PROLOGUE

Oka y, thi s i s how i t ha ppened.

Its pi tch bl a ck bel ow a nd were fa s t-ropi ng i nto the creva s s e, too fa s t: I ca n feel the i mpa ct i n my ba ck teeth when I l a nd. Im fi rs t down a nd I
fl ood the cha mber wi th my hel met s pot-l a mp.
Theres a tri pl e-s ea l ed bl a s t door between us a nd the Geonos i a ns a nd I ha vent got ti me to ca l cul a te the cha rge needed to bl ow i t. A l ot,
then. P for plenty, l i ke I wa s ta ught. Sti ck the therma l ta pe a round the edges a nd pus h i n the detona tor. Ea s i er s a i d tha n done: the a l l oy doors
covered wi th crud.
Del ta Squa ds CO gets on the hel met coml i nk. You ha vi ng a pa rty down there, Theta ?
Ca nt rus h a n a rti s t
You wa nt to tel l tha t to the s pi der droi ds ?
Pa ti ence, Del ta . Come on, come on. Stick to the metal, will you? Nea rl y there.
A lot of s pi der droi ds
I hea r you, Del ta .
In your own ti me. No pres s ure. None a t a l l
Cl ea r!
We fl a tten ours el ves a ga i ns t the ca vern wa l l s . Its a l l whi te l i ght a nd pa i nful noi s e a nd fl yi ng dus t for a fra cti on of a s econd. When we ca n
s ee a ga i n, the doors a re bl own i nwa rd, ri pped a pa rt, bi l l owi ng s moke. Del ta Squa dcl ea r to enter. Take take take.
I thought youd never a s k. Del ta Squa d hi ts the ground a nd theyre s tra i ght i n, fi ri ng, whi l e we s ta nd ba ck a nd cover thei r s i x. Its a wa rren
of tunnel s down here. If were not ca reful , s omethi ng coul d jump us from a ny di recti on.
My hel mets s uppos ed to protect a ga i ns t hi gh deci bel s , but wa r i s noi s y. Really noi s y. I ca nt hea r my hel met coml i nk through the omph-omphomph of the Geonos i a ns s oni c rounds a nd our own bl a s terfi re. I ca n hea r a nti -a rmor goi ng off, too. Fierfek, I ca n feel i t through my boots .
Movement ca tches my eye up a hea d, a nd then i ts gone. Im l ooki ng up through the DC-17s s cope, checki ng tha t i t wa s jus t my i ma gi na ti on,
a nd Ta l er ges tures towa rd a nother of the fi ve tunnel s fa ci ng us .
Da rma n, ta ke tha t E-Web a nd hol d thi s pos i ti on. He beckons Vi n a nd Ja y a nd they move a l mos t ba ck-to-ba ck towa rd the mouth of the
tunnel , checki ng to a l l s i des .
And then I l ook up, overhea d.
Theres more Geonos i a ns a round tha n we thought. A lot more. I ta ke down two a bove me a nd then more come out of the tunnel to the l eft s o
I open fi re wi th the repea ti ng bl a s ter, ni ce a nd ea rl y, beca us e i f I l et them get too cl os e the bl a s t wi l l fry me a s wel l .
Even s o, i ts knocki ng me ba ck l i ke a tri p-ha mmer.
Ta l er, Da rma n here, over. I ca nt s ee hi m. I ca nt s ee a ny of them, but I ca n hea r ra pi d fi re. Ta l er, Da rma n here, you recei vi ng me, over?
Not s o much s i l ence a s a n a bs ence of a fa mi l i a r voi ce. Then a few fra gmented, cra ckl i ng s houts of down! Ma n down here!
Who? Whos down? Ta l er? Vi n? Ja y? You recei vi ng, over?
Ive l os t conta ct wi th my s qua d.
Its the l a s t ti me I s ee them.

SCRAMBLE LINE ENCRYPTED

STAND BY STAND BY
GEONOSIS FORWARD CONTROL TO FLEET SUPPORT, ORD MANTELL.
PREPARE TO RECEIVE CASEVAC TRANSPORT. MED TRIAGE TEAM ESTIMATE SERIOUS INJURIES, TWELVE THOUSAND, REPEAT TWELVE THOUSAND.
WALKING WOUNDED EIGHT THOUSAND, REPEAT EIGHT THOUSAND. ETA TEN HOURS. LOGISTICS PRIORITY FOR BACTA TANK SUPPORT TEAMS.
PREP FOR SEVENTY-TWO THOUSAND COMBAT-FIT TROOPS, REPEAT SEVENTY-TWO THOUSAND, PENDING REDEPLOYMENT. PRIORITY WEAPONS
SUPPORT FOR COMMANDO UNITS.
THAT IS ALL. OUT.
Republ i c a s s a ul t s hi p Implacable: i nbound for extra cti on from Geonos i s . Sta nd by.

Republ i c Comma ndo 1136 s tudi ed every fa ce i n l i ne wa i ti ng to boa rd the guns hi ps .

Some were hel meted, a nd s ome were not, butone wa y or a notherthey a l l ha d hi s fa ce. And they were a l l s tra ngers .
Move i t, the l oa dma s ter s houted, ges turi ng s i de-to-s i de wi th one outs tretched a rm. Come on, s hi ft i t, peopl efa s t a s you ca n. The
guns hi ps dropped down i n cl ouds of dus t a nd troopers emba rked, s ome turni ng to pul l comra des i nboa rd s o the s hi ps coul d l i ft a ga i n qui ckl y.
There wa s no rea s on to s cra mbl e for i t. Theyd done i t a thous a nd ti mes i n tra i ni ng; extra cti on from a rea l ba ttl e wa s wha t theyd prepa red for.
Thi s wa s nt a retrea t. Theyd gra bbed thei r fi rs t vi ctory.
The guns hi ps downdra ft ki cked the red Geonos i a n s oi l i nto the a i r. RC-1136Da rma ntook off hi s hel met a nd ra n hi s ga untl et ca reful l y
a cros s the pa l e gra y dome, wi pi ng a wa y the dus t a nd noti ng a few s cra pes a nd burn ma rks .
The l oa dma s ter turned to hi m. He wa s one of the very, very few outs i ders whom Da rma n ha d ever s een worki ng wi th the Gra nd Army, a s hort,
wri nkl ed Duros wi th a temper to ma tch. Are you emba rki ng or wha t?
Da rma n conti nued wi pi ng hi s hel met. Im wa i ti ng for my ma tes , he s a i d.
You s hi ft your s hi ny s i l ver ba cks i de now, the l oa dma s ter s a i d i rri ta bl y. I got a s chedul e.
Da rma n ca reful l y brought up hi s knuckl e pl a te jus t under the l oa dma s ters s chi n, a nd hel d i t there. He di dnt need to eject the vi brobl a de
a nd he di dnt need to s a y a word. Hed ma de hi s poi nt.
Wel l , whenever youre rea dy, s i r, the Duros s a i d, s teppi ng ba ck to chi vy cl one troopers i ns tea d. It wa s nt a grea t i dea to ups et a comma ndo,
es peci a l l y not one comi ng down from the a drena l i ne hi gh of comba t.
But there wa s s ti l l no s i gn of the res t of hi s s qua d. Da rma n knew tha t there wa s no poi nt i n wa i ti ng a ny l onger. They ha dnt ca l l ed i n. Ma ybe
they ha d coml i nk fa i l ures . Ma ybe they ha d ma de i t onto a nother guns hi p.
It wa s the fi rs t ti me i n hi s a rti fi ci a l l y s hort l i fe tha t Da rma n ha dnt been a bl e to rea ch out a nd touch the men he ha d been ra i s ed wi th.
He wa i ted ha l f a s ta nda rd hour more a nywa y, unti l the guns hi ps beca me l es s frequent a nd the l i nes of troopers beca me s horter. Eventua l l y
there wa s nobody s ta ndi ng on the des ert pl a i n but hi m, the Duros l oa dma s ter, a nd ha l f a dozen cl one troopers . It wa s the l a s t l i ft of the da y.
You better come now, s i r, the l oa dma s ter s a i d. Theres nobody una ccounted for. Nobody a l i ve, a nywa y.
Da rma n l ooked a round the hori zon one l a s t ti me, s ti l l feel i ng a s i f he were turni ng hi s ba ck on s omeone rea chi ng out to hi m.
Im comi ng, he s a i d, a nd brought up the rea r of the l i ne. As the guns hi p l i fted, he wa tched the s wi rl i ng dus t, dwi ndl i ng rock forma ti ons ,
a nd s ca ttered s hri nki ng pa tches of s crub unti l Geonos i s beca me a bl ur of dul l red.
He coul d s ti l l s ea rch the Implacable. It wa s nt over yet.
The guns hi p s l i pped i nto the Implacables gi a nt docki ng ba y, a nd Da rma n l ooked down i nto the ca vern, onto a s ea of whi te a rmor a nd orderl y
movement. The fi rs t thi ng tha t s truck hi m when the guns hi p ki l l ed i ts thrus ters a nd l ocked down on i ts pa d wa s how quiet everyone s eemed.
In the crowded ba y ful l of troopers , the a i r s ta nk of s wea t a nd s ta l e fea r a nd the throa t-ra s pi ng s mel l of di s cha rged bl a s ter ri fl es . But i t wa s
s o s i l ent tha t i f Da rma n ha dnt s een the evi dence of exha us ted a nd i njured men, hed ha ve bel i eved tha t nothi ng s i gni fi ca nt ha d ha ppened i n
the l a s t thi rty hours .
The deck vi bra ted under the s ol es of hi s boots . He wa s s ti l l s ta ri ng down a t them, s tudyi ng the ra ndom pa tterns of Geonos i a n dus t tha t
cl ung to them, when a n i denti ca l pa i r ca me i nto vi ew.
Number? s a i d a voi ce tha t wa s a l s o hi s own. The comma nder s wept hi m wi th a ta l l y s ens or: he di dnt need Da rma n to tel l hi m hi s number,
or a nythi ng el s e for tha t ma tter, beca us e the s ens ors i n the enha nced Ka ta rn a rmor reported hi s s ta tus s i l entl y, el ectroni ca l l y. No significant
injury. The tri a ge tea m on Geonos i s ha d wa ved hi m pa s t, concentra ti ng on the i njured, i gnori ng both thos e too ba dl y hurt to hel p a nd thos e
who coul d hel p thems el ves . Are you l i s teni ng to me? Come on. Ta l k to me, s on.
Im oka y, s i r, he s a i d. Si r, RC-one-one-three-s i x. Im not i n s hock. Im fi ne. He pa us ed. Nobody el s e wa s goi ng to ca l l hi m by hi s s qua d
ni ckna meDarmana ga i n. They were a l l dea d, he knew i t. Ja y, Vi n, Ta l er. He just knew. Si r, a ny news of RC-one-one-three-fi ve
No, s a i d the comma nder, who ha d obvi ous l y hea rd s i mi l a r ques ti ons every ti me he s topped to check. He ges tured wi th the s ma l l ba r i n hi s
ha nd. If theyre not i n ca s eva c or l i s ted on thi s s weep, then they di dnt ma ke i t.
It wa s s tupi d to a s k. Da rma n s houl d ha ve known better. Cl one troopers a nd es peci a l l y Republ i c comma ndos jus t got on wi th the job. Tha t
wa s thei r s ol e purpos e. And they were lucky, thei r tra i ni ng s ergea nt ha d tol d them; outs i de, i n the ordi na ry worl d, every bei ng from every
s peci es i n the ga l a xy fretted a bout thei r purpos e i n l i fe, s ea rchi ng for mea ni ng. A cl one di dnt need to. Cl ones knew. They ha d been perfected
for thei r rol e, a nd doubt need never troubl e them.
Da rma n ha d never known wha t doubt wa s unti l now. No a mount of tra i ni ng ha d prepa red hi m for this. He found a s pa ce a ga i ns t a bul khea d
a nd s a t down.
A cl one trooper s ettl ed down next to hi m, s queezi ng i nto the ga p a nd bri efl y cl unki ng a s houl der pl a te a ga i ns t hi s . They gl a nced a t ea ch
other. Da rma n ra rel y ha d a ny conta ct wi th the other cl ones : comma ndos tra i ned a pa rt from everyone, i ncl udi ng ARC troopers . The troopers
a rmor wa s whi te, l i ghter, l es s res i s ta nt; comma ndos enjoyed upgra ded protecti on. And Da rma n di s pl a yed no ra nk col ors .

But they both knew exa ctl y who a nd wha t they were.
Ni ce Deece, the trooper s a i d envi ous l y. He wa s l ooki ng a t the DC-17: troopers were i s s ued the hea vi er, l ower-s pec ri fl e, the DC-15. Ion
pul s e bl a s ter, RPG a nti -a rmor, and s ni per?
Yea h. Every i tem of hi s gea r wa s ma nufa ctured to a hi gher s pec. A troopers l i fe wa s l es s va l ua bl e tha n a comma ndos . It wa s the wa y
thi ngs were, a nd Da rma n ha d never ques ti oned i tnot for l ong, a nywa y. Ful l hous e.
Ti dy. The trooper nodded a pprova l . Job done, eh?
Yea h, Da rma n s a i d qui etl y. Job done.
The trooper di dnt s a y a nythi ng el s e. Ma ybe he wa s wa ry of convers a ti on wi th comma ndos . Da rma n knew wha t troopers thought a bout hi m
a nd hi s ki nd. They dont train like us and they dont fight like us. They dont even talk like us. A bunch of pri ma donna s .
Da rma n di dnt thi nk he wa s a rroga nt. It wa s jus t tha t he coul d do every job a s ol di er coul d be ca l l ed upon to do, a nd then s ome: s i ege
a s s a ul t, counteri ns urgency, hos ta ge extra cti on, demol i ti ons , a s s a s s i na ti on, s urvei l l a nce, a nd every ki nd of i nfa ntry a cti vi ty on a ny terra i n a nd
i n a ny envi ronment, a t a ny ti me. He knew he coul d, beca us e hed done i t. Hed done i t i n tra i ni ng, fi rs t wi th s i muni ti on a nd then wi th l i ve
rounds . Hed done i t wi th hi s s qua d, the three brothers wi th whom hed s pent every moment of hi s cons ci ous l i fe. Theyd competed a ga i ns t
other s qua ds , thous a nds jus t l i ke them, but not l i ke them, beca us e they were s qua d brothers , a nd tha t wa s special.
He ha d never been ta ught how to l i ve a pa rt from the s qua d, though. Now he woul d l ea rn the ha rdes t wa y of a l l .
Da rma n ha d a bs ol ute confi dence tha t he wa s one of the bes t s peci a l ops s ol di ers ever crea ted. He wa s undi s tra cted by the everyda y
concerns of ra i s i ng a fa mi l y a nd ma ki ng a l i vi ng, thi ngs tha t hi s i ns tructors s a i d he wa s l ucky never to know.
But now he wa s a l one. Very, very a l one. It wa s very di s tra cti ng i ndeed.
He cons i dered thi s for a l ong ti me i n s i l ence. Survi vi ng when the res t of your s qua d ha d been ki l l ed wa s no ca us e for pri de. It fel t i ns tea d
l i ke s omethi ng hi s tra i ni ng s ergea nt ha d des cri bed a s shame. Tha t wa s wha t you fel t when you l os t a ba ttl e, a ppa rentl y.
But they ha d won. It wa s thei r fi rs t ba ttl e, a nd they ha d won.
The l a ndi ng ra mp of the Implacable ea s ed down, a nd the bri ght s unl i ght of Ord Ma ntel l s trea med i n. Da rma n repl a ced hi s hel met wi thout
thi nki ng a nd s tood i n a n orderl y l i ne, wa i ti ng to di s emba rk a nd be rea s s i gned. He wa s goi ng to be chi l l ed down, kept i n s us pended a ni ma ti on
unti l duty ca l l ed a ga i n.
So thi s wa s the a fterma th of vi ctory. He wondered how much wors e defea t mi ght feel .
Imbra a ni , Qi i l ura : 40 l i ght-yea rs from Ord Ma ntel l , Ti ngel Arm
The fi el d of ba rq fl owed from s i l ver to ruby a s the wi nd from the s outhwes t bent the ri peni ng gra i n i n wa ves . It coul d ha ve been a perfect
l a te-s ummer da y; i ns tea d i t wa s turni ng i nto one of the wors t da ys of Eta i n Tur-Muka ns l i fe.
Eta i n ha d run a nd run a nd s he ha d nothi ng l eft i n her. She fl ung hers el f fl a t between the furrows , not ca ri ng where s he fel l . Eta i n hel d her
brea th a s s omethi ng s ti nki ng a nd wet s quel ched under her.
The purs ui ng Weequa y coul dnt hea r her a bove the wi nd, s he knew, but s he hel d her brea th a nywa y.
Hey gi rl i e! Hi s boots crunched cl os er. He wa s pa nti ng. Where you go? Dont be s hy.
Dont breathe.
I got bottl e of urrqa l . You wa nt to ha ve pa rty? He ha d a rema rka bl y l a rge voca bul a ry for a Weequa y, a l l of i t centered on hi s ba s er needs . I
fun when you get to know me.
I should have waited for it to get dark. I could influence his mind, try to make him leave.
But s he ha dnt. And s he coul dnt, try a s s he mi ght to concentra te. She wa s too ful l of a drena l i ne a nd uncontrol l ed pa ni c.
Come on, you s cra g-end, where a re you? I fi nd you
He s ounded a s i f he wa s ki cki ng hi s wa y through the crop, a nd getti ng cl os er. If s he got up a nd ra n for i t, s he wa s dea d. If s he s ta yed where
s he wa s , hed fi nd hereventua l l y. He wa s nt goi ng to get bored, a nd he wa s nt goi ng to gi ve up.
Gi rl i e
The Weequa ys voi ce wa s cl os e, to her ri ght, a bout twenty meters a wa y. She s i pped a s tra ngl ed brea th a nd cl a mped her l i ps s hut a ga i n,
l ungs a chi ng, eyes s trea mi ng wi th the effort.
Gi rl i e Cl os er. He wa s goi ng to s tep ri ght on her. Gi r-l eeeeee
She knew wha t hed do when he found her. If s he wa s l ucky, hed ki l l her a fterwa rd.
Gi r
The Weequa y wa s i nterrupted by a l oud, wet thwack. He l et out a grunt a nd then there wa s a s econd thwacks horter, s ha rper, ha rder. Eta i n
hea rd a s quea l of pa i n.
How ma ny ti mes ha ve I got to tel l you, dikut? It wa s a di fferent voi ce, huma n, wi th a n ha rd edge of a uthori ty. Thwack. Dontwa s temy
ti me. Another thwack: a nother s quea l . Eta i n kept her fa ce pres s ed i n the di rt. You get drunk one more ti me, you go cha s i ng fema l es one more
ti me, a nd Im goi ng to s l i t you from here tohere.
The Weequa y s hri eked. It wa s the s ort of i ncoherent a ni ma l s ound tha t bei ngs ma de when pa i n overwhel med them. Eta i n ha d hea rd too
much of tha t s ound i n her s hort ti me on Qi i l ura . Then there wa s s i l ence.
She ha dnt hea rd the voi ce before, but s he di dnt need to. She knew exa ctl y who i t bel onged to.
Eta i n s tra i ned to l i s ten, ha l f expecti ng a hea vy boot to s uddenl y s ta mp on her ba ck, but a l l s he coul d hea r wa s the s wi s h a nd crunch of two
pa i rs of feet wa di ng through the crop. Awa y from her. She ca ught s na tches of the fa di ng convers a ti on a s the wi nd took i t: the Weequa y wa s
s ti l l bei ng bera ted.
more i mporta nt
Wha t wa s ?
l a ter, but ri ght now, dikut, I need you to oka y? Or Il l cut
Eta i n wa i ted. Eventua l l y a l l s he coul d hea r wa s the brea th of the wi nd, the rus tl i ng gra i n, a nd the occa s i ona l fl uti ng ca l l of a ground-eel

