofsand,wherealoneflagstood.“Cienatoldmeoncethatpeoplefromoutsidethekindredcouldbringaplainredflag,sincewedon’thave

familybanners.Atleast…Ithinkthat’swhatshetoldme.”Hehesitatedforthefirsttime,andtheuncertaintyshebrieflyglimpsedinhimmadeThanelookmorefamiliar,liketheboysheremembered.Butthatmomentdidn’tlastlong;thatboyfadedaway,leavingastrangerbehind.“DidIremembertheritualcorrectly?”

“Youdid.”Thewordscameoutmoreevenlythan

Cienawouldhavethoughtshecouldmanage.

Thanenodded,acknowledgingherwordsasrigidlyashe’donceacknowledgedorders.“ThenmayIstandwithyou?OrshouldIleave?”

Theobvioussubtext:AreyougoingtoturnmeintotheEmpire?

Shehadsworntodoit.Heroathofloyaltydemandednoless,especiallynowthat

sheknewThanehadjoinedtheRebelAlliance.

Butthesanctityofstandingvigilwassupreme.Anyonewhostakedhishonoronyoursdeservedtheprotectionofyourhouse.Sowhenherfatherglancedather,eyebrowraised,shenoddedandtookastepbackfromthedoorsoThanecouldwalkinside.

Hehadbeenlisteningmorecarefullythanshe’d

thoughtbackinthosedaysintheFortress,whenshe’dtriedtoexplainthebeliefsandritualsofthekindredtohimastheywhiledawaythehours.Headdressedherfatherproperly,bowinghisheadslightlyinrespect.“ParonRee,Ibelieveinthehonorofyourfamily.”

“Ithankyouforyourdecisiontostandvigilwithus.”Herfatherhesitated—hehadmetThaneononlyafew

occasionsandhadneverseenhimasanythingbutaprivilegedrichboywhopiggybackedhiswaytosuccessonCiena’sshoulders.CertainlyhehadnevershakenThane’shandbefore,buthedidsonow.

Cienashutthedoor,herhandssonumbwithshockthatshefumbledwiththebolt.Ithadbeenthreeyearssincethey’dsaidgood-bye.She’dmadeitdownto

groundlevelthatnightbeforeshe’dbeguntocry;shedoubtedThanehadlastedmuchlonger.

ItoldhimIwouldturnhiminifIeversawhimagain.ItoldhimifheeverreturnedtoJelucan,hewouldbecaptured.Imprisoned.Possiblykilled.Evenlessertreasonshadbecomecapitalcrimesinthepastfewyears.

ButThanehadreturnedanyway.

“Allright.”Thanestoodinthecenteroftheirmainroom,tallandimposinginadomedroomthatseemedtoosmallforhim.“Whatdoyouneedmetodo?”

Herfathergesturedtothetable.“Yourpresenceisenough.Haveyoueaten?Wehavesoup,thankstoCiena.”

“Idon’twanttoimpose—”

“You’restandingvigil,”Cienasaid.Thewordscame

outmoresharplythanshe’dintended.“Youstandwithourhouse.Thatmeansyou’reentitledtoourhospitalityandourprotection—whileyou’rehere.”

“ThenI’llhavesomesoup.Thankyou.”Thaneloweredhimselftothefloor,foldinghislonglegsbeneaththelowtablewithsomedifficulty.

PappatookituponhimselftogetThane’smeal,

bothaspartoftheritualwelcomeoftheironeallyandbecausehemusthavefeltCienaandThanewantedtotalk.Theyshouldtalk;Cienaknewthatmuch.Butshehadnoideawheretostart.

Besttobeginwithwhatmatteredmost.“Thankyou,”shesaid.“Forstandingwithourfamily.”

Thanenoddedtowardthetroughoutside.“Ididn’tseeanyotherflags.”

“Thekindredhaveabandonedus.”Abittersmiletwistedherlips.“Nooneelsecame.Onlyyou.”

Hehesitatedbeforesaying,“Iknowyourmotherisinnocent.Nobodyfromthevalleyswouldeverdosomethinglikethat—leastofallanyoneconnectedtoyou.”

Theireyesmetforalongmomentbeforetheybothturnedaway.

Whenherfathersetthe

bowlofsoupinfrontofThane,shesawhowslowlyPappamoved.Hecouldn’thaveknownonemoment’speacesincehermother’sarrestmorethanaweekago.“Remember,I’mstandingthevigiltonight,”Cienasaidtoherfather,puttingherhandonhisarm.“Gotobed.”

“Icandoit,”Thanesaid.“Someonehastostayawakeuntildawn—that’sright,isn’tit?Ifso,itoughttobeme.”

Pappa,apparentlyassumingthematterwassettled,kissedCienaonthecheekandwenttohisroomwithoutanotherword.Shehopedhewouldliedownandfallasleepimmediately,bothbecauseheobviouslyneededtherestandbecauseshedidn’twanthimtooverhearanythingsheandThanewereabouttosay.

Theyremainedsilentuntilherfather’sdoorhadclosed.

Ciena’skneesfeltwateryasshetookherplaceonthecushionnexttoThane’s;beingthatclosetohimremindedhersopowerfullyoftheonenighttheyhadspenttogether.He’dlostthelastofhisboyhoodsoftness,andinsteadhadbecomealmostaggressivelymasculine—broadshoulders,solidmuscles,andathickshadowofreddishstubblealongthestronglineofhis

jaw.Butsheturneduntilshecouldnotseehisfaceandsaidonly,“Youknowit’sdangerousforyouhere.”

“I’vebeencareful,”hesaid.“Ididn’tleavemytransportuntilafterdark.Rentedaridgecrawlerunderafakename,camestraighthere.I’llleaveatnight,too.SoI’mnotgoingtoseeanyonewhodoesn’tcomeintothishouse.I’msafe—unlessyouturnmein.”

“BynowyouknowI’mnotgoingto.”

“BecauseI’mowedthe‘protectionofthehouse’?”Thaneasked.Theobvioussubtext:Ordoyouhaveanotherreason?

Shegavehimnodirectanswer.Wrappingherarmsaroundherselfinahug,shesaid,“I’llkeepthevigiltonight.”

“You’reexhausted—it’sobvious,”hesaid,soharshly

itseemedlikeajudgment.“Isleptonthetransport,soI’vegotafewhoursinme.”

“Ican’tletyoudothat.”“It’snotaritualthing,is

it?Ifitwere,yourfatherwouldhavesaidso.Sowhy?”

Shewastiredenoughtotellhimthetruth.“BecauseIdon’twanttooweyouanything.”

Helaughed,notinhumorbutsurprise.Thanehadn’texpectedhertobethisangry;

obviouslyhe’dhadnoideasheknewthetruthabouthisinvolvementwiththeRebelAlliance,thoughheprobablysuspecteditnow.Butheseemedtobenearlyasangrywithher—despitethefactthatthelasttimethey’dseeneachotherthey’dhadtotearthemselvesapart.

“Lookatitthisway.”Thanespokeveryquietly,andalmostagainstherwillCienalookedupathimagain.“I

alreadyoweyouone,forfakingmysuicideinsteadofturningmein.SoifIkeepthevigiltonight,we’llbeeven.Nobodywilloweanyoneanything.Okay?”

Inherchildhood,Cienahadreadhorriblestoriesofthecruel,barbarouspunishmentsusedintheoldtimes,backbeforeherpeoplehadeverlefttheiroriginalplanetorknewthatotherslivedamongthestars.She’d

hadnightmaresaboutoneinparticular,whereaperson’sfourlimbswouldbetiedtofourseparatebeasts,whichwouldthenbedriveninoppositedirectionsuntilthevictim’sbodywastornapart.Thattorturehadhauntedher,andshehadgiventhanksthatitcouldneverhappentoher.

Nowitwashappening,nottoherbodybuttohersoul.

Shehadswornanoathof

loyaltytotheEmpire,hadmadefriendstherewhowouldbewithherforalifetime,andhadservedwithdistinction.Yettheshadowsshehadglimpsedlongagohadlengthenedanddarkened—theuselessdeathsofsomanypilots,theincreasingpressuretoputasideeverythingshehadbeen,thecorruptionanddevastationhereonJelucan.And,aboveall,shecouldnotforget

Alderaan,aworlddestroyedinanefforttopreventawar,aneffortthathadutterlyfailed.

NoneofthatdividedherheartasbrutallyassimplybeingwithThaneagain.Notonlyhadheabandonedhisduty—andher—buthehadalsojoinedtheRebellion.ThepeopleresponsibleforJude’sdeathandthiswretchedwar.Itwasthemostcompletebetrayalshecouldimagine.

Butwheneveryoneelsehadfailedher,Thanehadriskedhislifetostandbyherside.

Cienarosefromthetable.“Goodnight,Thane.”Shedidn’tthankhimforkeepingthevigil.Shesimplywalkedtoherbedroomandclosedthedoorbehindherwithoutlookingback.Inherexhaustion,shethoughtshewouldfallasleepinstantly,butinsteadshelayawakefor

nearlyanhour,listeningforthefaintsoundsThanemadeashemovedaboutthehouse.Cienaknewhewouldnotcometoher,nordidshewanthimto,butshecouldn’tstopwantingtohearhim.Toknowwherehewas,andbesurehewasnear.

Thenextmorning,whenParonReerose,Thaneexcusedhimselfforaquick

nap.Bythattimehewastiredenoughtosleepdespitethequestionsburninginhismind,thesameonesthathadplaguedhimallnightlong.

Suchas,WhyisCienafuriouswithme?Hesuspectedshe’dlearnedhehadjoinedtheRebellion,whichwasbadnews.DidthatmeantheEmpirehadadossieronhim?Theycouldn’tunlesstheRebelAlliancehadintelligence

leaksofitsown.MaybeCienahadbeenpunishedforcoveringuphisdesertion;that,too,wouldexplainwhysheseemedtofinditdifficulttolookathim.

Another:WillIbeabletorejoinmysquadronwhenIreturn?ThanehadreportedhisupcomingabsencetoGeneralRieekanbuthadgivennodetailsandbeengivennoneinreturn.Probablyhisrelaysforthe

Liberty’scurrentcoordinateswouldstillbegoodwhenheleft—butiftheRebelliongotevenahintthattheEmpiremightbecomingaftertheship,theywouldmoveon.ThenThanewouldhavetogothroughthelaboriousprocessofreconnectingwiththeRebelAlliancefromscratch:soundingoutpilotsinvariousspaceports,travelingtoworldsknowntobesympatheticinhopesof

hearingtherightwhispers,andsoon.Itcouldbealengthyprocessandwouldcertainlybeadangerousone.

ButthequestiontrulytearingThaneapartwas,WhatamIdoinghere?

ThanehadtoldhimselfKendywasright—theEmpirewantednotonlyitsofficers’servicebutalsotheirsouls.Yearsofthoughtcontrolandmoralcompromisewouldhavewornawayeverything

he’dlovedaboutCiena,leavingonlyoneofPalpatine’screationsbehind.

Thenhe’dseenthenewsreportaboutCiena’smother.Instantly,he’dknownCienawouldreturntoJelucan.Andjustthatquickly,he’dknownhehadtocomeback,too,andfaceheronemoretime.

IftheEmpirehadhollowedherout—leftnothingbehindbutacold,emptyshell—thenThane

couldfinallyletgo.Ifshe’dstillbeentheexactsamegirlheremembered,thenThanewouldhaveturnedintothemostzealousrecruitertheRebellioneverhad.

Neitherofthoseextremeshadcometopass.Heknewthatmuch.ButhecouldlooknofurtherintoCiena’sheart.Shehadbecomeamysterytohim,onehedidn’tknowhowtosolve.

Herosefromhisnapin

whathethoughtmustbemidmorning.Itwashardtotellnowthatthepollutionintheairhadbecomesothick.Whenhewalkedintothemainroom,Cienaliftedherheadtolookathim.Shesatononeofthefloorcushions,inleggingsandawhitetunic;shehadn’tbraidedherhair,sothecurlsfluffedaroundherfacelikeacloud.Thatwashowshe’dwornherhairthenighttheydancedtogetherat

theImperialPalace.He’dbeensosurethat

yearsofImperialservicewould’vehardenedher.Hadtriedtoenvisionheronlyasastiff,sharp-edgedImperialofficer.InsteadCienaremainedgraceful,gentle—evendelicate,thoughThaneknewthatwasappearanceratherthanreality.Herememberedthefirmnessofmusclealongherlimbsandherback,justashe

rememberedwhatithadfeltliketogazeintoherdarkbrowneyesasshelaybeneathhim.…

Snapoutofit,hetoldhimself.

No“goodmorning”seemedtobeforthcoming,soThanedidn’tofferone,either.“Where’syourfather?”

“Atwork,”shesaid,motioningtosomebreadandcheesethatmusthavebeenmeantforhisbreakfast.

“Pappa’sanadministratoratthegarrison.Hedoesn’tgettimeoffbecausehiswifeisindangerandhisheartisbroken.Hecan’tevenbelate.”

WasthatangerwiththeEmpireheheard?Thanewantedtofeelhopeful,butCienaremainedasstillandunreadableasshe’dbeenthenightbefore.Hehelpedhimselftosomebreadandmanagedtositatthe

damnablyshorttable.“Whatdoestheritualrequireofustoday?”

“Nothingmuch.Someoneshouldbehereconstantly,watchingthehouse—butsinceonlyonepersonstandswithus,thatruledoesn’tmatter.”Cienahesitated,thenadded,“Irequestedameetingwiththelocalmagistrateyesterday,thenagainthismorning.There’sbeennoreply.Idon’texpectone.”

“You’retellingmewecouldleave,butwehavenoplacetogo.”

Noresponse.Hergazewasfixedontheoneroundwindowinfront,wherehismakeshiftredflagflappedinthewind.Thesootintheairwouldstainitdark,soon.He’dfollowedJelucan’sdegenerationovertheyears,butthatdidn’tmakeiteasiertowitnessfirsthand.Ifonlytheycouldtravelbackintime

towhentheywerekids,whentheirworldstillfeltlikehomeandtheyunderstoodeachotherwithoutwords…

Thenheknewexactlywhathewantedtodo,exactlyhowhewouldknowifshewasstillhisCiena.

Hesaid,“Flywithme.”Sheturnedtolookathim.

“Youwanttofly?Now?Today?”

“Wecantaketheridgecrawlerstomyfamily’s

hangar.IbettheoldV-171’sstillinthere.”

“Ifyourparentssawyou—”

“IcheckedbeforeIleftthespaceport.They’rehalfwayacrosstheplanetonbusiness.We’reclear.”

Cienalookeddoubtful.“TheV-171mightnotbeskyworthyanylonger.It’sbeenafewyears.”

“Sowecheckherout.Ifshe’sbrokendown,okay,

we’redone.Butmaybesheisn’t.”

Thanewatchedherstruggletofindareasontosayno.Finally,shesighed.“Okay.”

Hegrabbedhisdarkbluejacketandcapwithmoredreadthanoptimism.Cienaremainedclosedofftohim,andThanewasn’tsurethingsweren’tbetterthatway.Yettheyhadrarelybeencloserthanwhentheywereinthe

airtogether.Thatwaswheretheyhadtaughteachother,learnedabouteachother,andexploredtheirworldasone.Sothatwaswherehe’dfinallyseewhethertheycouldstillcommunicateatall.

TheridetothehangarprovidedmoresuspensethanThanehadexpected.Whilethetrailstothatareahadbeenobscureyearsago,they’dcomeintocommonuse.Eachtimetheypassedanother

ridgecrawler,hisguttightened.Hehalfexpectedeachdrivertobeastormtrooperwhowoulddrawablasteratanymoment.Butnobodygavethemasecondglance;heandCienawerejusttwomorefiguresclimbingthemountain,shroudedinmorningfogandgrittyminingash.Herridgecrawlertraveledinfrontofhis.Hefeltlikehershadow.

WhateverDalvenwasuptothesedays,hewasn’tvisitinghome,oratleasthehadn’tbeenbythehangarinyears.Thedoorshadalmostrustedshut,andwhenThaneandCienatuggedthemopen,cloudsofdustswirledoutandmadethemcough.Unsurprisingly,theV-171wasdusty,butwhenhehitthecontrolpanels,theylitup,glowinggreen.

Hepattedthesideofthe

ship,absurdlyproud.“Allsystemssaygo.”

“Thenwego.”Cienaheldoutherhandforlizard-toad-snakebeforesheconsciouslyrecognizedwhatshewasdoing—tojudgebyhersuddenembarrassment.Thanesimplyheldouthishandaswell.One,two,three:hewentfortoad,butshechosesnake,andsnakeatetoad.

“Youalwayswereluckier

withthisthanIwas,”hemuttered.

Thatwonhimasmile,fleetingbutreal.“Toobad,Kyrell.”Shesoundedlikeherselfagain.“You’recopilottoday.”

Thefamiliarrhythmsofpreparationandtakeoffcameasarelief.Theyknewhowtotalktoeachotheragain,andwhattodo.Withinmoments,theV-171hadhoveredofftheground.AsCienaeasedthem

outofthehangar,hesaid,“Comeon.Let’sgrabsomesky.”

“Yougotit.”Andtheysoareduptowardthesun.

Theyfellintosyncimmediately.Perfectly.Thaneknewwhichwayshe’dwanttoturnbeforeshedidit;Cienarespondedtoeverymovehemadealmostbeforehewasfinished.Itshockedhimhowmuchtheyhadn’tchangedinthisoneway,even

astherestoftheirliveshadbeenturnedupsidedown.Theystillknewhowtoflyasone.

Severalthousandmetersup,thepollutionthinneduntiltheyweresurroundedbythesamebrightnessherememberedfromwhentheywerechildren.Thecloudsshonewhite;theruggedpeaksofthehighestmountainsrosethroughthem,lookinglikeislandsinsnow.

Thosealtitudescouldn’tbemined;theyremainedpristine,untouched.

FromherehecouldalmostbelieveJelucanwasstillbeautiful.

Cienawantedtolingerintheskyasmuchashedid;Thaneknewthatwithouthavingtobetold.Togethertheydrewloopsintheair,circledthefamiliarmountainranges,caughttheupwindsthatstillblewfromWavers’

Peak.Whenshetiltedthewingstocatchthatdrift,Thanehadalreadybeguntoleanwithher,andhelaughed.“Youlovethis.”

“Sodoyou.”Hecouldhearthesmileinhervoice.

Thisisn’tatruce.You’restillwiththeRebellion;she’sstillaloyalImperialofficer.Wecannevershareanythingmorethanastolenhour,oneflight.

SoThanetoldhimself.

Yethecouldn’tmakehimselfbelieveit.

Evenwhenastormbegantoblowin,theypostponedcomingdownaslongastheycould.Oncethewindspickedupenoughchop,though,theywordlesslyagreedonthemomentwhentheV-171hadtodescend.Inthetinycraft,theycouldevenfeelthewayeachother’sweightshiftedastheyrespondedtotheshear.

Hestillknewhowshe

moved.“Comeon!”Theywere

tenandCienawantedtoweavethroughthestalactitesforthefirsttime.“Wecandoit!”Hesentthemspiralingdowntowardtheirgoal,thesuddendizzinesssweepingoverthembothatthesamemomentandmakingthemlaugh.

TheirspeederbikeswerelockedtogetherastheysoaredthroughCoruscant,

eachofthemleaningtowardtheotherastheyaimedfortheexactcenterofthefinalReitgenHoop,andvictory.

“Likethis?”HecouldfeelthewarmbreathofCiena’swhisperagainsthisbareshoulder.Tooovercometospeak,Thanehadonlybeenabletonod.

TheytooktheV-171inbeforetherainsbegan.Cienapowereddowninsilence;whateverrapportthey’d

regainedintheairhaddisappeared.Astheydisembarkedandleftthehangar,theymighthavebeenanytwocoworkersinacommercialspaceport.

ButCienadidn’treturntoherridgecrawler.Insteadshewalkedtothefaredgeofthehangar’sterrace,towardthenarrow,rockypaththatledawayfromthemainroad—towardtheFortress.Shepausedforamomenttolook

overhershoulder,clearlydaringThanetofollow.

Henevercouldresistadare.

NeitherofthemspokeuntiltheyhadclimbedinsidetheFortressitself.WhenCienaturnedononeoftheoldlightsthey’dleftupthere,Thanelookedaround,blinkinginsurprise.He’dexpectedadustyruin;instead,thesurfaceswereclean,theblanketsbeaten.A

fewoftheirtoyspaceshipsstilldangledfromthewiremobilethey’dbuiltwhentheywerenine.Hesaid,“Thisplaceheldupwell.”

“Icamehereyesterday,”shesaid.“Myshiplandedbeforemyfathercouldleavework,andValentia—Icouldn’tbeartostaytherelong.ThiswastheonlyplaceIwantedtobe.Itneededsomecleaning,butlessthanyou’dthink.”Cienaturnedto

facehimthen,andintheapproachingdarkofthestorm,hecouldnotreadherexpression.“Somuchhadstayedthesame.”

Thanetookasteptowardher.“Ciena—”

“YoujoinedtheRebellion.”Thewordsburstoutofher,likewaterafteradambroke.“Howcouldyoudothat?They’reterrorists!TheykilledJude!”

“Wearenotterrorists.If

anyone’saterroristit’sPalpatinehimself,becauseherulesbyfear—”

“Yousaidyouweren’tgoingtotherebels,youtoldmethattomyface—”

“ThatwasbeforeIrealizedjusthowbadtheEmpirereallyis.Therebelsmightnotbeperfectbutsomebody’sgottodosomething!”

“SoyoudecidedyouhatetheEmpire.You’rewillingto

killthepeopleyouwenttoschoolwith—yourfellowofficers,yourfriends.”Cienatookastepclosertohim,herhandsinfistsathersides.“You’reevenwillingtokillme.”

“Don’tyouthinkthatnearlydestroysmeeverysingletimeIgointobattle?Don’tyouknowI’dratherdiefirst?ButIcan’tstandasideanddonothing,Ciena.Ican’t.”

Sheshookherhead.“Youhadtostopbeingacynicnow?”

Thanewantedtoshakeher.Hewantedtopleadwithhertolisten.Morethananythinghewantedtobebackintheair,wheretheystillunderstoodeachother.Butthestormwasonthemnow.“That’sallyouhavetosay?Youdraggedmeupherejusttoyellatme?”

“No.”

“Thenwhat—”Cienapulledhisface

downtohersandkissedhim,hard.

Thenextfewmomentswereafeverishblur—hersmallhandsreachingbeneathhisjackettosplayacrosshischest—thefeelofherinhisarms—thetasteofherlips.Hecouldn’tbecloseenoughtoher.Evennow,entwinedtogether,theyweretoofarapart.

Thaneembracedhertightlyenoughtoliftherfeetfromtheground,thenbackedheragainstthewall,pinninghertherewiththeweightofhisbody.Hecoveredheropenmouthwithhis.

Whentheypartedlongenoughtogaspforbreath,Cienawhispered,“Don’tyoudarestop.”

Hedidn’t.

HOURSLATER,CienasatatthemouthoftheFortresscave,wrappedinablanketasshewatchedthelastofthestorm.Thewindshaddieddownawhileago,buttherainstillfellacrossthelowerrangesinsilverysheets.How

hadsheforgottentheviewcouldbesobeautiful?

Thishadalwaysbeentheplacewhereshewenttodream.Imperialserviceallowedsolittletimeforthat—nohoursinwhichtoletyourmindwander,toimagineanythingyouliked.

CienaroseandwalkedbackinsidetheFortressonlegsthatstillfeltpleasantlywobbly.Thefursandblanketswerepiledinthe

back,neartheoldheaterthey’ddraggeduptheretenyearsbefore,andonlythefaintestlightshonebackthatfar.ShepausedforamomenttotakeinthesightofThanesprawledfacedown,moreasleepthanawake,almostcompletelyuncovered.

Sheleanedoneshoulderagainstthewallasshewhispered,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”

Thatmadehimstir.Thane

rolledoverandsmileddrowsily.“You’reshowingyoursisterthis?”

“I’msupposedtoshowherthemostbeautifulandextraordinarymomentsofmylife.Thisqualifies.”

Heheldonearmouttoher,andshecurledbyhisside,drapingherblanketoverthemboth.Despitethesmallheater,theairinsidetheFortressremainedcool—butThanekeptherwarm.Ciena

wishedtheyneverhadtoacknowledgetheworldbeyondtheFortress—thatitcouldalwaysbethetwoofthemtogether,inseparable.

“Youprobablyknowthis,”shesaid,“butIstillloveyou.”

“AndIloveyou.Everythingelsemightchange,butnotthat.”

Cienarolledovertolookathim.Itwassohardtosaythiswithoutanger,butshe

hadtospeak.“IfyoucouldjointheRebellion,you’vechangedmorethanIwouldhavethoughtpossible.”

“DoyoustillbuytheImperialdogmathatthey’re‘terrorists’?They’reidealists,really.TheybelievetheNewRepublicwillbeallthegrandandgloriousthingstheOldRepublicneverwas.I’mnotthatkindoffool.Neverwillbe.ButtheEmpiremustfall.”

“Youtookanoath—”

“Enoughwiththeoaths,Ciena!”Thanepauseduntilhehadahandleonhistemperagain.“I’msorry.Iknowwhatyourhonormeanstoyou.Butthisisn’taboutwhetherornotwe’vekeptfaithwiththeEmpire.It’saboutwhethertheEmpirehaskeptfaithwithus.”

Toomanyofherowndoubtsrespondedtothosewords.InCiena’smindshesawtheofficersdyingin

vain,heardPenrie’slastscream,watchedAlderaanexplodeagain.Andnow,evenhermotherhadtosuffer.

SheburiedherfaceagainstThane’schest.Itfeltsafertospeakwithinthewarmthofhisarms.“IseethedarknesswithintheEmpire.HowcouldInot?”

Hewoundoneofhercurlsaroundhisfinger,hisplayfultouchescontrastingwiththegravityofwhathe

said.“Ifyouseethat,thenIdon’tunderstandhowyoucankeepservingtheEmpirejustbecauseofapromiseyoumadeyearsago,whenyoudidn’tknowthewholetruth.”

“Nobodyeverknowsthewholetruth.That’swhypromisesmeansomething.Otherwisethey’dbetooeasy,don’tyousee?Welooktowardtheunknownfutureandpromisetobefaithfulnomatterwhatcomes.”Ciena

sighed.“Myoathmatterstome,butthat’snottheonlyreasonIstay.”

“Thenwhy?”“BecausetheEmpireis

morethan—thancorruptionandbrutality.”Itcosthertosaythosewords,butThaneforcedhertobehonestwithherself.“It’salsothestructurethatkeepsthegalaxyfromcollapsingintochaosagain,likeitdidduringtheCloneWars.Andforeverypetty

bureaucratmakinghimselfrichbyskimmingprofits,there’salsosomeonelikeNashWindrider,who’sgenuinelytryingtodotherightthing.Ifthegoodpeopleleave,doesn’tthatmakeeverythingworse?Don’twehavearesponsibilitytostandourgroundandchangetheEmpire,ifwecan?”

“Stillanoptimist.”Thanehesitatedbeforeheasked,“HowisNash?”

