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    Dark Disciple: Star Wars
    Dark Disciple: Star Wars
    Dark Disciple: Star Wars
    Ebook434 pages6 hours

    Dark Disciple: Star Wars

    By Christie Golden and Katie Lucas

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this thrilling novel features Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroes in the Star Wars galaxy.

    The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.

    In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
     
    But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
     
    Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and finally let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRandom House Worlds
    Release dateJul 7, 2015
    ISBN9780345536563
    Author

    Christie Golden

    New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Christie Golden has written more than forty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Among her many projects are over a dozen Star Trek novels and several original fantasy novels. An avid player of World of Warcraft, she has written two manga short stories and several novels in that world. Golden lives in Tennessee. She welcomes visitors to her website: ChristieGolden.com.

    Read more from Christie Golden

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    Reviews for Dark Disciple

    4/5

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    • 2/5
      I just read “Dark Disciple” by Christie Golden. It’s a “Star Wars” novel based on some a story line created by George Lucas’s daughter Katie Lucas, but never actually produced for the TV show “The Clone Wars”.

      It’s two main characters are the Jedi Master Quinlan Cos, who I think has only been in comics and books so far, or if he’s in any motion pictures, just bit parts, and Asajj Ventress, one of the recurring villains from “The Clone Wars”.

      It takes place near the end of the Clone War, after the end of the TV show, and before the beginning of the movie, “Revenge of the Sith”. Although the back cover blurb mentions that the Jedi are going to target “the Empire’s” most cold-blooded disciple, even though in the “Star Wars” timeline the Empire wouldn’t yet exist, and in fact, that aforementioned disciple won’t ever see it.

      It had been a while since I watched all of “The Clone Wars” so I didn’t really remember where Asajj Ventress’s story was at the end of it, and I beginning this novel I hadn’t realized she was no longer an assassin / apprentice under Count Dooku, or Darth Tyrranus.

      Plenty of other Jedi, Sith and bounty hunter characters from other media have parts in the novel. Yoda is the most annoying, as Golden has to twist every single one of his sentences with parts out of standard order. I get it, the character has that funny grammar, but if you watch “The Empire Strikes Back” or “Return of the Jedi” his speech is half normal, and what isn’t still isn’t half as incomprehensible as the dialogue Golden has written for him.

      It’s an entertaining novel, but far, far from a great work of literature…
    • 3/5
      A retcon of Quinlan Vos that's really a vehicle to conclude Ventress' Clone Wars arc.
    • 3/5
      Oh, it was OK...there was/is some plot holes that I found that I struggled with, but it was overall OK.
    • 2/5
      This audio book was not very memorable. Like I listened to it half-way and was like "wait, I've listened to this before"

      Would not recommend, still get's two stars because the audio production is fantastic like all Star Wars audiobooks.
    • 3/5
      On the one hand, this book gripped me from the start. The character development was beautiful... until the very end.

      The rest of my comments are a serious spoiler.






      very, very, very spoiler.

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      Ventress totally gets the short end of the stick. In the end, her death brings Vos back to the Jedi order, and Kenobi gives a sermon on what we all should learn from her sacrifice. Anakin was _right there_ and saw exactly how Vos fell, and exactly what his turn to the dark side cost. But it's a meaningless lesson, since we already know what happens in Revenge of the Sith.

      To hell with the damn Jedi Council - I want more Ventress!!!
    • 4/5
      So, about 2 weeks ago I decided to read all the books in the Star Wars Universe canon - because why not, right?

      And then I figured out the my library had almost all of them, so I actually could read through them. So here goes!

      Dark Disciple is set during the Clone Wars, and features Obi-Wan and Anakin as Jedi trying to take down Count Dooku. Vos is the hapless Jedi sent to do the dirty work, and Ventress the kickass female assassin selected unwillingly to be his partner. Naturally, romance and highjinks ensue. This was fun and quick, with enough familiar characters to draw readers in, but strong enough protagonists to keep them engaged throughout. Great start to this particular reading journey!
    • 5/5
      This is a great book for fans of either Ventress or Quinlan Vos. If you're looking for a story to fill in the gaps between the Clone Wars and the movies, you'll really enjoy this book - a very worthwhile read. I thought it started a little slow, but it really picks up the pace a few chapters in. While I think Taylor did a good job on the cover art, I was really hoping to see it done by Jan Duursema - after all, she helped breathe life into the Quinlan Vos character!
    • 5/5
      Christie Golden can spin a Star Wars tale! Dark Disciple was unique, and disturbing. It goes against everything we've ever learned about the Jedi Order.

      Realizing Count Dooku is at the root of most evil, the Jedi Order decides the only way out of harm's way will come from the count's assassination. Teaming up Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with former sith Asajj Ventress.

      As a huge fan of the animated Clone Wars series, I was anxious to see a book dedicated to Ventress. I was not disappointed.

      Ventress retrains Vos -- introducing him to the Dark Side. Not to turn him against the Force, but to make him stronger, since going up against Dooku will be a near-impossible task!

      Obi Wan is apprehensive. He knows how manipulative Ventress can be.

      Nothing goes as planned, and the Jedi Order is faced with more difficult decisions than when they initially announced the mission.

      A ton of action. Some intimate scenes. There is no reading this book slowly. I loved every minute. The chemistry between Vos and Ventress is as electric as Dooku's bursts of evil lightning! Not only am I anxious to read more Star Wars novels, I am just as hungry for more books written by Christie Golden, and low and behold she has a ton!

      Phillip Tomasso
      Author of Wizard's Rise and Wizard's War
    • 4/5
      This novel is based on un-aired episodes of the Clone Wars TV series. I'm kind of bummed that the show was cancelled before these could air, but I'm glad the powers that be decided to make a novel out of the scripts, and that Christie Golden was chosen to write it. Based on my past experiences with Star Wars novels written by guys, the romance (and, let's be honest, sometimes the whole book) tends to be written terribly. In Golden's hands, though, the story of Master Jedi Quinlan Vos and ex-Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter Asajj Ventress is an emotional story about the all-consuming power of love - and the dark paths it can take you down. Asajj Ventress was always very interesting to me, and this story really explores her character in a way the TV show never did. I also found the exploration into Jedi/Sith mentality and rationale fascinating; what do you do when the group you belong to starts going down a path that goes against everything you believe in?