s eeki ng a ma te. She a l l owed hers el f to brea the norma l l y a ga i n, but s ti l l s he wa i ted, fa cedown i n ri pe ma nure, unti l dus k s ta rted to fa l l . She
ha d to move now. The gda ns woul d be out hunti ng, combi ng the fi el ds i n pa cks . On top of tha t, the s mel l tha t ha dnt bothered her whi l e s he
wa s gri pped by terror wa s s ta rti ng to rea l l y bother her now.
She ea s ed hers el f up on her el bows , then her knees , a nd l ooked a round.
Why di d they ha ve to ma nure ba rq s o l a te i n the s ea s on a nywa y? She fumbl ed i n the pockets of her cl oa k for a cl oth. Now i f onl y s he coul d
fi nd a s trea m, s he coul d cl ea n hers el f up. She pul l ed a ha ndful of s ta l ks , crus hed them i nto a ba l l , a nd tri ed to s cra pe off the wors t of the
dung a nd debri s s tuck to her.
Tha ts a pretty expens i ve crop to be us i ng for that, a voi ce s a i d.
Eta i n gul ped i n a brea th a nd s pun a round to fi nd a l oca l i n a grubby s mock s cowl i ng a t her. He l ooked thi n, worn out, a nd a nnoyed; he wa s
hol di ng a thres hi ng tool . Do you know how much tha t s tuffs worth?
Im s orry, s he s a i d. Sl i di ng her ha nd ca reful l y i ns i de her cl oa k, s he fel t for the fa mi l i a r cyl i nder. She ha dnt wa nted the Weequa y to know
tha t s he wa s a Jedi , but i f thi s fa rmer wa s cons i deri ng turni ng her i n for a few l oa ves or a bottl e of urrqa l , s hed need her l i ghts a ber ha ndy. It
wa s your ba rq or my l i fe, Im a fra i d.
The fa rmer s ta red a t the crus hed s ta l ks a nd the s ca ttered bea d-l i ke gra i ns , ti ght-l i pped. Yes , ba rq fetched a huge pri ce i n the res ta ura nts of
Corus ca nt: i t wa s a l uxury, a nd the peopl e who grew i t for export coul dnt a fford i t. Tha t di dnt s eem to bother the Nei moi di a ns who control l ed
the tra de. It never di d.
Il l pa y for the da ma ge, Eta i n s a i d, her ha nd s ti l l i ns i de the cl oa k.
Wha t were they a fter you for? the fa rmer a s ked, i gnori ng her offer.
The us ua l , s he s a i d.
Oh-a h, youre not tha t good l ooki ng.
Cha rmi ng.
I know who you a re.
Oh no. Her gri p cl os ed. You do?
I reckon.
A l i ttl e more food for hi s fa mi l y. A few hours drunken obl i vi on, courtes y of urrqa l . Tha t wa s a l l s he wa s to hi m. He ma de a s i f to s tep cl os er
a nd s he drew her a rm cl ea r of her cl oa k, beca us e s he wa s fed up wi th runni ng a nd s he di dnt l i ke the l ook of tha t thres hi ng tool .
Vzzzzzmmmm.
Oh, grea t, the fa rmer s i ghed, eyei ng the s ha ft of pure bl ue l i ght. Not one of you l ot. Tha ts a l l we need.
Yes , s he s a i d, a nd hel d the l i ghts a ber s tea dy i n front of her fa ce. Her s toma ch ha d knotted, but s he kept her voi ce under control . I a m
Pa da wa n Eta i n Tur-Muka n. You ca n try to turn me i n, i f you wa nt to tes t my s ki l l , but Id prefer tha t you hel p me i ns tea d. Your ca l l , s i r.
The fa rmer s ta red a t the l i ghts a ber a s i f he wa s tryi ng to work out a pri ce for i t. Di dnt hel p your Ma s ter much, tha t thi ng, di d i t?
Ma s ter Ful i er wa s unfortuna te. And betra yed. She l owered the l i ghts a ber but di dnt cut the bea m. Are you goi ng to hel p me?
Were goi ng to ha ve Ghez Hoka ns thugs a l l over us i f I
I thi nk theyre bus y, Eta i n s a i d.
Wha t do you wa nt from us ?
Shel ter, for the moment.
The fa rmer s ucked hi s teeth thoughtful l y. Oka y. Come on, Pa da wa n
Get us ed to ca l l i ng me Eta i n, pl ea s e. She thumbed off the l i ghts a ber: the l i ght di ed wi th a ffumm s ound, a nd s he s l i pped the hi l t ba ck
i ns i de her cl oa k. Jus t to be on the s a fe s i de.
Eta i n tra i l ed a fter hi m, tryi ng not to s mel l hers el f, but i t wa s ha rd, na us ea ti ngl y ha rd. Even a s cent-hunti ng gda n woul dnt recogni ze her a s a
huma n. It wa s getti ng da rk now, a nd the fa rmer kept gl a nci ng over hi s s houl der a t her.
Oh-a h. He s hook hi s hea d, enga ged i n s ome i nterna l convers a ti on. Im Bi rha n, a nd thi s i s my l a nd. And I thought you l ot were s uppos ed to
be a bl e to us e s ome s ort of mi nd control tri cks .
How do you know I ha vent? Eta i n l i ed.
Oh-a h, he s a i d, a nd nothi ng more.
She wa s nt goi ng to vol unteer the obvi ous i f he ha dnt s potted i t for hi ms el f. A di s a ppoi ntment to her Ma s ter, s he wa s cl ea rl y not the bes t of
the bunch. She s truggl ed wi th the Force a nd s he gra ppl ed wi th s el f-di s ci pl i ne, a nd s he wa s here beca us e s he a nd Ma s ter Ful i er ha ppened to
be nea rby when a job needed doi ng. Ful i er never coul d res i s t a cha l l enge a nd l ong odds , a nd i t l ooked a s i f hed pa i d the pri ce. They ha dnt
found hi s body yet, but there ha d been no word from hi m, ei ther.
Yes , Eta i n wa s a Pa da wa n, techni ca l l y s pea ki ng.
She jus t ha ppened to be one who wa s a brea th a wa y from bui l di ng perma domes i n refugee ca mps . She rea s oned tha t pa rt of a Jedi s s ki l l
wa s the s i mpl e us e of ps ychol ogy. And i f Bi rha n wa nted to thi nk the Force wa s s trong i n her, a nd tha t there wa s a l ot more behi nd the externa l
s hel l of a ga wky, pl a i n gi rl covered i n s ti nki ng dung, then tha t wa s fi ne by her.
It woul d keep her a l i ve a l i ttl e l onger whi l e s he worked out wha t to do next.
Fl eet Support, Ord Ma ntel l , ba rra ck bl ock 5 Eps i l on
It wa s a wa s te, a rotten wa s te.
RC-1309 bus i ed hi ms el f ma i nta i ni ng hi s boots . He cl ea ned out the cl a mps , bl owi ng the red dus t cl ea r wi th a s qui rt of a i r from the pres s ure
gun. He ri ns ed the l i ners a nd s hook them dry. There wa s no poi nt bei ng i dl e whi l e he wa s wa i ti ng to be chi l l ed down.
Sergea nt?
He l ooked up. The comma ndo who ha d wa l ked i n pl a ced hi s s urvi va l pa ck, a rmor, a nd bl a ck bodys ui t on the bunk oppos i te a nd s ta red ba ck.
Hi s rea dout pa nel i denti fi ed hi m a s RC-8015.

Im Fi , he s a i d, a nd hel d out hi s ha nd for s ha ki ng. So you l os t your s qua d, too.

Ni ner, RC-1309 s a i d wi thout ta ki ng the proffered ha nd. So, ner vodmy brotheryoure the s ol e s urvi vor?
Yes .
Di d you hol d ba ck whi l e your brothers pres s ed on? Or were you jus t l ucky?
Fi s tood there wi th hi s ha nds on hi s hi ps , i denti ca l to Ni ner i n every wa y except tha t he wa s different. He s poke a l i ttl e di fferentl y. He
s mel l ed s ubtl y di fferent. He moved hi s ha nds not l i ke Ni ners s qua d di d, not a t a l l .
I di d my job, Fi s a i d ca reful l y. And Id ra ther be wi th them tha n here ner vod.
Ni ner cons i dered hi m for a whi l e, a nd went ba ck to cl ea ni ng hi s boots . Fi put hi s ki t i n the l ocker bes i de the bunks , then s wung hi ms el f up
i nto the top ra ck i n one s mooth moti on. He fol ded hi s a rms under hi s hea d very preci s el y a nd l a y s ta ri ng up a t the bul khea d a s i f he were
medi ta ti ng.
If he ha d been Sev, Ni ner woul d ha ve known exa ctl y wha t he wa s doi ng, even wi thout l ooki ng. But Sev wa s gone.
Cl one troopers l os t brothers i n tra i ni ng. So di d comma ndos . But troopers were s oci a l i zed wi th whol e s ecti ons , pl a toons , compa ni es , even
regi ments , a nd tha t mea nt tha t even a fter the i nevi ta bl e dea ths a nd remova l s duri ng l i ve exerci s es , there were s ti l l pl enty of peopl e a round
you whom you knew wel l . Comma ndos worked s ol el y wi th ea ch other.
Ni ner ha d l os t everyone he ha d grown up wi th, a nd s o ha d Fi .
Hed l os t a brother beforeTwo-Ei ghton exerci s e. The three s urvi vors ha d wel comed the repl a cement, a l though they ha d a l wa ys fel t he
wa s s l i ghtl y differenta l i ttl e di s ta nta s i f he ha d never qui te bel i eved hed been a ccepted.
But they performed to expected l evel s of excel l ence togethera nd a s l ong a s they di d, thei r Ka mi noa n techni ci a ns a nd motl ey ba nd of a l i en
i ns tructors di dnt s eem to ca re how they fel t a bout i t.
But the comma ndos ca red. They jus t kept i t to thems el ves .
It wa s a wa s te, Ni ner s a i d.
Wha t wa s ? Fi s a i d.
Depl oyi ng us i n a n opera ti on l i ke Geonos i s . It wa s a n i nfa ntry job. Not s peci a l ops .
Tha t s ounds l i ke cri ti ci s m of
Im jus t ma ki ng the poi nt tha t we coul dnt perform to ma xi mum effecti venes s .
Unders tood. Ma ybe when were revi ved wel l be a bl e to do wha t were rea l l y tra i ned for.
Ni ner wa nted to s a y tha t he mi s s ed hi s s qua d, but tha t wa s nt s omethi ng to confi de i n a s tra nger. He i ns pected hi s boots a nd wa s s a ti s fi ed.
Then he s tood up a nd s prea d hi s bodys ui t fl a t on the ma ttres s a nd checked i t for va cuum i ntegri ty wi th the s weep-s ens or i n hi s gl ove. It wa s a
ri tua l s o i ngra i ned i n hi m tha t he ha rdl y thought a bout i t: ma i nta i n boots , s ui t, a nd a rmor pl a tes , reca l i bra te hel met s ys tems , check hea ds -up
di s pl a y, s tri p down a nd rea s s embl e DC-17, empty a nd repa ck s urvi va l pa ck. Done. It took hi m twenty-s i x mi nutes a nd twenty s econds , gi ve or
ta ke two s econds . Wel l -ma i nta i ned gea r wa s often the di fference between l i fe a nd dea th. So wa s two s econds .
He cl os ed the top of hi s pa ck wi th a clack a nd s ecured the s ea l . Then he checked the ca tches tha t hel d the s epa ra te ordna nce pa ck to s ee
tha t they were movi ng freel y. Tha t ma ttered when he needed to jetti s on expl os i ve ma teri a l s fa s t. When he gl a nced up, Fi wa s propped on one
el bow, l ooki ng down a t hi m from the bunk.
Dry ra ti ons go on the fifth l a yer, he s a i d.
Ni ner a l wa ys pa cked them fa rther down, between hi s s pa re ra ppel l i ng l i ne a nd hi s hygi ene ki t. In your s qua d, ma ybe, he s a i d, a nd ca rri ed
on.
Fi took the hi nt a nd rol l ed over on hi s ba ck a ga i n, no doubt to medi ta te on how di fferentl y thi ngs mi ght be done i n the future.
After a whi l e he s ta rted s i ngi ng very qui etl y, a l mos t under hi s brea th: Komrk tsad droten troch nyn ures adenn, Dha Werda Verda aden tratu. They
were the wra th of the wa rri ors s ha dow a nd the ga untl et of the Republ i c; Ni ner knew the s ong. It wa s a tra di ti ona l Ma nda l ori a n wa r cha nt,
des i gned to boos t the mora l e of norma l men who needed a bi t of ps ychi ng up before a fi ght. The words ha d been a l tered a l i ttl e to ha ve
mea ni ng for the a rmi es of cl one wa rri ors .
We dont need all that, Ni ner thought. We were born to fight, nothing else.
But he found hi ms el f joi ni ng i n a nywa y. It wa s a comfort. He pl a ced hi s gea r i n the l ocker, rol l ed onto hi s bunk, a nd ma tched note a nd bea t
perfectl y wi th Fi , two i denti ca l voi ces i n the des erted ba rra ck room.
Ni ner woul d ha ve tra ded every rema i ni ng moment of hi s l i fe for a cha nce to rerun the previ ous da ys enga gement. He woul d ha ve hel d Sev
a nd DD ba ck; he woul d ha ve s ent O-Four wes t wi th the E-Web ca nnon.
But he ha dnt.
Gratua cuun hett su dralshya. Our vengea nce burns bri ghter s ti l l .
Fi s voi ce tra i l ed off i nto s i l ence the meres t fra cti on of a s ecti on before Ni ners . He hea rd hi m s wa l l ow ha rd.
I wa s up there wi th them, Sa rge, he s a i d qui etl y. I di dnt ha ng ba ck. Not a t a l l .
Ni ner cl os ed hi s eyes . He regretted hi nti ng tha t Fi mi ght ha ve done a nythi ng l es s .
I know, brother, he s a i d. I know.