“He’sdoingbetternow.ThefirstyearafterAlderaanwashard,buthecamethrough.Ithinkhe’sstilllonelysometimes.”CienarememberedthenightNashhadpropositionedherinfrontofthedoortoherbunk—butshehadsaidno,anditwasnothingThaneneededtohear.“Hetalksaboutyoufromtimetotime.Ihatethathehastokeepthinkingyou’redead.”

“Metoo.”Theylaytogetherin

silenceforawhileafterthat,herheadpillowedagainstThane’schest.Cienathoughtbacktothosefirstfewmonthsattheacademy,whenthey’dallbeensotrusting,sosureoftheirplaceinthegalaxy.Couldthathavebeenonlysixyearsago?Itfeltlikeanotherlifetime.

“Ciena?”Thanesoundedwary.“Iwanttoaskyoua

questionthatyoumightnotlike.Hearmeout,okay?”

Shefiguredthatifshehadn’tkilledThaneforjoiningtheRebellion,hewassafenomatterwhat.“Ask.”

“What’shappeningtoyourmother—haveyouaskedyourselfwhetherthisisallatest?AnotherofthemindgamestheEmpireplaysonitstroops?”

Ifonlyshecouldstillbelievethose“tests”were

meanttostrengthenthem,thattheyservedagreaterpurpose.HadshereallyoncebeenangrywithThaneforsuggestingotherwise?Thememoryofhernaivetyembarrassedher.Intheyearssince,CienahadlearnedthattheEmpireadministeredextremetestsofloyaltysometimes.Maybeforpersonnelbeingconsideredforsensitivepositions,thosetestscouldbejustified.Butto

toywiththefriendshipbetweentwoyoungcadets,onlytodivorcethemfromanytiestotheirhomeworld…thathadbeenalmostchildishinitscruelty.

MaybetheEmpirewastestingherbyputtinghermotherontrial,butCienadoubtedit.WhatwashappeningtoMummawasmorelikelysimple,stupidprovincialcorruption.Everyoneinvolvedknewit,

andnoonewouldsaysobecausetheywerealltooafraidofwhattheImperialofficialswoulddotothem.

FromtheEmperordowntothelowliestadministrator—somuchhadtobetransformed.Wherecouldtheyevenbegin?

“Idon’tthinkwhat’shappeningtoMummaispartofanylargerplot,”shesaid,andleftitatthat.“Doyoutrustyoursuperiorsinthe

RebelAlliance?”SheexpectedThaneto

saynoimmediately;heputhistrustinsofewpeople,andsurelythedregsthatrantheRebellionwouldn’tqualifyforthehonor.Cienawasshockedwhenhesaid,“Someofthem.Mostofthem,actually.YouknowIdidn’tevenhavetoaskpermissiontocomehere?TheytrustedthatI’donlyleaveforagoodreason,andbelievedI’d

return.Sure,theydreamsomecrazydreamsaboutthisperfectgalaxytheythinktheycanbuild—butatleasttheyrespectthepeoplewhoserve.”

Cienacouldhardlybelievewhatshe’dheard.ThaneKyrellhadfinallyfoundauthorityfigureshedidn’thateandtheywererebels?Surelyhewastalkinglikethisinanefforttoconvincehertoleavethe

Empire;shethoughthemighthavesaidevenwilderthingsiftheywouldkeepherwithhim.“Howlonghaveyoubeenwiththem?”

“Ijoinedupseveralmonthsago.”Histhumbbrushedalonghercheekbone,thetiniestpossiblecaress.“AtfirstIdidsupplyruns,butasthewarintensified—I’mincombatmoreoftennow.”

“IrecognizedyouatHoth,youknow.”

“Youwerethere?”Thane’sfacepaledalmosttowhite.“Itoldmyself—thefleetissohuge—IthoughtthechancesthatI’dfightagainstyouwere—Ididn’tthinkitwouldhappen.”

“Iwasneverindanger,”shesaid,sittingupandtuckingtheblanketaroundherself.Seeinghisfearatthethoughtofhurtingher—shecouldn’tbearit.“Itwasthatmoveofyours,whenyou

spunthroughtheAT-AT’slegs.Iknewthatinstantitcouldonlybeyou.”

“TheonepersonintheentirefleetwhocouldhaveidentifiedmebyhowIflew—”

“MaybetheForceisguidingthis.Bringingustogethereventhoughweoughttobeapart.”

Thatmadehimgrimace.Thanehadn’tchangedenoughtobecomereligious,it

seemed.“Iseemtorememberusingmyownfakeidentificationtocrossthegalaxyandreachyou.NoForceinvolved.”

Shehelduponehand.“Allright,allright.”

Thanesatupbesideherandslidhisarmsaroundherwaist.TheskyoutsidetheFortresshadnearlyturneddark.“Listen,”hesaid.“Iknowyou’renotreadytocomewithmetoday.And

maybeyouwon’tconsiderjoiningtheRebellion.”

“Never.”“ButifIthoughtyou

mightleavetheEmpiresomeday—evenifit’sjusttocomebackhere,orstartyourlifeoveronanotherworld—”

Washepromisingtoleavetherebelsandjoinher,ifonlyshewoulddesert?Cienadidn’twanttoknow.“I’mnotgoingtoleave,atleastnotbeforemytourof

dutyends.Ifthere’sanychancethatthegoodintheEmpirecanoutweighthebad,thenit’sourdutytopreserveit.”

“TheEmpire’srottentothecore.It’sourdutytodestroyit.”

Theywerestillatodds,andalwayswouldbeitseemed.Cienaknewthat.Yetthehardfactsseemedsodistantasheembracedheragain,andsheleanedher

headagainsthim.SheandThanehadneverbeenmoreinlove—orfurtherapart.

Thenextmorning,thetrialofCiena’smotherbegan.

Trial.Thatwordsoundedfartooofficialandgrandforthehasty,sordidproceedings.Cienasatinthesemicircularstandsaroundthejudicialchamber,wearingheruniformwithitsredandblue

ranksquaresproclaimingheranImperiallieutenantcommander.Nexttoher,PappakepthisheadbentasifhecouldnotbeartoseeMummastandinginthedockwithherwristscuffed.

Theprosecutor—amanwithsmallhandsandoiledhair—officiouslyreadtheevidencelinebyline,enteringitallintotherecord.Hehadnotonebitofproofthatcouldn’thavebeendoctored

byahalfwaycompetentdataengineer,apointthatwouldnodoubthavebeenmadebythedefenseifhermotherhadbeenallowedadefense.

Butnowthatwasallowedonlyincivilcases,neverintrialsforcrimesagainsttheEmpire.

CienacouldhearThane’svoiceinherhead,askingiftheEmpirehadkeptfaithwithher.Shedidnotdareanswerhimeveninherown

thoughts.Hehadleftlatethenight

beforetocatchared-eyeshuttle—towhere,shewouldneverknow.Thanehadbidherfatheraformal,correctfarewell;PappahadbeenwiseenoughtoletCienawalkThaneouttotheridgecrawleronherown.Theyhadkissedeachothersolongandsofiercelythatherlipsremainedswollen,thediscomfortwelcomebecauseitwasproof

he’dreallybeenwithher.“Whateverelsebecomes

ofus,”shehadsaid,“thankyouforstandingwithmyfamily.YoutookatremendousrisktobeherewhenIneededyouthemost.Itwasanactof…thetruestloyaltyandfriendship.”

Hissmilehadbeensosad.“ActuallyIcameherethinkingI’dfinallygetoveryou.Should’veknownbetter.”

Cienatriedtocatchhermother’seye,hopingtogivesomecomfortjustbybeingthere.YetMummawouldn’tevenlookatherdirectly.Itwasasifshewereashamed,eventhoughbynoweveryoneinthisshamofatrialhadtoknowthechargeswerefalse.

Thentherealizationpiercedherthrough:hermotherwouldn’tlookatherbecauseshedidn’twanttoendangerCienaanyfurther

bymakinghershowsympathytosomeoneaccusedbytheEmpire.

Imperialrulewasn’tascrueltoeveryworldasithadbeentoJelucan.Ciena’stravelshadtoldherthatmuch.Butitdidn’tmatter,becausethecrueltywasthere,now,destroyingherfamilyandherhome.

“Yourealizewecan’tevermeetagain,”CienahadsaidasThaneheldherclose.

He’dalreadystartedhisridgecrawler,themotor’shumalmostlostinthefiercewinds.

“Wesaidthatlasttime.”“It’sdifferentnow.You

shouldn’thavecomebackthistime,andI—Idon’tknowifI’lleverreturnagain.”

“Wekeeptellingeachothergood-bye,”Thanehadwhisperedintoherear.“WhenamIfinallygoingtobelieveit?”

Shedidn’tanswer,becauseshecouldn’t.EvenifsheandThaneneversaweachotheragain,sheknewthatinsomewaystheirbondwouldendure.Hewastoomuchapartofhertobecompletelylost,notaslongasshelived.

Itwassomeconsolation,butnotmuch.

Themagistratedidn’tevenlookupfromhisscreensashepronouncedjudgment.

“GuiltyofembezzlementandfraudagainstrepresentativesoftheEmperor.Sentencedtosixyears’laborinthemines.”

Cienafelttheverdictlikepoisoninjectedintoherveins—agonizingdowntothebone.Hardlabor?Jelucanhadbannedthatasapunishmentnearlyacenturyago,andeventhenhadlimitedittothoseaccusedofviolentcrimes.Hermotherwasamiddle-agedwoman,

neverparticularlytallorstrong;howwasshesupposedtoendurelongdaysofhaulingheavyore?Withmodernmine-droids,therewasnoneedforanyonetodothatkindofbackbreakingwork.Thesentencewasbothprimitiveandpunitive…andhadbeenleviedagainstawomanthejudgehadtoknowwasinnocent.

VerineReedidn’tevenglanceatherhusbandand

daughterasshewasledaway;Cienarealizedtheywouldn’tbegivenachancetosaygood-bye.

“Thisisimpossible,”shewhisperedaseveryoneelsefiledoutofthecourtroom,leavingonlyCienaandherfatherbehind.“Amockeryofjustice—”

“Saynothingmore.”“Ofcourse.”Therewere

probablyrecordingdevicessomewhereintheroom.“We

can’thavemoretrouble.”“No,Ciena.Youshould

notspeakagainstyourgovernment,ever,underanycircumstances.”

“Pappa—howcanyousaythattoday?”

ParonReefoldedhishandstogetherassolemnlyasavillageelder.“BecausewegaveourloyaltytotheEmpireonthedayJelucanwasannexed.Becausewedonotbetrayourword,even

whenwearebetrayedinreturn.Otherwisewearenobetterthantheyare.”Hiseyesblazed,buthisvoiceremainedlowandcalm.“Thislifehasneverbeenonemadeforfairnessorjustice.Weendure,andweprevailnotascrudematterbutintherealmofthespirit.”

Shehadgrownupbelievingthatsodevoutly,andnowthewordssoundedhollow.Cienacouldnottake

comfortinangerorinfaith.Allshecoulddowasputherarmsaroundherfatherandhopehisbeliefssustainedhimmorethantheydidher.

“AndwasjusticedoneonJelucan,LieutenantCommanderRee?”

“Sir.Yes,sir.”Cienastoodatattentionin

ISBofficerRonnadam’soffice,staringpasthimatthe

smallcircleofstarfieldrevealedthroughhisonewindow.Herhandswereclaspedtightlybehindherback,palmssweaty.

CaptainRonnadamstudiedherforwhatseemedtobetoolongatime.Histhinmustachetwitchedonce,butshecouldnottellwhetherhefeltamusementorirritation.“Yourmotherwasguilty,then.”

“Theevidencepresented

wasveryclear,sir.”“Yousurpriseme,Ree.”

Histonemadeitimpossibletoknowwhetherthatwasagoodthing,andhiseyeswerenarrow.Heheldherincontemptfordoingtheverythinghehadforcedhertodo.Didherecognizehisownhypocrisy?Probablynot.“Verywell.Youhaveusedtwoweeks’leave,butotherwiseyourrecordremainsunblemished.I

believewecanexpectapromotioninyournearfuture.”

Ronnadamhonestlythoughtshewouldbetrayherownmotherjustforthesakeofadvancement.Cienadugherfingernailsintoherpalms,usingthepaintosteadyherself.“Thankyou,sir.”

Doyourduty.Keepthecourse.Thereisgoodhereinsomanyofthepeoplewhoserve.Ioweittothemto

fulfillmyoathandlearnhowIcanhelpsavetheEmpirefromitsowncorruption.

Theywerenoblesentiments,andshemeantthem.YetinhermindsheimaginedsayingallthistoThane,andheonlyshookhishead.

THANEMADEITbacktotheLibertyjustintime.CoronaSquadronwasalreadypreparingtomove—notinthefrenzythatfollowedanythreatofimminentattackbutquicklyenoughthathewouldhavemissedthemifhe’d

returnedafewhourslater.“Mr.Kyrell.Howkindof

youtojoinus,”saidtheContessaasshewalkedthroughthehangar,wherepilotsbusilyloadedastromechdroidsandcheckedrationpacks.Henoddedatherbutdidn’tslowhisstepsuntilhe’dwalkedstraighttoGeneralRieekan.

“Kyrell.”Rieekanhardlylookedawayfromhistablet.Hestoodinthecenterofthe

activity;afireworksprayofblue-whitesparksrosefromanearbyweldingtorch.Theairsmelledofrubberandfuel.“Excellent.You’vegottwohoursuntiltakeoff.”

Thanestoodatattentionwithhischinslightlylifted,thewayhe’dlearnedattheacademy.Theoldtraininghadkickedinthefirstmomenthe’dacknowledgedhemighthavescrewedup.“Sir.Ineedtoreportmy

movementsduringmyabsence.”

“Thisisavolunteerarmy,remember?You’refreetocomeandgoasyouplease,aslongasyouobserveallsecurityprotocols.”

“IreturnedtomyhomeworldofJelucanto—assistafriendintrouble,”Thanesaid.Rieekandidn’tglanceupuntilThaneadded,“MyfriendisanofficerintheImperialStarfleet.”

Thatdidit.Rieekanstared,andallaroundhimthebuzzofworkbeganfallingsilent.Thanecouldalmostfeeltheeyesonhim,ashotassearchlights.

GeneralRieekan’sdecibellevelrosemarkedly.“Youmadecontactwithanenemyofficer.”

“Yes,sir.”Thaneofferednothingmore.Heknewhehadtoreportit,buthe’dbedamnedifhe’dapologizefor

seeingCiena.“That’shighlyirregular,

Kyrell,”Rieekansaid.“ButyouconcealedyouractivitieswiththeRebelAlliancefromthisofficer?”

“…LieutenantCommanderReewasalreadyawareIhadjoinedtheRebellion.Sir.”

Murmursrosearoundhim;bythen,he’ddrawnacrowd.Fromthecornerofhiseye,Thanecouldseeshocked

expressionsonthefacesofYendor,Smikes,andKendy.However,heneverturnedawayfromRieekan.

“Howthehelldidsheknowthat?”Rieekan’salarmwasveryreal.“Dowehaveadoubleagentfeedingthemintel?”

“No,sir.Notregardingthis.She—shehadidentifiedmebasedonImperialbattlefootage.”Nobodywouldbelieveitifheconfessedthat

Cienahadknownhimonlybythewayheflew.Theyweretheonlytwopeoplewhocouldeverunderstandthat.

Rieekanacceptedthisexplanation,whichwasarelief,butThanewasn’toutoftroubleyet.“Areyouabsolutelysurethisofficerlackedanyopportunitytoplaceatrackingdeviceonyourvehicleoryourperson?”

“Itdidn’thappen,sir.”Hewasn’tgoingtogetintothe

manythingsCienahadhadanopportunitytodotohisperson.“Iguaranteethat.AtnopointdidIshareanyinformationaboutRebellionmembers,bases,oractivities.Nordidsheask.Thiswasapersonalmatter.”

“Personal.”Rieekanshookhishead.“We’llscanyouandyourship.Ifthosescanscheckout,we’llletthisdrop.”

“Thankyou,sir.”

“Andwecantakeitasagiventhatyou’renotgoingtomakecontactwithanyImperialofficereveragain?”

Thanerememberedtheirfinalmomentstogetherinfrontofherhouse,thewayherfingershadtightenedaroundthecollarofhisjacketasifshecouldholdhimtherebywillalone.“Yes,sir.”

“Verywell.Justfortherecord,Kyrell?Thegalaxyisfullofwomenwhodon’t

fightfortheenemy.”Withthat,Rieekan

walkedoff.AcoupleofthedroidszoomedinonThane’sX-wingtosearchit.ThatlefthimtofinallyfacetherestofCoronaSquadron.Theotherpilotshadalreadygatheredaround,theirexpressionsdisplayingeverythingfromdisbelieftooutrage.Smikesspokefirst.“Youabandonedyourposttobangyourex?Thelieutenantcommanderin

theImperialStarfleetex?”Thanerefusedtobe

cowed.“They’reabouttopromotehertocommander.”

Peoplegroaned.Obviously,hewasgoingtobetheleastpopularmemberofCoronaSquadronforsometimetocome—aloosecannon,someonewhowouldtakerisksfornoreason.Finebyhim.Aslongastheydidn’tdoubthisallegiance,Thanedidn’tgiveadamn

whattheythoughtofhischoices.

“Weallhavetoputourpastsbehindus.Allofus.Thatincludeseventhepeopleonourside,muchlessImperialloyalists.”TheContessahadnevershowedangerbefore,butshedidnow.

“Thatdoesn’tmeanwe’reneversupposedtoacknowledgethepeopleweloveeveragain,”heretorted.

“Oh,great,”Smikesmoaned.“He’stalkingaboutlove.Thisisgoingnowherefast.”

Yendor,morecalmlythantheothers,leanedagainstthestrutoftheneareststarfighterandsaid,“YourealizethisImperialwomanofyourswouldkillusall,right?”

Thatdidit.ThanegotinYendor’sface.“Youdon’tknowCiena.Ido.Imadeachoicebasedonthat

knowledge.Noneofyouwereendangered,orevenaffected,soit’snoneofyourdamnedbusiness.”

Inthesilencethatfollowed,hebackedawayfromYendor,whosehandswereraisedinthegesturethatmeant,oneveryplanet,Hey,man,simmerdown.Thanefiguredtheonlyproductivethinghecoulddorightthenwasreportto2-1Bforthescans.Butasheturnedtogo,

Kendyspokealmostunderherbreath:“You’regoingtotearyourselfapart.”

Shewasn’twrong.Thanesaidonly,“She’s

stillCiena,”andwalkedoff.Kendywouldunderstand

that,probably.Nobodyelsewould.Hedidn’tcare.Itwashisownbusinessifhecrossedthegalaxy,orbrokehisheart,orsteeredhisX-wingstraightintothecoreofastar.

Therebelfleet’snewbasewasonanuninhabitedplanetsosmallandobscureithadnoname,onlythenumericaldesignation5251977.Thisworld’srotationmovedslowly,meaningdaysandnightseachlastedtheequivalentofseveralweeksonmostplanets;fornow,theRebellionhidintheenduringdarkness.

Thane’sfirstthoughtashetookhisX-wingintoland

wasthatthey’dbuiltamuchlargerhangarthanusualthistime.ThescaleofthestructureremindedhimmoreofImperialfacilitiesthanthehastymakeshiftsetupstheRebelAlliancehadtorelyon.Whenhecameinthroughtheshielddoors,however,herealizedwhythebuildingwassoenormous—ithadtobe.Intheprevioustwomonths,thesizeoftherebelarmadaseemedtohavedoubled.

“Whathappened?”Thaneasked,flighthelmetunderonearm,asCoronaSquadronwenttoreportin.HewonderediftheEmpirehaddestroyedanotherworldorcommittedanotheratrocitysohorrificthatahugeswathofthegalaxyhadfinallyhadenough.

Mostoftheothersignoredhim,butYendorreplied,“Usuallytheydon’tbringthewholefleettogether

likethis.Acoupledivisionsstayseparate,justincase,youknow?Notanymore.Rumorhasitsomethingbigisplanned.”

“Wehavenewrecruits,aswell,”theContessasaid,pointingtoseveralnonregulationshipsthatstoodaroundthem.Whilethesekindsofshipshadalwaysbeenapartofthefleet,thereweredefinitelymorethanusualandmorepeople

millingaroundwhohadnouniforms,onlyRebellionpatcheshastilyappliedtotheircoveralls.Evenasthewargrewmorepitchedandmoredeadly,recruitscontinuedtoflocktotherebelcause.Ifthatkeptup,Thanethought,theymightactuallyhaveashot.Hecouldseeseveralindividualstarfighters,afewDorneangunships,andonefreighterthatseemedtohavebeenput

togetheroutofthepartsofatleastadozenotherships—

AbroadsmilespreadacrossThane’sfaceasheyelled,“TheMightyOakApocalypse!”

TherestofCoronaSquadronturnedtohimwithexpressionssuggestingthathehadwellandtrulylosthismind.Hedidn’tcare,becausenowpeoplewerespillingoutoftheshiptoruntowardhim—Brillgrinningthroughher

pinkfur,JJH2rollingtowardhimandwhistling,Methwatwearinghisversionofasmile,andbehindtherest,roaringherwelcome,Lohgarra.

“Abouttimeyouguysshowedup!”Thanesaid,laughing,ashesubmittedtoawoolyWookieehug.Lohgarragrowledplaintively,andThanesomehowresistedrollinghiseyes.“Iamnottoothin.”

“Werefittedthewholeship,”Brillsaidwithpride.“Newshields,newdampeners.She’stotinggunsfrommorekindsoffightersthanyoucancountonbothhands.Orclaws.Tentacles.Whateveryouhave.”

“Readyforaction,huh?”Nowthathe’dhadamomenttothinkaboutit,hewasn’tsurprisedLohgarraandtheMoahadjoinedtheRebellionatlast.Still,therewas

somethinggreataboutknowingthatsomanyofthepeoplehecaredaboutnowstoodbyhisside.Ittookhimbacktothemomenthe’dchosentojointheRebellioninthefirstplace,andremindedhimwhywhenheneededthatmemorythemost.

AboardtheSuperStarDestroyerExecutor,allofficersandstormtroopers

wereexpectedtokeeptheircombatskillshoned.Butthenumberofcertificationsrequiredlessenedathigherranks.NowthatCienahadmadecommander,shenolongerhadtospendatleastonehouraweekpracticinghand-to-handcombat.However,thatjustmeantshespentmoretimeonthefewskillsstillremaining.

“Icouldlivewithoutusingthisthingeveragain,”

Cienagrumbledassheshoulderedthepracticeflamethrower.“Ifweeverneedthisonthebridge,I’mguessingwe’realreadydonefor.”

“CienaReecomplainingaboutregulations?”Berisseshookherheadinamazement.“Hey,ifyoudon’twanttodothis,you’vegotdayslefttofulfillyourregs.Weshouldtakeadvantageofbeingoutinthe

middleofnowhere.”Technically,theshipwasstillinhyperspaceonitswaytothemiddleofnowhere,butBerisse’spointstood.Sincetheywerebeingcalledontodonothingbutgotoanuninhabitedsystemandsitandwait,alljuniorofficershadmorefreetimethanusual.“WecouldseeifNashandsomeoftheotherguysarefree,headtooneofthecantinas,letourhairdown—”

“I’mstayinghere.Ifyouwanttogoparty,nobody’sstoppingyou.”

“Okay,okay.You’vebeeninamoodforalmostthreeweeksstraight.Isn’tittimeyousnappedoutofit?”

Berissedidn’tknowthereasonsforCiena’stemperandnodoubthadnotguesseditwastheshieldbehindwhichCienawashidingherwretchedness.OnceCienahadfeltfreetoconfidenearly

everythinginBerisse—andshelongedtohearheradvicenow.Berissewassopractical,somatter-of-fact,thatshe’dlistentothewholestorywithoutblinkingandprobablycomeupwiththeperfectwordstohelpCienacope.

Butthatwastherub:probably.

Berissecouldbeirreverentandwasn’tabovebendingaregulationfor

practicality’ssake,butCienahadneverdoubtedherfriend’sfundamentalloyaltytotheEmpire.IfCienaspokeabouttheinjusticeoftheverdictagainsthermother,Berissemightsympathize;ontheotherhand,shemightwellreporttheconversationtoRonnadam.

Ofcourse,Cienacouldn’tadmitthetruthaboutThanetoanyone.Thatheartbreakwasoneshehadtocarry

alone.Still,carryingthatweightwouldhavefeltlessterribleifshecouldhavesharedtherestwithsomeone.

Instead,shewasforcedtoadmitthatshehadnotonefriendintheentireworldshecouldentirelytrust.

“Let’sjusttorchsomejunk,okay?”Cienapulledontheflametroopermaskandreadiedthecontrols.Berisse,obviouslyknowingbetterthantointerrupt,beganthe

holographicpartofthesimulator.Attackersmadeofshadowygreenlightbeganrunningtowardthem,andCienapulledthetrigger.

Explosivefireshotout,incineratingherenemies.Again.Thenagain.Shehadneverrelishedcombatduty—flyingwasherjoyandherpassion—buttodayCienapouredallherbottled-upsorrowandfuryintoeveryblast.Whenthefirst

simulationended,sheimmediatelysignaledforBerissetostartanother,thenanother.Thefeaturelessgreenhologramssimplyvanishedwhentheytookafatalhit;Cienafoundherselfwishingtheprogrammingweremorehonestandgraphic.Shewantedtoseeherkillsforonce.

“Iamreallygladwedon’troomtogetheranymore,”Berissemutteredwhenthe

finalholofaded.“BecauseIdonotwanttobethenextpersonyou’remadat.”

“You’reright.Youdon’t.”Cienaslidupherfacemaskandwipedherwristacrossherforehead.Eventhoughshe’dremainedinfiringpositiontheentiretimeandtheflamethrowerwasn’tunbearablyheavy,exhaustionalreadyrackedherbody.SleephadbeenelusivesinceherreturntotheExecutor.

Despiteherweariness,shemighthavegoneforanotherroundhadshenotfeltthesubtleshiftinthevibrationbeneaththeirfeet.“We’velefthyperspace,”shesaidtoBerisse.

“Neverceasestoamazemehowyoucanfeelthat.”Berissesighed.“Somuchforfreetime,huh?”

Evensittingoutinthemiddleofnowhere—namely,theHudallasystem,notable

onlyforitslargest,massivelyringedplanet—requiredeveryonebackatdutystations.Cienawasrelieved.Nothinghelpedbutkeepingbusy.

Asthetwoofthemwalkedoutoftheirsimulationroom,however,Cienaglancedthroughthetriangularwindowsintospacebeyond.Whatshesawstoppedherwhereshestood.InsteadoftheplanetHudallaorthevoid

ofspace,theviewshowedcountlessImperialships.StarDestroyers,attackcruises,lightcruisers,almostasmanyTIEfightersasstars—

“Whatthehell?”Berissesaid.“DidwegetcalledbacktoCoruscantinstead?”

Cienashookherhead.Onlycaptains,admirals,andLordVaderhimselfknewplansveryfarinadvance,soshecouldn’tsayexactlywhytheHudallasystemhad

suddenlybecomeameetingspotfornearlytheentireImperialStarfleet.