      While there were aspects of the book that seemed too predictable, Golden knows her way around both action scenes and emotional ones, so I was always held captivated. More lady writers for Star Wars novels, please!
    • 4/5
      This was hard to rate. While I never expect a Star Wars book to be high literary prose, I don't expect some of the awkward writing/editing found in Dark Disciple. Often I felt like I was reading the actual script for these episodes rather than a written adaptation. There were also a few instances where the author gave redundant descriptions. For example, late in the book Dooku is described as 'infamous' twice within a paragraph of each other. Was it a false description? No. But it did not read well and came off as lazy.

      The innuendo in the book felt very out of place for the Star Wars universe. There was a bit of this in 'Heir to the Jedi' as well and it just feels childish and awkward. The overall romance story was complex and well done and a welcome addition to Star Wars, but stop reducing it to sit-com humor.

      Now, on to the good stuff. Early on I probably would have rated this book a 2 or 3 stars because of the problems I mentioned above. But Dark Disciple ended up being an excellent story. Without giving anything away, if you are a Clone Wars fan, this gives some very satisfying answers to some lingering questions. If you are a Ventress fan, this does a great job of getting into her head and exploring who she is. This book is at its best when its exploring Ventress's thoughts and emotions. This was one of the darkest and most complex Clone Wars stories and its a shame that it didn't get a chance to air, but I can't help but think that putting it into written form allowed us to get to know Ventress much better than a TV show would have allowed.

      One of the more interesting aspects of this book is the foreshadowing and preparation for Revenge of the Sith. As we saw in the 'Lost Missions' episodes, events were leading more and more toward Episode 3, and this book moves it even further.

      If you can work through some of the issues the book has, its a satisfying continuation of the Clone Wars and worth reading.

      *Disclaimer: I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
    • 5/5
      Star Wars Dark Disciple




      A good book to explore more about the Quinlan Vos and Asajj Ventress characters.




      Two intriguing characters specially to see how they will interact between them. Another point to take is the fact that this is from not broadcasted episodes of the Clone Wars, I could see at moments why this is considered a "more adult" version of the episodes but also it would had been great if the episodes were made, however at moments I couldn't grasp the idea of them being in a relationship (not to spoil for the ones that haven't read it but really!! walks in the park??!!)




      At moments the beginning reminded me of the Darth Bane saga, and I also had to remember that this is part of the new canon and had to unlearn the Vos story arcs from the comics.




      A good read, can't wait to see if they will be used some more in the near future
    • 4/5
      I am so glad this un-aired Clone Wars material was translated into novel form. I enjoyed the book, its themes, and its portrayal of the Jedi and how low their order has fallen. My only complaint with existing character portrayals was how Mace Windu was handled. Yes he represents everything wrong with the Jedi of the prequel era, but in this story he seems to quick to judge and too quick to take extreme action. This does seem to be the route filoni, and possibly Lucas, were taking the character towards the end of the Clone Wars, but it just feels too blatant.

      There were a couple things that took me out of the novel. First, the fact the material come from an eight episode arc was very noticeable to me. It had a repetitive nature at times,

      Spoilers:



      Confront Dooku, escape Dooku, confront Dooku, escape Dooku, etc. I was constantly wondering what was new material and what would have been on the show. Some of the content was very dark and I got caught up wondering how that would play out in animation form. Another aspect that took me out was my familiarity with the Legends material of Ventress an Vos. Some of the legends material is so similar, especially with Vos. Vos had a similar mission and brush with the darkside, just not with Ventress. Neither of these issues were a fault of the author, so its hard to judge to harshly.

      Some of the specifics I enjoyed most were knowing of certain characters appearances in later material, but still feeling they were in peril. Vos for instance is mentioned in Episode III, but I didn't see him making it out of this alive, continuity issue or not. Dooku took quite a beating, and it was interesting seeing him vulnerable, even though he manages to escape (multiple times).

      Overall I am happy this material is out there. We are lucky to get it. I never expected a team up between these two characters, and even though it conflicts with what we know from Legends, I feel it does those previous stories justice.
    • 5/5
      In Dark Disciple, Christie Golden creates the first excellent character study of the new Disney Star Wars canon. The plot, based on unproduced episodes of the Clone Wars series, focuses around Jedi Master Quinlan Vos teaming up with former-Sith and Nightsister Asajj Ventress on a Jedi Council sanctioned mission to assassinate Count Dooku. Both characters are fan-favorites and Golden treats them with all the reverence of someone who truly understands them. As the two work together, they develop a connection that threatens Ventress's self-imposed isolation and Vos's Jedi vows.
      Golden brings her aptitude for action scenes, previously seen in the Fate of the Jedi series, to Dark Disciple. Describing a battle between Ventress, Vos, Dooku, and General Grievous, Golden writes,
      "Enraged, Vos charged Dooku from behind. The Sith Lord whirled, catching Vos's strike with his own weapon and twisting his wrist to parry. Vos countered with a feint that caused Dooku's chest to be unguarded, and dived for the kill. Dooku twisted out of the lightsaber's path, but for the first time since the fight began, Ventress saw awkwardness." (p. 153)
      Golden finds her stride during the character-driven scenes, compelling her audience to follow along with bated breath, as she writes scenes such as the following:
      "All at once, warmth flooded through her. It was as if she were being bathed with soft light. It washed away the pain, and the fear, and the anger, leaving only perfect clarity in its wake. Ventress realized that it was the Force, but it had never felt like this. And it was giving her a gift.
      Time slowed to a crawl as a sudden, calm sense of knowing permeated her. She saw, all at once, every possible outcome of the turn of this fraction of a second. Every convolution, every manifestation, every repercussion that would echo far into the future. Death, and life, and new chances lay down one path. The restoration of balance. Fear and disaster, an existence that could never be called living but merely crawling about in a shell of flesh that had no spark of joy - that, too, could be the future; burning vengence that only increased the hunger for more." (p. 292)
      Clone Wars and casual Star Wars fans are sure to find something to enjoy in this novel. This fifth book in the new Disney canon sets the bar high, but proves that there's plenty of good yet to come in the Star Wars universe.
    • 5/5
      "Star Wars: Dark Disciple" - The End of an Era