Clone personnel have free will, even if they do follow orders. If they couldnt think for themselves, wed be better off with droidsand theyre a lot
cheaper, too. They have to be able to respond to situations we cant imagine. Will that change them in ways we cant predict? Perhaps. But they have to be
mentally equipped to win wars. Now thaw those men out. They have a job to do.
Jedi Ma s ter Arl i ga n Zey, i ntel l i gence offi cer
Secure bri efi ng room, Fl eet Support, Ord Ma ntel l , three s ta nda rd months a fter Geonos i s

Fl eet Support Ba s e ha dnt been bui l t to a ccommoda te tens

of thous a nds of troops , a nd i t s howed. The bri efi ng room wa s a col d s tore, a nd i t
s ti l l s mel l ed of food a nd s pi ces . Da rma n coul d s ee the l oa di ng ra i l s tha t s pa nned the cei l i ng, but he kept hi s focus on the hol os creen i n front
of hi m.
It di dnt feel s o ba d to be revi ved a fter s ta s i s . He wa s s ti l l a comma ndo. They ha dnt recondi ti oned hi m. Tha t mea nttha t mea nt hed
performed to expected s ta nda rds a t Geonos i s . Hed done well. He fel t pos i ti ve.
But hi s hel met fel t di fferent. There wa s a l ot more da ta on the HUD, the hea ds -up di s pl a y. He fl i cked between modes for a whi l e, control l i ng
ea ch comma nd wi th ra pi d bl i nks , noti ng the extra s ys tems a nd ha rdwa re tha t ha d been i ns ta l l ed s i nce Geonos i s .
Si tti ng to hi s l eft wa s hi s new s ergea nt, who preferred to be ca l l ed Ni ner when s uperi or offi cers werent a round, a nd RC-8015, ni ckna med Fi .
They, too, were the s ol e s urvi vors of thei r s qua ds . At l ea s t they knew wha t he wa s goi ng through.
There wa s a fourth ma kes hi ft s ea t i n the rowa bl ue a l l oy pa cki ng cra tea nd i t wa s unoccupi ed. Jedi Ma s ter Arl i ga n Zey, ha nds cl a s ped
behi nd hi s ba ck, pa ced up a nd down i n front of the s creen, cl oa k fl a ppi ng, brea ki ng the hol oprojecti on ea ch ti me. Another Jedi , who ha d not
been i denti fi ed, wa s s pl i tti ng hi s a ttenti on between Zey a nd the three hel meted comma ndos s i tti ng a bs ol utel y s ti l l on the row of cra tes .
The refl ecti ve s urfa ces of the s pra y-cl ea n a l l oy wa l l s ena bl ed Da rma n to di s creetl y obs erve a n unus ua l a l i enone he ha d never s een
before. He ha d been tra i ned to ta ke i n every deta i l of hi s s urroundi ngs , a l though i t wa s very di ffi cul t not to noti ce the crea ture.
The a l i en wa s a bout a meter a nd a ha l f l ong, a nd i t wa s s l i nki ng a round the wa l l s , s ni ffi ng. Bl a ck-furred a nd gl os s y, i t prowl ed on l ong
del i ca te l egs , thrus ti ng a na rrow muzzl e i nto crevi ces a nd exha l i ng s ha rpl y ea ch ti me i t di d. Ea rl i er, Da rma n ha d hea rd Zey a ddres s i t a s
Va l a qi l : he a l s o s a i d i t wa s a Gurl a ni n, a s ha pes hi fter.
Da rma n ha d hea rd a bout s ha pes hi fters i n tra i ni ng, but thi s wa s nt a Cl a wdi te. He wa s wa tchi ng i ts refl ecti on i n hi s ri ght-fi el d peri phera l
vi s i on when the door s wung open a nd a nother comma ndo entered, hel met tucked ri gi dl y under hi s ri ght a rm, a nd s a l uted s ma rtl y.
RC-three-two-two-two, s i r, he s a i d. Apol ogi es for keepi ng you, s i r. The medi cs di dnt wa nt to di s cha rge me.
No wonder: there wa s a s tri pe of ra w fl es h a cros s hi s fa ce tha t s ta rted jus t under hi s ri ght eye, ra n cl ea n a cros s hi s mouth, a nd fi na l l y ended
a t the l eft s i de of hi s ja w. He certa i nl y di dnt l ook l i ke a ny of the other cl ones now. Da rma n wondered wha t l evel of pers ua s i on i t ha d ta ken to
get the medi ca l s ta ff to s ki p a cours e of ba cta .
Are you fi t, s ol di er? Zey s a i d.
Fi t to fi ght, s i r. He s a t down next to Da rma n a nd a s s umed the s a me ra mrod pos ture, gl a nci ng a t hi m bri efl y i n a cknowl edgment. So thi s
wa s thei r fourth ma n. They were a s qua d a ga i nnumeri ca l l y, a nywa y. Omega Squad.
The other Jedi wa s s ta ri ng a t the newcomer wi th a n expres s i on of ba rel y concea l ed a s toni s hment. Zey s eemed to noti ce a nd nudged hi s
col l ea gue. Pa da wa n Jus i k i s new to cl one a rmi es , a s a re we a l l . Tha t wa s unders ta nda bl e: Da rma n ha d never s een Jedi before the Ba ttl e of
Geonos i s , a nd he wa s equa l l y fa s ci na ted. Youl l excus e hi s curi os i ty.
Zey ges tured a t the hol os creen.
Thi s i s your objecti ve, gentl emenQi i l ura . He gl a nced a t hi s da ta pa d, rea di ng i ntentl y. Thi s da ta ha s been obta i ned from hi gh-a l ti tude
reconna i s s a nce, s o i t ha s i ts l i mi ta ti ons .
Zey went on, Qi i l ura i s techni ca l l y neutra l . Unfortuna tel y, i ts neutra l s ta tus i s l i kel y due to end very s oon.
He ha d referred to them a s gentlemen. Ma ybe Zey di dnt know wha t to ca l l comma ndos . It wa s s ti l l ea rl y da ys for a l l of them.
The i ma ge on the s creen bega n a s a bl ue-a nd-whi te di s c, zoomi ng i n to vi ews of cha i ns of i s l a nds , deep ri ver i nl ets , a nd rol l i ng pl a i ns
peppered wi th pa tches of woodl a nd a nd ga meboa rd fi el ds . It l ooked pl ea s a nt a nd pea ceful , a nd hence utterl y a l i en to Da rma n, whos e enti re
l i fe beyond Ti poca Ci ty ha d been s pent on ba ttl efi el ds , rea l or vi rtua l .
Youre l ooki ng a t fa rmi ng communi ti es , a l mos t a l l of them l oca ted here i n thi s regi on beca us e i ts the mos t ferti l e l a nd, Zey s a i d. They
produce ba rq, kus ha ya n, a nd fi fty percent of the l uxury foods tuffs a nd bevera ges i n the ga l a xy. Theres a l s o gem mi ni ng. The popul a ti on i s
neverthel es s l i vi ng a t s ubs i s tence l evel , a nd there i s no government other tha n the l a w of commerce a nd profi tNei moi di a n tra ders
effecti vel y own the pl a net, or a t l ea s t the producti ve a rea s tha t a re of us e to them. They enforce thei r s tewa rds hi p through a mi l i ti a control l ed
by Ghez Hoka na Ma nda l ori a n s o unpl ea s a ntl y vi ol ent tha t he wa s a ctua l l y a s ked to l ea ve the Dea th Squa d for enjoyi ng hi s work too much.
Jus i k l ooked up from hi s da ta pa d. He a ppea red to be fol l owi ng the pres enta ti on. Scum, he s a i d. One of our s ources ca l l s them s cum,
i ndi ca ti ng a very di s a greea bl e group of peopl e.
Zey pa us ed for brea th a s i f to ens ure tha t the l a s t s ni ppet of i nforma ti on ha d ma de i ts poi nt. Gi ven how thi nl y s tretched our res ources a re,
we a re unfortuna tel y una bl e to jus ti fy i nterveni ng to dea l wi th a ny i njus ti ce on Qi i l ura a t thi s ti me. But we ha ve excel l ent i ntel l i gence tha t
i ndi ca tes a s i gni fi ca nt mi l i ta ry a s s et l oca ted there.
Da rma n wa s l i s teni ng, a nd s ti l l wa tchi ng the Gurl a ni n peri phera l l y. It ha d moved a round the room to s i t upri ght bes i de Jus i k, wi th i ts front
pa ws nea tl y cl a s ped before i ts ches t. He wa s a l s o obs ervi ng Jus i k. The Pa da wa n s ti l l a ppea red ri veted by the comma ndos . Da rma n wa s ca reful
not to s ta reeven though a ny eye movement wa s di s gui s ed by hi s hel metbeca us e Jedi knew thi ngs wi thout ha vi ng to s ee. Hi s i ns tructors
ha d tol d hi m s o. Jedi were omni s ci ent, omni potent, a nd to be obeyed a t a l l ti mes .
Da rma n hung on Zeys every word.
Qi i l ura i s nt on the ma i n l a ne, s o to s pea k, Zey s a i d. Idea l for hi di ng, i f tha ts your i ntenti on. And there are thi ngs hi dden there. We need
you to a pprehend one, a nd des troy the othera Sepa ra ti s t s ci enti s t, Ovol ot Qa i l Utha n, a nd her mos t recent project, a na novi rus . We ha ve
rea s on to bel i eve both a re a t a res ea rch fa ci l i ty on Qi i l ura .

Zey pa us ed, a nd Jus i k fi l l ed the s pa ce. We ha ve a Jedi there, Ma s ter Ka s t Ful i er, but we ha vent hea rd from hi m or hi s Pa da wa n i n s ome
weeks .
Zey pi cked up a ga i n. And l et me a s s ure you tha t weve been s ea rchi ng di l i gentl y for them. We ha ve a l oca ti on for our ta rgets , but no pl a ns
of the bui l di ngs . The l a ck of pl a ns wi l l ma ke your retri eva l a nd s a bota ge ta s k more cha l l engi ng, a s wi l l the communi ca ti ons s i tua ti on.
Ques ti ons ?
Ni ner ra i s ed a gl oved ha nd from hi s l a p. Si r, wha t i s the comm s i tua ti on, exa ctl y?
Nei moi di a ns .
Not qui te wi th you, s i r.
Zey l ooked bl a nk for a moment, a nd then hi s fa ce l i t up wi th revel a ti on. The Nei moi di a ns own a nd control a l l the i nfra s tructurethe na ti ve
popul a ti on s ca rcel y ha ve pi ts for refres hers , but thei r overl ords enjoy the fi nes t coml i nk net a nd a i r tra ffi c control tha t credi ts ca n buy. They
l i ke to ens ure tha t nobody does bus i nes s wi thout thei r knowl edge. So they moni tor everythi ng, a nd very l i ttl e i ntel l i gence comes outyoul l
ha ve to a voi d us i ng the l ong-ra nge coml i nk. Do you unders ta nd me, s ol di er?
Si r, yes sir, Genera l Zey.
There wa s a pa us e, a l ong pa us e, a nd Zey l ooked a l ong the row of three hel mets a nd a da ma ged fa ce a s i f wa i ti ng for s omethi ng. The Jedi
ha d s a i d he ha dnt worked wi th cl ones before; ma ybe he wa s expecti ng a di a l ogue. He s topped a t Da rma n. The potenti a l emba rra s s ment to
the Ma s ter prompted Da rma n to fi l l the s i l ent voi d.
It wa s a n obvi ous ques ti on to a s k, rea l l y.
Wha ts the na ture of the na novi rus , s i r?
Zeys hea d moved ba ck jus t a fra cti on. An i ntel l i gent a nd s i gni fi ca nt ques ti on, he s a i d.
Tha nk you, s i r.
The a ns wer, then, s houl d be of grea t i nteres t to you pers ona l l y. It a ppea rs to be s peci fi ca l l y a i med a t cl one pers onnel .
The s l eek bl a ck Gurl a ni n drew i ts el f up to a grea ter hei ght. They fea r you, a nd wi th good rea s on, i t s a i d i n a deep, l i qui d voi ce. So they
wi s h to ki l l , a s a l l i gnora nt bei ngs do when they encounter s omethi ng they fea r a nd mi s unders ta nd.
It conti nued el onga ti ng a nd now a ppea red to be s ta ndi ng. It ha d cha nged s ha pe.
Yes , Zey s a i d s l owl y, dra ggi ng the word i nto two s yl l a bl es , a nd he l ooked a wa y from the s pecta cl e of mol ecul a r rea rra ngement. At thi s
ti me you s ti l l ha ve a n a dva nta gethe Sepa ra ti s ts a l mos t certa i nl y a rent a wa re of your potenti a l a s cl one comma ndos . They ha ve no i dea
wha t you ca n a chi eve, a nd perha ps we ha ve no i dea , ei ther. But you ha ve been crea ted for excel l ence, a nd tra i ned to rea l i ze tha t potenti a l by
the mos t experi enced i ns tructors i n the ga l a xy. We ha ve very hi gh expecta ti ons . Zey s l i pped hi s ha nds i nto hi s cl oa k, hea d l owered s l i ghtl y. If
you ha ppen to fi nd Ma s ter Ful i er s a fe, we woul d be rel i eved, but Utha n a nd the fa ci l i ty a re your ma i n pri ori ti es . Do you unders ta nd everythi ng
I ha ve s a i d?
Yes s i r. Da rma n nodded once a nd s o di d the others , but i t wa s nt qui te a s ynchroni zed movement. Well get it right, he thought. A couple of
days training, thatll sort it. Train hard, fight easy.
Il l l ea ve you to my Pa da wa n, then, Zey s a i d, a nd s wept out, pa us i ng bri efl y a t the door to l ook ba ck a t the comma ndos , ti l ti ng hi s hea d a s
i f he wa s ei ther a ma zed or a mus ed.
Jus i k s wa l l owed ha rd. The Gurl a ni n fl owed from a col umn ba ck i nto a four-l i mbed thi ng, a nd moved to s i t bes i de RC-3222, ga zi ng up a t hi m.
The comma ndo di dnt rea ct.
Ahhh, i t s i ghed. It ha d a voi ce l i ke runni ng wa ter. My, tha ts i ndeed Fetts fa ce. Fa s ci na ti ng.
Jus i k ges tured to the exi t. Im your a rmorer, he s a i d. Wea pons a nd da ta . Fol l ow me a nd Il l s how you wha t youl l ha ve a t your di s pos a l .
The comma ndos ros e a s onemore or l es s a nd fol l owed hi m through the door a nd down a pa s s a ge s ti l l s trewn wi th vi ctua l i ng conta i ners .
The pl a ce s mel l ed of s tewed nerf even through Da rma ns fi l tra ti on ma s k. The Gurl a ni n fl owed before them, now a s i nuous preda tor, now a
trotti ng qua druped, s hi fti ng s ha pe a s i t went.
Jus i k s topped a t a door a t the end of the pa s s a ge a nd turned to them.I wonder i f I coul d a s k the res t of you to remove your hel mets .
Nobody a s ked why, a nd they a l l obeyed, even though i t wa s nt phra s ed a s the unequi voca l order they were expecti ng. The hel met s ea l s
ma de fa i nt ssss s ounds a s they opened.
Oh, Jus i k s a i d, a nd s ta red for a s econd. Then he opened the door a nd they s tepped i nto a ma kes hi ft a rmory.
It wa s a ca che of trea s ures . There were upgra des a nd bol tons tha t Da rma n knew mi ght fi t hi s exi s ti ng gea r, a nd ordna nce tha t he di dnt
recogni ze but l ooked l i ke Republ i c i s s ue, a nd there were exotics. Wea pons he reca l l ed from hi s da ta ba s e a s bel ongi ng to a dozen di fferent
s peci es a nd qui te a few tha t he coul dnt pl a ce a t a l l were l a i d out nea tl y on tres tl e ta bl es . It wa s i nvi ti ng, a l mos t a s i nvi ti ng a s a mea l .
Tha t a l l l ooks ra ther useful, s i r, Ni ner s a i d.
Del ta Squa d ha s been col l ecti ng a few thi ngs here a nd there, Jus i k s a i d. The comma ndos were focus ed on the wea ponry, but Da rma n wa s
a l s o noti ng Jus i ks beha vi or wi th growi ng i nteres t. The Pa da wa n s tood ba ck to l et the men get a cl os er l ook a t the a rma ments but he wa s
wa tchi ng them ca reful l y. Youre nothi ng l i ke droi ds a t a l l , a re you?
No s i r, Fi s a i d. Were fl es h a nd bl ood. Bred to be the bes t.
Li ke Adva nced Recon Comma ndos ?
Not qui te ARCs , s i r. Not l i ke cl one troopers , ei ther. We dont work a l one a nd we dont work i n forma ti ons . We jus t l ook the s a me.
Thi s i s your uni t of four, then? A s qua d? He s eemed to be reca l l i ng a hurri ed l es s on. Al mos t l i ke a fa mi l y?
Ni ner cut i n. It i s now, s i r. He pi cked up a porta bl e mi s s i l e l a uncher tha t l ooked s l i ghtl y di fferent from the s ta nda rd-i s s ue pl ex. Li ght. Very
l i ght.
Merr-Sonn prototype, Jus i k s a i d. Novel a l l oy, hea vi er pa yl oa ds , extra ra nge. It ha s a mi crorepul s orl i ft s ta bi l i zi ng uni t, but they ha vent
res ol ved a l l the more cha l l engi ng techni ca l i s s ues yet. So cons i der i t s houl der-l a unchi ng. He peered a t 3222s fa ce. Is tha t pa i nful ?
Not too ba d, s i r, the comma ndo s a i d. But the wound ha d to hurt l i ke fi re. The a bra ded s ki n wa s s ti l l weepi ng. Il l s ee to i t l a ter.
It di dnt s eem to be the a ns wer Jus i k wa s expecti ng, judgi ng by the s l i ght uh s ound he ma de. Ma ybe he thought cl ones di dnt feel pa i n, l i ke
droi ds . Do you ha ve na mes ? I dont mea n numbers . Names.