Butsheonlyhadtolookattheassembledshipstoknow:whateverwashappeningwasimportant—andwouldaffectthemall.

CoronaSquadronhadreceivedtheirnextintelligencemissiononlytenhoursafterreaching5251977.

Forthefirsttime,theyhadreceivedtheirordersnotfromRieekanbutfromAdmiralAckbaroftheMonCalamari.

“RemotesensorsdetectedanunusuallevelofImperialactivityintheHudallasystem,”hehadsaid,pacinginfrontofthem.Ackbarwasanimposingman—tallerthananyhumanandwithprotruding,wizenedeyes—sotheentiresquadronremainedfarmorerigidandsilentthan

usual.“NothinginthatareashouldbeofinteresttotheEmpireortoanyoneelse.WhythenistheEmpireestablishingapresencethere?CoronaSquadron,youwillgotoHudalla.ObservetheImperialshipsandobtainasmuchdataaspossible.”

TheyweresupposedtostrollintoanisolatedsystemandtakereadingsontheImperialStarfleet,thengetoutalive?Thanewasn’tsure

whetherAckbarwasadeludedoptimistorsomeonewhodidn’tmindputtinglivesatriskforuncertaingain.

ThenAckbarhaddismissedthembysaying,“MaytheForcebewithyou.”So.Deluded.

AsThanecheckedthesensorsonhisX-wing’spanel,hegavethanksforHudalla’senormousring.Thegasgiantswirledinshadesofredandviolet,butthemost

notableaspectofthisworldwasitsplanetaryrings,whichweresomeofthelargestinthegalaxy.Thoseringscomprisedseveralmillionpiecesofdebris,mostofthemsmallerthantheaverageasteroid—

—andyetjustlargeenoughtohideashipbehind.

LikeeveryothermemberofCoronaSquadron,he’dtetheredhisshiptooneofthelargerrocksonHudalla’s

outerring.TheirX-wingsfloatedthroughthegradualrotationofthecountlesspiecesofdebrisinthefield,thesoftvioletglowofthatsystem’sdistantstarcastingstrangeshadows.Thesloworbitoftheringhadallowedthemtotaketheirpositionsfarenoughawaytoavoiddetection.Nowtheywerewithinscanningdistanceandcouldtakeallthereadingsandholostheyneeded,and

theydidn’tevenhavetoworryaboutbeingscannedinreturn.Withtheirshipsrunningonminimumpowerandwellconcealedbythering’sdebris,therewasalmostnochanceoftheirbeingspotted.

Almost.Thanehatedthatword.HeknewhowthoroughImperialofficersweretrainedtobe.Still,theoddswereontheirsideforachange.He’dtakeit.

“ThisisalmostaslargeastheattackfleettheysenttoHoth,”Yendorsaid,hisvoicecracklingoverthecomms.“DoyouthinktheygotsomebadinteltellingthemweputabaseononeofHudalla’smoons?”

Thaneanswered,“Ifso,you’dthinktheywould’vefiguredoutthemistakebynow.Butthey’vebeenherefordays,withmoreshipscominginallthetime.”

Whatweretheyupto?Thanekepttryingtocomeupwithananswerandfailing.Ifanewhyperlanehadbeendiscoveredinthisareaofspace,theirsensorswouldhavedetecteditbynow.IftheEmpirewereplanninganattack,itwouldn’tneedthismuchtimetoassemble.Nocriticalelementscouldbeminedfromanyoftheplanetsormoonsinthissystem.Themysteryseemedcomplete.

He’daskedforthejoboftallyingsinglestarfighters—anenormouslydetailedandirritatingtask,sothesquadronhadbeenhappyenoughtoletThanehandleit.TheworkkepthimtoooccupiedtothinkmuchabouttheoddsofCienabeingpartofafleetthatlargeortofindoutwhichspecificStarDestroyershadgatheredthere.

It’sliketheybroughtall

theseshipstogetherjusttoshowoff,Thanethoughtsourlyashecontinuedhiscalculations,addinginnewpiecesofdataashissensorsprovidedit.Whyshowoffinthemiddleofnowhere,withoutanybodyaroundtoseeyou?Whatcouldcallforadisplaythisostentatious,aconcentrationoftheImperialfirepowerinaplacewhereitcoulddonogood?

Thenhishandsfroze,

allowinglongscrollsofnumberstospillby.Thanecursedunderhisbreathasherealizedwhatthiswas.

TheEmpiredisplayeditspoweroften,withadegreeoftheatricalityhe’dfoundabsurdevenwhenhe’dbeenapartofit.Butitneverdidsowithoutreason.MostoftenashowofstrengthwasmeanttointimidatethepeoplewholivedunderImperialcontrol,butsometimesofficersand

shipsmadeapointofdisplayingtheirpowertoimpresstheirsuperiors.Thegreaterthenumberofmenorshipsputatacommander’sdisposal,themoreimportantthatcommanderwas.

Thisfleethadbeenassembledtoprovesomeone’simportance.Onlyonepersoninthegalaxywouldmeritthismuchattention,firepower,andawe.

Hewhispered,“The

Emperor.”

CIENAHADNOTregularlyflownTIEfightersduringthepastcoupleofyears,sowhenshereceivedasummonstoreporttothemaindockingbay,shewasbothsurprisedandpleased.Maybesheneededtospend

sometimeflyingthroughthestars;thenshemightfeellikeherselfagain.

Whenshe’dsuitedupintheblackarmor,Cienawalkedintothebaywithherhelmetunderonearmtoseetheotherthreepilotsshe’dbeflyingwith—twostrangersandNashWindrider.Hegrinnedlikeaboywhenherecognizedher.“Whatadelighttobeflyingwithyouagain,CommanderRee.I

hadn’tthoughtyouwouldstillloweryourselftoservingalongsidethelikesofus.”

“Hush.”Sheriskedasmile;Nashseemedtobeteasingherasafriend,notasawould-belover.Thesoonertheyskatedpastthat,thebetter.“Youknow,I’vealwayswonderedhowyoumanagetopilotTIEsatall.Howdoyoufit?”

“I’llhaveyouknowthatIamfullyonecentimeter

belowthemaximumheightforTIEpilots.TIEsaremorecrampedthanawarship,Iadmit,butwhatisn’t?You,ontheotherhand,arefarmorecompactandshouldfoldupnicely.”

“I’mnotthatshort!”NomatterhowmanytimesCienaprotestedaboutthis,nobodyeverseemedtobelieveher,ortheirowneyes.

Nashopenedhismouthforhisnextjab,then

straightenedasAdmiralPiettstrodetowardthem.Theyallcametoattention,helmetsfacingout.

Piettdidn’tbotherwithpreamble.“ScanshavepickedupsomestrangereadingsontheouteredgeofHudalla’sring,includinglifeforms.Possiblyit’snomorethanmetaloresandmynocks.However,ifwehavesomespieslurkingoutthere—well.Youknowwhattodo.”

“Aye,sir,”theysaidinunison.Everyonesalutedandturnedonthebeat,readytoboardtheirships.ButPiettsaid,“Ree,Ineedtohaveawordwithyou.”

Sheturnedback,againatattention.WhywouldPiettneedtospeakwithherspecifically?Herimaginationconjuredvisionsofpsychologicalinterrogations;theywhisperedthatthequestionerscouldsensethe

momentanyonebegantoturntraitor.Hadtheypickeduponherdoubt?

Instead,Piettsaid,“Youhaveanadditionalassignmentonthisflight.”

“Yes,sir?”“Thosearen’tmynocksin

theplanetaryring.They’realmostcertainlyrebelspies.”

Cienanodded,hidingherconsternation.ItmadenosenseforhimtogiveherthisintelandconcealitfromNash

andtheotherTIEpilots.“We’lltakecareofit,sir.”

Pietthelduponewarningfinger.“Oneoftherebelsmustescape.You’retoseetoitthatatleastoneofthepilotsmanagestomakeittohyperspace.Beyondthat,it’sirrelevantwhethertherestliveordie.”

Shewasconfusedforamoment,butthensheunderstood.SeniorfleetcommandwantedtheRebel

AlliancetoknowthatalargeportionoftheImperialStarfleetwasassembling.Why,Cienacouldn’tyetguess.Itdidn’tmatter.She’dbeenentrustedwithadifficultanddemandingtask—andasecretone.Thatmeanthersuperiorsdidn’tdoubther;ifanything,theyheldherinhigheresteemthanever.

Allshe’dhadtodowasdenyhermother’sinnocence.

Cienatriedtocastthat

thoughtfromherhead.“Considerithandled,AdmiralPiett.”

Henodded,dismissingher,andsheheadedtohership.Climbingintothepilot’sseatcameasarelief.Shedidn’thavetothinkabouthermotheranylonger;shewouldn’tbehauntedbyhergrowingdoubtsabouttheEmpire.Sensorsneededtobechecked,thehatchsealed,weaponsreadied.Soonshe

couldflyandforgetallhertroublesindoingwhatshedidbest.

Nash’svoicecameoverthecomm.“Preparedfortakeoff,L-P-Eight-Eight-Eight?”

Cienaloweredtheblackhelmetoverherhead.Nowshehadnoface,noidentity.NownothingremainedofherbutherdutytotheEmpire.“Ready.”

Amongthemanyproblemswithflyingonminimumpower:heatinsidethecabindroppedseverely—notenoughtoendangeranyone’slifebutenoughtobeextremelyuncomfortable.Thane’sbreathhadbeguntomakesmallfrostcrystalsontheedgeofhishelmet’svisor.

AsifhecouldreadThane’smind,Smikessaidovercomms,“Weshould’vewornwinteruniformsforthis

trip.”“Affirmative,Corona

Three,”Yendorreplied.“IcoulddowithmyoldHothparkarightaroundnow.”

TheContessaadded,“AndImissmyfurcoats.Butholdsteady.Inaboutanhour,we’llorbitfarenoughfromtheImperialconvoytoslipoutofhere.”

“Holdingsteady,CoronaLeader,”Thanesaid.Hehadnotyetsharedhistheory

abouttheEmperorwiththerestofCoronaSquadron;iftrue,itwasinformationtoosensitiveforanyopencommchannel.Andafteronlyafewminutes’consideration,hefeltpositivehishunchwasright.YetknowingthattheseshipshadbeenmassedtoformaconvoyfortheEmperorraisedanotherhostofquestions.IthadbeenmanyyearssincePalpatinewaslastseenoffCoruscant.

Whatwoulddrawhimawayfromtheseatofgalacticpower—andwherewashegoing?

Andifthismanyshipshadmassedinoneplace,thatmeantelsewhereinthegalaxy,theImperialfleetmightbestretchedthin.Widelydispersed,atanyrate.Thane’sadrenalinespikedasherealizedtheEmpire’suselessshowofstrengthheremighthavecreated

weaknesseselsewhere.WeaknessestheRebellioncouldturntoitsadvantage…

Hissensorsbegantoflash,andheswore.“We’vegotTIEfightersincoming.Icountfour.”

“Anychanceit’sarandompatrol?”Kendyasked.

Possible.Butnotprobable.TheTIEfighterscameclosereverysecond.

Thanesaid,“I’vegota

badfeelingaboutthis.”

“DoyouseewhatIsee?”Nashsoundeddelighted,asiftheywereheadedtowardapartyinsteadofintocombat.

Cienabitherlowerlipasshestudiedherreadings.“Ireadfiveships,probablystarfighters.SofarIcan’tIDshipmodels,butI’dguesswe’relookingatX-wingsorY-wings.”Whileahandfulof

thosestarfightersremainedincivilianhands,bynowX-wingsandY-wingswereusedalmostsolelybytheRebelAlliance.Piett’sintelhadbeencorrect;theTIEpatrolwouldmoveintoattackmodeatanymoment.

Outoffiveships,sheneededatleastonesurvivor.

Thatwouldbemosteasilyaccomplishedbyhavingfivesurvivorsandavoidingcombataltogether.Nashand

theotherpilotsweretoosmarttomistakewhattheywereseeingforsomethingelse,whichmeantifshewantedtoavoidadogfight,herbestbetwastoflushouttherebelsintimeforthemtoescape.

Shesaid,“IfIbreakuponeofthelargerasteroidsintheplanetaryring,wecouldgetbetterreadings.”

Oneoftheotherpilotsobjected.“Thenthey’llknow

we’rehere!”“Tentoonetheyknowit

bynow.Theirsensorsarenearlyasadvancedasours.”Cienaputherblack-glovedhandsonthecontrols,feelingtheredtriggerbuttonunderherthumb.

“It’sabadidea,”Nashsaid.“Wedon’tneedfurtherreadings,andatthisdistance,they’dhavetimetomakethejumpintohyperspacebeforewecouldengagethem.”

Somuchforthatplan.Nowatleastoneofthe

rebelships—andpossiblyfourofthem—wouldhavetobedestroyed,allforthesakeofsometacticalmasquerade.TheymightwellloseaTIEfighterintheprocess.

Moreuselessdeath.Morefutility.Morewaste.

TheTIEfighterswereunquestionablyzeroinginon

theirlocation.Combatseemedcertain.

TheContessaordered,“Allwings,disengagetethersandreturntofullpower.”

“Don’tthinkwecanescapefromthisposition,CoronaLeader,”Yendorsaid,evenassensorsshowedhimcomplying.

“Wecan’t.They’recominginforafight.”Thanepressedthecontrolsthatbroughthisshipbacktofull

life,thecockpitlightingupinredandgold.“Weaponsready?”

Yendorreportedinfirst.“CoronaTwoready.”

“CoronaThreeready,”Smikesconfirmed.

“CoronaFourready.”Thanekepthiseyesonthesensorsashespoke,incasetheTIEsacceleratedintoattackmode.

AndKendyfinished,“CoronaFiveready.”

ThanebracedhimselfastheContessasaid,“Allwehavenowistheelementofsurprise.Let’stakethefighttothem.”

Cienahadexpectedtherebelstarfighterstoremainhiddenaslongastheypossiblycouldinhopeofavoidingdetection—whichwaswhyshewasastonishedwhenfiveX-wingsburstoutofthe

planetaryringandheadedstraightfortheTIEfighters.

“Evasiveaction!”sheshouted,swingingherTIEaroundtoavoidtheirmainweaponsrange.Therebelshadthemoutnumbered—nodoubtbyPiett’sdesign.Thatimbalancewouldgiveoneormoreoftherebelshipsagoodchancetoescape.Shecouldn’tstandtheunfairnessofaskingTIEpilotstorisktheirlivesinanattempttokill

peopletheEmpirewantedtokeepalive.

Howcouldshepossiblydelayadogfightonthevergeofhappeningthissecond?

Cienaadjustedhercommsuntilshehitbroadcastmode—amultifrequencysignalthatwouldsupersedeallothersinthearea,projectinghervoiceintoeveryshipcloseenoughtohear,includingthoseX-wings.“Unidentifiedvessels,”she

said.“Youarenotauthorizedtoflyinthissector.Pleasereportyourship’sidentificationcodesandthesystemunderwhichyouarelicensedoryouwillbetakenintocustody.Resistandyouwillbedestroyed.”

ShecouldimagineNash’sconsternation,butshehadn’tviolatedprotocol.Insteadshehadfollowedtheprocedureforunknownvessels,usuallysmall-timesmugglersor

pleasurecruisersgoneastray.Iftherebelshadthegoodsensetolie,thedogfightmightbestalledforaminuteortwo,longenoughforthemtogetaway.

ExceptNashwasalreadybringinghisTIEInterceptorupandaroundtocutofftheirmostlikelyescaperoute,andherplanwasruined.

Damn,Cienathought—beforeanothervoicecameoverthecommsandturned

herangerintohorror.Thanesaid,“Thisgalaxy

isn’tbigenough.”

MaybeCienawasright.MaybetheForcewasbringingthemtogether,overandover.

Ifso,Thanedecided,theForcehadasicksenseofhumor.

HehadnoideahowCienawouldanswer—whether

she’dsticktoofficialprocedureorshe’dspeaktohimasahuman,thewayhe’dspokentoher.Whenthecommunitcrackled,hetensed,butthefamiliarvoicecomingthroughwasn’tCiena’s.

“ThaneKyrell?”NashWindrider’sincredulitycamethroughloudandclear.“You’realive?”

“Hello,oldfriend.”Thanerefusedtolethimselfbe

overwhelmed.Cienawasrightthere—inoneofthoseTIEfighterssoaringtowardhim—andNashwasthere,too,andthiswasthelastfightheeverwantedtobein.Kendyhadtobebesideherself,butunliketherestofthem,shehadthegoodsensetokeephermouthshut.

ButCienasurelyfeltthesameway.Nashwould,too.MaybethisconfusionwouldbuyCoronaSquadronthe

timetheyneededtogetaway.Thane’sviewfinder

blurredwithmovement,andhiseyeswidenedasherealizedsomeonehadjustacceleratedaTIEfightertotopspeed.

“Ithoughtyouweredead,”Nashsaid,eachwordlowerandmoreragged.“Youwouldhavebeenbetteroffthatway.”

Somuchforthereunion.

Oneoftherebelsgetstolive.Cienaseizedontothat

factlikeatowlinethatcouldtakehertosafety.SavingThane’slifedidn’tviolateherduty;itwasherduty.Oneoftherebelshadtomakeitoutofthere,andsheintendedtouseeverythingshehadtomakesurehewasthesurvivor.

ButthatmeantshehadtostopNash,withouthisrealizingit.

Nashhadviolatedprotocolbyinitiatingbattlewithoutherorder,butnoonewouldreprimandhimfortargetingrebelshipsatanytime,inanyway.AlreadytheothertwoTIEshadacceleratedtoswoopinrightonhistail.CienathrewherownTIEintomaximumspeedandsethercourse.

IfIcomeinfromabove,itwilllooklikeI’mtriangulatingourweapons.If

Ichoosetherightangle,though,IcangetinNash’swayandstophisfire.

Itdidn’toccurtoCienatoworryaboutThanegettingblastedbeforeshehadachancetointervene.Inadogfight,superiorpilotingkeptyoualive—andnobodycouldeveroutflyhim.Nobodybesidesher…

Theengine’sroarfilledthecockpit,evenpenetratingherthickblackhelmet.Ciena

soareduphighenoughthattheviewfindershowedhertheX-wingsandthedebrisoftheplanetaryringassomuchglowingconfettion-screen—butasshediveddowntowardthem,theshapestookformagain.AlltheX-wingswerenowinfullevasiveaction,butoneofthemmovedwithmoreagility,executingaperfectspinthatthreadedthroughtheouteredgeofthering.Shetookadeepbreath

tosteadyherself.HerjobwasclearnowthatsheknewwhichshipbelongedtoThane.

ButNashhadtoknowit,too.

Thanewovehiswaythroughtheplanetaryring,trustingintheasteroidstotakeafewoftheblastsforhim.“Incomingfromvectoreight-one-two-eight—”Smikessounded

desperate.“Heavyfire!Agreenblasterbolt

shatteredarocksoclosetoThane’sX-wingthatsomeofthedebrissprayedthecockpit;foroneinstant,heimagineditshattering,exposinghimtothefatalvacuumofspace.Itheld.

“Everyonemovetopreestablishedhyperdrivecoordinates!”theContessaordered.

Thaneadded,“Forget

formations,gettherehoweveryoucan!”Formationflyingsometimesprovidedprotection—butinasituationlikethis,scatteringwouldgivethemachancetogetatleastacoupleofpeopletosafety.

Greenblasterfiresurroundedhim,andhefeltthetelltalejoltthatmeanthe’dbeenhit.Thaneheldhisbreathforthesecondsittooktoseethecontrolpanels

holdingsteady—noncriticaldamage.Thenexttimeheprobablywouldn’tbeaslucky.

“Rebelscum,”Nashsnarled.“Ican’tbelieveyou’deverstoopsolow.”

“Ican’tbelieveyou’restillwiththeEmpire,”Thaneretorted.“Theydestroyedyourplanet,Nash!Theykilledyourentirefamily!Howcanyou—”

“NeverspeakofAlderaan

tome!”BynowNash’sfuryhaddrivenhisvoicehalfwaytoascream.“Never!”

OnThane’sviewscreenhesawtheothermembersofCoronaSquadronlockedinbattlewithtwooftheTIEfighters—buttheyhadtheImperialswelloutnumberedbecausetwooftheTIEswereonlycomingafterThane.Hemusthavebeenwronglyidentifiedastheleader.

Whichoneofthegreen

blursonhisscreenwasCiena’sship?Wouldhekillherorseesomeoneelsedoitinfrontofhiseyes?OrmaybethiswasthedayshewouldfinallychoosetheEmpireoverhimbytakinghislife.

ThenaTIEfightercamedownfromabove,socloseThanesawitthroughthecockpitasclearlyasthroughhistargetingdevice—flyingbetweenhimandNash.

Theknowledgehithimsohardhischesthurt:Cienawastryingtosavehim.

“Getoutofmyway!”NashshoutedatCiena.

“Idon’ttakeordersfromyou,Lieutenant.”ShefiredinthegeneraldirectionofThane’sshipbutfiredtomiss.

OnherscreenshesawoneoftheTIEfightersvanish

—anotherpilotlostfornoreason—andthenthequickblurthatindicatedatleasttwooftherebelshipshadleapedintohyperspace.ThenoneoftheX-wingsvanishedaswell;theEmpirehaditsfirstkillofthebattle.

ThanewouldbeheadingdirectlytothecoordinateswherethefirstX-wingshadgoneintohyperspace.Cienaquicklyshiftedtrajectoryagain,intoabelievableangle

forattackbutonethatyetagainwouldinterferewithNash’stargeting.Shewasbetweenthemagain,shieldingThanewithherownship.

Nashfiredanyway.Hedidn’thither—butthe

boltscamecloseenoughtosetoffeverywarningsignal.Thelightsinhercockpitflashedred.Cienaswore.

WasNashangryenoughatThanetokillhimevenifhe

hadtogothroughCienafirst?

ThanesawtheopportunityCienahadgivenhimandtookit.Atfullpowerhespedtowardthecoordinates—sawthelastoftheotherX-wingsshudderintohyperspacejustinfrontofhim—andpreparedforthejumptolightspeed.

HeyearnedtosaysomethingtoCienabeforeheleft.Anything.Sheneededto

knowthatherealizedwhatshehaddoneforhim,andwhatitmeant.

ButsayinganythingwouldonlyexposehertoNashandtheotherTIEpilot.Cienahadprotectedhim;itwashisturntoprotectherbyremainingsilent.

BoltsrakedhisX-wing,andthistimehe’dtakendamage—butnottolifesupportorhyperdrive,sotohellwithit.Thaneset

coordinates,puthishandonthecontrol,andwentforit.

Thestarselongatedintoaninfinitetunnelashespedaway,leavingCienabehind.

ThaneallowedhimselfafewmomentsofsilenceafterwardbeforecheckinginwithCoronaSquadron.“CoronaFourreportingin.Howarewedoing?”

“Confirmed,CoronaFour,”theContessaanswered,hervoiceheavy.

“WelostSmikes.”Smikes—wary,

pessimistic,andyetsocourageous.Thanerealizedhehadnevermadeitclearhowmuchheadmiredthemandespitehiscurmudgeonlydemeanor;nowhewouldneverhavethechance.

“Hey,”Yendorsaidquietly.“ThatwasyourCienabackthere,wasn’tit?”

“Yeah.”

“Isawwhatshedidforyou.So—IgetwhyyouwenttoJelucannow.”

Kendyadded,“Youwereright,Thane.She’sstillCiena.”

ItwastheclosestthingtoanapologyThanewouldevergetforthewaytheothershadshunnedhim,anditwasmorethanhedeserved.

WasCienaintroublenow?Wouldtheyquestionher?Thanewonderedifshe

wouldhavetofacetheEmpire’sinterrogators.Thethoughthorrifiedhim.

Butifanyonewassmartenoughtocomeupwithanexplanationandsaveherself,itwasCiena.Hehadtobelieveinher.

CienatookherTIEfighterinwithoutexchangingonemorewordwithNashWindrider.Nodoubthewouldbelivid;

hewouldreporthertoPiettimmediately.

Thankfully,shecouldsayshehadbeenactingunderorders,andPiettwouldneverknowthedifference.Itoccurredtoher,however,thatPiettmightnotacknowledgetheordershe’dgivenher.Ifthemission’sobjectivehadtoremaincompletelysecret,wouldshebesacrificed,too?WouldtheEmpireexecutealoyalofficerforherloyaltyif

itfurtheredtheirends?OnceCienawouldhave

believedthattobeimpossible.Notanylonger.

Sheremovedherhelmet,tookadeepbreath,andunlockedherhatch.Whateverwouldbefallhernext,shehadnochoicebuttofaceit.

AsshehoppeddownfromtheTIE,shesawNashstridingtowardher,hiseyesblazingwithanger.Cienafoundherselfwishingfora

blaster.InsteadshestoodhergroundasNashcameuptoher,lookedherintheface,andgatheredherinhisarms.

“Ican’tbelievehedidthattoyou,”Nashsaid.“Knowingyoulovedhim,toleaveyoulikethat—tofakehisdeathandputyouthroughyearsofanguish—it’sbeneathcontempt.”

CienasimplyhuggedNashbackaswellasshecouldmanagewithbothof

themstillwearingarmor.Shewasgratefulforthechancetohideherfaceagainsthischest.

“Forgivemeforshoutingatyou.Irealizenowyoumusthavebeensoshaken,soheartbroken—well,itwouldaffectanyone’sflying,evenyours.YouwereevenmoreeagertokillThanethanIwas.”Nashsighedashepulledbackfarenoughtolookherintheface.The

angershe’dseenbeforehadmeltedintopity.“Ishouldhaveletyoudothehonors.IfI’dbeenthinkingstraight,Iwouldhave.”

“Ijustcan’tbelieveit,”Cienasaid,whichwasbothtrueandsafe.

“Thatlowlife.Weneverreallyknewhimatall,didwe?”Nashstraightenedup.“Right,then.We’llhavetoreportin.Thiswon’tgowell.”

Itdidn’t.Theywereshoutedatforsometimeabouttheirfailuretodestroyalltherebelships;PiettacknowledgedCiena’ssecretsuccesswithonlyanodattheend,whennobodyelsewaslooking.Afterward,Cienastrippedoffherarmor,tookaquickshower,andtriedtocalmherthoughts.

Thanecouldhavediedtoday.Nashwouldhavekilledhim.

ShakenasshewastohaveencounteredThaneincombat,Cienawascomfortedbytheknowledgethathe’dgottenawaysafely.Iftheynevermetagain,hislastmemoryofherwouldbethemomentshe’dsavedhislife.Asshestoodtherebeneaththewarmwater,handsbracedagainstthemetal-tiledwalls,shedecidedshecouldbearthat.

ButNash?Howcouldhe

havebeensohomicidallyfuriousatThane?Sheunderstoodthesenseofbetrayal—shehadfeltittoo,thedayshe’drealizedThanehadjoinedtheRebelAlliance.Evenwhenshehadalmosthatedhim,though,shehadstilllovedhim,too.WhereasNashhadmournedhisfriendforyears,discoveredhewasalive,andinstantlybeenreadytokillhim.