      I devoured this book – turning its pages with an enthusiasm that surprised me. This book, I felt, was a departure from many of the other Clone Wars novels I've read, which all focused on battle, politics, and intrigue. This book, from start to finish, was more of a personal journey of two people – battling their demons both separately and together. I saw a lot of corollaries in this novel to the stories of the films – themes of forbidden love, fallen knights, redemption, and the idea that no one is ever too far gone to be saved and forgiven. This book explored those themes in a way that fully engaged me and, at times, made me feel emotions that I seldom found while reading a Star Wars novel (and I’ve read more than my share). Two very complicated characters in Quinlan Vos and Asajj Ventress are explored at a level yet unseen in The Clone Wars. Their complexities, inner demons, and motivations are explored in ways that demand you keep turning pages. Even old friends like Windu, Yoda, and especially Kenobi are seen in surprising depth.
      Golden did a spectacular job with not only the characters, but the story outlines she was given and has woven them all into an integrated tale that was truly captivating and engrossing. I found it a little episodic at points, but didn’t feel that this in any way detracted from the narrative. It was a fitting capstone to the Clone Wars TV series, and I found myself more than a little disappointed (all over again) at its demise. This one was well-worth the hype!
    • 5/5
      It’s amazing what expectations can do to your enjoyment of a book. Take Dark Disciple for example. Based on the cover flap alone it would not be unreasonable to presume that this book would be about some convoluted assassination attempt on one of the most prominent political leaders of the era, Count Dooku, and its equally tortuous reasons for failure because, for everyone who’s seen or read Revenge of the Sith, we all know how this is going to end. Add to that some forced sexual tension between the two leads and you have standard Star Wars novel fare. This book, however, is so much more than that and blew my expectations away. It easily made the other “canon” novels look like the Star Wars Holiday Special in comparison.

      Despite what the cover flap describes, this book really isn’t about the assassination of Count Dooku. In fact, for the first third of it I can count on one hand the number of times the assassination is mentioned. In reality this novel is about the often tragic relationship of its two leads Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos, who I will refer to as Quinsajj when together. The assassination is merely the means to an end. The chemistry between these two is so astonishingly organic such that Han and Leia’s relationship looks like a middle school crush next to Quinsajj. It got so steamy that I had the urge to take off extra layers of clothing when I read this book (that and because at time of writing this, it’s the summer). Ventress is initially portrayed as a loner, one who tries to distance her from all others due to her dreadful past. Betrayed both by the Jedi Order and her former master Count Dooku both of whom left her for dead, she naturally has trust issues and is unwilling to open up to others. By contrast Vos has lived his entire life always in the presence of others. The Jedi Temple is the only home he ever had and, surrounded by his Jedi brethren, is open to trusting those he deems worthy. Nevertheless even by his fellow Jedi he is considered an eccentric maverick and thus often finds himself working on solo missions. The differing personalities of Quinsajj melded together brilliantly; while they are both inherently outsiders, circumstances demanded that they team up with the trusting, flamboyant Vos complementing the wary, conniving Ventress. For any English majors out there, they were an excellent example of foil characters.

      However the great characters don’t stop there: Christie Golden has a fantastic understanding of her other characters as well. Not since Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy have I ever seen so many individuals “in character.” No one conveys this better than Count Dooku. Every moment he was present I could just sense the aura of the late Sir Christopher Lee emanating from the book, flaunting his imperious persona. When Dooku gave his speech at the Separatist celebration in the book it was so masterfully delivered that I wanted to stand up and cheer despite the fact that doing so would be the in-universe equivalent of applauding for Hitler. His actions throughout the book, too, are in character: as the aristocratic yet sinister Count he is, Dooku is more than willing to use cruelty and deception to accomplish his goals. This extends to the characterization of the members of the Jedi council, who despite their dogmatic fear of the Dark Side, are seemingly already on their way towards venturing down it. The book makes it very clear how controversial the decision to partake in cold-blooded assassination is and the distrust that permeates the council towards the individuals involved comes about naturally. In the end, they too are willing to use deception just like Dooku to accomplish their goals.

      With all the betrayals and deceptions throughout the novel, Golden is able to masterfully weave in some heavy themes to top it off. Do the ends truly ever justify the means? How much should one compromise one’s beliefs for the greater good? How does war affect even the purest of individuals? This is mainly embodied by the aforementioned Jedi Council. It is their belief that killing Dooku will end the war and they become all too willing to, in my mind, violate the Jedi Code (which by the way is now canon, Woohoo!) “There is no death, there is the Force.” By taking matters into their own hands and causing “death” on their own terms rather than through the natural progression of events, they act against the will of the Force. This just goes to show how war can affect even the purest of individuals. Philosophical discussion aside, perhaps the most poignant theme is the nature of attachment invoked by Quinsajj. Is it worth opening up and trusting those you love at risk of being stabbed in the back later? Quinsajj’s relationship was built on deception to begin with so both must question whether being together is the right course of action.

      Ultimately, Dark Disciple has got to be the most beautiful, masterfully written work of art I’ve read in a long time. What starts off as typical McGuffin chasing story turns into something else entirely with complex themes and inspiring characters pushing forward an engaging plot. This all culminates into a heart wrenching ending that just tears at the feels. Some may not like how certain characters end up, but I think that just adds to the beauty of it. If this is any indication of the direction the Star Wars franchise is going, the future is bright indeed.

      Quick note: While reading the book I was able to listen to the audiobook and, as usual, Marc Thompson does an amazing job. Every character except one sounds almost exactly as if the actors of the movies and TCW were right in the room with you. The exception of course is Asajj Ventress who in the beginning comes off not like the lethal seductress she should be and more like a constipated Trandoshan (lizard alien). He does get better as the book progresses and I eventually got used to his voice but for the life of him his Asajj voice could never sound like a girl to me. Other than that, brilliant work Mr. Thompson. I’d also like to lend a quick shoutout to Katie Lucas who wrote the original scripts to the TCW episodes this book was adapted from. Nice work! In my opinion you’re a much better writer than your father, George.

      ALTERNATE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Revenge of the Sith and Shatterpoint both by Matthew Stover. The movie novelization of the classic movie follows a similar story of a pair of individuals, Anakin and Obi-Wan, who share a similar bond to Quinsajj and the trust and betrayals that follow it – the only difference is that they are connected by brotherly love. If for a second you think to yourself “Saw the movie, don’t need to read the book”, I will find you and slap you across the face. You haven’t experienced RotS until you’ve read how Stover tells it. Shatterpoint on the other hand shares thematic elements with Dark Disciple and explores the heavy themes of what war can to individuals and whether the ends ever truly justify the means.