Now, tha t wa s a very pri va te thi ng. You kept your na me to yours el f, your s qua d, a nd your tra i ni ng s ergea nt. Da rma n wa s emba rra s s ed for hi m.
My s qua d ca l l ed me Ati n, the wounded comma ndo s a i d.
Ni ner gl a nced a t Fi but s a i d nothi ng. Atin wa s Ma nda l ori a n for s tubborn.
Jus i k hel d up two reel s of l i ne tha t l ooked l i ke ma tte ri bbon, one bl a ck, one whi te. He took a ri bbon of ea ch col or, twi s ted two s hort l engths
together, a nd hel d up the bra i d i n one ha nd a nd a bea d-s i zed detona tor i n the other. One meter i s the equi va l ent yi el d of a therma l
detona tor, but i ts di recti ona l . Idea l for ma ki ng a fra me cha rge. But be ca uti ous wi th the qua nti ty i f you wa nt to enter a bui l di ng, ra ther tha n
des troy i t compl etel y. You ha ve s ome s peci a l i mpl os i on ordna nce for tha t purpos e.
Any us eful ha nd-thrown s tuff? Da rma n a s ked. Stun grena des ?
We ha ve a few Geonos i a n s oni c detona tors , a nd a box of EMPs for a nti -droi d us e.
Tha tl l do me fi ne. Il l ta ke the l ot.
Ni ner wa s wa tchi ng Da rma n i ntentl y. Youre obvi ous l y our demol i ti ons ma n, he s a i d. Then the s ergea nt turned ba ck to the Pa da wa n.
Weve been thoroughl y tra i ned, s i r. You ca n ha ve compl ete confi dence i n us .
Tha t wa s true, Da rma n thought. They ha d been very thoroughl y tra i ned, da y i n, da y out, for ten yea rs , a nd the onl y ti me they werent tra i ni ng
wa s when they were s l eepi ng. Even i f they were untes ted a s a s peci a l forces uni ta pa rt from pl a yi ng i nfa ntry three months a goDa rma n ha d
no doubt tha t they woul d perform to expected s ta nda rds . He wa s ha ppy to ha ve the demol i ti on rol e. He wa s proud of hi s s ki l l i n wha t wa s
del i ca tel y known a s ra pi d entry.
Wha t do you thi nk ha ppened to Ma s ter Ful i er, s i r? Da rma n a s ked. He woul dnt norma l l y ha ve pos ed unneces s a ry ques ti ons , but Arl i ga n
Zey ha d s eemed to a pprove of hi s curi os i ty, a nd Da rma n wa s condi ti oned to do wha tever Jedi genera l s wi s hed.
Jus i k opened a ca s e of Ka mi no s a berda rts a nd hel d i t out a s i f offeri ng a tra y of uj ca kes . Va l a qi l bel i eves he wa s betra yed by a na ti ve, he
s a i d. Theyve been known to do a nythi ng to ea rn food or a few credi ts .
Da rma n wondered how a Jedi coul d be ta ken by a nythi ng l es s tha n a n a rmy. Hed s een them fi ght a t Geonos i s . Hi s wa rfa re wa s a s ci ence;
thei rs a ppea red to be a n a rt. Di dnt he ha ve hi s l i ghts a ber?
He di d, the Gurl a ni n s a i d. But Ma s ter Ful i er ha s , or ha d, s ome discipline i s s ues .
Da rma na s ol di er a bl e to wi ths ta nd every pri va ti on i n the fi el d, a nd whos e grea tes t fea r wa s to wi ther from a ge ra ther tha n di e i n comba t
fel t i nexpl i ca bl y uncomforta bl e a t the i dea of a Jedi ha vi ng fa i l i ngs .
Ma s ter Ful i er wa s i s a coura geous Jedi , Jus i k s a i d, a l mos t l os i ng hi s compos ed ma nner for a moment. He i s s i mpl y pa s s i ona te a bout
jus ti ce.
Ni ner defus ed the moment. Da rma n fel t rea s s ured by hi s effortl es s a uthori ty. Si r, how l ong ha ve we got to pl a n the mi s s i on a nd a ttempt a
few dry runs ? he s a i d.
Ei ght s ta nda rd hours , Jus i k repl i ed, a l mos t a pol ogeti c. Beca us e tha ts how l ong the journey to Qi i l ura wi l l ta ke. Youre emba rki ng now.
Eta i n empti ed her ba g on the s tra w ma ttres s i n the dryi ng ba rn.
Des pi te a ppea ra nces , thi s wa s the gues t s ui te. Li ves tock wa s nt a l l owed i n the ba rn a t thi s ti me of yea r beca us e a ni ma l s ha d a tendency to
ea t the ba rq gra i n, a nd tha t wa s a n a wful l y expens i ve wa y to fa tten merl i es for the ta bl e. The a ni ma l s were a l l owed i n the ma i n hous e, a nd i n
the wi nter they even s l ept there, pa rtl y to keep the pl a ce wa rm a nd pa rtl y to protect them from prowl i ng gda ns .
The hous e ha d s mel l ed l i ke i t, too. Nothi ng of the merl i es not even thei r body hea t or thei r pungent odorwa s ever wa s ted. Keeps them
bugs a wa y, Bi rha n ha d tol d her. Its a good s ti nk.
Eta i n knel t bes i de the ma ttres s a nd tri ed to thi nk her wa y out of her predi ca ment. Ma s ter Ful i er wa s proba bl y dea d: i f he werent, he woul d
ha ve returned for her. He wa s ha d beenbri l l i a nt, ma gni fi centl y s ki l l ed when he wa s focus ed on bei ng s o. But he wa s a l s o i mpa ti ent, a nd
i ncl i ned not to wa l k a wa y from ma tters tha t werent hi s concern, a nd thos e were two fa ctors tha t di dnt mi x wel l wi th a covert mi s s i on.
Hed deci ded one of Hoka ns thugs needed to l ea rn a l es s on i n how to res pect the l oca l popul a ti on. Al l i t took wa s for one of the
Ma nda l ori a ns l i eutena nts to offer the s a me l oca l s more tha n the pri ce of a bottl e of urrqa l to s a y where a nd when Ful i er wa s i n town.
Town. Tha t wa s a joke.
Imbra a ni wa s nt Corus ca nt, not a t a l l . The onl y i nfra s tructure i n the ra mbl i ng col l ecti on of fa rms tea ds wa s devoted to wha t i t took to grow,
ha rves t, a nd export i ts ca s h crops , a nd to the comfort of i ts commerci a l overl ords . Eta i n ha d grown up i n a worl d where you coul d tra vel a t wi l l
a nd s end mes s a ges ea s i l y, a nd nei ther of thos e ta ken-for-gra nted fa ci l i ti es wa s rea di l y a va i l a bl e here.
Eta i n needed one of two thi ngs ri ght now: to get pa s s a ge off Qi i l ura , or to get a da ta tra ns mi s s i on out i n her s tea d. She s ti l l ha d a mi s s i on
to compl ete, i f onl y to jus ti fy Ma s ter Ful i ers s a cri fi ce. She took a s ma l l s phere from the s ca tteri ng of pos s es s i ons on the ma ttres s a nd opened
i t i n two ha l ves l i ke a s hefna frui t.
A hol ocha rt bl os s omed i nto three di mens i ons i n her cupped ha nds , then a nother, then a nother. She ha d l a youts of ha l f a dozen Nei moi di a n
a nd Sepa ra ti s t bui l di ngs i n the s urroundi ng regi on, beca us e Ful i er ha dnt been the onl y one who wa s ca rel es s . After a few bottl es of urrqa l ,
the l oca l cons tructi on workers dropped thei r gua rd.
Eta i n wa s nei ther a na tura l wa rri or nor a grea t cha rmer, but s he wa s a wa re of her ta l ent for s potti ng opportuni ti es . It ma de up for a l ot.
She wa s nt s ure i f her Ma s ters fa te wa s ti ed i n to the hol os chema ti cs , or i f hed been s een a s a di rect threa t to Utha n. She s us pected Ghez
Hoka n mi ght even ha ve done s omethi ng s i mpl y beca us e he di dnt much ca re for Jedi . Play warriors, he ca l l ed them. He des pi s ed a nyone who
di dnt fi ght wi th ha rd meta l or thei r fi s ts . Ma nda l ori a ns were tough; but Hoka n opera ted a t a tota l l y di fferent l evel of bruta l i ty. Eta i n ha d
rea l i zed tha t the moment s he a nd Ful i er ha d wa l ked through wha t wa s l eft of a four-hous e vi l l a ge tha t mus t ha ve di s pl ea s ed hi m i n s ome
wa y.
She woul d never era s e thos e i ma ges from her mi nd. She medi ta ted ha rd twi ce a da y. It s ti l l wa s nt hel pi ng. Settl i ng down on her knees , s he
tri ed a ga i n, s l owi ng her brea thi ng, ca l mi ng her hea rt.
The gra vel outs i de the ba rn crunched.
Eta i n pi cked up her l i ghts a ber from the ma ttres s a s s he s tuffed the hol ocha rt s phere i n her tuni c. Her thumb hovered over the control s s et i n
the hi l t. She s houl d ha ve s ens ed s omeone comi ng, but s he ha d a l l owed her fa ti gue a nd des pa i r to get the better of her. I didnt check for another
exit, s he thought. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I might have to use this
As the pl a nk door s wung open, s he fl i cked the button a nd the bl ue l i ght pi erced the dus ty a i r. The merl i e tha t wa ndered i n di dnt a ppea r
i mpres s ed. Nor di d the s ma l l el derl y woma n who fol l owed i t.

Youre jumpy, s he s a i d. She ha d a covered tra y i n her ha nds a nd s omethi ng bundl ed under one a rm. The merl i e nuzzl ed Eta i ns knees ,
s eeki ng a ttenti on. They were di s tres s i ngl y i ntel l i gent a ni ma l s , nea rl y a meter hi gh a t the s houl der a nd covered wi th l ong brown ri ngl ets of
wool ; thei r round, green eyes were too di s turbi ngl y huma n for Eta i ns pea ce of mi nd. Heres your di nner.
Tha nk you, Eta i n s a i d, wa tchi ng a s the woma n put the tra y down on the ma ttres s a nd pl a ced the bundl e of brown fa bri c bes i de i t.
Qui te a job getti ng tha t dung off your cl oa k, the woma n s a i d, eyei ng the l i ghts a ber the wa y Bi rha n ha d. Sti l l a bi t da mp. But cl ea n.
Tha nk you, Eta i n repea ted. She turned off the bl a de a nd peel ed the cl oth ba ck from the tra y. Two rough cl a y pl a tes hel d a coupl e of thi nbrea ds a nd a mus h of s tew, on top of whi ch whol e ba rq gra i ns were vi s i bl e. She coul d s mel l thei r cl oyi ng mus ky s cent.
Tha t qua nti ty of ba rq wa s a weeks ea rni ngs for thes e peopl e. You s houl dnt ha ve gone to tha t troubl e for me, Eta i n s a i d, emba rra s s ed.
Youre a gues t, the woma n s a i d. Bes i des , once Id s cra ped the dung off, s ha me to wa s te the gra i ns s tuck to i t, eh? Oh-a h.
Eta i ns s toma ch rol l ed but s he kept a s tea dy expres s i on. Corus ca nts food hygi ene regul a ti ons certa i nl y di dnt a ppl y here.
Very ki nd of you, s he s a i d, a nd forced a s mi l e.
Theyre comi ng, you know, the woma n s a i d.
Il l be rea dy, Eta i n l i ed, a nd i ndi ca ted the l i ghts a ber.
No, not them Hoka n thugs . Not them a t a l l .
Eta i n wondered whether to pres s her, but deci ded a ga i ns t i t for the ti me bei ng. She ha d no i dea who s hed be a s ki ng for a ns wers .
The woma n s i ghed a nd s hooed the merl i e out the door wi th i mpa ti ent ha nds . Theyre comi ng, a l l ri ght, s he s a i d, a nd s mi l ed, cl os i ng the
door behi nd her.

CLASSIFIED, HIGHEST: ENCRYPTION ONLY

Youre the best in your fieldthe best soldiers, tacticians, sappers, communicators, survival experts. I picked you personally because I want you to train the
best commandos in the galaxy. Youll have everything you need, whatever you want, except one thinghome. This is a top-secret project. Youll not tell anyone
where youre going and youll not leave Kamino, ever. As far as your friends and family are concerned, youre already dead.
Ja ngo Fett, recrui ti ng hi s ha ndpi cked comma ndo i ns tructors , the Cuyvul Da ri n the Ma nda l ori a n tongue, thos e who no l onger exi s t