Thatwasn’tloyaltytotheEmpire.Thatwas…fanaticism.

Theenginesshiftedagain,changingtheslightvibrationbeneathherfeet.They’djustcomeoutofhyperspace.Cienawaschagrinedtorealizeshe’dbeensocaughtupinherownthoughtsthatshehadn’tevennoticedwhentheywenttohyperspaceinthefirstplace.

Shetoweledoffand

tuggedonheroff-shiftjumpsuitsoshecouldgetalookatwhatwasgoingon.Arowoftriangularwindowslinedthewallclosesttothehead,soCienacouldsimplylookoutsideforherself.Noothershipshadmadethejourneywiththem,itseemed.WhywouldtheyeverleavetheImperialconvoy?

TomakesomethingreadyfortheEmperor’sarrival.Thatwastheobviousanswer.

Butwhat?Cienaturnedherhead,studyingtheentirestarfield,andsawthattheyweredrawingnearaplanet,oneorbitedbyalargemoonsogreenandcloudythatsheassumeditwasrichwithforestlife.Andyetsomethingseemedtobeorbitingthatmoon,somethingvastanddark—

Thensherealizedwhatshewaslookingatandgasped.

Itcan’tbe.Theywouldneverdothatagain.

Buttheyhad.Cienacouldn’tdenywhatshesaw—

—asecondDeathStar.

CIENA’SHANDSHADgonenumb,butstillshestoodthere,palmsagainstthewindow,staringatthenewDeathStar.

Whywouldtheyeverbuildanotherone?Itwasonlytostopthewarbeforeit

began—anditfailed—sowhy?

Sheknewtheanswerbutcouldnotyetacceptit.Insteadshestaredatthemassivehulkofthespacestation,whichonlyseemedtogrowlargerastheExecutordrewclose.Cienahadoftenwonderedhowsuchagargantuanstructurecouldbebuiltinthefirstplace;eventheenormousresourcesoftheEmpirehadtobestrainedby

theconstructionofsomethingthesizeofalargemoon.Nowshecouldseetheprocessforherself,becausethisDeathStarhadnotyetbeencompleted.Greatsectionsremainedunfinished,andshecouldstareintothegutsofthething,anuglycrosshatchofbeamsandstrutssurroundingdeep,hollowdarkness.

HerownwordsinaValentiacantinaechoedin

hermemory,tauntingher:TheEmperorandtheMoffshavetosee,now,thatdestroyingAlderaandidnogood.Itdidn’tstoptheRebellion.…TheonlyreasontoattackAlderaanwastopreventanevenmoredevastatingwar.Thewarhasbegunanyway.It’stoolatetosavethegalaxyfromthat.

Nootherreasoncouldeverjustifythedestructionofanentireplanet,orthedeaths

ofbillionsofpeople.OnlybyrestoringgalacticpeacecouldtheEmpireredeemthosedeaths.

Butnowmoreworldswouldbedestroyedfornoreason—excepttocausepainandfear.

Maybethey’redoingthistofinallyendthewar,Cienathought.Buttheexcusewastoofeebleforhertobelieveevenforaninstant.IftheRebellionhadn’tbeencowed

bythedestructionofAlderaan,thenthedeathsofotherplanetswouldn’tstopit,either.Instead,thiswouldincitemorepeopletojointherebelcause.Thiswouldn’tendthewar;itwouldintensifyitbeyondallimagining.

WheneverCienahadanightmareaboutAlderaan,shescouredawayherdoubtsbyrememberingJude.Herfriend’slosshadalways

helpedCienabalancethescalesinhermind—torecallthatmassivedeathanddestructionhadbeencausedbybothsidesintheconflict.Today,however,shecouldonlythinkthatifJudehadseenthesecondDeathStar,shewouldhaverecoiledfromit.

Shewouldneverhavewantedthisdoneinhername.Never.

Thecoldhadleached

throughtoCiena’sbones.Finally,shepulledherachinghandsbackfromthewindow,rubbingtheminhopesofrestoringbloodflow.Butnomatterhowhardshetried,shecouldn’tgetwarmagain.

OncehershuttlefromtheExecutorhaddockedontheDeathStar,Cienacouldseeforherselfhowmuchhadinfactbeencompleted.From

theoutside,theenormousunfinishedhemispheredominatedtheview.Inside,however,theywereanchoredbyawhollyfunctionaltractorbeam,disembarkedontoadeckthatwasnotonlyfinishedbutpolished,andwalkedintoaspacestationasadvancedasanyotherintheImperialStarfleet.TheyhadpreparedwellfortheEmperor’sarrival.

“Sowe’refinallysenior

enoughtogettoseetheEmperorhimself.”Berissecoveredhermouthwithherfingers,tryingandfailingtoconcealasmile.“Idon’tknowwhatI’msoexcitedabout.We’llbecrowdedinwithanotherfewthousandofficers.Probablywe’llhaveaworseviewthanthebackrowatapodracingarena.”

Nashhad,asusual,falleninstepbesidethem.Eversincethedogfightinthe

Hudallasystem,hehadbeenmoreattentivetoCienathanever.“Still,we’llbeabletotellourgrandchildrenaboutthedaywesawPalpatineforourselves.Andabigceremony—well,itmakesawelcomechange,doesn’tit?Justwhatyouneeded,Ciena.Somethingtocheeryouup.”

She’dbeenhearingvariationsonthateversinceHudalla.Theironywasthatshedidhaveabrokenheart—

justnotforthereasonshebelieved.

YetthatminorirritationhardlymatterednexttoCiena’sconsternation.HowcantheytalkabouttheceremonyfortheEmperor?Howdoesanyofthatmattercomparedwiththefactwe’restandinginsideaDeathStar?

Thenshecheckedherself.Yes,theywerestandinginsideaDeathStar,surroundedbyhundredsof

otherofficers—somestationedthere,othersfromtheadvancevesselssenttoreadyanappropriateceremonyfortheEmperor’sarrival.Surelysomeofthemsharedherdoubts,butotherswouldnot.Publiclyvoicingheroppositionwouldsendherstraighttothebrig.Shecouldlearnfromherfriends’self-control.

SoCienaremainedquietuntilthethreeofthem

miraculouslywoundupaloneinalift.Hercommand-tracktraininghadtaughtherthatlisteningdeviceswererarelyputinmilitaryliftsduetofrequencychanges,sotalkingtherewaslikelysafe.Assoonasthedoorsslidshut,shesaid,“Ican’tbelievetheybuiltanotherDeathStar.”

Berisseshruggedassheleanedagainstthewall,nolongermilitaryproper.“Ican’tbelievetheydiditthis

soon.Howlongdoesittaketoconstructoneofthese?TheymusthavestartedrightaftertheBattleofYavin.Goodforthem.”

Cienarefusedtobelieveshe’dheardthatright.“…goodforthem?”

“Well,wehadtorebuildtheDeathStar.Imean,comeon!”Berisse’sfrownrevealedhowconfusedshewasbyCiena’sreaction.“Thesinglebiggestandmostpowerful

stationeverconstructedingalactichistory,anditgetsblownupbyrebelscum?Re-creatingtheDeathStaristheonlywaywecouldeverhonorourpeoplewhodiedatYavin.Ifwehadn’trebuiltit,thentheterroristswouldhavewon.”

“Youdon’tseemtoagree,Ciena.”Nash’stonewaslight,butshecouldseehowintentlyhewaslookingather.“Whatdoyouthink?”

Sherealizedshe’dbeguntosweat.“Ithink—Ithinkthatifwe’vebuiltaDeathStar,weplantouseit.Thatanotherworldwilldie,justlikeAlderaandid.”

Berissescoffed.“Noway.Oncethestation’scompleteandwordgetsout?NobodywilleverdefytheEmperorlikethatagain.TheRebellion’sgoingtomeltaway.Waitandsee.”

EvenamidstCiena’smost

painfuldoubtsaboutImperialtactics,shehadbelievedthatruleoflawwasalwaysbetterthanchaos—evenwhenthatlawwasharsh.ButthefutureBerissedescribedwasnotruleoflaw.Itwasrulebyfear,andthereforetyranny.EventhedarkestatrocitiesoftheCloneWarsdidnotcomparewiththedestructionofaninhabitedworld.

AndwhatdiditmeanthatCienawasafraidtosaythat

outloud,eventoherclosestfriends?

Shetriedtofindtherightwordstomakethemunderstand.“WhenAlderaanwasdestroyed,wethoughtitwouldforcetheRebelliontosurrender.Thatwecouldpreventthiswar.Butwe’vebeenatwarforthreeyearsanyway.”AndifsomeoneascynicalasThanecanfindrebelleaderstofollowandadmire,theRebelAlliance

won’tvanishaseasilyasyouthink.“Don’tyousee?Thosetacticsdidn’twork.Ifthisstationisn’tusedtoprotecttheEmpire’scitizensfromwar,thenhowcanwejustifyit?”

Nashstoodupstraighter,hiseyesnarrowing.Whenheansweredher,hisvoicegaveherchills.“AreyousayingthatAlderaanwasdestroyedinvain?Fornothing?”

Cienaheldupherhands.

“Nash,please,Idon’tmeanto—”

“Listentome,”hesaid.“AlderaanhadtodiefortheEmpire’struepowertobeacknowledged.Myhomeworld’sendwasalsotheendoftheImperialSenate,theendofthecountlesspettypowerstrugglesthathadplaguedPalpatine’searlyreign.OnlythenwastheEmpire’struestrengthrevealed.”

Hisgazehadbecomeglazed,almostunfocused,likethatofsomeonesufferingfromafever.ThiswaswhathisfacemusthavelookedlikeduringtheHudalladogfight.

Nashcontinued,“Thiswarisonlytheaftermathoftheconflictsthathaverackedthegalaxyduringthepastcentury,thefinaluselessgaspofthosewhowouldopposeus.Throughsheerstupid

luck,therebelsmanagedtodestroythefirstDeathStar.ByrebuildingtheDeathStar,andusingitasmanytimesasnecessarytorestoreorder,weprovethattheirluckonlygoessofar.Weprovethatwearetheonlygalacticauthorityandalwayswillbe.”

TheliftdoorsslidopentothedeckofthesmallerdockingbaythatwouldsoonwelcometheEmperor.Countlessofficersfilledthe

corridors,acrushthatprecludedanyhopeofspeakingfreely.Cienafeltvulnerable.Anyofthesepeoplecouldandwouldexposeherasatraitor—evenhertwobestfriends.

ThenNash’shandsclosedgentlyaroundhershoulders.“You’restillnotyourself,”hesaid.“AfterlearninghowThaneliedtoyou,ofcourseyou’resecond-guessingwhoyoucantrust,maybeeven

what’sreal.”“Thatdogfightwasoneof

theworstmomentsofmylife,”shesaid.Atleastshecouldsaythatwithtotalhonesty.

“Trustinyourservice.Trustinus.Aboveall,trustintheoathyoutookwhenwegraduatedfromtheacademy.Yourintegritydefinesyou,Ciena.Youwon’tgowrongifyouonlystaytrue.”Nashsmileddownatherintheway

thatusuallymadeherthinkupanexcusetoleavetheroom.Thesamecrushshe’dtriedsohardtodiscouragehadbecomeherbestshieldagainstachargeoftreason.

Berisse,meanwhile,hadalreadymovedon.“Whatarewewaitingfor?TheEmperor’sshuttlewillbeheresoon.Let’sgetittogether!”

Duringthenextcoupleofhoursofinstructionsand

formations,Cienastoodseparatelyfromherfriends;commandershadamarginallybetterposition,thoughhundredsofcaptains,admirals,andtopgunnersstillstoodinfrontofher.Numbly,shedidwhateverwasaskedofher,shiftingpositionastheorganizersthoughtbetterofit.Atleastitwassomethingtodo.Shetriedtooccupyhermindbyobservingthepowerplayamongthevarious

membersofthetopbrass,buteventhatdidn’thelp.Seeinghowpettytheirconcernswere,andhowoftentheybetrayedfearofLordVader’sanger,onlyremindedCienathattheImperialStarfleetshe’dservedwasnottheoneshe’dbelievedinallthistime.

Finally,thehourcame.LordVaderstrodeout,blackcapebillowingbehindhim;fromadistance,thewhiteshuttlecraftlookedlikeastar.

Asitcamecloser,Cienacouldseethedistinctivegraystripeonitsnose,themarkingthatinformedeveryonethiswastrulytheEmperorarriving.

ToCiena’ssurprise,LordVaderbowedasfiguresbegantodescendfromtheshuttle.Noneoftheotherofficerswererequiredtobow.Whatcouldthatmean?ButthequestionwaswipedfromhermindasEmperor

Palpatinecameintoview.Palpatine’sfaceappeared

oncountlessholoseverysingleday.LikeanyoneelseintheEmpire,shecouldhavedescribedhimaswellasshecouldmembersofherownfamily.Hairalmostentirelygraybutstillthick,facebetrayingonlytheslightestlinesofcareandtime,hisposturestraight,hiseyessharp.Inotherwords,thefaceshowntotheworldhad

nothingtodowiththereality.Ciena’seyeswidenedasshetookinthefacehisheavyhooddidnotentirelyconceal—theunnaturalpalenessofhisskin,theinhumanfoldsandwrinkles.Hewalkedthroughthebaywithhisbackhunchedandwithoutsomuchasawordorglancetowardthehundredsofloyalofficersassembledtogreethim.

Don’tbepetty.Sohe’sgrownolder.That’sonly

natural!AndsurelytheEmperorhasotherthingsonhismindthansomesillyceremony—

Therationalizationsdidn’twork.WhatshookCienawasn’tmerelytheEmperor’sappearance;itwasthesenseofalmostdepthlessmalicethatradiatedfromhim,sostronglyshecouldhavereeled.Evenfromadistance,Palpatineawakenedinheraphysicaldread—

primitiveinstinctstellinghertoescapeorfight.

Onlyoneotherpersonhadevermadeherfeelthatway:DarthVader.CienahadalwaystoldherselfthatVaderwasanaberration,uniqueintheEmpire.Sofarasitwent,thatwastrue.Butthemostterrifyingthingabouthim,theconstantsenseofmalevolenceanddangerheinspired—thatwassharedbythemostpowerfulpersonin

thegalaxy.IsthiswhoI’vebeen

servingallalong?

Thisisabaddream.Didn’twork.Thanecould

feeltheironbenchbeneathhim,smellthegrease-and-ozonescentoftherepairbay.Everymundanedetailmadeitclearhewaswideawake.

Thisisatest.Adrill.TheAllianceleaderswanttofind

outwhatwe’ddowhenconfrontedwiththeworst-casescenario.

Noway.Theywouldn’triskpullingtogethertheentirerebelarmadaforameredrill.

Butifitwasn’tanightmareanditwasn’tadrill,itwastheundeniable,horribletruth:theEmpirehadbuiltasecondDeathStar.

Thanecouldthinkofwordsfromthreedozen

worldstodescribehowhefelt,eachepithetmoreobscenethanthelast.Buthelackedthebreathtospeakanyofthem.HecouldonlystareattherotatingholoinfrontoftheX-wingsquadronsastheyreceivedtheirbriefingfromGeneralMadine.

“Exactlyhowaretheygoingtotakecareoftheshieldgenerator?”Kendyasked.“They’llhavedozensoftroopersdownontheforest

moonofEndor,ifnothundreds—”

“GeneralSolowilltakeoverfromMajorLokmarcha,whowaskilledinaction.Solo’steamonthemoonofEndorwillhandletheshieldgenerator.Eachpersoninvolvedinthisassaulthasenoughtodoontheirownwithoutworryingaboutsomeoneelse’sjob,CoronaFive,”Madinesaidsternly.

Thanewhisperedto

Yendor,“WhothehellisGeneralSolo?”

“Youknow.HanSolo!CaptainoftheMillenniumFalcon?”

Theshipnamesoundedvaguelyfamiliar,butThanecouldn’tquiteplaceit.

Yendor’seyeswidenedwithdisbelief.“Comeon!He’soneoftheguyswhorescuedPrincessLeiafromthefirstDeathStar.Yourememberthat,right?”

“Iwasn’twiththeRebellionthen.Ididn’tjoinuntilrightbeforeHoth.”

“Oh.IguessCaptainSologotcapturedbyabountyhunterrightafterHoth.”Yendor’slekkudrooped.“Soyouwouldn’tknowhim—but,hey,he’soneofthebest.”

“Indeedheis,”interruptedGeneralMadine,whohadapparentlyoverheardtheirentire

conversation.BothThaneandYendorfacedforwardandsatupstraight.“GeneralSolowillbejoinedontheforestmoonstriketeambyPrincessLeiaOrganaandLukeSkywalker.They’llhavethatshielddown.”

LukeSkywalker,again.Thanemanagedtokeepfromrollinghiseyes.ButPrincessLeiaheadmired.Ifhecouldtrustanyone,hecouldtrusther.

GeneralMadinecontinued,“Meanwhile,GeneralCalrissianwillbeleadingthestarfightersdivingintothecoreoftheDeathStar.ThedispersaloftheImperialfleetgivesusthisunprecedentedchancetostrike.Duetotheunfinishedconstruction,thestation’smainreactorremainsexposedandvulnerable.AstriketeamshouldbeabletopenetratetheDeathStarandfireinto

thatreactor,settingoffachainreactionthatwilldestroythestationbeforeiteverhasachancetobecomeoperational.”

AndwhoisthisGeneralCalrissian?Thanedecidednottoaskthatquestionoutloud.IftheRebelAlliancewashappyturningoveritstwomostcriticalmissionsofalltimetoabunchofbrand-newgenerals,okay,fine—

“CoronaSquadron,your

missionistocoverGeneralCalrissianintheMillenniumFalconandtheotherstarfightersintheGold,Red,Green,andGraySquadronsastheypenetratetheDeathStar,”Madinecontinued.“ThefewerTIEfighterstheyhavetofightontheirwayin,thebettertheirchancesofacleanhitandagetawayfortheentirefleet.Thismeansyou’llbedealingwithTIEfirefrombothinsideand

outsidethespacestation,aswellaspotentiallong-rangefirefromanylargershipstheEmpirecandeploy.”

Atsomepointinthenearfuture,Thanefigured,hewouldcompletelyfreakoutatthethoughtofgoingintobattleagainstaDeathStar.Rightnow,hecouldhardlycomprehendtheexistenceofthedamnedthing.

HehadbelievedCienanaiveforarguingthatthe

Empirewouldneveragaintrytodestroyanotherworld.OnlynowdidThanerealizethat,onsomelevel,hehadbelievedit,too.ThethoughtofanotherAlderaanwastoomuchtowraphismindaround.Nomatterhowlongtheoddsagainstthem,theRebellionhadtoattack.Fromnowon,thiswasnotonlythemostimportantbattletheyhadtofight—itwastheonlybattlethatwouldevermatter.

Afterthebriefinghewalkedthroughthemainhangar,whichhadbecomeafrenzyofactivity.Althoughmanypilotswerecheckingouttheirships,othersweremakingapointofhuggingfriends,shakinghands.Sayinggood-bye,justincase.

ThanestoppedbytheMoafirst,whereheshookBrill’spawandMethwat’slong-fingeredhandandforoncehuggedLohgarraas

tightlyasshehuggedhim.ButonememberoftheMoa’screwturnedouttobewithCoronaSquadron.

“I’veneededanewastromechforawhile,”YendorsaidasJJH2wasloweredintopositionaboardtheX-wing.“Yousaidthisguyisthebest.”

JJH2beepedinquisitively,andThanesmiledatthelittledroiddespitehimself.“Yeah,IsaiditandImeantit.Take

careofeachotheroutthere,okay?”

AsYendorandJJH2checkedoutsystemstogether,Thaneclimbedintohisship.He’dalreadygivenhisX-wingathoroughgoing-overaftertheHudalladogfight;hehadnothingtodobutsitinhiscockpitandwaitfortheordertoflyintocombatagainstaDeathStar—whichsoundedalotlikecommittingsuicide.

TheRebelAlliancehadmanagedtodestroythefirstDeathStar,butthey’dgottenluckyandtheyhadtoknowit.Adesignflawwithanexhaustport?Whatweretheodds?Thaneshookhisheadasheimaginedit.AsaformerImperialofficer,heknewverywellhowthatkindofoversightwouldbepunished.NoengineerwhohadworkedonthesecondDeathStarwouldmakeasimilar

mistake.Thisstationwouldbeevenstrongerthanthefirst.

Foramomentherememberedbeingabrand-newgraduateoftheRoyalAcademyonCoruscant,flyingtowardhispostingontheDeathStar.Whenhehadfirstseenthestation,thesheerscaleofithadawedhimlikenothingbefore.HestillfounditdifficulttobelievethatthefirstDeath

Starhadfallen,orthatthesecondoneevercould.

Theold,cynicalvoiceinhisheadwhispered,Youknow,youcouldcutoutofhere.All-volunteermilitary,remember?

ButThanedidn’tlistentothatvoicemuchanymore.TheothermembersofCoronaSquadronandthecrewoftheMoawereascloseashehadtoafamilynow—maybetheclosesthe’deverhad.He

mightnotsharehiscomrades’wishfulthinking,buthe’dbedamnedifhe’dabandonthemontheeveofthemostdangerousbattlethey’deverfaced.

AndiftheEmpirewon,condemningthegalaxytoaneternityofitsharsh,corruptrule?

Thanedecidedhe’drathergodownfighting.

IthadbeentwodayssinceCienahadfirstseentheDeathStarandtheEmperor,andthosetwodayshadallbutdestroyedher.

Eachhorrifyingrealizationstruckheratadifferentmoment,andnosoonerhadshethoughtshecouldbearonethananotherwouldunderminehercompletely.TheEmperor’shorrifyingpresence—theunjustconvictionofher

mother—NashandBerisse’sunquestioningacceptanceofgenocideasamilitarytactic—themanypilotswhohaddiedfornoreason,theirliveswastedbyacommandthatdidn’tcare—andThane,evennowatriskfromtheEmpireeverydayofhislife.

Hewasrightaboutsomanythings,shethoughtdullyasshewentthroughthemotionsofhermonthlyphysical.Themedicaldroid’s

coldsensorsallowedhertoexcusehershudderingasashiver.IwishIcouldtellhimthat.

CienastillhadnotforgiventheRebellionforJude’sdeath.Nordidshebelieveitofferedanyhopeofeffectivegovernment.However,whileshewouldnevercontemplatejoiningtherebelsherself,shenowunderstoodhowThanecouldhavedoneso.

“Thisisn’taboutwhetherornotwe’vekeptfaithwiththeEmpire,”ThanehadsaidtoherasheheldhercloseintheFortress.“It’saboutwhethertheEmpirehaskeptfaithwithus.”

Anoathofloyaltyremainedbindingevenwhenthesubjectprovedunworthy.Itsimplybecamemorebitter.

JustasCienaslippedbackintoheruniform,analertbegantoechothroughthe

ship.“AllpilotstoTIEfighters,immediately.”

Whatwasthatabout?Cienadidn’tthinktherebelscouldpossiblyknowaboutthestationyet,ifthesecrethadbeenkeptsoeffectivelythatevenhigh-rankingofficersontheExecutorhadnotknown.ProbablyitwasadrillorsomeotherdisplayoffirepowertoshowoffforPalpatine.Itmadenodifference;shewantedtobea

partofit.Morethananythingelse,sheneededtofly.

BynowCiena’sdutiesrarelyrequiredhertopilotanythingsmallerthanatransportshuttle,andthoseonlyrarely.Butshe’dalwayskeptherskillssharp,andshecouldvolunteerforTIEdutyatanypoint.

Immediately,shewenttotheship’sflightcommander,whoseemedstrangely…smug.“Isee,Commander,”

hesaid,histhinsmilesnakingacrosshisface.“Ofcourseyouwanttobeapartofthis.Somethingtotellthegrandchildren,hm?”

Yeah,onetimeIshowedofffortheloathsome,repellentEmperorwhoblewupentireplanets.Cienasaidonly,“Mynextdutyshiftissixhoursaway,sir.I’mreadytoservenow.”

“Yourcouragewillnotgounrecognized,Commander

Ree.Reporttolaunchingbaynineimmediately.”

AsCienastrappedontheblackarmorofaTIEpilot,shetoldherselfitwouldallbeokaysoon,becauseshe’dbeflying.Flightremainedhergreatestjoyandheronlyescape.Onceshewasaloft,soaringthroughspace,she’dbefreeofallhercrushingdoubts.Ifonlyforthosefewminutes,shewouldbeherselfagain.

Inthemeleeofpreparation,shecaughtaglimpseofNash,whogaveheraroguishsmile.Hestillbelievedinher.ButthepangofguilthadfadedbeforeCienahadevenclimbedintohercockpit.Whateverelsehappenedinthefuture,sheintendedtokeepherdistancefromanyoneshe’dknownbefore.Perhapsshecouldputinforsomeisolatedbackwaterposting—thekind

ofjobnobodywanted,somethingeasyforhertoget—andmaybeaplacewhereshecouldactuallydosomegood.

Helmet:locked.Engines:fullpower.Cienawaitedforhersquadron’ssignal,thenflewupandoutofthedockingbay.Hundredsofotherfighterssurroundedher,makingprecisionflyingnecessary.Yetshefounditsoothing,eventhevibration

androarwithinthecockpit.Takeoffalwaysfeltlikecastingoffshacklesandbreakingfree.

ForamomentshethoughtofsoaringovertheJelucanimountainsintheoldV-171,Thanebehindher,thetwoofthemflyingasone….

Thensheshiftedtowidersensorsandgasped.

CienahadknownhundredsofTIEfightersweretakingflight.Whatshehad

notguessedwasthatcountlessotherImperialcraftweremassednearby,aswell,includingseveralStarDestroyers.Itwasbeyondanythingshe’dexpected,evengreaterthantheattackforcesenttoHoth.

Thenthepiecescametogether.

We’reexpectingmajoraction,andsoon.Thatmeanstherebelsarecoming.

Iftherebelsarecoming,

theyknowabouttheDeathStarandtheEmperor.Andifwehavethistremendousaforcewaitingforthem,wewantedthemtoknow.

That’swhyPiettorderedmetomakesureoneoftheX-wingsgotaway.HeneededsomeonetoreporttheEmperor’smovementstotheRebellion.Weweresettingatrapallalong.

She’dalwaysunderstoodthatonsomelevel—whyelse

lettherebelsgofree,ifnottofilltheirheadswithfalseintel?Butshe’dthoughtitnomorethanafeinttocovertheEmperor’slocation.YetthetraptheEmpirehadlaidmusthavebeenlargerandmoreelaborate;she’dbeenonlyonetinypartofit.Thiswasn’tanyordinarymilitaryaction.ThiswasthedaytheEmpireplannedtodestroytheRebellionforgood.

EvenasCiena’shands

tightenedonthecontrols,herscreenwentcrazy,spillingoutsomuchdatashecouldhardlytakeitallin.InthespacesurroundingtheDeathStarandEndor’smoon,thousandsofshipshadmaterializedinaninstant.

TheRebelAlliancehadcome,andtheEmpirewasreadyforthem.