      You’re still here? I guess I have a bit of a confession to make: I’m a huge Asajj Ventress fan. She was my favorite character in the entire TCW TV series and I found her character arc the best the show had to offer (sorry Ahsoka but you suffer too much from Mary Sueism for my tastes.) I hope that didn’t just invalidate everything I said up to now.
    • 4/5
      (Review also posted on Legendarium Media)

      There's a reason the Jedi discourage emotional attachment, and this book is a perfect example of why.

      !!!MILD SPOILERS BELOW!!!

      Dark Disciple is, for lack of a better word, truly epic from start to finish. Based on eight unfinished episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the story follows former Sith assassin Asajj Ventress and Jedi Quinlan Vos on a mission to assassinate Count Dooku to put a quick end to the war. The mission was actually the idea of the Jedi Council, an idea which goes against everything they stand for. We never really saw the Jedi Council as a whole falter this much in the show or the films and it illustrates just how desperate the Jedi have become. Even more unthinkable is the suggestion that not only a Jedi, Quinlan Vos, carry out this deed, but that they do so with the help of Asajj Ventress, the only one still alive who was close to him and tried to assassinate him herself...twice.

      Things really take off when Asajj and Quinlan first meet (the animatics for their first verbal [and physical] exchange were first shown at Star Wars Celebration this year). The story moves quickly but isn't rushed, which is perfect for both Quin and Asajj as characters; neither are simple or quick-to-trust people, but Golden takes the time to explore them both and explain through events how their partnership organically grows into something rather special while not detracting from the main story. In fact, the romance angle becomes just as important as the mission to kill Dooku because it becomes such an integral part of nearly everything, a change of pace from the majority of Star Wars novels. Speaking of which...

      Anyone who has spent more than five minutes around me knows of my love and adoration of Asajj, so I'll get this out of the way right now: I'm still not a fan of her and Quin being romantically involved. HOWEVER! Golden takes such care in establishing and building their relationship that my initial distaste of the pairing quickly took a backseat when I read just how sweet and endearing it could be (the moment when Asajj steps out in her ballgown for the banquet on Raxus Prime was priceless).

      Where most would expect the confrontation with Dooku to be the climax of the novel, it's certainly not. Like I said, this is an epic. That fight is just the start of a whole chain of events that leads to one of the most bittersweet, heartbreaking conclusions I've ever read in my life. I don't want to spoil to much, but I will say that if you're not at least the tiniest bit choked up by the final chapter, you might want to go see a doctor because you clearly have no heart.

      As engrossing as the story is on its own, there are some small issues that will hopefully be corrected by the time the final copies are released next month. Inconsistent facts, contradicting dialogue, and a missing word or two didn't hurt the story too badly, but they did jerk me out of the flow for a moment.

      The only other complaint I have is regarding Quinlan's motivation in the second half, which actually hurt any chance that I might have been more willing to accept he and Asajj as a couple. Again, without too many spoilers, while their relationship is sweet, it starts on lies and Quin is the one who keeps that going even after Asajj has owned up to her own lie (which is a rather massive one). He hides things from her and does things that, even though she had committed terrible things while in the service of the Sith, she would have been horrified to learn about.

      The real crux of it all is a choice that Quin makes which is nothing short of a betrayal of trust. Asajj Ventress is not someone who trusts easily, and to betray the faith she has put in you is a grave violation that she really doesn't need to deal with after so much heartbreak in her past. Quinlan could try to rationalize it all he wanted, but it doesn't change the fact that his choices changed his relationship with her from a partnership to a power play, with him in command. Not cool, Quin. Not cool.

      But overall, Dark Disciple fills in a few blanks from The Clone Wars TV series rather well and handles every character with love and care (yes, even Dooku). There is humor, there is joy, there is action (and plenty of it), there is despair, there is emotion. We learn just how deep Asajj's guilt over the Nightsister massacre goes, how far Quinlan is willing to go both for the task of assassinating Dooku and to preserve what he has and hopes to have with Asajj, and how one who has fallen can find their way back to the Light in the end. I finished the book in a record (for me) 16 hours over two days. Other readers may want to stretch out their reading time if only to spare their hearts and souls the agony Dark Disciple will instill in them.

      Don't say I didn't warn you.

      Come talk to me about this book once you read it so we can cry together (yes, there were legitimate tears on my face by the time I finished reading).

    Book preview

    Dark Disciple - Christie Golden

    For years, the galaxy-wide conflict known as the Clone Wars has raged. The struggle between the rightful government of the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems has claimed the lives of untold billions.

    The Force-wielding Jedi, for millennia the guardians of peace in the galaxy, have been thwarted at nearly every turn by the Separatists and their leader, the Sith Lord Count Dooku.

    With the war showing no signs of ending, and the casualties mounting each day, the Jedi must consider every possible means of defeating their cunning foe. Whether some means are too unthinkable—and some allies too untrustworthy—has yet to be revealed…

    CHAPTER ONE

    Ashu-Nyamal, Firstborn of Ashu, child of the planet Mahranee, huddled with her family in the hold of a Republic frigate. Nya and the other refugees of Mahranee braced themselves against the repercussions from the battle raging outside. Sharp, tufted Mahran ears caught the sounds of orders, uttered and answered by clones, the same voice issuing from different throats; keen noses scented faint whiffs of fear from the speakers.

    The frigate rocked from yet another blast. Some of the pups whimpered, but the adults projected calm. Rakshu cradled Nya’s two younger siblings. Their little ears were flat against their skulls, and they shivered in terror against their mother’s warm, lithe body, but their blue muzzles were tightly closed. No whimpers for them; a proud line, was Ashu. It had given the Mahran many fine warriors and wise statesmen. Nya’s sister Teegu, Secondborn of Ashu, had a gift for soothing any squabble, and Kamu, the youngest, was on his way to becoming a great artist.

    Or had been, until the Separatists had blasted Mahranee’s capital city to rubble.

    The Jedi had come, in answer to the distress call, as the Mahran knew they would. But they had come too late. Angry at the Mahranee government’s refusal to cooperate, the Separatists had decided that genocide, or as close a facsimile as possible, would solve the problem of obtaining a world so rich in resources.