The Nei moi di a ns ha d a ta s te for el a bora te a nd whol l y i na ppropri a te gra ndeur, a nd Ghez Hoka n des pi s ed them for i t.
Li k Ankki ts huge vi l l a wa s s et on top of a hi l l overl ooki ng a kus ha ya n pl a nta ti ona fool i s h choi ce gi ven the preva i l i ng wi nds , but i t s eemed
to s a ti s fy the Nei moi di a ns need to s how he wa s bos s . The l oca ti on mi ght ha ve ma de s ens e from a mi l i ta ry pers pecti ve, buta s Ankki t wa s a
bea n-counti ng cowa rd l i ke a l l of hi s ki ndhe di dnt need defens i bi l i ty, ei ther.
No, the Nei moi di a n wa s a dikut. A compl ete a nd utter dikut.
Hoka n ra n up the hedge-fl a nked s teps of the vera nda s pa nni ng the enti re front of the bui l di ng, hea ddres s tucked under one a rm, hi s s ha tter
gun, kni ves , a nd rope-s pi ke provoca ti vel y vi s i bl e i n hi s bel t.
He wa s nt rus hi ng to s ee hi s pa yma s ter, oh no. He wa s jus t i n a hurry to get the meeti ng over wi th. He i gnored the s erva nts a nd mi ni ons a nd
s wept i nto Ankki ts s pa ci ous offi ce wi th i ts pa nora mi c vi ew of the countrys i de. Qi i l ura s commerci a l overl ord wa s wa teri ng pots of fl owers on
the wi ndows i l l . He pa us ed to fl i ck one wi th hi s fi ngerti p, a nd i t s pra yed a powerful , s i ckl y s cent i nto the a i r. He i nha l ed wi th pa rted l i ps .
I do wi s h you woul d knock, Hoka n, Ankki t s a i d wi thout turni ng a round. Its rea l l y mos t di s courteous .
You s ummoned me, Hoka n s a i d fl a tl y.
Merel y checki ng on the progres s of your convers a ti ons wi th the Jedi .
Ha d there been a ny, I woul d ha ve ca l l ed you.
You ha vent ki l l ed hi m, ha ve you? Do tel l me you ha vent. I need to know i f hi s a cti vi ti es wi l l a ffect ma rket pri ces .
Im not a n a ma teur.
But one ha s to do the bes t wi th the s ta ff one ha s , yes ?
I do my own di rty work, tha nks . No, he i s nt ta l ki ng. Hes ra ther res i s ta nt for a Jedi .
If Ankki t ha d ha d a nos e, he woul d ha ve been l ooki ng down i t a t Hoka n. Hoka n control l ed a n i mpul s i ve urge to cut thi s gl ori fi ed
s hopkeeper, thi s grocer, down to s i ze. For a l l hi s hei ght, the Nei moi di a n wa s s oft a nd wea k, hi s onl y s trength conta i ned wi thi n hi s ba nk
a ccount. He bl i nked wi th pa s s i onl es s , l i qui d red eyes . Hoka n a l mos talmostrea ched for hi s rope-s pi ke.
Jedi do not vi s i t worl ds l i ke thi s to ta ke the thera peuti c wa ters , Hoka n. Ha ve you confi rmed tha t he ha s a n a s s oci a te?
Hes a Jedi Ma s ter. He wa s s een wi th a Pa da wa n.
Not a very di s creet Jedi Ma s ter, i t s eems .
Ful i er coul dnt ha ve been good a t ca l cul a ti ng odds or hed never ha ve s ta rted on Ga r-Ul i n the ta vern. But a t l ea s t he wa s prepa red to s ta nd
up for hi ms el f, des pi te a l l tha t s oft mys ti ca l nons ens e he s pouted. Hoka n a dmi red guts , even i f he ra rel y tol era ted them. They were a l wa ys i n
s hort s uppl y.
Wel l fi nd the Pa da wa n, a nd wel l fi nd out wha t i ntel l i gence Ful i er ha s , i f a ny.
Ma ke s ure you do. I ha ve a l ucra ti ve contra ct res ti ng on thi s .
Hoka n ha d become pra cti ced a t control l i ng hi s urge to l a s h out, but he s a w no rea s on to s ubject hi s mouth to the s a me di s ci pl i ne. If I
s ucceed, i tl l be beca us e I ta ke pri de i n my work.
You need the credi ts .
For the ti me bei ng. But one da y, Ankki t, I wont need you a t a l l .
Ankki t ga thered hi s robes a l i ttl e cl os er a nd drew hi ms el f up to hi s ful l hei ght, whi ch ha d no effect on Hoka n a t a l l .
You mus t l ea rn to a ccept your reduced s ta ti on i n the ga l a cti c order, Hoka n, Ankki t s a i d. Thi s i s no l onger the hi era rchy of brute force i n
whi ch your wa rri or a nces tors thri ved. Toda y we need to be s ol di ers of i ntel l ect a nd commerce, a nd no a mount of s trutti ng a round i n tha t
mus eum-pi ece uni form wi l l revi ve your glorious pa s t. Al a s , even the grea t Ja ngo Fett s uccumbed to a Jedi i n the end.
News tra vel ed fa s t. Fett wa s a s ource of pri de a mong the rema i ni ng ha ndful of Ma nda l ori a ns i n di a s pora . Even i f he fought for money, he
wa s the best. Ankki t mus t ha ve known perfectl y wel l how much tha t comment woul d s ti ng.
Hoka n wa s determi ned tha t the Nei moi di a n woul d s ee no evi dence on hi s fa ce to prove i t. Hed certa i nl y tri ed to keep tha t out of hi s mi nd
when he wa s i nterroga ti ng Ful i er, much a s he wa nted to bl a me a l l Jedi for the humi l i a ti on of a cul tura l hero. He ha d to be cl ea r why he wa s
s ma s hi ng the Jedi s bones . Revenge wa s unprofes s i ona l .
He took a ca reful brea th. Do you keep gda ns a s pets , Ankki t? I hea r s ome offworl ders do try.
Gda ns ? No. Fi l thy l i ttl e crea tures . Mos t s a va ge.
But i f you di d keep one, a nd di dnt feed i t wel l , woul d you be s urpri s ed i f i t bi t you?
I s uppos e not.
Then feed me wel l .
Hoka n turned a nd wa l ked out wi thout bei ng di s mi s s ed, del i bera tel y unbi dden, a nd del i bera tel y fa s t s o tha t Ankki t coul dnt ha ve the l a s t
word. He repl a ced hi s hel met a nd ra n down the s teps of the l udi crous l y extra va ga nt vi l l a .
He di dnt ca re i f Ankki t rented the whol e pl a net out to Sepa ra ti s t s ci enti s ts . They werent honora bl e enough to fi ght wi th rea l wea pons ,
ei ther: they got bugs to do thei r work for them. It wa s a di s gra ce. It wa s unnatural.
Hoka n fel t i n hi s bl ood-red ja cket for the Jedi s wea pon. It di dnt l ook l i ke much a t a l l . And i t wa s s urpri s i ngl y ea s y to a cti va te, even though
he s us pected tha t ful l y ma s teri ng i t mi ght be a nother ma tter. A hummi ng bl ue s ha ft of l i ght, vi vi d a s da y, s hot out from the hi l t. Hoka n s wept i t

s cythe-s tyl e a l ong a nea tl y cl i pped ta rmul hedge, cutti ng i ts hei ght i n ha l f.
The l i ghts a ber wa s nt ba d for a s oft Jedi wea pon.
Hoka n s us pected the l i ghts a ber l ooked a t odds wi th hi s tra di ti ona l Ma nda l ori a n hel met a nd i ts di s ti ncti ve T-s ha ped eye s l i t. But a wa rri or
ha d to a da pt.
And Ful i er ha d ques ti ons to a ns wer.
Docki ng Ba y D-768, Fl eet Support Ai r Sta ti on, Ord Ma ntel l
The Na r Sha dda a a gri -uti l i ty crop s pra yer on the pa d l ooked a s i f onl y i ts rus t wa s hol di ng i t together. It wa s , to us e Jus i ks
uncha ra cteri s ti ca l l y col orful des cri pti on, a n ol d cl unker.
Ands omehowi t wa s ta ki ng them to Qi i l ura . It woul dnt a ttra ct much a ttenti on fl yi ng over fa rmi ng country, unl es s , of cours e, i t broke up i n
fl i ght. Thi s di dnt s eem out of the ques ti on.
Wel l , they dont bui l d them l i ke tha t a nymore, Fi s a i d.
Tha ts beca us e not even the Hutt Avi a ti on Authori ty woul d certi fy thi s Na rs h di rt-cra te a i rworthy, Ni ner s a i d, s tra i ni ng to prevent hi s pa ck
from bendi ng hi m over ba ckwa rd. He wa s l a den wi th nea rl y doubl e the twenty-fi ve-ki l o wei ght he wa s us ed to ca rryi ng, a l ong wi th a powered
emergency chute. Ni ner ha d never a ctua l l y come a cros s the HAA, but hed a bs orbed every s cra p of i ntel rea d, s een, or hea rd i n hi s l i fe.
Anywa y, a l l i t ha s to do i s get us down there.
Its ma ki ng a nobl e s a cri fi ce, Jus i k s a i d, s uddenl y ri ght behi nd them. He s mi l ed a nd murmured dirt-crate to hi ms el f a s i f i t a mus ed hi m.
Ni ner wondered for a moment i f hed broken protocol by us i ng the phra s e. Are you certa i n you ca n do thi s ? I coul d a s k Ma s ter Zey i f he woul d
a l l ow me to a ccompa ny you.
Ni ner wa nted to l a ugh, but you di dnt l a ugh a t a Jedi , es peci a l l y one who s eemed to ca re wha t ha ppened to you. We l os t too ma ny offi cers
a t Geonos i s , s i r. They ca nt grow you to order.
The Pa da wa n l owered hi s eyes for a s econd. Its cons i dera te of you to thi nk of me a s a n offi cer, Sergea nt.
Youre a comma nder now, s i r. We wont l et you down. Theres nobody better prepa red for thi s tha n us .
Thi s i s your fi rs t s peci a l opera ti on, i s nt i t?
Yes s i r.
Does nt tha t worry you?
No s i r. Not a t a l l . The s i x Ps , s i r. Proper Pl a nni ng Prevents Pi Inadequate Performa nce, s i r.
Jus i k a ppea red to be counti ng a nd then ra i s ed hi s eyebrows . Thi s i s real, Sergea nt.
Ah. For a l l thei r s ki l l s a nd wi s dom, there were s ti l l s ome thi ngs tha t even Jedi di dnt know. Ni ner hes i ta ted to l ecture Jus i k.
Real. Oh yes , Ni ner knew wha t real wa s , a l l ri ght.
Pa da wa n Ba rda n Jus i k ha d certa i nl y never s een the Ki l l i ng Hous e on Ka mi no. Hed never s tormed the bui l di ng, wi th i ts twi s ti ng corri dors a nd
i nnumera bl e fl i ghts of s ta i rs ; he di dnt know how ma ny comma ndos di ed i n tra i ni ng when the rounds were l i ve a nd the terrori s ts or whoever
the di recti ng s ta ff were bei ng tha t da ya i med to ki l l , a nd frequentl y di d.
He a l s o ha d no i dea wha t i t wa s l i ke s pendi ng four da ys l yi ng prone i n a s cra pe i n the undergrowth on obs erva ti on, ri fl e rea dy, uri na ti ng
where you l a y beca us e you coul dnt move a nd gi ve a wa y your pos i ti on. He ha d no i dea how you l ea rned to judge the a mount of cha rge requi red
for ra pi d entry to a bui l di ng the ha rd wa y, beca us e i f you di dnt get i t jus t ri ght, i n a hurry a nd under fi re, i t coul d bl ow your hea d cl ea n off. TwoEi ght ha d l ea rned tha t wa y.
Jus i k di dnt know jus t how fa r a nd how l ong you coul d ca rry a wounded comra de when you ha d to. He proba bl y di dnt even know how to
perform a n emergency fi el d tra cheotomy wi th a vi brobl a de a nd a cl ea n l ength of fuel l i ne.
It wa s nt Jus i ks fa ul t. He ha d fa r bi gger i s s ues to worry a bout. There wa s no rea s on for a Jedi comma nder to concern hi ms el f wi th the
deta i l s of a cl one comma ndos l i fe. But Ni ner thought he proba bl y woul d, a nd he a dmi red the Pa da wa n a l l the more for tha t.
Wel l be fi ne, s i r, Ni ner s a i d. The tra i ni ng i s qui te rea l i s ti c.
Ins i de the s ha bby Na rs h ves s el , the ta nks ha d been s tri pped out, a nd the bul khea ds l i ned wi th s ecuri ng s tra ps a nd s tea l th s heeti ng tha t
woul d render the s hi ps ca rgo i nvi s i bl e to a ny probe or s ca n.
Ni ner rea l i zed tha t four men woul d be pretty cra mped i n there wi th pa cks a nd wea pons . A coupl e of Bl a s Tech E-Web repea ti ng bl a s ters were
a l rea dy s towed, a nd, a t Ati ns reques t, two Tra ndos ha n LJ-50 concus s i on ri fl es .
Ati ns l i vi d fa ce wound wa s l ooki ng l es s a l a rmi ng now, but hed a l wa ys ha ve a s ca r: the ba cta s pra y coul d fi x pl enty i f you us ed i t s oon
enough, but i t coul dnt revers e s ca rri ng. He pul l ed hi ms el f through the open ha tch wi th a n APC a rra y bl a s ter i n one ha nd a nd hi s DC-17
s tra pped a cros s hi s ches t, jus t a bout keepi ng hi s ba l a nce under the wei ght of hi s pa ck. Da rma n, a cti ng a s l oa dma s ter, ga ve hi m a hel pful l eg
up a nd eyed the bl a s ter.
Got a thi ng for Tra ndos ha n technol ogy? Da rma n a s ked.
Thi s l l dea l wi th s hi el ds better tha n our E-Web, Ati n repl i ed. And the LJ-fi fty i s a ni ce ba ckup when we ta ke out the fa ci l i ty. Jus t i n ca s e.
Republ i c does nt ma ke a l l the bes t gea r.
Ni ner wondered i f Ati n ever ta l ked a bout a nythi ng but gea r. Hi s s qua d mus t ha ve been a mi s era bl e bunch, wi th a mi s era bl e i ns tructor.
Cl ones mi ght ha ve l ooked utterl y s ta nda rdi zed to outs i ders , but every s qua d wa s a l tered s l i ghtl y by the cumul a ti ve effects of i ts experi ences ,
i ncl udi ng the i nfl uences of the i ndi vi dua l tra i ners . Every comma ndo ba tta l i on ha d i ts own noncl one i ns tructor, a nd s eemed to ta ke on s ome of
hi s or heruni que cha ra cteri s ti cs a nd voca bul a ry.
We learn, Ni ner thought. We learn fast, and unfortunately we learn everything. Like di rt-cra te.
Every s qua d devel oped i ts own dyna mi cs , a s wel l . It wa s pa rt of thei r ha rdwi red huma n bi ol ogy. Put four men i n a group, a nd s oon youd
ha ve a pecki ng order defi ned by the rol es a nd foi bl es tha t a ccompa ni ed them. Ni ner knew hi s , a nd he thought he knew Fi s , a nd he wa s pretty
s ure he knew where Da rma n wa s hea di ng. But Ati n wa s nt s l i di ng i nto pl a ce jus t yet.
Fi ha d a Geonos i a n force pi ke. He hefted i t a nd s mi l ed.
Whered you get tha t? Ati n a s ked, s uddenl y i nteres ted.
Souveni r of Geonos i s , Fi s a i d, a nd wi nked. Seemed a s ha me to wa s te i t. He fl i pped i t over i n hi s ha nd a nd twi rl ed i t, a rm outs tretched,