“MAYTHEFORCEBEWITHUS.”

AdmiralAckbar’svoicecrackledoverthecommunitastherebelarmadaheadedtowardtheDeathStar.NowthatThanesawitforhimself,hehadtobelieve—buthe

alsosawhowincompleteitstillwas.Theyweren’tgoingupagainstaDeathStar,justtheshellofone.Thinkingofitthatwayhelped.

Okay,itdidn’thelpthatmuch.Atthemoment,however,Thanewouldtakewhathecouldget.

Theshieldgeneratorshouldbedownbynow,hetoldhimselfashecheckedhissensors.We’llgettheordertoproceedanysecondnow.

Theorderdidn’tcome.Andhewasn’tgettingany

readingontheshieldatall—upordown.Thanefrownedashetappedhiscontrols.Thiswouldbeabadtimetodevelopasystemsfailure.

ThenGeneralCalrissian’svoicecutthroughsharply.“Breakofftheattack!Theshieldisstillup!”

Thanesworeunderhisbreath.WhathadhappenedtotheEndorteam?

“Pullup!”Calrissiancontinued.“Allcraftpullup!”

AstheycurvedawayfromtheDeathStar,Thanepreparedtoleapbackintohyperspaceforthehumiliatingbutnecessaryescape.ThenheheardAdmiralAckbar’svoiceagain.“Takeevasiveaction!”

Kendyspokenext.“Sectorforty-seven—they’rehere.”

Thanewentcoldashe

sawwhatawaitedthem:itlookedlikehalftheImperialfleet,includingdozensofStarDestroyers.

TheRebelAlliancehadjustarrivedatitsownexecution.

Cienathought,Atleastitwillbequick.

HerTIEfighterrushedforwardwiththeresttoengagetherebelfleet.The

incredibledisparityinstrengthconvincedhertheEmpirecouldwinthisbattlewithinminutes.Evenassheobeyedorderstotargetthemedicalfrigate,however,shenoticedtheStarDestroyersweremakingnomovetojointhecombat.Whyamassthismuchfirepowerandholdback?

ThenshesawtheDeathStar’slaserbegintoglowgreenandhadheranswer.

Shetensed,expectingEndororitsmoontoexplode.Instead,thelaserhitoneofthelargerrebelcruisers.Instantly,theshipwasobliterated.

Ifthestationisfullyoperational,whybothersendingusouttofight?

Onceagain,itwasonlytheater.Onlyashow.TIEpilotswoulddiebythedozens,ifnothundreds,whennotoneofthemwastruly

neededhere.TheDeathStarcouldhaveeliminatedtherebelsonitsown.ButPalpatinewantedeveryadmiralandgeneraltowitnessthismomentandbelievetheirEmperorunstoppable.

Wedieforhisglory,shethoughtbitterly.Whichmeanswediefornothing.Again.

Flyingintoabattlewithno

hopeofsurvivalturnedouttobethesecrettokickingass.

Thane’smind-sethadkepthimfromlosinghiscoolwhenthey’drealizedtheshieldgeneratorwasstilloperational,andwhenhe’dseenhowmuchoftheImperialStarfleethadbeenbroughttogetherfortheexpresspurposeofblastingtheRebelAlliancetoatoms.He’devenbeenabletoholdsteadywhentheDeathStar

destroyedtheLiberty—theshipCoronaSquadronhadcalledhomeformonths.ThanerememberedthefriendlyMonCalamariwhohadwelcomedthem;everysingleonehadbeenkilledinaninstant.

NotthatThane’schancesofsurvivalweremuchbetter.Thewayhesawit,theEmpirewasgoingtokillhimtodaynomatterwhathedid.Hisonlygoalwastomake

theImperialspayforit,withblood.

Overthespeaker,GeneralCalrissianorderedthesmallershipstogetincloseontheStarDestroyers—presumablybecausethatwouldkeepthemsafefromtheDeathStar.Thanecouldhavelaughed.LikeyouwereanysafernexttoaStarDestroyer.Still,hewasgladforthechancetoseethedamagehehadcaused.

“I’mgoingincloseonthe

engines,”theContessasaidovercomms.“Who’swithme?”

Thanebracedhimself.“CoronaFour,rightbehindyou.”

“CoronaFive,too.Let’sdoit!”ThatwasKendy,whosoundedalmostcheerfulaboutthechancetowreaksomemayhem.

Yendordidn’tevenansweroutloud,butsensorsshowedhimacceleratingso

fasthewasgoingtogettotheDestroyerbeforeThanedid.OratleasthewouldhaveifThanehadn’ttakentheenginesallthewaytomaximumanddivedstraighttowardtherearoftheship.

ThemammothshieldingofaStarDestroyercouldtakeintenselevelsofweaponsfirewithoutdamage.Theengines,however—youcouldgetatthose.Theyweretoodeeplyencasedwithinthe

impregnableshiptobedestroyed,butevenslowingtheshipdownordenyingthecrewfullpowerwouldhelpinabattle.

Let’sseehowtheylikebeingstrandedinspaceforawhile.Thanegrinnedasheswoopedaroundtheback,therestofCoronaSquadronjustbehindhim.

Hisoldacademytrainingreturned;itwasasiftheschematicsholosfromLarge

VesselDesignglowedinfrontofhimagain,showinghimtheexactspotstohit.Thanezeroedinandfired,againandagain.Atthatrate,he’drunhispowerdowntoofartojumpintohyperspaceforaretreat—butthatdidn’tmatteranylonger.ItlookedliketheentireRebellionwoulddietoday;Thaneonlyhopedtogooutfighting.

Hemadehishits,butKendydidevenbetter.She

alwayswasthebestsharpshooterintheclass,hethoughtashesawasmalljetofsparksflarealongthesideofoneStarDestroyerenginefortheinstantittookthevacuumofspacetosnuffitout.

AswarmofTIEfightersslicedthroughtheirformation,socloseThaneglimpsedaflashofonethroughthecockpit.Hedidn’tflinch,justpressedhisfinger

downonthefiringbutton.TheEmpiredoesn’teven

givethosepilotsanyshields.Onehitandtheyblow.HefiredtwiceandwasrewardedwiththesprayofsparksandtheblurofaTIEfighterspinningwildlyoutofcontrol.

Whatnext?Maybeheshoulddiveforthemainbridge,justsmashhisX-wingthroughitandtakeanImperialadmiralintodeath

withhim—“Theshieldgeneratoris

down!Repeat,theshieldgeneratorisdown!”

ThanehadfiguredtheEndorteamfordead.Damn,hethought.Thoseguyspulleditoff!HefoundhimselfimaginingPrincessLeiaasthelonevictor.Probablyshe’dblownthatshieldgeneratorawaywithagrinonherface.

GeneralCalrissiansaidto

thefleet,“Allfighters,followme!”

“Let’sgo!”theContessashoutedoverthecomms.Nothingfrostyabouthernow—shewasreadyforblood.“CoronaSquadron,let’sheadin.”

“CoronaFour,ready.”Hegrinnedastheyregroupedintoformationandheadedstraightfortheenormousspacestationahead.Itlookedandfeltasifhewasdiving

intoaseaofblackmetaltiles.“Remember,everybody—thisthing’ssobigyou’llhavetocompensateforitsgravitationalpull!”

ThanebankedsharplyalongthesideoftheDeathStar,justunderthegapingmawtargetedbytheMillenniumFalcon’sattack.Beneathhimhesawendlessblackmetal,solidsurfacestillbrokenbyareasofconstruction;above,

explosionsflaredandburstlikefireworksonfeastdaysbackhome.

ThreeTIEfightersappearedovertheDeathStar’shorizon,andThanedidn’tevenbotherwithevasiveaction.Heaccelerated,targeted,andfired—andflewstraightthroughthethreefireballsleftbehind.

Hedidn’thavetowonderwhetherCienawasinanyof

thoseships.Shewould’vebeensmarter,firedfirst.Shewouldn’thaveletthemgetawaywithgoingafteraStarDestroyer’sengines,either.NodoubtshewassafelyonthebridgeofoneofthoseDestroyers,butThanehalfwaywishedshe’dbetheonetofinishhimoff.Thenatleastthey’dbeboundtogetherinsomewayattheend.

TheContessareported,

“Wehaveentry!TheMillenniumFalconstriketeamhasenteredtheDeathStar!”

IthitThanethen—theymightactuallywinthisthing.

“Whyaren’tyoucoveringtheengines?”CienashoutedattheidiotTIEpilotswhohadletsomeidiotrebeldamagetheSubjugator.“Getbackthere!Move!”

Therebelsweretrappedandtheyknewit,butobviouslytheyintendedtokillasmanyImperialsaspossiblebeforetheyfell.AlreadyspacewaslitteredwiththedebrisoftheenemystarcruiserstargetedbytheDeathStar’slaser.Cienafeltthesamerushoffutileangeratthewasteofpilots’livesbycallouscommanders,butnowherfurywasdirectedatwhateverrebelleaderhad

draggedThanebackintothiswar.

Butshewasangriestwithherself.Thanewasonlyoneoftherebelswhowoulddiebecauseofatrapshehadunwittinglyhelpedset.BothsheandThanehadbeenvictimsoftheEmperor’smalignantschemingandtheterribleslaughterithadbegun.

CienatookherTIEInterceptorupoverthemain

bridgeareaoftheAnnihilator,justincasesomerebelpilotdecidedtoflydirectlyintoitandgooutinablazeofglory.TheotherTIEsstuckrigidlytoestablishedattackpatterns,butherrankgaveherthefreedomandresponsibilitytojudgethebattleforherselfandgowherevershewasneededmost.AssheclearedthetopoftheStarDestroyer,shewheeledhershiparound,

checkingsensorstoestablishwhichtargetswouldcomenext—thenstoppedcold.

TheirgarrisononEndor’smoonhadfailed.Theshieldgeneratorhadcomedown.

Hersensorsshowedtherebelfleetbecomingawareoftheirchangeinluck.Flightvectorsinstantlyshifted,andthecloudofstarfightersaroundherturnedintodartsheadedstraightforthemostvulnerablepartofthegaping,

unfinishedDeathStar—thelargeshaftthatledstraighttothemainreactor.

Butwhatdidtheyexpecttoaccomplish?Yes,theycoulddosomedamageontheirwayin,butthemazeofbeamsandcableswouldsurelywreckanyinvadingships;evennowCienasawTIEfightersclosertothespacestationzoomingtowardthesameareatofollowbehindandfinishtherebels

off.Itwasallsuchauseless,meaninglesswaste.

SheturnedherattentiontothenextnearestStarDestroyer,herownExecutor.Itwasonlynowbeginningtoengagetherebelshipsdirectly;alltheadmiralshadwaitedfortheDeathStartostrikefirst,anotherdisplayofPalpatine’sfavoringtheateroversoundtactics.

Thenshesawadamagedrebelstarfighterspinningout

ofcontrol,straightforthebridgedeflectorshieldsoftheExecutor.Cursing,shetriedtogetitinhertargetsights,butthestarfighterwastoodistantandmovingtoofast—

Anorangeflaremarkeditsimpact,andinhorrorCienarealizedtheextentofthedamage.Neitherthathitnortheearlierdamagetotheship’senginescould’vecrippledaStarDestroyeronitsown,butthecombination

provedfatal.Jawagape,shewatchedtheExecutorlosemainpowerandbegintodrifttowardthenearestobjectwithmajorgravitationalpull—namely,theDeathStar.

EvenaStarDestroyercan’twrecktheDeathStaronitsown,sheremindedherself.Stayontarget.

ButtheExecutor’sdestructionmeantBerisse’sdeath….

Stayontarget!

Ciena’sbreathswerecomingsoquickandhardthattheinnervisorofherblackhelmethadbeguntofogslightly.Sheattemptedtocalmherselfbyfocusingontheflight.Ifshethoughtofherattacksaspilotingchallenges—asanescapeintotheair—shecoulddothis.

ShesetcoordinatesforamassiveMonCalamaristarcruiser.Ifshecouldtakeoutitsbridgedeflectors,she

couldeventhescore.AndIcouldflyintoitjust

likethatrebelstarfighterdid—butonpurpose—toendthisbattle.MaybeIcouldevenendthewar.

Thatthoughtwas…tempting.

YetevenasCienainputhercoordinates,theordercameovercomms.“Allvessels,regroupatpre-battlecoordinates.Regroupimmediately.”

“Whatthehell?”Shecouldn’tunderstandwhyanyonewouldgivesuchanorder.Thepre-battlecoordinatesstoodtoofarawayfromtherebelsandtheDeathStartobeeffective.Herfingersflewoverthesensors,wideningherviewsoshecouldgetanideaofwhatwasgoingon.

AndwhatshesawwastherebelfleetpullingawayfromtheDeathStar.Eitherthey

wereretreating,or—Cienadidn’tfinishthat

thought.Nothingmatterednowbutfollowingorders.Shehadtoemptyherselfout.Refusetothink.Onlyreact.

AssheswoopedawayfromtheAnnihilator,shesawacoupleofTIEfightersmovingmoreslowlythantherest;they’dtakendamagebutcouldstillfly.Intraining,TIEpilotsweretoldthataidingfellowflierswastheirlowest

priority,ataskonlytobeundertakenifnothingelseneededtobedone.Cienadecidedtoignorethetraining.Shetookpositionbehindthem,coveringthemfromanyrebelfireastheyheadedtowardtheImperialfleetandsafety.

Butasthemomentswenton,theyfellfartherbehind.Bynowshe’drealizedtherebelswereretreatinginanotherdirection;facingoff

hadbecomelessimportantthanstayingalive.

“Comeon,”shewhisperedtothelimpingTIEsaheadofher.Theyneededtogosomuchfaster—

Thane’senginewhinedwithstrainashepushedittothelimit.HeandtherestofCoronaSquadronhadflownintothecloudofvessels

followingtheMillenniumFalconawayfromtheDeathStarattopspeed.IfonlytheycouldgetonthefarsideofEndor,toshieldthemselvesfromthatthing—

OvercommsheheardtheContessacallout,“Braceforimpact!”

Hereitcomes.Despitethealmostirresistibleurgetolookback,Thanerefusedtoturnhishead.Ifthatthingblew,thelightwouldbe

blinding.He’dbedamnedifthelastthingheeversawwastheDeathStar.Insteadhegrippedhiscontrolsandstaredattheshipsinfrontofhim.ThecurvedrearlightoftheMillenniumFalconarcedjustabovetheplacidgreensurfaceofEndor’smoon.Didtheysaveus?Havewesavedthem?

“Wemadeit!”Kendycalledjubilantly.“We’reoutofthedangerzone.”

Madeit?Thanehadgivenhislifeupforlost.Hecouldn’twraphismindaroundthewords.Wemadeit?

Thenspaceitselflitupasifitwereasky.ForthefirstinstantThanecouldonlythinkitwasbeautiful.Buttheshockwavewascoming.

TheshockoftheDeathStar’sexplosionfeltlikecrashing

intosolidstone.Ciena’sTIEfighterspunoutofcontrol,allstabilizersgone.Desperately,shetriedtoaimforthenearestship’sdockingbay—ifshecouldlandinonepiece,shestoodachance.

TheDeathStarwasgone.HadtheEmpireitselffallenwithit?Buttherewasnotimetoguess,eventothink.Hersensorsandtheworldbeyondwerebothincomprehensibleblurs.Nauseasweptthrough

herasshetumbledoverandovertowardtherectangleoflightthatrepresentedheronlysafety.

Thesecondimpactwasworse.Cienaknewhershipwasskiddingagainstsolidmetal,smashingintosteel,andthenthewholeworldvanishedaspaincutherintwo.

FromthesurfaceofEndor’s

moon,thewreckoftheDeathStarglowedlikeagoldensupernovainthenightsky.AllaroundThane,drumsandpipesplayedvictorysongs;peoplelaughed,drankengine-roomjetjuice,andembracedthefriendsthey’dthoughttheywouldneverseeagain.Inthedistance,byoneofthebonfires,hecouldseeKendydancingwithsomeonewhomighthavebeenGeneralCalrissian.YendorandBrill

weredoingalittlepatchworkonJJH2,whohadcomethroughwithonlyafewscratches.Lohgarraseemedtobeoutdrinkinganentiresquadron.TojudgebythehandgesturesMethwatwasmaking,hewastellingWedgeAntillesaboutsometrickymaneuver.

Thanesatattheveryedgeofthegathering,hisbacktoatree,mostlyinthedark.

Manyshipsofthe

ImperialStarfleethadescapedtheBattleofEndor—andmanyhadnot.TheExecutor,LordVader’sownship,hadbeendestroyed.HeknewnowitwastheStarDestroyerthey’dseencrashingintotheDeathStar.Cienamightnothavebeenaboard,hetoldhimself—butshewasaseniorofficer.Shewouldhavebeenneeded.Cienawouldneverhaverunfromafight,soshe’d

probablybeenontheExecutoratitsfieryend.

Ifso,thenthegoldenlightslowlyfadinginthenightskywastheonlygravestoneCienawouldeverhave.

HewasconsoledonlybyknowinghowCienawouldhavereactedwhenshelearnedoftheexistenceofasecondDeathStar.Ifanythingeverhadthepowertobreakherloyaltyandhersteadfastoath,thatwouldbe

it.WhenThaneimaginedhowshemusthavefeltthemomentsherealizedtheEmperorplannedtodestroyyetmoreworlds—thattheobliterationofAlderaanhadnotbeentoendawarbuttomakeImperialpowerabsolute—shewouldhavefeltsodeeplybetrayed.

TheEmpirewasneverworthyofyou,hethought.

Thanesawanothersprayofshootingstars,evidenceof

yetmorebattledebrisburningasitenteredtheatmosphere.Whenthey’dspottedshootingstarsaschildren,Cienahadalwayssaidtheyshouldmakeawish.Heneverhad;hewasn’tthetypetobelieveinwishes.

Tonight,though,hedid.Thanedidn’twishfor

Cienatobealive—thatwasalreadydetermined,set,beyondanyone’sreachorknowledge.Insteadhewished

fortheNewRepublictobeatleasthalfasrighteousastherebelsclaimeditwouldbe.IfhehadhelpeddestroytheEmpire’spowersoitcouldbereplacedwithsomethingbetter,Thanecouldbelievethewholewarhadbeenworthwhile.EvenifithadcostCiena’slife.

Cienawouldhavewishedforthat,too.Somehowthatwasthesaddestpart.

CienarememberedvirtuallynothingofherremovalfromthewreckageoftheTIEfighter—onlyvagueimpressionsofthescreechoftornmetalandthehorriblewashoflightastheypulledoffherhelmet.

Allsheknewwasthepaincleavingherinhalf.

Atonepoint,asdroidspushedherhover-stretchertowardthemedicalbay,Cienastrainedtoseeher

abdomen.Onedroidsaid,inaflatelectronicvoice,“Itisinadvisabletovisuallyinspectyourwoundatthistime.Psychologicalindicationsarethatapatientwouldfinditdistressing.”

Cienalookeddown.Aplateofmetaljuttedfromherabdomen;ithadshreddedherflightsuitandsunkinjustunderherribcage,deep.Theimagewassogruesomeastobesurreal.Dullyshethought

thatnoonecouldbeinjuredlikethatandsurvive.

Thesurgicaldroidswereworkingatfullcapacity,handlingtheinjuredinorderofrank.Lowerrankshadtowait.AsCienalaythere,pantingthroughthedelayforthepainkillerinjectiontotakeeffect,afigureappearedbyherside,stillhalf-garbedinTIEpilotarmor.

“Ciena,”Nashbreathed.Hetookherhand;shewas

gratefulfortheglovestheywore,becauseitmeanthecouldn’tactuallytouchher.“Holdon.You’llbeinsoon.”

“Admirals—captainsandgenerals—theygofirst.”Hervoicecrackedonthewords.

“Ofcourse,butrelativelyfewofthemgetseriouslyinjured.You’reoneofthemostgravelyinjuredcommanders,soyou’llentertheoperatingbayanymomentnow.”

ArushofdizzinesssweptthroughCiena.Eitherthepainkillerwastakingeffect,orherbloodlosshadtakenhertothebrinkofdeath.SheforcedherselftolookintoNash’seyes.“Ineed—myfather—you’lltellmyfather—”

Nashshookhisheadashecradledherhandagainsthischest.“Nolastwords.Doyouhearme?You’renotgoingtogiveup.”

ButCienapersisted.Thiswastooimportant.“TellPappa—Ilovehimand—and—Ishouldhavestoodbytheone—whostoodbyus.”

HerfatherwouldknowtofindThaneandtellhim,too.AtleastThanewouldunderstandthatshe’dfinallyseenthetruthoftheEmpireandthatshe’dbeenthinkingofhimattheend.

Nashsaidsomethingtoherinresponse,butshe

couldn’thearit.Dizzinesswashedoverheragain,stealingsoundandlight.

MaybeshewouldbereunitedwithWynnetsoon.

“Ciena?”Whydidsomeonewantto

talktoher?Shedidn’twanttotalk.Allshewantedtodowassleep.

“Ciena,canyouopenyoureyes?Pleasetry.”

Sheobeyed,blinkingagainstthelight.Ashervisioncleared,shesawNashbyherbedside—nowinoff-shiftcoveralls,withasmallbandageonhisforehead.Circledaroundthefootofherbedwerethreemedicaldroids,allofwhichbeepedandhummedastheytookreadings.

“Good.”Nashsmiledthewaypeopledidwhentheyweretryingnottocry.

“You’rebackwithus.”“WhyamI—”Cienatried

topropherselfupenoughtoseehermidsection,butthemovementsentterriblepainripplingthroughher.Breathingthroughherteeth,shesankbackontohermedicalbed.

Nashspokeinlow,soothingtones,likeatrainercalmingawoundedanimal.“Youcamethroughsurgery,thoughtheysaiditwasanear

thing.Buttheyhadtoremoveyourliver.Itwasdamagedbeyondrepair.”

Mostlimbsororganscouldbereplacedbytop-levelrobotics;theliverwasoneoftheonlyexceptions,itsfunctionstoodelicatetobeeasilyreplicated.

“Fornowthey’vehookedyoutoalife-supportbelt,ratherlikeLordVader’ssuit,thoughyouneedonlywearitaroundyourmidsection.

You’llhavetoundergointensivebactatherapy.Itcantakemonthstoregrowaliver—thebetterpartofayear—butitcanbedone.”Hetriedtosmileforher.“Leaveittoyoutofindawaytotakemonthsofleavetimewithoutareprimand.”

Cienaswallowed,thoughhermouthandthroatweretoodry.“What’shappeningwiththefleet?”

Nash’ssmilevanishedin

aninstant.“TheDeathStarwasdestroyed.EmperorPalpatine,LordVader,andMoffJerjerrodallperished—asdidBerisse.”Hestumbledoverthenameoftheirfriend.“TheRebellionissendingoutmasscommunicationsclaimingtobethenewpowerinthegalaxy.TheImperialStarfleetisregroupingtoplanthenextassaultandnamethenextemperor.”

“Anotheremperor?”

“Youcanimaginethepowergrabswe’reseeing.Civilunrestacrossthegalaxy,evenonCoruscant.Butthestrongestwillprevail,andwe’llhavetheleaderweneedforthesedifficulttimes.”

ThemostviciousandruthlessoftheMoffsoradmiralswilltakepower.Wewon’thaveabetteremperorwhomightbeabletorightourcourse.Insteadwe’llsinkfurtherintothemire.

“Don’tcry,”Nashsaid.“You’retired.Ishouldn’texhaustyoubyforcingyoutotalk.Gobacktosleep.Youneedyourrest.”

Cienaturnedherheadintothepillowinsteadofsayinggood-bye.

Shedidn’trealizeshe’dslippedbackintounconsciousnessuntilsheawokeagain.Tojudgebythelowlightingandlackofhumanpersonnelaround,it

wasthemedicalbay’sversionofnight.Thelife-supportbeltaroundherwaistfeltheavyandstiff,andtheconnectorshuntsjabbedintoherfleshlikeneedlesinherbelly;probablytheywouldcontinuetohurtaslongasshehadtowearthething.Cienaliftedonehand,andadroidrolledpromptlytohersidewithsomewater.

Aftershe’dsippedfromthetube,shesaid,“Whenmy

armorwasremoved—Ihadasmallpouch—aleatherbraceletinside,braided—”

“Theitemsweredestroyed,”thedroidsaid.Itwasoneofthemodelswithouteyes.“Nonregulation.”

It’snotagainstregulationtocarrysomethinginyourpocket!shewantedtoprotest.Butsheremainedsilent.Onlynowdidsherealizeherbracelethadbeenherlone,

wordlessdefianceoftheEmpire—theonewayinwhichshehadrefusedtobecomeentirelytheircreation.Nowtheyhadsnatchedthatawayfromher.Morethanthat,theyhadtakenawayWynnet’swindowontheuniverse.Cienalivedherlifeforhersisternolonger;Wynnethadfallenintodarknessforever.

CienahadnofaithintheEmpire,noloyalty,no

friends,andnotonepossessiontotiehertoherhomeworld.Thegalaxywasagainslippingintochaosandanarchy.AndshewouldneverseeThaneagain.Allshecoulddowasliethere,helpless,asmachinesspenttorturousmonthsmakingherreadytoserveagaininamilitaryforceshenowwantednopartof.

Sheclosedhereyesandslippedintothestrangespace

betweenimaginationanddream.InhermindshetookherTIEfighterinagain,butthistimesheaimedforthedeck.Ifshecouldslamintothedeckhardenough,hershipwouldexplodeandshecouldstopworrying,stophurting.Shecouldjuststop.

MEDICALLEAVEdemandedabsolutelynothingofImperialofficers—primarilybecauseofficerswhocouldnotmakequickrecoveriesweremostoftendeclaredunfitforservice.Rumorssaidthemedical

droidsalsotreatedthosewithsevereinjuriesthatinvolvedlongrecoverytimeslast,tobetterdedicatetheirresourcestothosewhocouldservetheEmpireagainsooner.

NowCienawasinthealmostuniquepositionofspendingseveralmonthsonmedicalleave,withnoresponsibilities.ShewasassignedtothespacestationWrathmostlybecauseithadroomforacompletely

extraneousperson.Nashhadteasedheraboutthegoldenopportunitytoreadholonovelsorwatcholdspice-worlddramas,butCienadidn’twantthatmuchfreetime.Itwouldonlyforcehertothink.

Atleastshegottoundergobactatherapy.Theysubmergedherinthegooeystuffforatleastacoupleofhourseveryday,sometimeslonger.Sedativeswere

alwaysadministeredfirst,thebettertowardoffthesevereclaustrophobiathatsometimesledbactapatientstopanicandreinjurethemselves.Cienawelcomedthemomentthewretchedlife-supportbeltwastakenoffherbody;shelikeditevenmorewhentheneedleslidintoherarm,andtheresultingdarknessfromthesedatives.Sometimesthestuporafterwardlastedforhours.

Duringthebriefperiodswhenshewasawakeandcogent,however,sheinsistedonworking.

Bridgedutywasbeyondher;pilotingwasimpossible.SoCienavolunteeredforoneofthemessiest,mostcomplicatedtasksfacingtheImperialStarfleetinthewakeofEndor—andoneoftheonlyjobsshedidn’tminddoing.HermissionwastoconfirmwhichImperial

officerswerealiveordead,learnthedefinitelocationsofallsurvivors,andinformfamilymembersofthedeaths.