    Nya clenched her fists. If only she had a blaster! She was an excellent shot. If any of the enemy attempted to board the ship, she could be of use to the brave clones now risking their lives to protect the refugees. Better yet, Nya wished she could stab one of the Separatist scum with her stinger, even though it would—

    Another blast, this one worse. The lights flickered off, replaced almost instantly by the blood-red hue of the backup lighting. The dark-gray metal of the bulkheads seemed to close in ominously. Something snapped inside Nya. Before she really knew what she was doing, she had leapt to her feet and bounded across the hold to the rectangular door.

    Nya! Rakshu’s voice was strained. We were told to stay here!

    Nya whirled, her eyes flashing. I am walking the warrior path, Mother! I can’t just sit here doing nothing. I have to try to help!

    You will only be in the… Rakshu’s voice trailed off as Nya held her gaze. Tears slipped silently down Rakshu’s muzzle, glittering in the crimson light. The Mahran were no telepaths, but even so, Nya knew her mother could read her thoughts.

    I can do no harm. We are lost already.

    Rakshu knew it, too. She nodded, then said, her voice swelling with pride in her eldest, Stab well.

    Nya swallowed hard at the blunt blessing. The stinger was the birthright of the Mahran—and, if used, their death warrant. The venom that would drop a foe in his tracks would also travel to his slayer’s heart. The two enemies always died together. The words were said to one who was not expected to return alive.

    Good-bye, Mama, Nya whispered, too softly for her mother to hear. She slammed a palm against the button and the door opened. Without pausing she raced down the corridor, her path outlined by a strip of emergency lighting; she skidded to a halt when the hallway branched into two separate directions, picked one, and ran headlong into one of the clones.

    Whoa, there! he said, not unkindly. You’re not supposed to be here, little one.

    "I will not die huddled in fear!" Nya snapped.

    You’re not going to, the clone said, attempting to be reassuring. We’ve outrun puddle-jumpers like these before. Just get back to the holding area and stay out of our way. We’ve got this in hand.

    Nya smelled the change in his sweat. He was lying. For a moment, she spared compassion for him. What had his life been like when he was a youngling? There had been no one to give him hugs or tell stories, no loving parental hands to soothe childhood’s nightmares. Only brothers, identical in every way, who had been raised as clinically as he.

    Brothers, and duty, and death.

    Feeling strangely older than the clone, and grateful for her own unique life that was about to end, Nya smiled, shook her head, and darted past him.

    He did not give chase.

    The corridor ended in a door. Nya punched the button. The door slid open onto the cockpit. And she gasped.

    She had never been in space before, so she was unprepared for the sight the five-section viewport presented. Bright flashes and streaks of laserfire dueled against an incongruously peaceful-looking starfield. Nya wasn’t sufficiently knowledgeable to be able to distinguish one ship from another—except for her own planet’s vessels, looking old and small and desperate as they tried to flee with their precious cargo of families just like her own.

    A clone and the Jedi general, the squat, reptilian Aleena who had led the mission to rescue Nya’s people, occupied the cockpit’s two chairs. With no warning, another blast rocked the ship. Nya went sprawling into the back of the clone’s chair, causing him to lurch forward. He turned to her, his eyes dark with anger, and snapped, Get off this—

    General Chubor, came a smooth voice.

    Nya’s fur lifted. She whirled, snarling silently. Oh, she knew that voice. The Mahran had heard it uttering all sorts of pretty lies and promises that were never intended to be kept. She wondered if there was anyone left in the galaxy who didn’t recognize the silky tones of Count Dooku.

    He appeared on a small screen near the top of the main viewport. A satisfied, cruel smirk twisted Dooku’s patrician features.

    I’m surprised you contacted me, his image continued. As I recall, Jedi prefer to be regarded as the strong, silent type.

    The clone lifted a finger to his lips, but the warning was unnecessary. Nya’s sharp teeth were clenched, her fur bristled, and her entire being was focused on the count’s loathed face, but she knew better than to speak.

    General Chubor, sitting beside the clone in the pilot’s chair, so short that his feet did not reach the floor, likewise was not baited. You’ve got your victory, Dooku. His slightly nasal, high-pitched voice was heavy with sorrow. The planet is yours…let us have the people. We have entire families aboard, many of whom are injured. They’re innocents!

    Dooku chuckled, as if Chubor had said something dreadfully amusing over a nice hot cup of tea. My dear General Chubor. You should know by now that in a war, there is no such thing as an innocent.

    Count, I repeat, our passengers are civilian families, General Chubor continued with a calmness at which Nya could only marvel. Half of the refugees are younglings. Permit them, at least, to—

    Younglings whose parents, unwisely, chose to ally with the Republic. Gone was Dooku’s civilized purr. His gaze settled on Nya. She didn’t flinch from his scrutiny, but she couldn’t stifle a soft growl. He looked her up and down, then dismissed her as of no further interest. I’ve been monitoring your transmissions, General, and I know that this little chat is being sent to the Jedi Council. So let me make one thing perfectly clear.

    Dooku’s voice was now hard and flat, as cold and pitiless as the ice of Mahranee’s polar caps.

    As long as the Republic resists me, ‘innocents’ will continue to die. Every death in this war lies firmly at the feet of the Jedi. And now…it is time for you and your passengers to join the ranks of the fallen.

    One of the largest Mahranee ships bloomed silently into a flower of yellow and red that disintegrated into pieces of rubble.

    Nya didn’t know she had screamed until she realized her throat was raw. Chubor whirled in his chair.

    His large-eyed gaze locked with hers.

    The last thing Ashu-Nyamal, Firstborn of Ashu, would ever see was the shattered expression of despair in the Jedi’s eyes.

    —

    The bleakest part about being a Jedi, thought Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, is when we fail.

    He had borne witness to scenes like the one unfolding before the Jedi Council far too many times to count, and yet the pain didn’t lessen. He hoped it never would.

    The terrified final moments of thousands of lives played out before them, then the grim holographic recording flickered and vanished. For a moment, there was a heavy silence.

    The Jedi cultivated a practice of nonattachment, which had always served them well. Few understood, though, that while specific, individual bonds such as romantic love or family were forbidden, the Jedi were not ashamed of compassion. All lives were precious, and when so many were lost in such a way, the Jedi felt the pain of it in the Force as well as in their own hearts.

    At last, Master Yoda, the diminutive but extraordinarily powerful head of the Jedi Council, sighed deeply. Grieved are we all, to see so many suffer, he said. Courage, the youngling had, at the end. Forgotten, she and her people will not be.