mi s s i ng Ati n by a ca l cul a ted ha nds pa n. He di dnt rea ct. You woul dnt even need to us e the power s etti ng, woul d you? Thi s thi ngs heavy. He
brought i t down i n a s l i ci ng movement. Wallop. Tha tl l ma ke thei r eyes wa ter.
I dont thi nk I need a ny s ouveni rs of Geonos i s , Ati n s a i d. Hi s tone wa s di s ti nctl y fros ty. Indel i bl y etched, you mi ght s a y.
Hey
Ni ner cut i n. Cha t l a ter, he s a i d. Shi ft i t, peopl e.
Ni ner a l rea dy knew he woul d ha ve hi s work cut out wi th Ati n a nd wondered i f a nythi ng woul d tri gger hi s na tura l urge to be one of the s qua d.
He a l s o wondered a bout hi s a ppa rent nega ti vi ty. Hell shake down, sooner or later. Hell have to.
Ba cki ng up to a conveni ent l edge on the port bul khea d, Ni ner uncl i pped hi s ba ckpa ck. Forty-fi ve ki l os l i ghter, he ea s ed between Fi a nd Ati n,
a nd peered i nto the cockpi t.
An R5 droi d wa s a t the control s . The uni t wa s s ti l l fuel i ng up the ves s el from a droi d bows er, burbl i ng a nd whi s tl i ng to i ts el f. Ni ner l ea ned
a cros s to pl ug hi s da ta pa d i nto the cons ol e to confi rm the fl i ght pl a n a nd s ynchroni ze i t wi th the ves s el s a ctua l pa th.
The R5 di dnt ta ke a ny noti ce. It woul d fl y the route i t wa s gi ven.
Improvi s i ng, thi nki ng on hi s feet, ma ki ng the mos t of the res ources a t ha nd, were a l l pa rt of opera ti ng a s a comma ndo. But s o wa s a cqui ri ng
a dequa te i ntel l i gence. Wha t they ha d wa s nt enough to pl a n a mi s s i on, a nd tha t mea nt they woul d ei ther ha ve to a cqui re i t i n the fi el d, or
fa i l . Ni ner di dnt wa nt to fa i l Pa da wa n Jus i k. He ejected hi s da ta pa d a nd edged ba ck to the ha tch, tryi ng not to cl i p Fi or Ati n.
Comm s i l ence from the ti me you ta ke off, Jus i k s a i d, l ea ni ng through the open ha tch. The a s s a ul t s hi p the Majestic i s di verti ng to Qi i l ura ,
a nd wi l l rema i n on s ta ti on a pa rs ec from the pl a net unti l s he recei ves your reques t for extra cti on. Then guns hi ps wi l l be a t your tra ns mi tted
l oca ti on wi thi n the hour.
Ni ner a l mos t a s ked jus t how l ong the Majestic mi ght wa i t, but he fea red i t woul d l ook a s i f he doubted hi s s qua ds competence. He knew the
a ns wer: the s hi p woul d wa i t unti l Utha n wa s ta ken, even i f tha t wa s s evera l comma ndo mi s s i ons down the l i ne. It wa s nt wa i ti ng for them.
We wont keep the Majestic wa i ti ng, Ni ner s a i d.
Anythi ng el s e you need?
Ni ner s hook hi s hea d. No, Comma nder.
Da rma n s tood to one s i de of the ra mp, l i ke a n honor gua rd, wa i ti ng for the Jedi to l ea ve.
Very wel l , Jus i k s a i d, l ooki ng hes i ta nt, a s i f he wa nted to wa l k a wa y but thought better of i t. I hope to debri ef you on your return.
Ni ner took tha t l i tera l l y, a l though Jus i k wa s l ooki ng a t hi m a s i f i t mea nt s omethi ng el s e. It ma de s ens e for the Pa da wa n comma nder to
proces s wha tever i ntel they mi ght ga i n. Jus i k turned a nd wa l ked a wa y, a nd Da rma n jumped i ns i de. The ha tch cl os ed wi th a s l i ght s hudder,
s endi ng fi ne fra gments of rus ti ng meta l to the deck.
It only has to land, Ni ner thought.
He s wi tched on the hol oprojecti on i n hi s da ta pa d a nd s tudi ed the three-di mens i ona l fl i ght pa th over fi el ds , l a kes , a nd fores t. It wa s pa rt
rea l i ma ge, pa rt s i mul a ti on. Projected onto a n exi s ti ng cha rt, they were l ooki ng a t a n a rea thi rty kl i cks north of a s ma l l town ca l l ed Imbra a ni .
A s i ngl e-s tory bui l di ng wi th s ha bby s heet-meta l roofi ngri nged by a n i ncongruous l y wel l -cut expa ns e of gra s s nes tl ed i n a pl a nta ti on of
kuva ra trees . Some of the i ma ge wa s bl urred, but i t wa s the bes t res ol uti on tha t a s urvei l l a nce remote coul d ma na ge a t tha t di s ta nce a bove
the pl a net. Specks peopl ewa ndered a round a n enci rcl i ng pa th.
Its the capture alive bi t tha t compl i ca tes ma tters , Da rma n s a i d, ga zi ng a t the i ma ge over Ni ners s houl der. Or el s e we coul d jus t bomb i t
ba ck i nto Hutt s pa ce.
Tha ts why they crea ted us , Ni ner s a i d. For the compl i ca ted jobs .
He cl os ed hi s eyes for a few moments to vi s ua l i ze the i ns erti on: he s a w i t from ta keoff to l a ndi ng, s mooth a nd pl a nned, every deta i l , or a s
ma ny deta i l s a s thei r i ncompl ete i ntel coul d furni s h a nd hi s own experi ence of a hundred exerci s es coul d confi rm.
In thi s deta ched s ta te, s omethi ng occurred to hi m. He pi ctured Jus i ks fa ce a nd hi s a wkwa rd, nervous s hrugs . He rea l i zed wha t the Pa da wa n
ha d mea nt when he s a i d he wa s hopi ng to debri ef them pers ona l l y on thei r return.
He mea nt Good luck. He wa nted them to s urvi ve.
Ni ner, who ha d known for a s l ong a s he coul d remember tha t he wa s a s ol di er bred to di e, found tha t i ntri gui ng.
Gda ns were a bout thi rty centi meters l ong, ful l y grown, a nd i t took a whol e pa ck of them to bri ng down even a merl i e ca l f. But a t ni ghtwhen
they emerged from thei r wa rrens a nd huntedthe fa rmers l ocked thei r doors a nd s ta yed cl ea r of the fi el ds .
It wa s nt s o much thei r teeth tha t the l oca l s fea red. It wa s the dea dl y ba cteri a the a ni ma l s ca rri ed; a mi nor s cra tch or a bi te wa s a l mos t
a l wa ys fa ta l . And Ma s ter Ful i er ha d us ed thei r enti re s uppl y of ba cta s pra y i n a dmi ni s teri ng fi rs t a i d to vi l l a gers , s o Eta i n wa s a s hous ebound
a t ni ght a s a ny of her hos ts .
She coul d hea r the l i ttl e preda tors outs i de, s qua bbl i ng a nd s cra bbl i ng. She s a t cros s -l egged on the ma ttres s a nd chewed on the thi nbrea ds , a l mos t hungry enough to gul p down the s tew, but not that hungry. A few bacteria are good for your immune system, s he thought. Youve
probably eaten worse without knowing.
But s he knew thi s ti me.
Lea vi ng the bowl where i t s tood, s he rol l ed the hol ocha rt s phere over a nd over i n her pa l ms , runni ng through a l l the pos s i bi l i ti es for getti ng
the i nforma ti on to the Jedi Counci l . Stow a wa y i n a tra ns portpos s i bl e. Tra ns mi t the da ta from ground? No, a l l tra ns mi s s i ons were ti ghtl y
control l ed by the Nei moi di a ns ; a ny other mes s a ge tra ffi c from Qi i l ura to Corus ca nt woul d dra w i ns ta nt a ttenti on. There wa s a l wa ys the
pos s i bi l i ty of fi ndi ng the ri ght droi d couri er, but tha t wa s a l ong s hot, a nd i t mi ght ta ke s o much ti me a s to be us el es s .
Perha ps s hed ha ve to do the job hers el f.
Li ghts a bers were s uperb wea pons , but ri ght now s he needed a n a rmy. The rea l i za ti on tha t s he ha d bea ten the odds to obta i n va l ua bl e
i nforma ti on but wa s now una bl e to get i t to thos e who needed i t a l mos t crus hed her.
Im not done yet, s he s a i d a l oud. But s he fea red tha t s he wa s , a t l ea s t for the ni ght. Her eyel i ds fel t hea vy a nd s he bra ced her el bows on
her knees , l etti ng her hea d res t i n her ha nds .
A good ni ghts s l eep. She mi ght ha ve a better i dea i n the morni ng. Her eyes cl os ed. Ima ges of Corus ca nt, her cl a n pra cti ci ng pa s s i ng a ba l l by
thought a l one, a ni ce hot ba th, food s he trus ted to be cl ea n
Then, s uddenl y, every fi ber i n her body l ea pt a t once. Hea rt poundi ng, Eta i n thought a t fi rs t tha t s hed ha d one of thos e ha l f drea ms of

fa l l i ng tha t s ometi mes ca me when s he wa s dozi ng off. But now s he wa s ful l y a wa ke a nd knew tha t s he ha dnt.
Somethi ng ha d cha nged. Somethi ng i n the Force ha d been a l tered, a nd forever. She jumped to her feet, s uddenl y cl ea r wha t i t wa s ; s he
needed no tra i ni ng or educa ti on to unders ta nd i t. Every i ns ti nct coded i n her genes cri ed out.
Somethi ngsomeonewa s gone from the Force.
Ma s ter, s he s a i d.
She ha d suspected he wa s dea d. Now s he knew he wa s , a nd s he knew i t ha d ha ppened ri ght then. It wa s i mpos s i bl e not to wonder how a nd
where, but s he knew enough a bout the Nei moi di a ns hi red mus cl e a nd thei r techni ques to gues s .
Ignori ng the ever-pres ent gda ns , s he went to the ba rn door a nd s wung i t open. It wa s a n a ct of hel pl es s nes s . There wa s nothi ng s he coul d
do, now or ever.
Somethi ng rus tl ed i n the gra s s . It wa s a s ol i ta ry s omethi ng, a nd i t s ounded l a rger tha n a gda n. She noti ced for the fi rs t ti me tha t the
cons ta nt s nuffl i ng a nd s qua bbl i ng of the gda n pa cks ha d s topped. Theyd gone.
Eta i n fel t for her l i ghts a ber, jus t i n ca s e.
Loud s qua wki ng a nd a fl urry of wi ngs ma de her s ta rt. A di s turbed fl ock of l ea therba cks ros e i nto the a i r a nd s ca ttered i n the da rknes s ,
tra i l i ng s pa rks of l i ght from thei r s ca l es . Through the Force, s he detected onl y s ma l l crea tures wi th s i mpl e des i res , a nd a ma l e merl i e
wa nderi ng a l ong the fence, a rmed wi th s uch fea rs ome tus ks tha t not even gda ns woul d ri s k a pproa chi ng hi m.
She l ooked up a t the ni ght s ky. It a ppea red uncha ngi ng, cons ta nt: but s he knew i t never wa s .
Theyre coming.
She thought s he hea rd the ol d woma ns voi ce. Putti ng i t down to gri ef a nd l a ck of s l eep, Eta i n s tumbl ed ba ck i ns i de a nd ba rred the door.
It wa s jus t a nother crop s pra yer hi red to dres s the fi el ds a fter the ba rq ha rves t, l a den wi th bug ki l l ers a nd s oi l enha ncers a nd pi l oted by a
droi d. At l ea s t, tha t wa s wha t the Na rs h cra tes tra ns ponder ha d tol d the Qi i l ura tra ffi c control l er, a nd judgi ng by the a bs ence of a mi s s i l e up
the ta i l pi pe, he ha d bel i eved i t.
Da rma n wa s s ti l l expl ori ng the enha ncements to hi s hel met a nd s ui t. I us ed to thi nk I wore thi s a rmor, he s a i d. Now I thi nk i ts wea ri ng
me.
Yea h, they s pent s ome credi ts upgra di ng thi s s i nce l a s t ti me, Fi s a i d. Wow. Wa l ki ng wea pons s ys tem, eh?
Two hundred kl i cks , Ati n s a i d, wi thout l ooki ng up from hi s da ta pa d. Hed propped hi s hel met bes i de hi m wi th the ta cti ca l bea m poi nted
up to provi de s ome l i ght i n the cl os ed ba y. Da rma n coul dnt hea r hi m over the noi s e of the ves s el s a tmos phere engi nes , but he coul d l i p-rea d
ea s i l y enough. Lets hope everythi ng works .
It wa s hel mets on a t one hundred kl i cks . The s qua d wa s prepa red both for a control l ed l a ndi ng a nd a n ea rl y ba i l out a nd free fa l l i f they
were pi cked up by Sepa ra ti s t ground uni ts . Da rma n hoped thei r l uck woul d hol d. They were l a ndi ng hea vy, wi th more gea r tha n theyd ever
us ed i n tra i ni ng, a nd theyd ha ve to hi t the drop zone a ccura tel y to a voi d a n i mpos s i bl e trek a cros s country. Accura te, i f they ha d to jump for i t,
mea nt hi gh-a l ti tude l ow-openi ng procedure. They coul d dri ft for fi fty kl i cks i f they opted for the s a fer, s l ower hi gh-openi ng techni que.
Da rma n di dnt rel i s h bei ng defens el es s i n the a i r for tha t l ong.
Ni ner wa s s tudyi ng hi s da ta pa d, ba l a nci ng i t on hi s ri ght thi gh. A three-di mens i ona l s hi mmeri ng hol o of thei r fl i ght pa th pl a yed out a
ha nds pa n a bove i t. He gl a nced up a t Da rma n a nd ga ve hi m a s i l ent thumbs -up: On course and on target. Da rma n returned the ges ture.
There wa s a n a rt to l oa di ng up for a mi s s i on when ca rryi ng the fi repower of a s ma l l a rmy a mong four men. Da rma n ha d l oa ded hi s pa ck to
ca pa ci ty. The res t of hi s wea pons a nd ordna nce wa s i n a s econd s hockproof conta i ner tha t s tood knee-hi gh. The bowca s terhe l oved tha t
wea ponwa s s tra pped a cros s hi s ches t pl a te wi th jury-ri gged webbi ng, to l ea ve hi s ha nds free for the DC-17. He ha d a n a s s ortment of
detona tors , kept s a fel y s epa ra te from the cha rges a nd other ordna nce i n the l ower s ecti on. He wa s now s o hea vy even wi thout the extra
equi pment tha t he ha d to bounce to get upri ght from a s i tti ng pos i ti on. He rehea rs ed s ta ndi ng a few ti mes . It wa s tough. Fortuna tel y, the
s qua d woul d be i ns erted cl os e to the ta rget. He di dnt ha ve to ha ul i t fa r.
One hundred kl i cks , Ati n s a i d. He s wi tched off hi s s pot-l a mp. Hel mets .
The compa rtment wa s s uddenl y da rk, a nd there wa s a col l ecti ve hi s s of hel met s ea l s purgi ng a nd reenga gi ng. They coul d onl y ta l k to ea ch
other a t very s hort ra nge now: on Qi i l ura , a nythi ng more tha n ten meters ri s ked detecti on. The onl y vi s i bl e l i ght wa s the fa i nt bl ue gl ow from
the hea ds -up di s pl a y i n thei r vi s ors , a group of ghos tl y di s embodi ed T-s ha pes i n the gl oom, a nd the s hi mmeri ng l a nds ca pe pl a yi ng out from
Ni ners da ta pa d. Hi s hea d wa s ti l ted down s l i ghtl y, wa tchi ng the a ctua l pos i ti on of the uti l i ty ves s el i n the s i mul a ted l a nds ca pe.
The s pra yer s ta rted to l os e hei ght, exa ctl y on cours e. In a ma tter of mi nutes , they woul d be
Bang.
A s hudder ra n through the a i rfra me, a nd then there wa s no engi ne noi s e a t a l l .
For a s econd Da rma n thought theyd been hi t by a nti a i rcra ft fi re. Ni ner wa s on hi s feet i ns ta ntl y, movi ng forwa rd to the cockpi t, a cci denta l l y
wha cki ng Ati n wi th hi s pa ck a s he turned. Da rma n, wi thout cons ci ous deci s i on, gra bbed the emergency ha tch ha ndl e a nd prepa red to a cti va te
i t for a ba i l out.
Da rma n coul d s ee the droi d cl i cki ng a nd fl a s hi ng, a ppa rentl y enga ged i n a di a l ogue of s ome ki nd wi th the ves s el . The s hi p wa s nt l i s teni ng.
AA, Sa rge?
Bi rds tri ke, Ni ner s a i d, decepti vel y qui et. Atmos engi nes fri ed.
Ca n the R5 gl i de thi s thi ng down?
Its tryi ng.
The deck ti l ted, a nd Da rma n gra bbed a t the bul khea d to s ta y upri ght. No, tha t i s nt gl i di ng. Tha ts cra s hi ng.
Ba ng out, Ni ner s a i d. Ba ng out now.
The Na rs h di rt-cra te ha dnt l et them down. It ha d jus t s uccumbed to bei ng i n the wrong a i rs pa ce a t the wrong ti me, a nd met the l oca l a vi a n
s peci es the ha rd wa y. Now they were pl ummeti ng towa rd the ki nd of l a ndi ng not even the l a tes t Ka ta rn a rmor coul d hel p them s urvi ve.
Da rma n bl ew the ha tch, a nd the i nrus h of a i r s ent di rt a nd debri s whi rl i ng through the ca rgo ba y. The door fel l a wa y through the openi ng. It
wa s pi tch bl a ck outs i de, a cha l l enge for a free-fa l l er even wi th ni ght vi s i on. Da rma n wa s s ta rti ng to experi ence s eri ous doubt for the s econd
ti me i n hi s l i fe. He wondered i f he wa s becomi ng one of thos e des pi s ed crea tures tha t hi s tra i ni ng s ergea nt ha d ca l l ed cowards.
Go go go, Ni ner s houted. Fi a nd Ati n ea s ed through the ha tch a nd s tepped out. Dont try to jump, just let yourself fall. Da rma n s tood ba ck to