(Supposedly,thedeathnoticeswereherlowestpriority.ButCienaspentfarmoretimereachingouttothosefamiliesthansheeverdidlookingforamissingsurvivorwhomighthavedeserted.Throughalittletrickyrecordkeepingandan

excessofcaution,shewasabletoavoidtrackingdownevenoneofthose.)

InthewakeoftheEmperor’sdemise,thegalaxyenduredevengreaterchaosthanCienahadbelievedpossible.Coruscantremainedinturmoil;GrandVizierMasAmeddatriedtokeeptheEmpiretogetherevenasotherforcesthreatenedtotearitapart.Consolidatingandconfirmingpersonnel

informationwashardlyatoppriority.SotheStarDestroyershadonlytheirownrecordstodrawfrom,andevenwhenthatinformationwassynthesized,thepictureremainedspottyatbest.

Tofurthercomplicatethesituation,neitherCienanoranyotherImperialofficercouldbecertainexactlywhichpersontheyserved.Declarationsofanew

emperorweresofrequentastobemeaningless.Noonefigureseemedabletoconsolidatepower.Alreadythepropagandaholosspokeof“skirmishes”or“mutinies.”Thetruth:would-beemperorsforcedImperialsoldierstofightoneanother,spillingtheirbloodintheservicenotoflawandorderbutofoneman’snakedambition.TheyseemedwillingtoteartheEmpireto

shredsratherthangiveuptheirownstanding,Cienathoughtwithcontempt.AlreadytheAnoatsectorhadbeencutoffcompletely.Whatplanetsmightfallnext?

Asfortherebels—they’destablishedtheirauthorityonworldsoftheirown.TheonlyreportsthatemergedsoundedsosunnyCienabelievedtheywerepropaganda,too,simplycomingfromtheotherside.

Atleastnowthereare

entiresystemssafeforThane,shesometimesthought.He’snolongerahuntedman.Wouldhestillbewiththerebelarmada?Cienawasn’tsure.Itdependedonwhetherhe’ddecidedtotrustthis“NewRepublic”asmuchashe’dtrustedtheRebellion.

Orwhetherhe’ddiedintheBattleofEndor.

Therebelsmighthavewontheday,butthey’dtakenterriblelosses,too.Ciena

believed—illogicallybutunshakably—thatshewouldhaverecognizedThaneamidthemelee.Didn’tsheknowexactlyhowheflew?Wasn’tthatasuniquetohimasafingerprintorageneticcode?

Evenifthatwereso,itmeantonlythatshehadn’tkilledThaneherself.

AnynumberofotherTIEpilotscouldhavekilledhim.Orhecouldhavebeenflyingtooclosetooneofthestar

cruiserswhentheDeathStar’slaserstruck.Maybehehadbeenamongthepilotswhoflewintothestationandsmashedagainstthemetalframeworkinside.

Don’tthinkaboutthat,shewouldtellherselfasshesatatherportabledataterminal,proppedonamed-chaise.Lyingdownhelpedherbearthepincergripofthelifesupportbeltdoingtheworkofherstill-healingliver.

Youhavetobelievehe’salivesomewhere.Ifyoucan’thavefaithinanythingelse,youcanstillbelieveinThane.

AndyetsometimesCienafeltthathemustbedead.Thegalaxycouldonlyfeelthatempty,meaningless,ifhewerenolongerinit.

Sosheburiedherselfinherwork,patientlyuntanglingeverybureaucraticknot,locatingandrescuingmaroonedshipsand

garrisons,andhelpingfamiliesmourntheirdead.Inthatsmallwayshecouldupholdsomemeasureoflawandorderamidthechaos;nothingelseseemedworthdoing.Heronlycomfortswerethesedationofthebactatankandsleep.Cienacouldignoreeverythingelsefordaysatatime.

Thenweeks.Thenmonths.

Thanehadn’texpectedtheEmpiretocollapseovernight.SomeofthecockeyedoptimistsaroundhimhadwokenupthemorningaftertheDeathStar’sdestructiontalkingabouthowtheyfinallylivedinaliberatedgalaxy,breathedfreeair,andothernonsense.HehadpatcheduphisX-wingandawaitedtheinevitablecalltothenextbattle.

Buthe’dneverexpected

tostillbefightingafull-outwaralmostayearaftertheBattleofEndor.

“Incoming!”Yendorshoutedthroughthecomms.ThanewhippedhisX-wingaroundtoseeanotherphalanxofTIEfighterszoomingtowardthemoverthecrestofthecliffsonNaboo.Thesemusthavebeentheverylaststragglersoftheattackforcethathaddescendedontheplanetthedaybefore.

Luckily,theNewRepublic’sfleethadreceivedatipfromdefectors;whentheImperialshipscameoutofhyperspace,Thane’ssquadronandseveraldozenotherstarfightershadbeenwaiting.Sincethen,he’dbeenfinishingthemoff,onebyone,justlikehewasdoingrightnow.Hefiredevenashisshipslicedthroughtheairsideways,andhetookgrimsatisfactioninwatchingthreeoftheTIEs

explode.TheothersinCorona

Squadrontookcareoftherest.Theplanetwasclearnow,orclosetoit.KendytookahittoherstarboardwingbutstillmanagedtolandherstarfightersmoothlyalongsidetheothersonthebroadpavilionoutsidetheTheedRoyalPalace.Kendyburstoutofhercockpitswearing,whichmadetheotherslaugh.“Comeon,”

Thanecalled.“You’vetakenworsethanthat.”

“Yeah,andI’msickandtiredofit!”Shegrabbedhertoolkitandgottowork.

Therestofthemhadamomenttobreathe.CoronaSquadronwasdifferentnow;theContessahadleft,returningtoherhomeworldtostandforthepresidency.(Theothershadallpromisedtoshowupforherinaugurationifshewon.)Yendorhad

takenoverasCoronaLeader,andtwonewpilotshadjoinedthem—onearookiefromNeaDajanam,theotheranexilefromCoruscant.ButThanelikedthembothandfeltgoodabouthowtheteamhadcometogether.Heleanedagainstthesideofhisship,relishingthewarmthofthesunonhisface.Momentsofpeacelikethiscametoorarely.

NaboohadbeenPalpatine’shomeworld.As

such,ithadbecomearallyingpointforImperialsympathizers.Besidesitssymbolicimportance,NaboowasaprosperousMidRimworld,itseconomyandenvironmentfarhealthierthanthoseofmostplanetsthathadbeenunderImperialrule.Assuch,itwasoneofthemostcontestedspotsintheentiregalaxy.

Threetimesnow,theEmpirehadsenttroopsto

invade;threetimesthey’dbeenbeatenback.Thanewonderedhowlongitwouldtakethemtocomebackfornumberfour.

“Hey,”YendorsaidashehelpedJJH2fromhisship.“SomeofusweregoingintoOtohGungatonight—ifwedon’tgetanymorealerts,thatis.Apparentlythere’sthisdesserttheymaketherethattakesatleastfourhominidstoeat.Theysayitmeltsinyour

mouthanddeliversyoustraightintoaglorioussugarcoma.Youknowyouwantapiece.”

“No,thanks,”Thaneanswered,butwithasmile.Hisfriendstriedhardtolookafterhim,butsomethingsyouhadtogothroughonyourown.“Youguyshavefun.I’lltakenightwatchatthehangar.”

Yendorshookhishead,hislongbluelekkuswaying

withthemovement,butwanderedoffwithoutfurtherargument.

Jelucanhadveryspecificmourningrituals.Atleast,thevalleykindreddid.ThanehadlearnedaboutthemfromCiena—andwasn’tsureherememberedallthedetailscorrectly—buthewasdoinghisbest.(JelucanremainedunderImperialcontrol,soThanecouldn’taskParonReeforadviceorevengivehis

condolences.)ThanewantedtoweaveandwearabraceletsoCienacouldseethroughhiseyes,butshe’dtoldhimthathonorwasreservedforfamily.Asdimlyasherecalledthecustomaryritualsforfriends,theyseemedelaborateenoughandlastedforafullyearafteraperson’sdeath.Heworeaclothtiedaroundhisupperarmandwouldnotremoveituntiltheentireyearwasup.Atthesix-

monthmark,he’dpreparedthecustomarymealofwineandbreadtobeleftoutatnightforthespirits.Hehopeditdidn’thavetobespecialbread,orsomeparticularwine;he’ddonethebesthecouldwithwhathehad.AsThaneunderstoodit,hedidn’thavetorefrainfromallleisureactivity,buttheritualrequiredhimtospendseveralhoursaweekinmeditation.

Okay,hewasn’texactly

goodatthemeditationthing,buthetried.

Bigsymbolicgesturesusuallyweren’tThane’sstyle—butafterEndor,hehadneededtogroundhimselfinsomewayandhadnoideawheretobegin.Inhisdesperation,hehadsoughtCienaintheritualsofherpeople.Tohissurprisehefoundtheexperiencehealing.

Hemournedforeveryonewhohadbeenlost:Smikes,

DakRalter,thekindlyMonCalamarioftheLiberty,countlessotherpilotshe’dknown…andforJudeEdivonandothercadetshe’dknownattheacademywhohaddiedononeoftheDeathStarsorinotherbattles.TheEmpiremighthavedemandedthattheysacrificetheirsouls,butatonepoint,themajorityofthosepeoplehadbeennoworsethananyothers.Allthatwasgoodinthemhad

beenlosttotheEmpireandtothewar;surelythatwasworthgrievingfor.

Hismeditationshadledhimtoanotherunexpectedplace,aviewpointhe’dneverexpectedtohave—theNewRepublictrulyhadbeenworththefight.

Sure,thetransitionhadbeenuneven.Withthewarstillongoing,MonMothma,PrincessLeiaOrgana,SondivSella,andothertopofficials

couldnotestablishtotalstability.YettheprovisionalGalacticSenatecontainedonlyrepresentativeschosenbythewillofthepeople,andthefirstlawsthey’dpassedhadrightedtheworstwrongsoftheEmpire.Eventhebickeringonnewsholosaboutthemeritsofeachproposalwaswonderful,becauseitmeantpeoplewerefreetoexpresstheiropinionswithoutfearofImperial

reprisal.Resourcesweren’tdirectedonlytowardthemilitary;masscleanupsofpollutedworldshadalreadybegun,ashadreparationsforthespeciesenslavedduringImperialrule.(LohgarrasaidshewasgoingtospendhershareonnewenginesfortheMightyOakApocalypse.)Howeverimperfectly,thecourseofthegalaxyhadturnedtowardjusticeandmaybe,someday,peace.

Thanehadnevertriedbeinganidealistbefore,buthethoughthewasstartingtogetthehangofit.

Ashesettledinforalongeveningatthehangar,KendystrolledoverfromherX-wing.Hesaid,“Gotitfixed?”

“Prettymuch.IneedaLouarclamptofinishup,butIcanborrowonefromYendortomorrowmorning.”Sheleanedagainstthewall,armscrossedinfrontofher.

Herdarkgreenhairflowedfreelydownhershoulders.“So.You’restayingintonight?”

“Asusual.”“You’regoingtobehere

byyourselfforhours.”“Yeah,Iam.I’mgoingto

sitonthiscomfortablechairwithagoodholonovel,underneathoneofthemostbeautifulskiesI’veeverseen,onaworldwheretheair’sstillcleanandthebirdsstill

sing.Nobody’sgoingtofireablasteratmeevenonce.Afteryearsofwar,apeacefulnightlikethatismydefinitionofagoodtime.”

“Happyeightiethbirthday,bytheway.”

“Comeon.”Thanehadtogrin.“YouhavetoadmitIhaveapoint.”

Kendylaughed.“Iknow.It’sjust—weird,yougoingallmysticalandspiritualandstuff.”

“I’mnot.”Somanyoftheritualshadfeltstrangeandfalsetohim;yetThanebelievedhe’dgottensomethingoutofthemereattempt.“ThisisjustathingIhavetodo.”

“Igetthat.Butwillyouansweronequestionforme?”Thanenodded,andsheasked,“Howlongareyougoingtowearthat?”

Shepointedtowardthestripofslateblueclothstill

tiedaroundhisrightupperarm.ThatwastheJelucanicolorofmourning—theshadeoftheskyinwhichtheyburiedtheirdead.

“OnceI’vewornitforoneyear,”Thanesaid,“I’lltakeitoff.”

“We’reonlyafewweeksfromtheanniversaryoftheBattleofEndor.Isthatwhenyou’llfinallybeoverCiena’sdeath?”

Shehadn’tunderstood

anything.“No.It’sthedayI’llstopfollowingmourningpractices.ButI’mnotoverCiena’sdeath.Ineverwillbe.”

“Thatis…moremelodramaticthanIexpectedfromyou,ThaneKyrell.”

Heshrugged.“It’snotmelodrama.It’sthetruth.”Howcouldhegetthroughtoher?SlowlyThanesaid,“Whatweweretoeachother—whenIlostCiena,Ilosta

pieceofmyself.Youdon’tgetoverthat.Youalwaysfeeltheemptyplacewheretheyusedtobe.”

Cienawinced,holdingherhandtohermidsection.Themedicaldroidshadfinallyclearedherforactiveduty,butthepainlingered.Maybeitalwayswould.

Shestraightenedherselfupandsmoothedherjacket.

Whenshe’dputinherrequisitionorderfornewuniforms,she’dorderedtheminthesamesizeshe’dalwaysworn.Now,however,theclotheshungslightlybigonherframe.She’dlosttoomuchweightthispastyear.Atleastthecapfit.

Accordingtoherdutyroster,herfirsttaskwastomeetwithGrandMoffRanddonthemainbridgeoftheWrath.Cienacouldonly

assumethathewouldbriefheronhernewduties—thoughmostcommandersdidn’treceivetheirordersfromanyonewhorankedashighasGrandMoff.

Thenagain,thosedaysalltheoldprotocolshadbrokendown.Shecouldtakenothingforgranted.

Cienawalkedtothebridge,waiteduntiltwominutesbeforeherscheduledarrival,andthenentered.Top

officerslikeditwhenyouwereearlybutnottooearly.TheWrath’sbridgedifferedfromthatofaStarDestroyer;insteadofdatapits,morejuniorofficerswerelocatedonlongbanksofstationsthatlinedthevastoctagonalroom.NowindowsrevealedPonemah,theworldthattheyorbited;afteralmostayearonthestation,Cienastillknewnothingofthatplanet,notevenwhatitlookedlikefrom

space.Theonlyviewcamefromtheenormoustransparentdomeoverhead,whichshowedtheendlessfieldofstars.Yetafewelementsremainedfamiliar,suchasthedullreddishglowofthelightsatfloorlevel,themeshmetalfloors,andthesenseoftension—evenfear.Shecouldtakenocomfortinanyofthat.

GrandMoffRanddstoodatthefarendofthebridge,

hisrankobviousfromhisrigid,imposingposturealone.Hewaspointingoutbattleplanstoafewotherofficers,theimagesdisplayedonatwo-dimensionalscreenthatcoveredoneoftheshorterwalls.Cienaexpectedtoremainatattentionbehindhimuntilsuchtimeashewasfreetonoticeher—butasshecameclose,someonecalledout,“CommanderCienaReeonthebridge,sir.”

Randdturned—asdidvirtuallyeveryoneelseintheroom.Ciena’seyeswidenedasshesawNashstandingnearby,smilingalmostlikehisoldself.Whywouldhebehere?Whyhadallthesepeoplestoppedandrisentotheirfeet?

“Well,CommanderRee.”Randdsmiled.“Youreturntoactivedutyatlast.”

“Yes,sir.”Cienadidnotallowherexpressiontoreveal

anyoftheconfusionshefelt.Yetherheartpoundedmadlyasshewonderedifthisweresomesortoftrap.Maybethey’dsomehowguessedherlackoffaithintheEmpireandintendedtomakeanexampleofher.…

“Hearthis,”Randdsaidtoallthoseassembledintheroom.“AttheBattleofEndor,Reefoughtbravelyandverynearlysacrificedherownlifeinourefforttosave

thelateEmperorPalpatine.Duringherlongrecovery,noonecouldhaveblamedherhadshetakentherestshedeserved.Instead,ReetookonthemostdifficultandcomplicatedtasksthatwouldhelprestoreordertotheImperialStarfleet.Whileothersschemedfortheirowngain,shesharedinformationequallyandwithouteveraskingforspecialfavorsinreturn.”

Thatwasn’tanythingheroic.Thatwasthebareminimumrequiredbyduty.HadeveryoneelseintheImperialStarfleetcompletelyabandonedtheirresponsibilitiestotheirfellowofficers?Despiteherdisillusionment,Cienacouldn’thelpfeelingcontemptforthosewhohadsocallouslyshirkedtheirresponsibilitiesoutofcravenambitionorcowardice.

“Inthesetimes,fewhaveprovedthemselvesworthyoftheirrank.Youhave,Ree.”Randdwalkedtotheviewscreenasheadded,“Nodoubtyouexpectmetoinformyouofyournewassignment.Well,heresheis.”

Ontheviewscreenbehindhim,thebattleschematicsvanishedandwerereplacedbytheimageofaStarDestroyer;anon-screen

legendidentifieditastheInflictor.

Randdsaid,“HerewithIpresentyourfirstcommand,CaptainRee.”

Applausebrokeoutthroughthebridge,andNashevencheered.Shecoveredhermouth,tooastonishedtoknowhowtoreact.

Ciena’sfirstthoughtwasthetruest:TheImperialStarfleetisinworseshapethanIthought.

Herservicemighthavebeenexemplary,butevenso,undernormalcircumstancesanofficersoyoungwouldneverbeconsideredforcommandofaStarDestroyer.Evenifshe’dbeenpromotedtotherankofcaptain,sheshouldn’thavebeengivenashiplikethis.Thepowerplaysandattemptedcoupshavethinnedtheranks.Everyoneelsewithseniorityhaseitherdefectedtooneof

thesplinterfleetsorbeeneliminated.

Deepwithinher,thepieceofCiena’ssoulthatrememberedheroldlovefortheEmpirewantedtotakeprideinthis.Captainbeforeagetwenty-five!CommanderofaStarDestroyer!Thesewerehonorsshehadn’tevendaredtodreamofbackwhenshewasanidealisticcadet.

Now,however,thepromotionwasonlyonemore

burdentobear.“Sir,”Cienamanagedto

say.“Thankyou,sir.”GrandMoffRandd

seemedpleasedwithhislittleshow.Nodoubthesawitasademonstrationtohisunderlingsthatanythingwaspossibleiftheywereonlyloyalandworkedhard.Shehadoncebelievedthatherself.Whatafoolshe’dbeen.

Numbly,shejoinedthe

processiondowntothedockingbaywhereshewouldboardhernewcommand.Randdkeptspeakingtheentiretime.“CommanderBrisneywillbeyourISBofficer—shipsystemsareunderthecareofCommanderErisher—andasforyourflightcommander,IbelieveyoualreadyknowCommanderWindrider.”

SheturnedtoseeNashwalkingatherside,slightly

behind,stillbeaming.Onlynowdidshenoticethechangedrankonhisinsigniaplaque;nodoubthersawaitedonthebridgeoftheInflictor.

“Congratulations,Ciena,”hesaid.“I’vehardlyheardfromyousinceIshippedoutontheSubjugator.”

“I’msorry,I—”“Don’tbesilly.I

understandcompletely.Betweentheordealofyourrecoveryandallthework

you’vedone,I’msurprisedyouevenfoundtimetosleep.”Nashshowednosignofjealousyorsuspicion.Maybehe’devengottenoverhiscrushonherinthetenmonthstheyhadn’tseeneachother.Insomeways,hisguilelesstrustwashardertobear.“IonlymeantIlookforwardtoseeingyouregularlyagain.”

“Everyday,”Cienasaid,withoutexpression.

AfteranotherbriefceremonyontheInflictor’sbridge,CienapinnedhernewinsigniaplaquetoheruniformandwentintothebriefingroomwithGrandMoffRanddforaclassifiedconference.Assoonastheywereseated,Randd’ssmilefaded.Onlythecooltacticianremained.

“We’reheadedtowardamajorstandoffwiththerebels,”hesaid.“We’re

committingafairportionofthefleet,andifthedamnedRebellionwantstostandachanceofkeepingthatsector,they’llhavetodothesame.ThispromisestobethelargestbattlesinceEndor.”Hislongfingerjabbedatthecontrols,andanimageofaplanetinbrown,russet,andgoldhoveredabovetheholo-projector.“HerewehavethedesertworldofJakku—worthlessonitsownbutsoon

toliveforeverinhistoryastheplacewheretheEmpiredefeatedtheRebelliononceandforall.”

Maybeitwould.Maybethey’dbesentlimpingawayindefeat.Cienadidn’tknoworcare.SheonlyunderstoodthatdespiteherdisillusionmentwiththeEmpire,shehadtofight.Thealternativewouldbetosurrendertotherebels,andshecouldimaginehowthey

dealtwithcapturedenemies.AndifshedesertedherpostascaptainofaStarDestroyer,theForcealoneknewwhatwouldbecomeofherfamily—especiallyhermother,stillenduringherforced-laborsentenceinprison.Cienahadhardlyhadachancetothinkofescapeduringherrecovery,andnowitwastoolate.Therewasnowayoutforher,notanymore.

EverythingCienahad

workedforherwholelifewasasham.Nowshewouldcontinuethiswaronlybecauseshehadnochoice.

Jakku,shethought,lookingattheworldandimaginingthebattlethatlayahead.Letitcome.

THANEDIDN’TLIKEtheideaofgoingintobattlewithouthisX-wing.However,GeneralRieekanhadinsisted.

“WeneedpeoplelikeyouandLieutenantIdelewhohaveservedonImperialships

inthepast,”RieekansaidasThane,Kendy,andothertroopsboardedatransport.“It’sthissimple—weneedmorevessels,andweneedthemfasterthantheycanbebuilt,especiallywhiletheEmpirestillholdsmostofthemainconstructionfacilities.Theonlywaywe’regoingtogetthoseshipsisbycapturingthemfromtheEmpire.”

Thanemanagedtorespondtothispolitely,

insteadofwiththescornitdeserved.“Sir,withallduerespect,nobodyhasevercapturedaStarDestroyer.Anddon’ttellmeit’sbecausenoonehasevertried.Yeah,waybackintheday,wemanagedtotakeoutagovernor’sdestroyeroverMustafar,butsincethen,theImperialshaveshoreduptheirdefensesagainstinfiltrators.ThesedaysStarDestroyersarenearly

invulnerable.”“Thosecrewsaren’tas

die-hardastheyusedtobe,”Rieekaninsisted.“We’vehadshipsaslargeasattackcruisersswitchallegianceinotherbattles,haven’twe?”

“Thosehavethousandsofcrewmembers.Nottensofthousands.”

“Weonlyneedenoughsympathizerstohelpusshutsystemsdown.OnlyformerImperialofficerssuchasyou

andIdelecanleadustothemostvulnerableareas.”

Grudgingly,ThanetookRieekan’spoint.Iftheycouldgetoneoftheauxiliarybridges,theengineroom,andacoupleofthegunneriesunderNewRepubliccontrol,theycouldeffectivelyparalyzeaStarDestroyer.Actuallyclaimingtheshipwouldrequireintenseintravesselcombat,lastingdaysifnotweeks—butitwas

possible.Alongshot.Anextremely

longshot.Yetpossible.“Ifeelsocoopedupin

here,”Kendygrumbledastheytooktheirplacesinthehold,harnessingthemselvesintoslenderseatsthatweremorelikethoseforahoverbikethanaspacejourney.“Wecan’tevenseethebattle.”

Thanefounditincrediblystrange,too—lookingatthe

flatbeigewallsofthetrooptransportinsteadofthevastnessofspace,hearingnotthehumofhisenginesorthescreechofhisgunsbutonlythemurmurofothernervoussoldiers.“Maybethat’sforthebest,”hesaid,thoughhedidn’tbelieveit.“Wecanfocusonourplansforboarding.”

Kendyleanedcloser,glancingabouthertomakesurenobodyoverheardbefore

shespoke.“NeitherofuswaseverpostedtoaStarDestroyer.I’veonlyevenbeenononethreetimes,andneverformorethanaday.”

“Westudiedtheschematicsattheacademy,”hesaidasconfidentlyashecouldmanage.“Webothrememberthemostimportantinformation—especiallyaboutinternaldefenses.That’senough.”

Shesighed.“Maythe

Forcebewithus.”AlwaystheForce.

Thane’syearofmeditationhadnotconvincedhimthattherewasanyall-powerfulForceatworkbehindgalacticaffairs.Still,letKendytakehercouragewhereshecouldfindit.

Maybehewouldn’thavefeltsouneasyifanyelementofthemissionwasfamiliar,butnoneofitwas.BeingwithouthisX-wingwasby

fartheworst;he’dhavefeltsafershootingdownTIEfightersthanrunningintotheheartofaStarDestroyer.Yetsmallerdetailsrankled,too.Insteadofhissturdy,full-coverhelmet,heworeonlyasmallonethatfastenedunderhischinwithanuncomfortableblackstrap.Insteadofhisorangeflightsuit,heworeasimpleuniformoftrousers,shirt,andvestthatheassociatedmore

withdaysoffthanwithbattle.Andaroundonearmwastiedhisgrayish-bluemourningband.

Technicallyheshouldhavetakenitofffourdaysago,ontheanniversaryoftheBattleofEndor.Bythen,however,ThanehadknowntheBattleofJakkuwascoming,andithadfeltrighttotakeitwithhimintothefray.

Oncethisbattleisover,

I’lltakeitoff,hepromisedhimself.I’llburnitastheritualcommands,andI’llsavetheashesuntilthedayIreturntoJelucan.

Inhismind’seye,hecouldalreadyseehimselfenteringtheFortressfortheverylasttime.Hewouldputtheashesthere,withtheoldtoysandthecast-offboots,andthepalletofblanketsandfurswhereheandCienahadmadelove.Then,atlast,he

couldbeginagain.“WhichDestroyeris

this?”Thaneasked,wonderingifitwouldbeonehe’deverseen.

“TheInflictor,”someoneanswered.He’dneverheardofthatone.

“Atleasttheyissuedusblasters,”Kendymuttered.“I’mevenbetterwithablasterthanIamwithlasercannons.”

“ThenI’llstickbyyou,”

hesaid,andwasrewardedwithhersmile.

“Allhands,”camethevoiceovertheintercom,unnaturallycalm.“Braceforimpact.”

Thanegrabbedthestrapsofhisharness.Herewego.

WhateverelseCienaReewas,shewasnotatraitor.Duringthefewshortweeksshehadservedascaptainof

theInflictor,shehaddoneherdutytotheverybestofherability.IfshefeltnoloyaltytotheEmpireanylonger,sheunderstoodherresponsibilityforthehundredsofthousandsoflivesunderhercommand.SoshehadnotgivenanythinglessthanherbestduringtheBattleofJakku.

IfotherImperialofficerscouldhavesaidthesame,maybetheywouldn’tbeonthevergeofannihilation.