    I hope her bravery brought her comfort, Kenobi said. The Mahran prize it. She and the others are one with the Force now. But I have no more earnest wish than that this tragedy be the last the war demands.

    As do all of us, Master Kenobi, said Master Mace Windu. But I don’t think that wish is coming true anytime soon.

    Did any ships make it out with their passengers? Anakin Skywalker asked. Kenobi had asked the younger man, still only a Jedi Knight, to accompany him to this gathering, and Anakin stood behind Kenobi’s chair.

    Reported in, no one has, Yoda said quietly. But hope, always, there is.

    With respect, Master Yoda, Anakin said, "the Mahran needed more than our hope. They needed our help, and what we were able to give them wasn’t enough."

    And unfortunately, they are not the only ones we’ve been forced to give short shrift, Windu said.

    For almost three standard years, this war has raged, said Plo Koon, the Kel Dor member of the Council. His voice was muffled due to the mask he wore over his mouth and nose, a requirement for his species in this atmosphere. We can barely even count the numbers of the fallen. But this— He shook his head.

    All directly because of one man’s ambition and evil, said Windu.

    It’s true that Dooku is the leader of the Separatists, Kenobi said. "And no one will argue that he is both ambitious and evil. But he hasn’t done it alone. I agree that Dooku may be responsible for every death in this war, but he didn’t actively commit each one."

    Of course not, Plo Koon said, but it’s interesting that you use nearly the same words as Dooku. He placed the blame for the casualties squarely upon us.

    A lie, that is, Yoda said. He waved a small hand dismissively. Foolish it would be, for us to give it a moment’s credence.

    Would it be, truly, Master Yoda? Windu asked with a hard look on his face. As a senior member of the Council, he was one of the few who dared question Master Yoda. Kenobi raised an eyebrow.

    What do you mean, Master Windu? asked Yoda.

    Have the Jedi really explored every option? Could we have ended this war sooner? Could we, in fact, end it right now?

    Something prickled at the back of Kenobi’s neck. Speak plainly, he said.

    Windu glanced at his fellows. He seemed to be weighing his words. Finally, he spoke.

    "Master Kenobi’s right—Dooku couldn’t have done this completely alone. Billions follow him. But I also stand by my observation—that this war is Dooku’s creation. Those who follow him, follow him. Every player is controlled by the count; every conspiracy has been traced back to him."

    Anakin’s brow furrowed. You’re not saying anything we don’t already know, Master.

    Windu continued. Without Dooku, the Separatist movement would collapse. There would no longer be a single, seemingly invincible figurehead to rally around. Those who were left would consume themselves in a frenzy to take his place. If every river is a branch of a single mighty one…then let us dam the flow. Cut off the head, and the body will fall.

    "But that’s what we’ve been—oh." Anakin’s blue eyes widened with sudden comprehension.

    No, Kenobi thought, surely Mace isn’t suggesting—

    Yoda’s ears unfurled as he sat up straighter. Assassination, mean you?

    No. Kenobi spoke before he realized he was going to, and his voice was strong and certain. Some things simply aren’t within the realm of possibility. Not, he added sharply, looking at Mace, for Jedi.

    Speaks the truth, Master Kenobi does, Yoda said. To the dark side, such actions lead.

    Mace held up his hands in a calming gesture. No one here wishes to behave like a Sith Lord.

    Few do, at first. A small step, the one that determines destiny often is.

    Windu looked from Yoda to Kenobi, then his brown-eyed gaze lingered on Kenobi. "Answer me this. How often has this Council sat, shaking our heads, saying, Everything leads back to Dooku? A few dozen times? A few hundred?"

    Kenobi didn’t reply. Beside him, Anakin shifted his weight. The younger Jedi didn’t look at Kenobi or Windu, and his lips were pressed together in a thin, unhappy line.

    A definitive blow must be struck, Mace said. He rose from his chair and closed the distance between himself and Kenobi. Mace had the height advantage, but Kenobi got to his feet calmly and met Windu’s gaze.

    Dooku is going to keep doing exactly what he has been, Windu continued quietly. "He’s not going to change. And if we don’t change, either, then the war will keep raging until this tortured galaxy is nothing but space debris and dead worlds. We—the Jedi and the clones we command—are the only ones who can stop it!"

    Master Windu is right, said Anakin. I think it’s about time to open the floor to ideas that before we would have never considered.

    Anakin, Kenobi warned.

    With respect, Master Kenobi, Anakin barreled on. Mahranee’s fall is terrible. But it’s only the most recent crime Dooku has committed against a world and a people.

    Mace added, "The Mahran who died today already have more than enough company. Do we want to increase those numbers? One man’s life must be weighed against those of potentially millions of innocents. Isn’t protecting the innocent the very definition of what it means to be a Jedi? We are failing the Republic and its citizens. We must stop this—now."

    Kenobi turned to Yoda. The ancient Jedi Master peered at all those present, be it physically or holographically: Saesee Tiin, an Iktotchi Master; the Togruta Shaak Ti, her expression calm but sorrowful; the images of Kit Fisto, Oppo Rancisis, and Depa Billaba. Kenobi was surprised to see sorrow and resignation settle over Yoda’s wrinkled green face. The diminutive Jedi closed his huge eyes for a moment, then opened them.

    Greatly heavy, my heart is, that come to this, matters have, he said. Using his cane, he rose and walked to the window. All eyes followed him. Below, Coruscant unfolded, and myriad small, personal vessels sped past, and the sun gazed down at it all as clouds drifted languidly by.

    Yoda extended a three-fingered hand, indicating the view. Each life, a flame in the Force is. Beautiful. Unique. Glowing and precious, it stands, to bravely cast its own small light against the darkness that would consume it. Yoda lifted his cane, pointing at a cloud that was grayer and larger than most of its fellows. But grows, this darkness does, with each minute that Dooku continues his attacks. Yoda fell silent. No one interrupted as the cloud continued on its path, moving to hide the face of the sun. Its shadow leeched away the vibrancy of the city beneath it, turning its gleam to dullness, its bright colors to a muted, somber palette. It was nothing more than the sun and a shadow, but nonetheless, Kenobi felt his heart lurch within his chest.

    Stop him, we must, Yoda said solemnly. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. The moment hung heavy, and it seemed everyone was loath to break it.

    Finally Mace spoke. The question before us now is—who will strike the killing blow?