ma ke wa y for Ni ner: he wa nted to s a l va ge a s much gea r a s he coul d. They needed the repea ti ng bl a s ters . He gra bbed s ome of the di s ma ntl ed
s ecti ons .
Now, Ni ner s a i d. You fi rs t.
We need the gea r. Da rma n thrus t two s ecti ons a t hi m. Ta ke thes e. Il l
I s a i d jump.
Da rma n wa s nt a ra s h ma n. None of them were. They took ca l cul a ted ri s ks , though, a nd he ca l cul a ted tha t Ni ner woul dnt l ea ve hi m. Hi s
s ergea nt wa s s ta ndi ng a t the open ha tch, a rm hel d out i mperi ous l y, a cl ea r s i gn to get on wi th i t a nd jump. No, Da rma n ha d ma de up hi s mi nd.
He l unged forwa rd a nd s houl der-cha rged Ni ner out of the ha tch, gra bbi ng the door fra me jus t i n ti me to s top from pl ungi ng a fter hi m. It wa s
cl ea r from the s trea m of expl eti ves tha t Ni ner wa s not expecti ng thi s , nor wa s he ha ppy a bout i t. The extra pa ck jerked out a fter hi m on i ts
tether. Da rma n hea rd one l a s t profa ni ty a nd then Ni ner wa s out of ra nge.
Da rma n gra bbed a s tra p a nd peered down, but he coul dnt s ee hi s s ergea nt fa l l i ng, a nd tha t proba bl y mea nt nobody el s e coul d, ei ther. He
now ha d a mi nute, more or l es s , to s a l va ge wha t he coul d a nd get out before the uti l i ty hi t the ground.
He s wi tched on hi s hel met l a mp. He coul dnt a fford the ti me to l i s ten to the rus hi ng wi nd a nd the compl ete a bs ence of rea s s uri ng engi ne
noi s e, but he hea rd i t a nywa y. He dropped the bowca s ter a nd bega n l a s hi ng the bl a s ter s ecti ons together wi th a l i ne. It wa s a s ha me. He
l oved the bowca s ter, but they needed thos e ca nnons more.
Knotti ng l i nes wa s ha rd enough wi th gl oves on, but wa s even ha rder when you were s econds from cra s hi ng. Da rma n fumbl ed a knot. He
curs ed. He l ooped the l i ne a ga i n a nd thi s ti me i t hel d. He l et out a s ob of rel i ef, dropped the wea pon, a nd dra gged the gea r down to the ha tch.
Nobody coul d hea r hi m a t thi s ra nge, a nd he di dnt ca re wha t the droi d thought.
Then he s tepped out i nto bl a ck voi d. The wi nd took hi m.
There wa s no rus hi ng l a nds ca pe benea th hi m yet to ta ke hi s a ttenti on from the hea ds -up di s pl a y. He wa s free-fa l l i ng a t nea rl y two hundred
ki l ometers a n hour, tra i l i ng s ecti ons of hea vy, hea vy ca nnon. He ma neuvered i nto tra cki ng pos i ti on, pa ck s qua re a cros s hi s ba ck, ri fl e ti ght i nto
hi s s i de, the rema i nder of hi s gea r on the conta i ner tha t res ted on the ba cks of hi s l egs . When he depl oyed the ca nopy a t ei ght hundred
meters , he woul d rel ea s e the conta i ner. And hed us e the powered-des cent opti on, beca us e tha t mi ght s a ve hi m from the uns upported,
potenti a l l y l etha l wei ght of ca nnon tha t wa s fa l l i ng wi th hi m.
Yes , he knew exa ctl y wha t he wa s doi ng. And yes , he wa s s ca red.
Hed never jumped wi th s o much uns ecured l oa d i n tra i ni ng.
The ca nopy depl oyed, a nd i t fel t l i ke hed s l a mmed i nto a wa l l . The power pa ck ki cked i n, hea ti ng up the a i r a round hi m. He coul d s teer
now. He counted down fi fteen s econds .
Somethi ng fl a red i nto bri l l i a nt whi te fl a me benea th hi m, off to hi s ri ghtthe Na rs h ves s el cra s hi ng s ome thi rty kl i cks s hort of the ta rget
zone.
Da rma n rea l i zed he ha d thought nothi ng of l ea vi ng the R5 on boa rd the s tri cken uti l i ty. It wa s expenda bl e.
And tha t wa s how he wa s s een, he s uppos ed. It wa s s urpri s i ngl y ea s y to thi nk tha t wa y.
He coul d s ee the ground now. Hi s ni ght vi s i on coul d pi ck out the tops of trees , ri ght benea th.
No, no, no.
He tri ed to mi s s . He fa i l ed.
He hi t s omethi ng very, very ha rd i n the a i r. Then he hi t the ground a nd di dnt feel a nythi ng a t a l l .

This is the true art of genetic selection and manipulation. A human is naturally a learning creature, but it is also violent, selfish, lustful, and undisciplined.
So we must walk the knife-edge between suppressing the factors that lead to disobedience and destroying that prized capacity for applying intelligence and
aggression.
Ha l i Ke, s eni or res ea rch geneti ci s t of Ka mi no

Ni ner wa s ha ul i ng i n hi s ca nopy when the expl os i on jerked hi m upri ght. A col umn of whi te roi l i ng fi re s hot i nto the ni ght s ky a bove the tops of
the trees . He knew i t wa s hot a nd bri ght beca us e hi s hel met vi s ors fi l ter ki cked i n to s top i t from overwhel mi ng hi s ni ght vi s i on.
Even though he knew i t wa s comi ng, hi s hea rt s a nk. Da rma n proba bl y ha dnt ma de i t. Hed di s obeyed hi s order. He ha dnt jumped when he
tol d hi m to.
So maybe youve lost a brother. Maybe not. Either way, youll lose two more if you dont get your act together fast.
Ni ner tri a ngul a ted the pos i ti on of the bl a s t a nd then went on bundl i ng up the free-fa l l ca nopy, cutti ng a wa y the l engths of cord before
buryi ng i t. Wi th a brea ki ng s trength of fi ve hundred ki l os , the cord wa s bound to come i n ha ndy. He wound ea ch l ength i n a fi gure-ei ght a round
hi s thumb a nd s ma l l es t fi nger a nd s l i pped the s kei ns i nto a bel t pouch, then went i n s ea rch of hi s extra pa ck.
It ha dnt fa l l en fa r from hi m. The l ow-openi ng techni que worked wel l i f you needed a ccura cy. Ni ner found the pa ck a t the edge of a fi el d,
covered i n s ma l l da rk-furred a ni ma l s tha t s eemed fa s ci na ted by i t a nd were gna wi ng a t the s oft pa ddi ng s tri p on one s i de. He fl a s hed hi s
s pot-l a mp to s ca tter them, but they s ta red ba ck up the bea m, burs t i nto a ngry cha tter, a nd then turned towa rd hi m.
It wa s unnervi ng, nothi ng more. Thei r l i ttl e teeth s na pped i mpotentl y on hi s a rmor. He s tood s ti l l , a s s es s i ng them, hi s da ta ba nk s crol l i ng i n
front of hi s eyes a nd tel l i ng hi m tha t they were gda ns , a nd tha t they werent l ogged a s a hos ti l e a l i en s peci es . Al l the nonhuma n l i fe Ni ner
ha d ever s een for rea l , other tha n Ka mi noa ns a nd va ri ous i ns tructors , ha d been on Geonos i s a nd through a bl a s ter s i ght. He wa s utterl y
dependent on the i ntel l i gence l oa ded i nto hi s da ta ba s etha t, or fi ndi ng thi ngs out for hi ms el f.
Al l but one of the gda ns ga ve hi m up a s i nedi bl e wi thi n a mi nute a nd di s a ppea red i nto the wa i s t-hi gh crop. The rema i ni ng crea ture worri ed
a wa y a t hi s l eft boot, a tri bute to i ts tena ci ty, i f not i ts i ntel l i gence. Thos e boots were s pecced to wi ths ta nd every a s s a ul t from ha rd va cuum to
a ci d a nd mol ten meta l . The l i ttl e a ni ma l cl ea rl y bel i eved i n a i mi ng hi gh.
Da rma n woul d ha ve found i t fa s ci na ti ng, he wa s s ure. It wa s a pi ty to l os e hi m. He ha d a l l the ma ki ngs of a good comra de.
Come on, Ni ner s a i d, nudgi ng the a ni ma l wi th the butt of hi s bl a s ter ri fl e. Ive got to get to work. Shove off.
The gda n, teeth l ocked a round a cl a mp, l ooked up a nd met hi s eyes , or a t l ea s t i t s eemed l i ke i t. It coul d onl y ha ve rea l l y s een a fa i nt bl ue
l i ght. Then i t l et go a nd trotted ba ck towa rd the fi el d, pa us i ng once to s ta re ba ck a t hi m before di s a ppea ri ng i nto a hol e i n the ground wi th a l l
the ea s e of a di ver.
Ni ner took out hi s da ta pa d a nd ca l cul a ted hi s pos i ti on. There wa s no GPS he coul d l ock i n to wi thout the Nei moi di a ns detecti ng hi m, but he
coul d a t l ea s t us e dea d reckoni ng ba s ed on the s pra yers l a s t pos i ti on, ma tchi ng fea tures on the l a nds ca pe to hi s cha rt. It wa s ol d-fa s hi oned
s ol di eri ng. He l i ked i t. He ha d to be a bl e to do the bus i nes s when the tech wa s nt there, even i f tha t mea nt us i ng nothi ng but a Tra ndos ha n
bl a de.
If you stab someone in the heart, they can still run. I once saw a man run a hundred meters like that, screaming as well. Go for the neck, like this. Sergea nt
Ski ra ta ha d ta ught them a l ot a bout kni ves . Put a bit of weight behind it, son.
Sti l l , tech ha d i ts pl a ce. A s peeder bi ke woul d ha ve been ha ndy, a l though they ha dnt thought theyd need them. The i ns ert wa s s uppos ed to
be fi ve kl i cks from the ta rget.
Never mind, he thought. It would make me look pretty conspicuous out here anyway. The gea r woul d s l ow hi m on hi s wa y to the pre-a greed
rendezvous poi nt, but hed get there. If Fi a nd Ati n ha d l a nded s a fel y, theyd be hea di ng for RV Al pha , too.
He s ta rted ta bbi ng, tryi ng to ma ke ten kl i cks a n hour, a voi di ng tra cks a nd open ground. In the end he ha d to dra g the extra pa ck behi nd hi m
on s tra ps l i ke a s l ed. Ta cti ca l a dva nce i nto ba ttl etabbing, a s Ski ra ta ca l l ed i tmea nt wa l ki ng a t s i x to ten kl i cks a n hour wi th a twenty-fi veki l o pa ck. But tha ts for ordinary men, the i ns tructor woul d s a y, a s i f noncl ones were s ubhuma n. You a re cl one comma ndos . You wi l l do better
beca us e you are better.
Ni ner wa s l uggi ng nea rl y three ti mes tha t l oa d now. He di dnt feel better a t a l l ri ght then. He deci ded to a dd a porta bl e repul s orl i ft to hi s
new l i s t of gea r to reques t upon return.
Qi i l ura s moon wa s i n i ts new pha s e, a nd he wa s gra teful for tha t. In hi s l i ght gra y a rmor, he woul d ha ve s tood out l i ke a bea con. Hadnt the
top brass thought of that, either? He s ti fl ed the uncha ra cteri s ti ca l l y cri ti ca l opi ni on a bout hi s s uperi ors a nd deci ded there ha d to be s omethi ng
he di dnt know but they di d. He ha d hi s orders .
Even s o, he di verted to a na rrow ri ver s hown on the hol ocha rt a nd s topped l ong enough to s mea r mud over hi s a rmor a nd gea r. There wa s no
poi nt cha nci ng hi s l uck.
At four hundred meters from RV poi nt Al pha , he s l owed down, a nd not beca us e he wa s s truggl i ng under the wei ght. A s i l ent a pproa ch wa s
neces s a ry. He hi d the pa ck he wa s dra ggi ng deep i n the undergrowth a nd recorded i ts l oca ti on to col l ect l a ter. Fi a nd Ati n mi ght ha ve been
tra cked. They mi ght not ha ve ma de i t a t a l l . There wa s a l wa ys the pos s i bi l i ty of a mbus h. No, he defi ni tel y wa s nt ta ki ng cha nces .
For the l a s t two hundred meters , he got down i n the gra s s a nd cra wl ed.
But they were there, a nd a l one.
Ni ner found hi ms el f s ta ri ng up i nto the bea m from Fi s hel met a nd he knew tha t the i nfra red ta rgeti ng wa s centered a t the poi nt between
hi s fi l tra ti on ma s k a nd the top of hi s ches t pl a te. It wa s a vul nera bl e poi nt, provi ded one got cl os e enough a nd us ed the ri ght ca l i ber rounds .
Not ma ny hos ti l es coul d get tha t cl os e, of cours e.
You ga ve me a s ta rt, Sa rge, Fi s a i d, hol di ng hi s bl a s ter cl ea r a nd l ooki ng hi m over. He ki l l ed the l i ght a nd i ndi ca ted hi s ches t pl a te. Grea t
mi nds , eh?
Fi s a rmor wa s no l onger pri s ti ne, ei ther. Ni ner wa s nt s ure wha t hed s mea red over i t, but i t di s rupted hi s outl i ne wel l enough. The thought
ha d obvi ous l y occurred to a l l of them. Ati n wa s da ubed wi th s omethi ng da rk a nd ma tte a s wel l .
Sha pe, s hi ne, s ha dow, s i l houette, s mel l , s ound, a nd movement, Ni ner s a i d, repea ti ng the rul es of ba s i c ca moufl a ge. If i t ha dnt been for
Da rma ns a bs ence, he woul d ha ve found the s i tua ti on funny. He tri ed. Sha me they coul dnt fi nd s omethi ng begi nni ng wi th S to compl ete the