“Statusreport!”Cienacalledoutasshewalkedclosertothedatapits.

“Enginethreeisonlyatsixty-sixpercentcapacity,Captain.”Theyoungensign’sfacelookedupathers,hisruddyskinflushedwithpanic.“Enginesoneandfivearestillcompletelydown.Weonlyhavefullpoweronenginesthreeandseven.Two,four,andsixareeachunderthirtypercentpower.”

Damn.Ifherrepaircrewscouldgetenginetwobackupabove85percent,theywouldstillbeabletojumpintohyperspaceandescapethebattle.Iftheycouldn’tfixit—orifenginethreetookdamage,too—theInflictorwastrapped.Nooptionbutretreatofferedanychanceofsurvival.

Themainviewscreendisplayedadisastrouspanorama.Againstthe

brownish-goldsurfaceofJakkuweresilhouettedhundredsofships,bothImperialandrebel,fromfrigatesandotherStarDestroyersdowntocountlessstarfighters.Meanwhile,smallerscreensoneithersideshowedscenesofthegroundbattle,whichwasprovingtobeevenmoreofarout.Evenasshewatched,awalkertookonehittoomany,wobbledonitsslenderlegs,thenfell

sidewayssohardthatsandexplodedfromtheimpactlikeatidalwave.EverywhereCienalooked,therebelswereattackingwhiletheEmpiretriedinvaintodefenditself.Theadvantagehadbeentheirsfromthebeginning,toapointthatmadeherwonderbitterlyifthewholebattlehadbeenatrap.MaybetheirplansformakingastandatJakkuhadbeenbetrayedbysomeadmiralorGrandMoff

whosepowerplayhadbeenthwarted.

“Weneedachangeinstrategy,”shesaid,mostlytoherself.Imperialbattletacticsnearlyalwayscalledforconcerted,simultaneouseffortbyallshipsengagedincombat,rigidlycontrolledbyacentralcommand.WhentheEmpirehadpossessedtheadvantageinstrengthandnumbers,thosetacticshadmadesense.NowCiena

thoughttheywereclingingtotherulesofagamethathadendedmorethanayearago.

Therebelshadprovedthatsmallerstrikeforcescouldbeeffective,evendeadly.Theyoftenattackedonmultiplefrontsatonce,segmentingtheirforces.Thatapproachwasriskier,butthereaboveJakku,itwasgettingresults.

TheInflictorshuddered.Althoughthesensationwas

nomorethanafaintvibrationbeneathherchair,Cienaknewthedamagewassignificantevenbeforecontrolscreenslitupred.

“Explosivedecompressionaftstarboard!”criedanensign.“Losingatmosphere—”

“Sealoffallaffecteddecks!”Withthosewords,Cienaknew,shehadsavedhership—butcondemnedhundredsifnotthousandsto

deathbysuffocation.Wecan’tkeepfightingby

theoldrules.It’sfutile.Cienawenttoa

viewscreenandpulledupathree-dimensionalviewofthebattle,inminiature.IfshecouldconvinceGrandMoffRanddtosplitupthefleet,toattacktherebelstarcruisersfrommultipledirections,maybeeventosendoneofthetwenty-gunraidersintotheatmospheretosupportthe

TIEfightersbattlingneartheplanet’ssurface—attheveryleastthey’dshaketherebelsup.Theydesperatelyneededanyadvantagetheycouldclaim.

WouldRanddevenlistentoher?ShemightbecaptainofaStarDestroyer,buthewasaGrandMoff,andhe’dsubtlymadeitclearthatsheowedherriseinrankentirelytohim.…

Onceagainitstruckher

howabsurditwas—howfoolish,howwasteful,howstupid—thatrankmatteredmorethanideasintheImperialfleet.Itangeredher.Itdisgustedher.ShehatedtheEmpiresheserved,hatedthevaluesitstoodfor,hatedthewayeveryonetalkedaboutPalpatineasthoughheweresomevirtuousmartyr.Shehatedherselfforhavingeverbelievedinit.Mostlyshehatedthatitwasallshehad

left.Butthenshesawtheother

officersscramblingaroundher,tryingsohardtofulfilltheirdutyandtosurvive.Cienaowedittothem,atleast,todoherbest.Ifshehadnoothertaskworththedoing,shecouldsimplytrytogetthemhome.

Shebegan,“OpenachanneltoGrandMoffRa—”

Theentireshiptrembled,hardenoughtoknock

officers’capsfromtheirheadsandspillatleasttwoanalystsontothefloor.Cienabracedherselfagainstthewall.“Whatwasthat?”

“Captain,weshowanotherhullbreach,portside,ondecksRRthroughZZ.”Theyoungofficer’sfacebetrayedherconfusion.ShelookedupatCiena,herskintintedredbythelight.“Butsensorsrevealnosignofvacuum.”

ThentheInflictorshookwithanotherimpact.Another.Afourth.Eachresultedinthesamebizarrereadings:gapsintheshipthathadnotresultedinvacuum.Therecouldbeonlyoneexplanation.

Ciena’sgutdropped.Althoughshe’dneverbeenaboardashipwhenthishadhappened,shehadlearnedthesignsintheacademyandrelivedthemsometimesin

hernightmares.“We’vebeenboarded.”

Boarded.Inthepitchofbattle,thatmeantonlyonething:

Hershiphadtodie.

“Gettothecontrolcenterforenginethree,”Thaneorderedthroughhiscomlinkasheedgeddownacorridoralreadythickwithsmoke.“Ifwecantakeouttheirlast

fullyfunctioningmainengine,wehaveachance.”

Thane’sjobwassimplerandfarmorecritical.Hehadtodisconnecttheself-destructsystemsassoonaspossible.NotoneImperialofficerwouldhesitatebeforeorderingthemasssuicidenecessarytokeepaStarDestroyeroutofNewRepublichands.

Aheadofhim,alongaperpendicularcorridor,he

sawblasterfire;theechoesofeachshotricochetedoffhiseardrumswithpainfulintensity.Throughthetinnyringinginhishead,Thanecouldhearotherreportscomingin.ContrarytoRieekan’sprediction,thecrewoftheInflictorwasputtingupstiffresistance.TheImperialtroopsaboardthisshipseemedtobemorededicatedthanmostoftheothers.JustThane’sluck.

Theblasterfireaheadcleared,andthenKendy’sheadappearedaroundthecorner.“Clearedthewayforyouguys.Comeon,let’sgo!”

Thaneranattheheadoftheplatoon,hopingtheycouldadvanceasfarastheportsideauxiliarybridge.Iftheycouldgaincontrolofthat,they’dbeinamuchbetterpositiontohelptheotherNewRepublicsoldiersthroughouttheship.

Butevenastheychargedintothenextsection,anotherwaveofstormtroopersmetthem,blastersblazing.Thaneflattenedhimselfagainstthewall.Theairsmelledlikeozoneandsmoke,andhesawnowayout.WhatdoIdo?

Theycouldn’tgettotheself-destructsystems—notlikethis.

Whichmeantthat,withinminutes,theInflictorwouldexplodeandkillthemall.

Getthroughthis,hetoldhimself.Go!

“CaptainRee,youcan’t!”oneofthejuniorensignsprotested.Shecouldn’thavebeenmorethanseventeen.TheImperialfleetwasstealingthemfromtheremainingacademies,eventhoughtheywerestilltooyoung.

“IcanandImust.”Ciena

tookherseatasshementallypreparedherselfforwhatshewasgoingtodo.Moregentlysheadded,“Don’tbeafraid,EnsignPerrin.We’llhavetimetogettotheescapepods,andeachofthoseisequippedwithahomingdevicethatwilltakeitstraighttothenearestImperialvessel.”

Perrinsmiledshakily;aroundher,theotherofficersseemedtocalmthemselves,too.Whydidregulations

discouragespeakingwithanysenseofmoderationorcompassion,whenitsometimesdidsomuchgood?

AtleasttheEmpire’sruthlessnesswouldhelpherafterthebattle.Oncethiswasover—assumingtheyweren’tallinaNewRepublicprisoncamp—Cienawouldbecalledontojustifysettingtheself-destructonaStarDestroyer,oneofthemostpowerfuland

valuableshipsintheImperialStarfleet.Sheknewthegamewellenoughtounderstandthatanyexplanationshegavewouldbefoundinadequate.BeforeEndor,itwouldhaveresultedinalong,gruelingprisonsentenceonKessel;now,shewouldeitherbecashieredoutoftheserviceorexecutedonthespot.Cienafoundshedidn’tcarewhich.

“Onmymark,”Cienasaid.“Prepareforself-

destruct.Initiatinginten—nine—eight—”

TheInflictorshudderedagain.EvenloathingtheEmpireasshedid,Cienawastoomuchacaptainnottofeelapangatthewoundstohership.

Shefinished,“Three—two—one.Initiate.”

EnsignPerrinshoveddowntheleverthatwouldsettheself-destructinmotion.Cienawaitedforthered

lights,thesiren,theautomatedannouncementsendingallcrewtoescapepods—hersignaltosealthedoors—buttheynevercame.Afterthesilencehadlastedamomenttoolong,sheraisedherselffromherchairtopullupshipschematics.Damagelightsflashedinallthewrongplaces,inparticularoneareanotfarfromtheportsideauxiliarybridge.

“Theytargetedtheself-

destructsystems,”Cienasaid,almostindisbelief.“Theyspecificallytookthemoffline.”

OnlyaformerImperialofficerwouldhaveknownhowtodothat.Inherhead,sheheardherfathersayingthewordshe’dtoldheroncewhenshewasonlyachild:Alltraitorsaredamned.

“Awaitingyourorders,Captain,”saidalieutenantstandinginthedatapits.She

realizedeverypersononthebridge—andprobablythroughouttheship—hadnoideawhattodonext.

Butshedid.Theknowledgedawned

insideherlikethemostbeautifuldayshe’deverseen.Shecoulddoherduty,fulfillheroath,andfreeherselffromthismadnessforever.

Cienareturnedtoherchairandhittheswitchthatwouldprojecthervoicetoall

stationsandtoeverystarfighterbasedaboardtheInflictor.“Allhands,abandonship.Allstarfighters,rendezvouswiththenextnearestImperialvessel.Allhands,abandonship.Youhavetenminutes.”

Aroundher,therestoftheofficersstared.Fortheonlytimeinhercommand,Cienashoutedatthem.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?Gettotheescapepods!Go!”

Asallofthemdashedout,thecommscrackledandbuzzed.Cienaknewwhoitwouldbeevenbeforesheheardthevoice;onlyonepersonassignedtohershipwoulddaretoquestionhernow.

Nashyelled,“Haveyougonemad?”

“Notsurewhatyoumean,CommanderWindrider.”

“Don’tyou‘CommanderWindrider’me,notnow.If

theself-destructwereonline,we’dhaveheardtheautomatedsignal.Thattellsmeyou’replanningondestroyingtheshipby—someothermeans—”

Cienasatbackdowninherblackleatherchair,aswearyasifshehadn’tsleptinyears.“Justsayit.”

“…you’regoingtocrashtheInflictorintotheplanet.”

Shebeganpunchinginthecoordinatesthatwould

driveherstraightintoJakku’ssurface.Alreadyshecouldimaginethefire,theheat,theend.

ThenshewouldhavedoneherdutytothelastandyetescapedallthetiesthatboundhertotheEmpire,forever.

“IhavetokeeptheInflictoroutofrebelhandsnomatterwhat.”Cienatriedtoimagineshewastalkingtotheboyshe’dknownatthe

academy,theboywhokepthishairlongandbraidedbackinAlderaanianfashionandwhoseimpishsenseofhumormadethemalllaugh.“Thisistheonlyway,Nash.”

“Thehellitis.Youcansetthecoordinatesandgetoutofthere.”

“Andleavetheshiptotherebels?They’dtakethebridge,changecourse,andflyoffwiththeirnewStarDestroyer.”Sheleanedher

headbackandstaredupatthemetal-tiledceiling,soabsurdlyhighoverhead.Wasthescaleofthebridgemeanttorepresentakindofgrandeur?Insteaditonlymadethespacefeelemptyandcold.

“Ciena,please.”ShecouldhearNash’svoicebreak,evenoverthedistantroarofhisTIE’sengines.“Atleasttellmeyou’lltry.”

Thatwasthelastthing

shewantedtodo.NowthatCienahadfoundherwayout,shefeltonlyrelief.Thepainofmerelyexistingdaytodayhadbecomewhollycleartoheronlynowthatithadlifted,andshedidn’thavetobearitonehourmore.

“Ihavetolockthedoorsnow,”shesaid.“Good-bye.”

Withthat,shesnappedoffthecommconnectiontoallTIEfighters.NeverwouldshehearNash’svoiceagain.

Asshewentthroughtheprocedureforthebridgedoors’securitylocks,Cienathoughtoftheotherthingsshe’dneveragainexperience.Beingwithherparents.Flyingastarfighteror,betteryet,aV-171shecouldtakeupabovethecloudsonJelucan.LaughingatoneofBerisse’sdirtyjokes.TryingtowakeJudeupinthemorningandhearingherusuallylogicalfriendwhine

intoherpillow.Ridinghermuunyakalongthemountainridges.PilotingaspeederbikethroughReitgenHoops.EatingMr.Nierre’ssnow-frostingcakes.RunningontheSkyLoopwhileCoruscantglitteredbeneathher.

BeingwithThane.Makinglovewithhim.Flyingwithhim.

“Good-bye,”sherepeatedsoftly,sayingfarewelltoit

all.

Thanefrozeinplacethemomentheheardtheannouncement.AsthevoiceechoedthroughthecorridorsoftheInflictor,tellingallhandstoabandonship,hetriedtoconvincehimselfthatitcouldn’tbeher—

—buthecouldnevermistakeCiena’svoice.

“Wejusttookouttheself-

destruct!”Kendyshouted.Shedidn’tseemtohaverecognizedthevoiceoverthespeakers.“Howaretheygoingtoblowthisthing?”

HeknewwhatCienawoulddoassurelyasifhe’dcomeupwiththeplanhimself.“She’sgoingtocrashit.”QuicklyhegrabbedthecommlinkthatconnectedhimtoRieekan.“Weneedtogeteveryonethehelloutofhere,now.Iftheycan’treach

ourtrooptransports,theyshouldgofortheImperialescapepods.Lightswillmarktheway.”

Kendy,likeeveryoneelseontheblast-charredauxiliarybridge,beganrunningforthepodsevenbeforeRieekangavetheordersThanehadsuggested.Yetjustassheclearedthefinalstepdownandgottothedoors,sherealizedThanewasn’tfollowingsuit.“Whatareyou

doing?Didn’tyouhear?We’vegotlessthantenminutes.”

“I’llcatchup,”helied.“Go.”Kendygavehimalook,butsheobeyedRieekan’sordersandrantosafety,leavingThanealone.

Cienawasalive.Shewasalive,shewasthere,andhehadtogettoherbeforeshekilledthemboth.

Thanedashedforthefarthestcornerofthe

auxiliarybridge,wherehisdustymemoriesofLargeVesselDesigntoldhimhe’dfindarepairshaft.Sureenough,oneofthemetalmeshpanelspulledaway,revealingaplain,coldtunnelleadingupward.Heslammedhishandagainsttheswitchbythedoor,summoningtheantigravplatformthatcouldtakehimtoanydeckhewantedwithinmoments.

Whenitappeared,he

jumpedon—thenreeledashegrabbedforitssafetyhandle.Thanehadneveractuallyriddenoneofthosethings.Theyweremoreunstablethanhisclasseshadmadethemsound.Afewmorecentimetersandhewouldhaveslippedfromtheplatformandplummetedseveralkilometerstohisdeath.

Onedeepbreathandthenhepunchedinthecodethat

wouldtakehimtothedeckwherehecouldreachthemainbridge.

Asheflewupwardattopspeed,thegustsofairyankedathishelmetuntilhepulleditoffandletitfall.Thanetriedtogetasenseofhowmuchtimehadelapsed.Threeminutes?Four?BynowtheInflictor’senginesdidn’thavetodoanymorework;Jakku’sgravitywouldtakecareoftherest.Evennowtheplanetwas

pullingtheStarDestroyerdowntowarditsdoom.

Comeon,hethought,grippingthesafetyhandleevenmoretightly.Comeon!

Finallyhereachedtherightdeck,kickedinthesecurityplatethere,andemergedintoacorridor.Afteramoment’sdisorientation,hecouldhavesmackedhimselfforhisidiocy;ofcoursethemainbridgewouldn’tbesoeasilyaccessible.Thaneran

forthedoors,thenskiddedtoastopastheyfailedtoopenforhim.

“Ciena!”heshouted,banginghisfistagainstthemetal.Thatwasonlytotakeouthisfrustration,becauseheknewshecouldn’thearhimthroughtheblastdoorstothemainbridge.Notonlyweretheytoothickforsoundtocarry,buttheyalsocouldn’tbedestroyedbyblastersorlasers,notevenbyathermal

detonator.Shehadsealedouteverypossibleinvader,includinghim.

Buttherewereonlysomanywaysforacaptaintosealtheblastdoors.

ThanerealizedheknewwhichwayCienawouldchoose;he’dheardherexplain,once.Shewouldusethecaptain’s-wordmethod.Nowtheblastdoorswerepermanentlyshuttoanyonewhodidn’tknowthewordor

phraseshehadchosentolockherselfin.

Heleanedhisforeheadagainstthemetalandputhishandtothemanualentrypanel.Anautomatedvoicesaid,“Statethepassword.”

Leaningdowntothespeaker,Thanewhispered,“Lookthroughmyeyes.”

CIENABENTOVERthenavigationstation,onehandsplayedacrossherachingabdomen,theotherrestingonthecontrols.Theautonavsystemhadrepeatedlyattemptedtooverridehercommands,butshe’dfinally

managedtoshutitdown.Nowallshehadtodowaswait.

Shesteppedbackandsankintoherchair.Ontheviewscreenahead,thestarshadbeenerased;nothingremainedbutthesandysurfaceofJakku.Witheverysecond,theviewoftheworldbelowbecameclearer.Cienawatchedshadowsexpandintodesertsandmountains.Sensorsbegantoflarered,

warningherofatmospherebreach.Sheignoredthem.

Atonepointhervisionblurred.Whensheliftedherhandtoherface,herfingerscameawaywet.Cienablinkedquicklytoclearhereyes.Whenherendcame,shewouldnotflinch.Shewouldn’tturnaway.Itwasthelastexperienceshewouldeverhave,andsheintendedtobefullypresentforeverysinglemoment,eventhepain.

Todiewithhonor—noonecouldaskformore—

Thebridge’sblastdoorsslidopen.

Cienajumpedtoherfeet.Byinstinctshereachedforherblaster,butnoStarDestroyercaptaincarriedoneonthebridge.Howcouldanyonehavegottenin?

ThenshesawThane.Theonepersoninthe

Rebellion—intheentiregalaxy—whocouldhave

guessedtherightwordstosay,Cienathoughtinadaze,andofcoursehe’shere.

Maybeshewasdreaming,orhallucinating.HerbrainhadconjuredupanimageofThanesoshewouldn’tbelieveshehadtodiealone.Heevenworeamourningbandaroundonebicep,grievinglikeoneofthekindredforatragedythathadyettocome.

Butthenhebreathedout

inrelief,asoundsosubtleandyetfamiliarthatiterasedalldoubt.Thiswasreal.Thiswashappening.

“Ciena.”Thanebegantowardher,thenstoppedwhenshetookastepback.Hepausedandliftedhishandsasiftoshowheheldnoweapon…butshecouldseetheblasterstrappedtohisside.“It’sokay.I’mgoingtogetyououtofhere.”

“I’mnotleaving.”The

wordsseemedtocomefromaverygreatdistance,asifshewerehearingtheminsteadofspeakingthem.“I’llstaywithmyship.”

“Youknow,wecanhavealongtalkabouthonoranddutylater.Rightnow,weneedtogetthehelloffthisthingbeforewe’reinfull-onatmosphericentry.”

Escapepodscouldhandleplanetarylandings,butlaunchingwithinthe

atmospherewashazardous.Alreadythetemperaturereadingsoutsidethehullwereclimbingdramatically.Cienafeltherpulsequickenwithfear—notforherself.“Thane,gotothenearestescapepod.”

Heliftedhischin,likethestubborn,pridefulboyhe’dbeensolongago.“Notwithoutyou.”

Angerflaredinher.“YourealizeIoughttoarrestyourightnow?Orshootyou?”

“We’rekindofoutsidetheregulationsherealready.”Thaneheldouthishandtoher,butshetookanotherstepawayfromhim.Lessthantwometersseparatedthemnow.Toeithersideofthem,onthecountlessviewscreensandsensors,alarmlightsflashedandscenesofbattleandbloodshedflickered.

“Youhavetogo!Don’tyouunderstandI’mtryingtosaveyourlife?”

“I’mtryingtosaveyours!”Hehadlookedatherthatpleadingly,thatdesperately,whenhehadfirsttriedtotalkherintodesertingtheEmpirewithhim.ForThane,perhaps,nothinghadchangedinthefiveyearssince.Shefeltsomucholder.Somuchsadder.Hollowedout.Buthekeptstandingthere,hishandoutstretched,believinghecouldrescuethemboth.“Comeon,Ciena.

Wedon’thavemuchtime.”Thanedidn’tseethat

therewasnotimeleftforher,noneatall.

Whathavetheydonetoher?Cienastoodbeforehim,

sothinthatshelookedasifshecouldbecrushedinaman’sfist.Heruniformhungonher,andthatcombinedwiththefranticallyblinkingwarninglightsgoingoffall

aroundthemmadethesceneseemmorelikesomeuglyparodyofanImperialbridgethantherealthing.WhatscaredThanemost,though,wastheblanknessinhereyes.NothingofCiena’sspiritshonethrough;hesawonlyangeranddespair.

ButhisCienawasstillinthere.HeknewthatonlybecauseshewantedtodieratherthankeepservingtheEmpire.

“Listentome,”Thanesaid,tryinghardtosoundcalmevenastheInflictorshudderedwithitsfirstrealbrushwithJakku’satmosphere.Theridewouldonlygetrougher.“Youdon’towetheEmpireadamnedthing.Theydon’tdeserveyourloyalty,andtheydefinitelydon’tdeserveyourlife.”

“Youdon’tevenknowwhatloyaltymeans.”

“ThehellIdon’t!Ciena,ifIweren’tloyaltoyou,wouldIbehere?”

Theshipshudderedagain.Thanestumbledslightlytooneside,andCienahadtograbherchairtoremainupright.Sheshouted,“Thane,youhavetogo!Youhavetogetinanescapepodnow!”

“Iwon’tleaveyouhere.”Herealizeditcouldcometothat—dyingbyCiena’sside,here,today,ratherthan

escapingwithhisownlife.Thanewantedtosurvive.

AsmuchashelovedCiena,heknewfromthepastyearthathewascapableofgoingonafterherdeath,evenhealingandfindingpeace.

Buthedidn’twanttoliveasthemanwhohadleftherbehindtodie.

Herepeated,“Iwon’tleaveyou.”

“Please!”Cienahadbeguntoshake.“Pleasedon’t

makemeresponsibleforyourdeath.AllIeverasked,inallthosebattles,wasnottobetheonewhokilledyou.”

“Iaskedforittobeyou.Becausewe’rebound,always,youandI—inlifeorindeath.YouknowitaswellasIdo.That’swhywehavetogetoffthisshiptogether.”

Cienaremainedsilentforalongmoment.Theshiptiltedtooneside,artificialgravitywarringwiththereal

thingtuggingthemtowardJakku.Ontheviewscreen,theimageoftheplanet’ssurfaceslowlyswirled;theshiphadbegunspiralingdown.

Thenshetookonesteptowardhim,andanother.Thanecouldhaveweptwithrelief.“Good.That’sright.Comewithme.”

Shestoodbeforehimatlast.Theireyesmet.AndCienapunchedhiminthegut,hard.

AsThanesprawledonthefloor,Cienagrabbedhisblasterfromitsholster.Shestoodabovehimandhestaredather,tryingtocatchthebreathshe’dknockedoutofhim.“Isthatit?”hesaid.“You’regoingtoshootme?”

“Ofcoursenot,”shesaid.“I’mgoingtostunyouanddragyoutoanescapepodmyself.But—beforethat—youknowI’monlydoingthistosaveyou,don’t—?”

Thanekickedherinthelegsofirmlythatshestumbledbackmorethanameterbeforefallingonherback.Theblasterskiddedacrossthetiltedfloor,slidingfarawayfromthemboth,andCienahadtostruggletogetbacktoherfeet.

Hewasup,too,infightingstance,blueeyesblazing.“Youwanttoplaythisrough?Fine.We’llplayrough.”

Onememoryflashedinhermind,ofhowthey’dmetbackwhentheywerechildren—fightingforeachother.

Itlookedliketheyweregoingtodiethesameway.

Cienaranathim,andhecouldn’tdodgeherwellenoughtokeepherfromtacklinghim.Assheslammedhisheadbackontothemeshfloor,sheshouted,“Getyourrebelassoffmybridge!”

Thanethrewheroff,

pushinghersideways.Evenassherolledagainstthewall,hesaid,“I’mgoingtorescueyouwhetheryoulikeitornot.”

Didn’theunderstand?Didn’thesee?Whywashetryingtostealheronechancetoescapethishellanddiewithherhonor?ItwasasifThanehadneverknownheratall.

Shekickedsavagelyathim;theheelofherboot

caughthisjawandsenthimreeling.Cienascrambledtoherfeet,whichwaswhenshecaughtaglimpseoftheviewscreen—theimageofJakkuwasterrifyinglyclose,butitbegantoblurandblacken.Theoutsidesensorswereburningofffromtheheatofatmosphericentry.Thewindowswerenowbrilliantorange,cuttingofftheirviewastheshipwassealedinflame.Thewarring

factionsintheatmosphereandonthegroundwouldbeabletoseetheInflictorgashingastreakoffireacrosstheskylikeameteor.

ThanegrabbedCiena’slegandpulledhertothefloor;theimpactofherfallsentnewpainstabbingintohergutwound.EvenasCienagaspedforbreath,Thaneseizedtheadvantage,pinningbothherwristswithhisown.“Justcomewithme,”hesaid,

panting.“Youhavetocomewithmenow.”

Shebroughtherleguptokneehiminthesideandfreedherhands.Cienawantedtotellhimtostopbeinganidiot,torunforapodnow,becauseitwouldbetoolatesoon,ifitwasn’talready—butallshecouldsaywas,“Letmego.”

Thenshebroughtherfiststogetherandswungthemupwardintohisjaw.Ifshehadtoknockhimoutthehard

way,sobeit.

Evenaspainsplinteredthroughhisface,Thanesawtheviewscreenblurandgoblack.Theywereoutoftime.

Sohedidsomethinghewouldnever,everhavebelievedhecoulddo.HehitCienaback.

ButCienawasasmallwoman,andhewasalargeman.Thesameblowtothe

jawthathadmadehimstaggersidewayslaidherflat.Guiltlashedhim,buthecouldn’tstop,notnow—

Sheshovedherselfupward;hershoulderhithismidsectionunderhisribsandstolehisbreath.Astheybothcrashedintoacontrolpanel,hethought,Anyonewatchingwouldthinkwe’retryingtokilleachother,notsaveeachother.