    Kenobi sighed and rubbed his eyes. I, ah…may have a suggestion…

    CHAPTER TWO

    Things were going very well for Koorivar merchant Sheb Valaad. Very well indeed. He had come to Otor’s Hub—the place to be if one dealt in certain merchandise—a standard year before the war had broken out. While others busied themselves with choosing sides, Sheb had made himself a powerful friend to both. Everybody liked trinkets: jewels, paintings, statues, fancy hookah pipes made of exotic materials and studded with gems from far distant worlds. And if the makers of such exquisite items happened to have met with unpleasant fates, well, that simply caused what they had created to become even more valuable. Most times, Sheb waited for the unpleasant fates to occur and positioned himself to benefit. Sometimes, he took a more…direct approach.

    Oh, not he himself, no, no. His hands were made for handling money and stroking valuable items. There were plenty of others willing to take his credits to do the ugly business of increasing the value of certain objects. He settled back in his chair and took a pull on his hookah, absently reaching a hand to finger the ornate carvings on the horn that jutted from his skull.

    A Koorivar’s horn is a Koorivar’s pride, his father had told him. It told the world everything it needed to know about the individual sporting it. Sheb’s horn was large, twisting, and lavishly decorated. Great—late—artisans had carved their work upon it, and jewels caught the dim lighting in the smoky back room of his shop.

    He availed himself of one of the delicate pastries that were the specialty of his private chef, then gestured to the blue-plated protocol droid who stood at attention beside the door. Someone else stood at attention, too—the ever-reliable Thurg, a burly Gamorrean.

    Show our guest in, Blue, Sheb said.

    Of course, my most glorious master. Sheb had sprung for a customized version of the current protocol unit. Blue came equipped with two specialized programs: Adul-8 and B-Little. The former soothed Sheb, and the latter had proven vastly entertaining.

    Blue stepped through the curtained door into the waiting room that lay beyond while Thurg, looking slightly bored, picked at his large, yellowed teeth. Sheb hoped Blue would catch him at it. The dressing-down the droid would give Thurg was sure to be a delight. Though Blue probably should be grateful it was only the Gamorrean’s teeth that were being picked, not the bodyguard’s porcine nostrils.

    Master Tal? said the droid in his precise, clipped voice. "The most honorable, reputable, and extremely fair merchant of high-quality valuables and artifacts, Sheb Valaad, has graciously agreed to grant your request for an audience."

    Whoa, there, came Tal’s cheerful voice. Sheb took another pastry, smiling, and poured tea for his customer. Over these last couple of months, Tal had become a regular patron, and Sheb wondered what Tal’s glib tongue had in store for poor Blue today. I see you’re set on verbal overload, Blue. And I’ve told you, don’t call me master.

    Today’s program setting will not permit me to override the designation, I fear, Master Tal. The droid strode through the curtain, politely holding it to the side so that Tal could enter easily.

    Tal Khar was a tall, well-muscled Kiffar specimen who moved with an easy grace. As always, his eyes sparkled with good humor above the narrow yellow tattoo that ran the width of his face. Thurg blocked his way with a grunt and stood expectantly.

    Tal rolled his eyes. Sheb, call off your bantha. I’ve never brought a weapon in yet. The Gamorrean hesitated, looking back at his master, confused.

    Thurg, you know the rules.

    Tal grinned at Thurg. Go ahead. But you know I don’t have any weapons.

    I know you no have weapons, Thurg said in guttural Basic, patting Tal down then stepping back. He unarmed.

    You may now enter the radiant presence of my magnificent master, said Blue, sweeping his arm for good measure.

    Hey, Blue, Tal said, how many synonyms for your name are there?

    In Basic, there are—

    Tal waved a hand. "No, no, in all your languages. And can you tell me what they are?"

    A slightly choked sound emanated from the droid, and he visibly slumped. Then: Blue: My data banks register forty billion, eleven million, seven hundred forty-two thousand, nine hundred and eighty-three accepted synonyms for the color blue. Beginning with Basic, they are, in alphabetical order, ao, aqua, azure—

    You don’t have to obey that instruction, Blue, Sheb said.

    "Oh, thank you, my most marvelous master, I am exceedingly grateful."

    Sheb indicated the platter of pastries. Tal, Tal, he said with a sigh. "Are you trying to short out my droid?"

    …Maybe? said Tal, his mouth full.

    Well, if you ever succeed, I shall expect to be compensated for repairs, the merchant said. Now wipe your hands; I’ve something quite remarkable for you today.

    Tal obliged with the enthusiasm of a child awaiting a gift, looking expectantly at Sheb. Sheb waved one of his assistants over. The Twi’lek female carried a tray, atop which sat something covered by a piece of cloth. With a flourish, Sheb unveiled the latest treasure.

    Tal gasped quite satisfactorily, which did not surprise Sheb in the least. The item on the tray was millennia old but looked as if it had left the artist’s studio but a few moments past. It was a small statuette of an aquatic creature, all memory of its species now forgotten, that had once frolicked—presumably it had frolicked, if the playful motion captured by the stone carving was to be trusted—in the oceans of a world that had been likewise lost to time. Small gems served it for eyes, and its tail curved beneath its four-flippered body to merge with a base that looked like a cresting wave.

    Tal reached out to it, then paused, raising his eyebrows in question. Feeling like a benevolent deity, Sheb nodded his permission to pick up the precious artifact. Tal did so, with great care.

    Boss? This scum say he need see you. Thurg forced his way through the curtains. His huge hands were clamped down on the furry arms of a Mahran, who didn’t struggle at all. He looked around in appreciation.

    Nice, very nice, he said. His gaze fell on Tal.

    Tal stared at him for a moment, then heaved a sigh. Desh. What are you doing here?

    Came to get you.

    Well, I’m busy.

    Still held by the mammoth Gamorrean, the Mahran—who, apparently, knew Tal, and whose name was, apparently, Desh—actually managed a shrug. Sorry.

    What… Sheb struggled for words, trying to make sense of the absurd situation. Tal, do you know this…this—

    I do, from way back. He’s not supposed to be here yet. Well, I guess what’s done is done. Shaking his long black dreadlocked hair, Tal gently put the figurine on the table, sliding it a little bit away from him. He rose. Too bad. I liked the pastries.

    He extended a hand in Sheb’s direction, then jerked it upward. The merchant let out a treble yelp of astonishment as he found himself squirming in midair. At the same instant the Mahran twisted and brought his arms up, breaking Thurg’s grip as if it were nothing at all, then grabbed the Gamorrean’s arm and flipped him over.

    Oh, I say, squeaked a panicked Blue, heading for the door with his arms raised, help! Help—

    Four armed bodyguards charged in. The Rodian, huge black eyes fixed on Tal, slammed into the hapless droid. Blue went clattering into a corner, and the Rodian began firing at the interlopers.

    No, no blasters! Sheb shouted, thinking of the irreplaceable items on display in the room, but they ignored him. Red blasterfire screamed through the room, and Sheb, still dangling in the air, screamed along with it, first in pain at seeing his beautiful merchandise obliterated, and then again when a bolt seared through his flapping robes dangerously close to his torso.

    There were two other lights flashing about, as well, about a meter long, one green, one blue, that Tal and the interloper wielded like swords. Lightsabers! That meant—

    Tal kept one hand extended, holding Sheb aloft, and with the other batted back the red bolts with an almost casual ease. Was the man…humming?

    Ahhh! cried the Koorivar as a blast singed his thigh.

    Tal winced. Sorry, he said, smiling sheepishly up at Sheb, even as he executed a backward flip ending in a sharp, perfectly placed kick to the midsection of a bodyguard. The Gamorrean stumbled, then toppled as Tal slammed the butt of the lightsaber into his temple.

    "I wasn’t done yet," Tal said, directing his attention to Desh. The smaller, more slender Jedi—for such Sheb realized they both had to be—was on the table now. He splayed a four-fingered hand and lifted the Rodian into the air. For an insane second, he and his employer hovered eye-to-eye, the Rodian’s tubular muzzle undulating with protests, and then the green-skinned bodyguard was slammed against the wall.

    Well, don’t blame the messenger, the Mahran said. He wasn’t even breathing hard. I was told you’re to be reassigned.

    Two more weeks and I would have gotten the whole operation, Tal grumbled. He, too, was speaking as calmly as if the entire exchange were occurring in his own home over friendly drinks. The Council couldn’t wait that long?

    It would seem not. Desh somersaulted from the table to the floor, grabbing two chairs in the process and hurling them at the four-eyed, arachnoid Aqualish firing steadily, though fruitlessly, at Tal. The furniture struck the bodyguard perfectly and he went sprawling to the floor, limbs entangled in the chair’s back and legs at painful-looking angles. His blaster flew out of his hands.

    The Mahran caught it effortlessly. He whistled as he examined it. Nice.

    Oh, no, you don’t, Blue, said Tal. The protocol droid had hastened over to one of the fallen bodyguards and clutched a comlink in his hand. Still keeping one hand turned toward Sheb, the Jedi leapt toward the droid and severed Blue’s hand from his wrist. The droid gave a high-pitched shriek. Oh, come on, that can be fixed, Tal said. Don’t be a baby.

    So, did I ruin the whole mission? asked Desh. He thumbed his lightsaber, and with a snap-hiss the blade deactivated.

    "Not the whole mission. Just the really satisfying wrap-up part of it. Miraculously, the statue of the oceanic creature had survived intact. Tal picked it up, smiling. But this will do. I got a lot of useful information on a lot of very nasty sorts from this one."

    That touchy-feely stuff you do with things does come in handy.

    It’s called psychometry, thank you very much.

    Listening, Sheb realized why Tal—which, of course, wasn’t this Jedi’s name at all—had always been so eager to touch everything before purchasing it. Come to think of it, he hadn’t purchased much, but he had certainly handled…Sheb whimpered.

    You know everything, he said, his voice taut.

    "Well, not everything, said Tal-not-Tal. I mean, I don’t know every synonym for blue, for example. Blue, how about it?"

    Oh, dear, squeaked the droid.

    And as for you, Sheb, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you. This might hurt a bit, but I’m sure the Jedi who will be here momentarily will take care of you.

    Tal lifted his hand. And as the miserable protocol droid began to list the billions of synonyms for his name, Sheb almost thought he would welcome the unconsciousness that was about to claim him as Tal, looking apologetic, drew back his hand to send the black-market merchant hurtling into the wall.

    CHAPTER THREE

    It was not his birthplace, exactly, but the Jedi Temple was where Quinlan Vos had grown up. He’d raced through its corridors, hidden behind its massive pillars, found peace in its meditation hall, ended—and started—fights in rooms intended for striking blows and some that weren’t, and sneaked naps in its library. All Jedi came here, at some point in their lives; for Quinlan, it always felt like coming home when he ran lightly up the stairs and entered the massive building as he did now.

    He had enjoyed taking down Sheb’s black-market operation back-to-back with his old friend, but that pleasure had been mitigated almost at once when they returned to Desh’s ship. On their way back to Coruscant, Desh, whose formal name was Akar-Deshu, had soberly briefed him on Dooku’s devastating attack on Mahranee. Vos didn’t know what to say to offer comfort. The planet was now controlled by the Separatists, and they had made it clear that all Mahran were to be regarded as extremely hostile and killed on sight. A world and its people had fallen in the space of a few hours.

    Obi-Wan Kenobi’s normally modulated voice had had a slight edge of urgency to it when Vos and Desh had reported in, and it was that more than the cryptic words that made Vos decide to forgo anything resembling formal attire. Well, anything resembling appropriate attire, if he was being honest. After the refreshing scuffle, both his clothes and he could have used a good washing, but he figured there would be a chance to clean up once he’d pinned down Obi-Wan and found out what the hell was going on.

    Everyone knew him here—even now, when he was often away for months, sometimes even a year, at a stretch. Vos grinned happily at seeing familiar faces and exchanged so many hugs, claps on the back, and handshakes that he was concerned he might be—

    Late, as usual, said Kenobi, in his usual put-upon tone.

    Vos glanced up and smirked, used the Force to leap a dozen stairs, and landed gracefully before the Jedi Master.

    Nice to see you, too, Obi-Wan! I’m sure you’ve missed me.

    Not terribly, Kenobi said, but he smiled as he said it. I do not recall our last adventure with particular fondness. Unfortunately, I don’t think this next assignment will be nearly so pleasant, though I hope it is more successful. The two Jedi Masters had last been paired together to track down an escaped Hutt named Ziro. Unfortunately, someone had beaten them to the Hutt, with fatal results for the unpleasant Ziro.

    Obi-Wan, as befitted a Jedi, was adept at concealing his feelings in the Force when he chose to. But now he did not, and even a non-Force-sensitive

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