Powerbegantoblinkoff

andonasmorecomponentscaughtfireonentry.Heheardadeep,terriblegroan—themassivemetalframeworkoftheStarDestroyershiftingastheheathitthemeltingpoint.ThroughthefewsmallwindowshecouldseenothingofJakkuorthesky,onlyflame.

Cienapushedhimawayfromherjustasthefloortiltedagain.Nowtheywerebothsprawling,unabletostay

upright.Thanescrambledtogetahandholdononeofthechairs,astrut,anythingthatwouldhelphimup—

—whenhesawaflashofblackmetalslidingalongthewall.

Hethrewhimselfatit.Evenasherolled,heheardCiena’sbootsonthedeckasshesomehowgotbackonherfeet.Sherantowardhim,thethumpingofherstepsfaster,justasThanegottheblaster

inhishands.Oneflickofthethumb,set

tostunand—now!Heglimpsedonesecond

ofhorroronCiena’sfacebeforethebluebolthither.ShecollapsedtothefloorsoheavilythatforaninstantThanefearedhe’daccidentallysettheblastertokill.Butwhenhecrawledacrossthetiltingfloortoreachher,hesawherchestriseandfall.

“I’llaskforgivenesslater,”hewhispered.Onhisknees,ThanemanagedtorollCienaoverandpullherbodyoverhisshoulders.Hetastedbloodashestaggeredtohisfeetandheadedforthenearestescapepod.

HisbreakneckridethroughtheservicetunnelshadrefreshedThane’smemoryofLargeVesselDesignclass,sohewasprettysureheknewwherethepods

were.Whathedidn’tknowwaswhetherornothecouldevengetonetolaunch.Ifthemetalclampshadmeltedintheheatofatmosphericentry,theescapepodwouldbeuselessexceptasaplacetodie.

AndofcoursethefleeingImperialsandescapingNewRepublicsoldiersmighthavelaunchedallthepodsalready—

Go,go,go,go,go,he

chantedinsidehisheadashestumble-ranthroughthecorridorsoftheStarDestroyer.Thefirstpodlocationhereachedshowedempty;thatonehadbeenshotintospacelongago.ButjustasThanefeltpanicclutchingathismind,hegottoasecondlocationandsawanescapepodstillthere,waiting.

Hehitthecontrolpanelwithhisknee,andthedoors

spiraledopen.Itwasoneofthesmallerpods,buttwopeoplewouldfit.ThanedumpedCienainside;ashecrawledthroughtheentrytubetojoinher,thelightssuddenlywentout.Hewasinpitchblackness,saveforthescarletfirelightfromthesmallportholeintheescapepod,whichflickeredacrossCiena’sfallenbody.

Thepowerwasgone.Wouldthedoorsclose?

Wouldthepodlaunch?Iftheexplosivelatcheshadmeltedinsteadofblowing,theyweresunk.

Thaneslammedhishandagainstthelaunchswitch.He’dneverseenanythingmorebeautifulthanthedoorsspiralingshut.Astheylocked,aterribledeepgroanshudderedthroughtheship,likethedyingroarofsomemassivebeast.

Thenthepodlaunched,

shootingthemawayfromtheInflictor.

Thejoltknockedhimagainstthepod’scurvedwall,andCienarolledtotheside.Thanecrawleddownbesidehersohecouldbraceherbodyagainsthis.Thelimitedrepulsorliftsandaccelerationcompensatorsinanescapepodmeanttheyhadaroughrideahead;hewasn’tsurethething’slandingcapacitieswouldevenworkthatcloseto

theground.Throughthetinyporthole,hesawonlybriefflashesofblue,thengold,thenblue,thengold—skyandsandtumblingoverandover.Impactcouldbeonlysecondsaway.

HecurledaroundCiena,buriedhisfaceinthecurveofherneck,andheldonforthecrash.

Thepodhitthegroundwithaseverejolt—thenagain—andagain.Itwasskipping

acrossthesand,Thanerealized.HeandCienawerejostledagainstthewall,neverhardenoughtokillthembutalwayshardenoughtohurt.Finally,oneimpactstuck,slowingthemdownbitbybitastheytunneledthroughJakku’sdesertandverygraduallycametoastop.

Arewesafe?Ithinkwe’re—

Thepodjarredforward,intotheair,sohardthat

Thanefirstbelievedanotherexplosivechargehadbeensetoff.Butthedeeproarheheardtoldhimthetruth.TheInflictorhadjustcrashedintotheplanet,andtheirescapepodwasbeingthrownforwardalongwithatsunamiofdustandsand.

HewrappedhisarmsmoretightlyaroundCienaasthepodtumbledoverandover;thesmallwindowshowednothingbutred-

orangesand.Whatiftheywereburied?Whatifthealready-batteredpodcouldtakenomoreandburstopen?Hedidn’twantthemtosmotherdownhere,buriedalive—

Butslowly,thepodrolledtoastopagain,thistimeapparentlyforgood.

Afteralongsecond,Thaneallowedhimselftobelievethey’dsurvivedthelanding.Butwhatifthey

weredeepunderground?WouldhissensorbeaconevenbeabletosignalaNewRepublicrescue?

Heswitchedonthesensor,waitedalongmoment—thensawtheindicatorturngreen.Signalsending.

“Wemadeit,”hewhisperedtoCiena,wholayunconsciousagainsthisshoulder.Maybeinhersleep,hersubconsciouswouldhearhimandsubtlyletherknow

everythingwasgoingtobeallright.

Asmalllineofbloodmarkedacutonherforehead.Thaneuntiedthemourningbandfromhisarmtouseasamakeshiftbandage,staringdownatherinwonder.

Ofalltheshipsinthegalaxy,Iboardedhers,hethought.

Maybe…maybeCienaandLukeSkywalkerandtheothertraditionalistswereright

abouttheForce.Maybetherewassomepowerthatboundthegalaxytogetherandtookyouunfailinglytoyourfate.TheForcemusthaveguidedhimtohersohecouldsaveherlifeandtheycouldgoontogether.

Itfeltlikeallthecynicismandangerofhisoldlifehadfinallymeltedaway.Helivedundertheauthorityofleaderswhowerefairandjust;hehadfoughtanoblewarand

wasonthevergeofwinning;heservedalongsidepeoplehebothlikedandrespected.CienahadbeenfreedfromtheshacklesbindinghertotheEmpire,andfromnowonshehadnolimits.Neitherofthemdid.Howwasitthataguylikehim—withouthope,withoutfaith—hadfoundhiswayhere?

Heleanedhisforeheadagainsthers.Despitethepainfulbruisesswellingon

hisfaceandbody,despitethebloodstillseepingintohismouth,despitetheterribleshapeCienawasinandthestiflingheatoftheescapepod,hethoughtthatmightbethesinglemostjoyfulmomentofhislife.

Thaneheardsiftingsoundsaboveandliftedhisfacetoseetheescapepoddoorsshiver.Thentheyslidopen,sendingasmallcascadeofsandstreamingdownonto

theirfeetandrevealingaNewRepublicsearchteamsilhouettedagainstthebrightsun.

“AmIgladtoseeyouguys.”HeliftedCienainhisarms.“Helpmeout,willyou?”

“Surething,CoronaFour.”OnememberoftheteamleanedforwardtopullCienathroughtheopeningtofreedom;Thanecrawledoutjustafterandfloppeddownin

thesandbesideher.Themedicleaneddown.

“Doyouneedassistance?”“I’dtakecareofher

first,”Thanesaid.Heexpectedthemedicto

beginexaminingCiena’sinjuries.Insteadalltheotherteammemberspulledtheirblastersastheleaderkneeleddownwithapairofmagneticbindersforherwrists.

“Whatthe…?”ThewordsdiedinThane’smouthashe

realizedtheNewRepublicsoldiersweredoingexactlywhattheyweresupposedtodo.Theywerecapturingahigh-rankingImperialofficerwhowouldhavetobetriedforhercrimes.

He’dthoughthewasrescuingher,thattheForcehadmiraculouslyintervenedtoprotectthemboth.AllThanehaddonewasdeliverhertoprison.

CIENASTOODINhercell,handsclaspedinfrontofher.Theenergyfieldthatseparatedherfromtherestoftheprisonwasalmostperfectlytransparent,tintingtheworldbeyondslightlysilver.Shehadnotbothered

lookingoutduringmostofhercaptivity—attimesshe’dbeensodepressedthatshehadlackedthewilleventogetoutofherjailhousebunk.

Today,however,shehadavisitor.

SheknewThanebytheheavytreadofhisbootsalone,ormaybethatwasonlywishfulthinking.Cienahadstrainedateverysmallnoiseoutsidetheentireday,eventhoughhehadn’tbeendue

untilthishour.Butthistimeitwashim.Thanesmiledwhenhe

sawher,thoughshecouldseethestrickenlookinhiseyes.Didhefeelguiltyforcagingherlikeabird?Good,shethought.Butprobablyhewasmoreshakenbythesightofherstandingtherethinandplaininherprisondress,whichwasverynearlythelightbrowncolorofherskin.

“Autumnleaf,”hesaid,

moretohimselfthantoher—thenrecoveredhimself.“Ciena.Thanksforfinallyagreeingtoseeme.”

Shesimplynodded.Therewasnopointintellinghimthatshe’drelentedafterjustoneweek,onlytobetoldthathe’dalreadyshippedoutonamission.Thathadbeenamomentofweakness.Nowshewasfinallyreadytotalk.“Wehavesomuchtosay,”shesaid.“It’shardtoknow

wheretobegin.”“Tellmewhyyoudidn’t

allowmetovisitbefore.”Cienaturnedherhead,

unwillingtolookhimintheeyesasshesaidthis.“IwishyouhadleftmeaboardtheInflictor.”

“Ifyou’rewaitingformetoapologizeforsavingyourlife,you’llbewaitingawhile.”Afterabriefsilence,headded,“ButIunderstandwhyyoufeelthatway.”

“Doyou?”“Youwantedtodoyour

dutyandescapetheEmpireatthesametime.Suicidewastheonlywaytodothat—tobalancethescales.Butyoushouldn’tmeasureyourselfagainsttheEmpire.You’reworthmorethantherestofitputtogether.”

Cienaglancedupathimthen,toucheddespiteherself.Helookedevenmorehandsomethanhehadinher

daydreams.Hishairhaddarkenedslightly,moreredthanblond.Someonewhohadnotseenhimsincehischildhoodmightnotrecognizehimnow.

Butshethoughtshewouldalwaysknowhim,byhissteporhisflightorhiseyes.Somethingabouthiseyesneverchanged.

“Youdounderstand,”shesaidquietly.“ButIwishyou’drespectedmy

decision.”“You’regladtobealive,

though,right?”Thanesteppedclosertothebarrierasheadded,morehesitantly,“Aren’tyou?”

ForamomentCienacouldn’tanswer.Finally,shemanagedtosay,“It’stooearlytotell.”

Hedidn’tseemtohaveareplytothat.Shedidn’tblamehim.

Thereweretimesshe

trulywishedshehaddiedratherthanfacethisshame.Atothermoments,however,Cienafoundherselfenjoyingthesmallestpleasuresofexistence—theonlyonesavailableinsidehercell.Andthenshefeltshehadn’tbeenreadytodiejustyet.

LookingatThanenowwasoneofthosemoments.

Shesaid,“It’shard.EverythingIworkedformywholelifehasbeen

destroyed.EverythingIeverfoughtforisalie.”

“Noteverything.Intheend,youfoughtforme.”Hissmilewascrooked.“That’sgottobeworthsomething.”

Herthroattightenedagainsttearssherefusedtoshed.“That’stheonlypartstillworthanything.”

“Ciena—”“Itwastheperfecttrap.

Youknow?”Shehadtoclenchherfisthardenough

forhernailstodigintoherpalm;focusingonthepainkeptherfrombreakingdowncompletely.“IwassodedicatedtohonorthatIbecameawarcriminal.”

“There’smorethanonekindoftrap.ForasecondthereI’dconvincedmyselfthatwe’dfixedthewholegalaxy,truthandjusticehadprevailed,soonandsoforth—evenstartedbelievingintheForce,ofallthings—”He

laughedathisownfolly.“SoIhadenoughhopetotakethatimpossiblechanceandcomeafteryou,butitturnedoutIsavedyouonlyforthis.Andnowyou’retrappedhere,wherewecan’teventouch—”

“Stop.Pleasestop.”Cienahidherfacefromhim;shecouldtellhe’dturnedslightlyaway.

Forafewmomentstheybothremainedsilent,

strugglingforcontrol.Cienahadthoughtherownsorrowwastoomuchtobear,butnowshehadtoendureThane’s,aswell.Itwastoomuchforeitherofthem—andyettheyhadnochoice.Whenonewaswounded,theotherbled.Hewasapartofher,forever.

Shemanagedtoslowherbreaths,regainhercomposure.Bythetimesheliftedherheadagain,Thane

hadcalmedhimself,too.“So.Areyouallright?They’retreatingyouwell?”Heglancedaroundhersmallcellasifinspectingit.

Shehadtoadmitthetruth.“Yes.Theygivemeholonovelsandsimplegames.Icanclaimuptosevenhoursofoutdoorexerciseaweek—undersupervision,ofcourse—butthedoctorsagreeIshouldn’tdoanythingtoostrenuousuntilI’vehealed

somemore.”Herhandstoleacrossherabdomen,unconsciouslyshieldingit.

Hewinced.“YouknowIwould’vebeenmorecarefulwithyouifI’drealizedhowbadlyyou’dbeeninjured.”

“Yes.Iknow.”Thoughperhapsthatwouldhavebeenthedeathofthemboth,becauseithadtakenthatmuchforceforhimtoovercomeher.Shefeltstrangelyproudofthat.

“Anyway.Isleepalot.Thebunkhereisn’tmuch,butit’sreasonablycomfortable.I’vebeentreatedhumanelybytheRebellion…theNewRepublicofficers.”Shebrushedaloosecoilofhairawayfromherface,self-consciousabouthernextadmission.“Ihadexpectedinterrogationbytorture.TheEmpirehadtaughtmetothinkthatwasstandardprocedure—allanyprisoner

couldexpect.InsteadIgotmedicaltreatmentandinformationaboutmylegalrights.”

“Haveyoutoldthemanythingvoluntarily?”Thanehastenedtoadd,“I’mnotpressuringyou.I’mnothereonbehalfoftheNewRepublic,andIneverwillbe,allright?Youneverhavetodoubtwhethertheysentmeinheretoplayyou.”

Cienahadharboreddark

thoughtsaboutthatveryscenariolateatnightasshelayinherbunk.Butnowshecouldhonestlyreply,“Ibelieveyou.”

Visiblyrelieved,hecontinued,“Iaskedonlybecause—youknow,they’dcutyouabreakifyoudid.”

Asifthatcouldeverpersuadeher.“Myoathstillholds,Thane.WhileIadmitthatIseetheNewRepublicinadifferentlightnow,I’m

notturningtraitor.NordoIaccepttheirrule.FromwhatI’veheard,thewar’sstillragingon,chaoshasreturnedtothegalaxy—”

“It’sthenormaldisorderofplanetstryingtogettheirgovernmentsbacktogetherafteryearsof—”Thanesighed.“Skipit.Webothknoweachother’slines.”

“There’snopointanyway,”shesaid.“They’renotgoingto‘cutmeabreak,’

nomatterwhatItellthem.I’mawarcriminal,remember?TheNewRepublicwillmakemepayformyservicetotheEmpire.”

Maybethatwasnolessthanshedeserved.

Thanestaredatherforalongmoment;then,toherastonishment,hebegantosmileandshakehishead.“You’regoingtogetoutofhereprettysoonevenifyou

don’ttalk.Ifyoudidsharesomeintel,Ibetyouwouldn’tevenhavetostandtrial.”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Herappointeddefenderhadshownherthelistofchargesagainsther;itspooleddownseveralscreenlengthsandelaboratedwithgreatdetailherserviceatthebattlesofHoth,Endor,andJakku.Shecouldnotdenythatshewasresponsibleforeverysingleitemonthatlist.

“WebothknowI’mguilty.TheNewRepublicwillwanttomakeanexampleofme.They’llneedtoprovethatlawandorderprevail,preciselybecauseit’sanewlawandaneworder.ThelineshavebeenredrawnandI’monthewrongside.”Atlastshespokeherworstfearoutloud:“Imightbeinthisjailcelltherestofmylife.”

“We’vehadthisargumentbefore,too,youknow.”He

leanedclosertotheenergyfield.“Myidealisticphaseisover.I’verememberedhowtheworldreallyworks.Andthethingis,Ciena,thingsfallapart.ToomanypeoplehadtoworkfortheEmpireforthemalltobejailed.That’sliterallyhundredsofbillionsofpeople,notevencountingthetroopswhovanishedwiththerestoftheImperialStarfleet.YouthinktheNewRepubliccanpunishevery

singleone?”“They’llfreetheclerks

andthecleaners.NotacaptainofaStarDestroyer.”

ButThanewasunconvinced.“Youhaveusefultalents.That’soneofthethingstheNewRepublicisgoingtostartlookingfor,soonerratherthanlater.Plusyouhavefriendsinhighplaces—orIdo,anyway,andIintendtohavealongtalkwitheverysingleonewho

couldhelpyou.”“Idon’twantyoutoask

forspecialtreatmentonmybehalf,”sheprotested.

“Toobad,”hesaid.“Becausethedeckisalwaysstacked,Ciena.Allwecandoisstackitinourfavor.”

Cienarememberedthefirsttimethey’dhadthisout.They’dbeeninacantinainValentia,thefatesdividingthemasneverbefore,andthey’darguedandpleaded

untilthey’dfinallybrokendownandmadelove.Itfeltlikeanotherlifetime—lyingnexttohim,pullinghimclose—yetitfeltlikeyesterday.Shecouldneverforgethowshe’dfeltaboutThanethatday,andsheneverwantedto.

“Sohereweareagain,”shesaidwitharuefulsmile.“Debatingorderversuschaos.”

“Maybefatewillfinallysettlethequestionforus.If

you’reright,then,yeah,youhavesomeroughyearsahead.ButifI’mright—andtheNewRepublicchoosesfreedomovervengeance—you’llbeoutofhereinnotime.”Eventhroughthesilvershimmeroftheenergyfield,shecouldseethetendernessinhiseyes.“Eitherway,youknowI’llbewaitingforyou,right?”

Cienawouldhavegivenanythingtoholdhimthen,

evenasshesaid,“Youshouldn’t.”

“Youwould,ifitweremeinsidethatcell.”

“…yes.Iwould.”Slowlysheraisedher

hand,flatteningherpalmagainsttheedgeoftheenergyfield.Thanedidthesame.Theymirroredeachother,almosttouchingbutforeverapart.

“InthemonthsincetheBattleofJakku,theEmpirehasattemptednofurtherlarge-scaleoffensives.SourcesreportallImperialvesselswithintheCoreandInnerRimstayingwithintheboundariesdefinedbytreaty.”Thewomaninthenewsholosmiledasshecontinued,“AfewprominentmembersoftheProvisionalSenatehavespeculatedthattheNewRepublic’swarwith

theremnantsoftheEmpirehasfinallycometoanendandthatafinalsurrendermaybeimminent.However,inheraddresstoday,thechancellorwarnedthatallplanetsshouldremainonhighalert,andtheNewRepublicStarfleetshouldbekeptonawarfootingfortheforeseeablefuture.Heretodiscussbothsidesofthisissueare—”

Nashsnappedoffthe

rebelpropagandafromtheHosniansystem.He’dalreadylearnedallheneededtoknow—namely,thattheso-calledNewRepublicbelievedtheEmpirebeaten.Fools.

Letthemgrowfatandlazy,hethought.Letthemcongratulatethemselves.Letthemgoslack.

CommanderNashWindriderlefthispersonalofficeandwalkedoutintothemaindockingbayofhisnew

ship,theattackcruiserGarrote.EverysubordinatestraightenedatthesoundofNash’sbootsonthemetalfloor;notoneofthemturnedawayfromhisorherworktosomuchasglanceinNash’sdirection.Good.Alreadyhe’dmanagedtoreestablishproperdiscipline.

ForsomeonewhohadspentyearsassignedtoaStarDestroyer,anattackcruiserpostingmighthaveseemed

likeastepdown—buttheEmpirehadsofewStarDestroyersleft.Hewasflightcommanderonastrategicallyimportantvessel,whichwasasteptowardeventuallyreceivinghisowncommand.NashtookprideinreadyingtheGarroteforthenextstageofthewar,thenextassault.

Theonetherebelswouldn’tseecoming.

HestrodebetweenthelonglinesofTIEfighters,all

ofwhichwerebeingrefittedwithstrongerweaponsofnewdesign.Thesewouldbeabletopunchthroughenergyshieldsandstarfighterhullswithasingleblast,whichmeanttheoneadvantagestarfightershadoverTIEs—theirshielding—wouldvanish.Changeslikethatcouldwinthewar.

RatherodioustothinkthatVedFoslohadinventedtheseweapons.Nashhad

alwaysassumedVed’srisethroughtherankswassolelyduetohisfather’sinterference,yetitturnedouthisformerroommatehadsomeaptitudeafterall.Nodoubthisadolescentarrogancehadbecomecompletelyinsufferableinadulthood.

Nashsighedasheremindedhimselfthat,ofhistworoommatesattheacademy,VedFoslowasby

fartheleastoffensive.TothinkthatThane

Kyrellmighthavesurvivedthewar,mightevenbeouttherenowsmuglycelebratingtheRebellion’stemporaryadvantage—itsickenedhim.WhyshouldCienahavediedwhileThanelived?

Butyoucouldn’tlooktothefatesforjustice.Youhadtotakeretributionintoyourownhands.TheEmpirehadtaughthimthat.

“Sir?CommanderWindrider,sir?”Nash’sassistanthadbeguntofollowonhisheels,asusual.“Aquestion,ifImay?”

“Youmay,LieutenantKyrell.”

DalvenKyrellstoodbeforehim,datatabletinhishands,visiblynervous.Hehadnoideaofhisbrother’sroleintheRebellion;NashhadelectedtokeepthattruthfromhimandtreatthisKyrell

asanindividual.Itseemedonlyfair.However,takenonhisownmerits,Dalvenwasweakandtoadying,capableofnomorethanfulfillingthebasictaskshewasgiven.Fortunatelydutyrequirednomoreoftheflightcommander’sassistant.“Iwantedtoaskaboutthelistofofficersyounominatedfortopcommendations.”

WasDalvengoingtoaskwhyhewasn’tonit?Ifhe

did,Nashintendedtotellhim.“Whatisyourquestion?”

“YounominatedCaptainCienaReefortheDistinguishedMedalofImperialHonor.IthinkyoumeantthemorecommonMedalofHonor—”

“IknowpreciselywhatImeant,LieutenantKyrell.”Nashenjoyedspeakingthatsurnamewithaslightsneer.“TheDistinguishedMedalof

ImperialHonoristhehighestmedalwecanbestow,andIcanthinkofnoonemoredeserving.Tohaveremainedaboardhershipwhentheautodestructhadfailed—topersonallycrashitintotheplanet’ssurfacetokeepthevesselfromenemyhands,atthecostofherownlife—CaptainCienaReedeservestoberemembered.”

“Yes,sir,”Dalvensaidweakly,buthecontinued,“I

onlymeant—nominatingsomeoneforthathonorisabigstep,oneothersmightcommentuponasasignoffactionalism.”

“Usually,yes.Inthiscase,however,Ihaveitongoodauthoritythatanumberofcaptains,generals,andadmiralsintendtonominateher,aswell.EvenGrandMoffRanddmaydoso.TheEmpireenduresitsinnerconflicts,butonthisweall

agree.ThelateCaptainReediedahero.”

“Absolutely,”Dalvenhastenedtoadd.“Suchaterriblewaytodie.”

“Terrible?Iwouldcallitglorious.Weallwishshewerestillwithus,butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthatthereisnofinerfatethantodiefortheEmpire.IhopeIshallgetthechancemyselfsomeday.”

“Ofcourse,sir.Yes,sir.”

Dalvenslunkaway.Thanehadalwayssaid

DalvenmadefunofCienawhentheywerechildren,mockingherpovertyandherold-fashionedways—asifeveryoneonJelucanweren’tabackwaterbumpkin.SometimeswhenNashrememberedthatandthoughtofDalvenridiculingayoung,helplessCiena,hewantedtofindanappropriatesuicidemissionfortheman.

ButhecouldnolongerassumeThanehadbeentellingthetruth.Apparently,ThaneKyrellwasamasterdeceiver.

Nashwalkedtowardtheopenmouthofthedockingbay.Againsthisskinhefeltthefainttingleoftheenergyshieldthatmaintainedatmosphericpressure—asignhewasstandingtooclose.Heremainedneartheedgeanyway,thebettertobehold

thesightbeforehim.Withinthemassivecloud

oftheQueluhanNebula,hiddendeepinsidetheglowingtrailsofionizedgasthatconfoundedenemysensors,waitedtheImperialStarfleet.WhiletherebelpunditsconfidentlypredictedtheEmpire’sdisappearanceandsurrender—believedthemdividedagainsteachotherandhelpless—theywereinsteadrejoiningforces

andgrowingstrongerthanbefore.

InNash’sopinion,ithadtakenthemtoolongtocoalesceasaunitedfrontagain;infightinghadallowedtherebelstogainterritorytheycouldnothavehopedtocontestotherwise.Now,however,theImperialStarfleethadreestablishedahierarchyofcommand.Theyhaddevelopedalong-termstrategy.Theoldfactionalism

hadbeensweptaway,andatlasttheystoodtogether,unitedagain.

HelikedtothinkCienaReehadsomethingtodowiththat.Perhapsthatwasonlysentiment,buttherewasnodenyingthatherselflessacthadinspiredthemall.

Youremindeduswhatdisciplinetrulymeans,Nashthought.Youremindedusthatnopriceistoogreattopayforvictory.

Beforehim,intheblue-and-violetglowofthenebula,hecouldseeatleasttenStarDestroyersandevenmorelightcruisers.EachhousedcountlessTIEfighters,tobemannedlargelybythenewconscripts;traininghadtobefasterandharsherthesedays,butthepilotswereshapingupnicely.TheImperialStarfleetmightnotbeaslargeasithadoncebeen,butNashthoughttheymightemergeeven

stronger.Andthistime,theywould

stopatnothinguntiltheRebellionhadbeenpermanentlycrushed.ThaneandtheotherswouldpayforforcingCienatosacrificeherownlife.They’dpayforeverything.

Nashwhispered,“Youwillbeavenged—whentheEmpirerisesagain.”

THEEND

CLAUDIAGRAYistheNewYorkTimesbest-sellingwriterofnumerousnovelsforyoungadults,includingthescience-fictionFirebirdtrilogy,beginningwithAThousandPiecesofYou,andtheparanormalEvernightseries.ShehasbeenaStarWarsfansincesheturnedseven,andshenowinsiststhattransforming

herchildhoodclosetintoanX-wingsimulatorwasvitalcareerpreparation.