s et.
I coul d, Ati n s a i d. Any conta ct from Da rma n?
They were forty ki l ometers from the poi nt where Ni ner ha d l a nded. I s a w the bl a s t. He wa s l a s t off.
You s a w hi m jump, then.
No. He wa s gra bbi ng a s much gea r a nd ordna nce a s he coul d s a l va ge. Ni ner fel t he needed to expl a i n. He s hoved me out the ha tch fi rs t. I
s houl dnt ha ve l et tha t ha ppen. But I di dnt a ba ndon hi m.
Ati n s hrugged. So wha t ha ve we got, then?
Weve got a brother mi s s i ng.
I mea nt by wa y of res ources . He ha d mos t of the demol i ti on ordna nce.
I know you mea nt tha t, a nd I dont wa nt to hea r i t. If he coul d feel concerneven s orrowfor Da rma n, then why coul dnt Ati n? But i t wa s
no ti me to s ta rt a fi ght. They ha d to s ti ck together now. A four-ma n mi s s i on wi th three men: thei r cha nces of s ucceedi ng ha d pl ummeted
a l rea dy. Were a s qua d now. Get us ed to i t.
Fi i nterrupted. He s eemed to ha ve a kna ck for defus i ng s i tua ti ons . Al l our gea rs i nta ct, a nywa y. We ca n s ti l l put qui te a dent i n them i f we
ha ve to.
And wha t di d they ha ve to put a dent i n, exa ctl y? They ha d hi gh-a l ti tude drone recces of the ta rget bui l di ng, but no i dea yet i f the wa l l s were
jus t pl a s tered bl ocks or i f they were l i ned wi th s hock-a bs orbi ng a l l oy pl a tes . There coul d be jus t the thi rty or s o gua rds s een wa l ki ng the
peri meter, or hundreds more hol ed up i n underground ba rra cks . Wi thout better i ntel l i gence, they ha d no wa y of knowi ng jus t how much gea r
wa s enough for the job.
It wa s a ca s e of a ddi ng P for pl enty, jus t to be s ure. Ni ner l i ked to be s ure.
How much ti me a re we goi ng to s pend l ooki ng for hi m? Ati n a s ked. They know theyve got compa ny now. It wa s nt exa ctl y a s i l ent i ns ert.
SOPs , Ni ner s a i d. Standard operating procedures: tha t wa s how thi ngs s houl d be done; how comma ndos expected them to be done. We get to
ea ch RV poi nt for the ti me we a greed upon, a nd i f he does nt s how wel l go to the pos i ti on of the bl a s t a nd s ee wha ts l eft. Then wel l deci de i f
were goi ng to cons i der hi m MIA or not.
Youd wa nt us to s ea rch i f i t wa s you mi s s i ng, Fi s a i d to Ati n. He ca nt ca l l i n. Not a t thi s ra nge. Too ri s ky.
I woul dnt expect you to compromi s e the mi s s i on for me, Ati n s a i d, di s ti nctl y a ci d.
Hes a l one, for fi erfeks s a ke. Alone.
Jus t s hut i t, wi l l you? Ni ner s a i d. The good thi ng a bout ul tra -s hort-ra nge coml i nks wa s tha t you coul d s ta nd a round a nd ha ve a bl a zi ng
a rgument i ns i de thos e hel mets , a nd nobody outs i de coul d hea r you. Fi ndi ng hi m i s nt onl y the ri ght thi ng to do, i ts the s ens i bl e thi ng to do.
Loca te hi m a nd we fi nd hi s gea r. Oka y?
Yes Sa rge, Fi s a i d.
Got i t, Ati n s a i d. But there ha s to be a poi nt where we cons i der hi m dea d.
Wi thout a body, tha tl l be when Geonos i s freezes over, Ni ner s a i d, s ti l l a ngry a nd not knowi ng why. Unti l then, were goi ng to s wea t our
guts out to fi nd hi m, provi ded i t does nt bl ow the mi s s i on. Now l ets s ee i f we ca n s l i ng thi s gea r between s ome pol es or s omethi ng. Wel l
never keep thi s pa ce up for tens of ki l ometers unl es s we fi nd a better wa y of tra ns porti ng i t.
Ni ner s et hi s hel met coml i nk to recei ve l ong-ra nge a nywa y. There wa s no ha rm i n l i s teni ng. If Da rma n wa s out there, Ni ner wa s nt pl a nni ng
on a ba ndoni ng hi m.
The cl ea ri ng ha dnt been there yes terda y.
Eta i n pi cked her wa y through fl a ttened kuva ra s a pl i ngs a nd i nto a ci rcl e of bl a ckened s tubbl e, fol l owi ng Bi rha ns s teps . The a i r s mel l ed of
s moke a nd roa s ted ba rq.
He wa s s wea ri ng fl uentl y. She di dnt know much Qi i l ura n, but s he knew a curs e when s he hea rd one.
Thi s i s your l ot a ga i n, Bi rha n s a i d. He s urveyed the fi el d, ha nds to hi s brow to bl ock out the s un brea ki ng over the hori zon. Now tha t i t wa s
da yl i ght, they coul d s ee the extent of the da ma ge from l a s t ni ghts expl os i on. Wha t a m I goi ng to do? Wha ts goi ng to ha ppen to our contra ct?
It wa s nt phra s ed l i ke a ques ti on. The Nei moi di a ns werent known to be s ympa theti c a bout the hos t of na tura l di s a s ters cons ta ntl y
threa teni ng the fa rmi ng communi ti es preca ri ous exi s tence. But thi s wa s no na tura l di s a s ter.
The bl a s t a rea s pa nned a round fi ve hundred meters , a nd the cra ter a t the center wa s twel ve, ma ybe fi fteen meters wi de. Eta i n di dnt know
how deep i t wa s , but a Tra ndos ha n a nd a n Ubes e were s ta ndi ng a t the edge of i t, peeri ng down, bl a s ters i n ha nd, l ooki ng a s i f they were
s ea rchi ng i n the s oi l . They di dnt ta ke the s l i ghtes t noti ce of her or Bi rha n. She mus t ha ve l ooked s ui ta bl y s ta rved a nd dowdy, rough enough to
pa s s for a fa rm gi rl .
It wa s proba bl y too l a te to convi nce them the cra ter wa s ca us ed by a meteor fra gment. But a t thi s poi nt Eta i n di dnt know a ny more tha n they
di d.
Why do you thi nk i ts my lot? s he a s ked.
Obvi ous , Bi rha n s a i d s ourl y. I s een l oa ds of s peeders a nd frei ghters a nd s pra yers come down ha rd. They dont l ea ve cra ters . They fa l l s
a pa rt a nd burns , yes , but they dont bl ow up ha l f the countrys i de. Thi s i s off-pl a net. Its soldiers. He ki cked a round s ome of the cha rred a nd
bl a ckened s ta l ks . Ca nt you ha ve your fi ght on s omeone el s es pl a net? Dont you thi nk I got enough probl ems ?
She wondered for a moment i f he wa s cons i deri ng turni ng her i n to Hoka ns men for a few credi ts to ma ke up for the l os s of the preci ous
ba rq. She wa s a l rea dy a n extra mouth to feed a t a ti me when money he wa s counti ng on ha d jus t gone up i n a fi reba l l wi th much of hi s crop. It
wa s ti me to fi nd s omewhere el s e to hi de, a nd s ome other pl a n for getti ng tha t i nforma ti on off Qi i l ura .
Eta i n wa s s ti l l cons i deri ng the s corched l a nd when the Ubes e a nd the Tra ndos ha n jerked upri ght a nd turned to jog a wa y towa rd the di rt
tra ck bes i de the fi el d. The Ubes e ha d one ha nd pres s ed to the s i de of hi s hel met a s i f he wa s l i s teni ng to s omethi ng: a coml i nk, proba bl y.
Wha tever the s ummons ha d been, i t ha d been urgent enough to get them runni ng. It a l s o confi rmed tha t thi s wa s nt jus t a Na rs h s pra yer
ma ki ng a n a l l -too-frequent cra s h l a ndi ng.
Eta i n wa i ted a moment l onger, then wa l ked forwa rd to peer i nto the pi t to s ee wha t ha d s o engros s ed them.
It ha d been a mons trous bl a s t. The s i des of the bl a ckened cra ter were bl own a l mos t s mooth, a nd there wa s debri s everywhere. It wa s a n
enormous bl a s t a rea for a s ma l l cra ft.

She l eft Bi rha n a nd wa l ked a round i ns pecti ng the ground a s Hoka ns men ha d done, not s ure wha t s he wa s s eeki ng. She wa s a l mos t a t the
kuva ra orcha rd before s he s a w i t.
The ea rl y s unl i ght ca ught a s cra ped meta l edge of s omethi ng embedded i n the ground, ra mmed deep by the expl os i on. Eta i n crouched down,
a s ca s ua l l y a s s he coul d, a nd worked the s oi l l oos e from i t wi th her fi ngers . It took her a few mi nutes to expos e enough to unders ta nd the
s ha pe, a nd a few more to work out why the s corched col ors were s o fa mi l i a r. It wa s di s torted, the meta l frozen i n a moment of bei ng torn a pa rt
by enormous force, but s he wa s pretty s ure s hed s een one i nta ct before.
It wa s a pl a te from a n R5 a s tromech droi da pl a te wi th Republ i c ma rki ngs .
Theyre coming.
Whoever they were, s he hoped theyd ma de i t a l i ve.
Da rma n knew i t wa s ri s ky movi ng a round by da y, a nd the fa ct tha t hi s ri ght l eg s eemed to s crea m every ti me he put hi s wei ght on i t di dnt
hel p ma tters .
Hed s pent two pa i nful hours s coopi ng out a s ha l l ow depres s i on i n a thi cket a bout a hundred meters from wha t pa s s ed for a roa d. Roots
a nd s tones ha d s l owed hi m down. So ha d the poundi ng hed ta ken hi tti ng the ca nopi es of trees duri ng hi s l a ndi ng. But hed dug i n now, a nd
he l a y under a l a tti ce of bra nches a nd l ea ves on hi s bel l y, wa tchi ng the roa d, s ometi mes through hi s ri fl e s i ght, s ometi mes wi th the
el ectrobi nocul a r pa nel tha t fl i pped down i n hi s vi s or.
At l ea s t the l i ttl e a ni ma l s tha t ha d s wa rmed over hi m i n the ni ght ha d di s a ppea red. Hed gi ven up tryi ng to fend them off. They ha d expl ored
hi s a rmor for a whi l e a nd then moved on to wa tch hi m from di s ta nce. Now tha t i t wa s da yl i ght, there were no more gl i tteri ng eyes s ta ri ng out
from the undergrowth.
He s ti l l wa s nt s ure of hi s pos i ti on, ei ther. There wa s no GPS network he coul d us e wi thout bei ng pi cked up. He needed to get out a nd a bout
a nd do a recce i f he wa s goi ng to ha ve a ny cha nce of a l i gni ng l a nds ca pe fea tures wi th the hol ocha rt.
He knew he wa s fa ci ng north: the a rc of s ma l l s tones a round a thi n bra nch hed s tuck i n the s oi l cha rted the s uns progres s , a nd ga ve hi m hi s
ea s twes t l i ne. If hi s da ta pa d ha d ca l cul a ted s peed a nd di s ta nce correctl y, he wa s between forty a nd fi fty kl i cks northea s t of the fi rs t RV poi nt.
Hed never cover tha t di s ta nce on foot i n ti me, not wi th the extra gea r a nd not wi th hi s l eg i n thi s s ta te. If he dra gged the pa ck, hed dra w a
nea t follow-me l i ne through the vegeta ti on.
Da rma n ea s ed hi ms el f over on hi s ba ck, removed hi s l eg pl a tes , a nd uns ea l ed hi s unders ui t a t the knee. It fel t a s i f hed torn a mus cl e or a
tendon a bove the joi nt. He s oa ked the ma kes hi ft ba nda ge wi th ba cta a ga i n a nd repl a ced the l eggi ng a nd pl a tes before rol l i ng ba ck i nto
pos i ti on.
It wa s hi gh ti me he a te s omethi ng, but he deci ded tha t he coul d wa i t a l i ttl e l onger.
He checked the di rt roa d through the cros s wi res of the DC-17s el ectroma g s cope. The fi rs t ti me he ha d worn the hel met wi th the bui l t-i n
di s pl a y s hi mmeri ng before hi s eyes , he ha d been overwhel med a nd di s ori ented by the fl urry of s ymbol s i n hi s fi el d of vi s i on. The ri fl e s cope
ma de i t s eem even more cha oti c. Li ghts , l i ghts , l i ghts : i t wa s l i ke l ooki ng from the wi ndows of Ti poca Ci ty a t ni ght wi th the l a mps a nd refl ecti ve
s urfa ces of the refectory behi nd yous o ma ny competi ng i ma ges tha t you coul dnt focus on wha t l a y beyond the s tormproof gl a s s .
But i n ti metha t ti me bei ng the s hort, des pera te morni ng when the whol e of Ki l o a nd Del ta s qua ds fi rs t wore the HUD di s pl a y whi l e us i ng
l i ve ordna ncehe got us ed to i t. Thos e who di dnt get us ed to i t fa s t di dnt return from the exerci s e. He l ea rned to s ee, a nd yet not s ee. He
wa s cons ta ntl y a wa re of a l l the s ta tus di s pl a ys tha t tol d hi m when hi s wea pons were cha rgi ng, a nd i f hi s s ui t wa s compromi s ed, a nd wha t
wa s ha ppeni ng a round hi m.
Now he wa s focus ed s ol el y on l ooki ng down a cl ea r tunnel fra med by i nterl ocki ng s egments of s oothi ng bl ue, wi th a hi ghl i ghted a rea to
s how when he ha d a n opti mum fi ri ng s ol uti on for hi s ta rget. The i nforma ti on on ra nge, envi ronment, a nd the s core of other opti ons wa s s ti l l
there. He coul d ta ke them i n wi thout cons ci ous l y s eei ng them. He s a w onl y hi s ta rget.
A fa i nt rumbl i ng s ound ma de hi m s ti ffen. Voi ces : they were a pproa chi ng from hi s ri ght. Then they s topped.
He wa i ted. Eventua l l y the voi ces s ta rted a ga i n a nd two Weequa ys ca me i nto hi s fi el d of vi ew, too s l owl y for hi s l i ki ng. They were l ooki ng a t
the roa ds s houl ders wi th unus ua l di l i gence. One s topped s uddenl y a nd peered a t the ground, a ppa rentl y exci ted, i f hi s a rm ges tures were a ny
i ndi ca ti on.
Then he l ooked up a nd s ta rted wa l ki ng a l mos t di rectl y towa rd Da rma ns pos i ti on. He took out a bl a s ter pi s tol .
He cant possibly see me, Da rma n thought. Ive done this by the book. No reflection, no movement, no smells, nothing.
But the Weequa y kept comi ng, ri ght i nto the bus hes . He s topped a bout ten meters from Da rma n a nd wa s ca s ti ng a round a s i f hed fol l owed
s omethi ng a nd l os t the tra i l . Then he moved forwa rd a ga i n.
Da rma n ha d a l mos t s topped brea thi ng. Hi s hel met ma s ked a l l s ound, but i t certa i nl y di dnt feel tha t wa y. The Weequa y wa s s o cl os e now
tha t Da rma n coul d s mel l hi s di s ti ncti ve s wea t a nd s ee the deta i l ed tool i ng on hi s s i dea rma KYD-21 wi th a ha dri um ba rrel a nd tha t there
wa s a vi brobl a de i n hi s other ha nd. Ri ght a t tha t moment Da rma n coul dnt even s wa l l ow.
Its okay to be scared.
The Weequa y s tepped s i dewa ys , l ooki ng a t wa i s t hei ght a s i f brows i ng for di s cs on a l i bra ry s hel f.
Its okay to be scared as long as you
The Weequa y wa s ri ght on hi m now, s qua tti ng over hi s pos i ti on. Da rma n fel t boots depres s bra nches tha t were touchi ng hi s ba ck, a nd then
the crea ture l ooked down a nd s a i d s omethi ng tha t s ounded l i ke gah.
as long as you use it.
Da rma n brought hi s fi s t up ha rd under the Weequa ys ja w, ra mmi ng hi s own vi brobl a de up i nto the throa t a nd twi s ti ng hi s fi s t off to one
s i de to s ever bl ood ves s el s . He s upported the dea dwei ght of the i mpa l ed Weequa y on one a rm, unti l i t s topped movi ng. Then Da rma n
l owered hi s a rm, s ha ki ng wi th the effort, a nd l et the body rol l to the ground a s qui etl y a s he coul d.
Wha t you fi nd? the other Weequa y yel l ed. Ga r-Ul ? Ga r?
No a ns wer. Well, here we go. Da rma n a i med hi s DC-17 a nd wa i ted.
The s econd Weequa y bega n runni ng i n a s tra i ght l i ne towa rd the bus hes , a nd tha t wa s a s tupi d thi ng for hi m to do when he ha d no i dea
wha t ha d ha ppened to hi s comra de. Theyd been l ordi ng i t over fa rmers for too l ong; they were s l oppy. He a l s o ma de the mi s ta ke of pul l i ng
out hi s bl a s ter.
Da rma n ha d a cl ea r hea d s hot a nd he took i t a l mos t wi thout thi nki ng. The Weequa y dropped, cl ea nl y a nd s i l entl y, a nd l a y crumpl ed, wi th
wi s ps of s moke ri s i ng from hi s hea d.

Oh, cl ever, Da rma n s i ghed, a s much to hea r the rea s s ura nce of hi s own voi ce a s a nythi ng. Now hed ha ve to brea k cover a nd retri eve the
body. He coul dnt l ea ve i t there l i ke a ca l l i ng ca rd. He wa i ted a few mi nutes , l i s teni ng, a nd then ea s ed hi ms el f onto hi s i njured l eg to l i mp out
i nto open ground.
He dra gged the Weequa y i nto the bus hes , noti ng the s mel l of cooked mea t. Now he coul d s ee wha t the fi rs t Weequa y ha d been fol l owi ng: a
broa d pa th of ti ny a ni ma l footpri nts . The curi ous gda ns ha d gi ven hi m a wa y. He l i mped out a ga i n, checki ng ca reful l y, a nd obl i tera ted the dra g
ma rks wi th a bra nch.
Waste not, want not. The Weequa ys woul dnt be needi ng the bl a s ters or vi brobl a des now. Da rma n, pul s e s l owi ng to norma l , s ea rched the
bodi es for a nythi ng el s e of us e, pocketi ng da ta ca rds a nd va l ua bl es . He di dnt feel tha t he wa s a thi ef; he ha d no pers ona l pos s es s i ons tha t
werent the Gra nd Armys property, a nd he fel t no need to a cqui re a ny. But there wa s a cha nce the ca rds conta i ned i nforma ti on tha t woul d hel p
hi m a chi eve hi s objecti ve, a nd the bea ds a nd coi ns woul d come i n ha ndy i f he needed to buy or bri be s omethi ng or s omeone.
He found a s ui ta bl e s pot to hi de the bodi es . He di dnt ha ve ti me to bury them, but wa s s uddenl y a wa re of movement i n the undergrowth,
a ni ma l movement, a nd gra dua l l y s ma l l hea ds a ppea red, s ni ffi ng the a i r.
You a ga i n, eh? Da rma n s a i d, a l though the gda ns coul dnt pos s i bl y hea r hi m beyond the hel met. Wa y pa s t your bedti me. They edged
forwa rd a nd then s wa rmed a cros s the Weequa y wi th the s ha ttered hea d, ta ki ng ti ny bi tes a s they s ettl ed on hi m i n a da rk-furred bl a nket of
s na ppi ng moti on.
Da rma n woul dnt ha ve to worry a bout buryi ng a nyone.
The fa i ntes t of l i qui d s ounds ma de hi m l ook a round a t the other Weequa y. Da rma n ha d hi s ri fl e a i med i ns ta ntl y. The Weequa y wa s nt dea d,
not qui te. For s ome rea s on, tha t ups et Da rma n more tha n he coul d ha ve ever i ma gi ned.
Hed ki l l ed pl enty of ti mes a t Geonos i s , s ma s hi ng droi ds wi th grena de l a unchers a nd ca nnons a t a di s ta nce, hyped up on fea r a nd the
i ns ti nct to l i ve. Survive to fight.
But thi s wa s di fferent. It wa s nt di s ta nt, a nd the debri s of the ki l l wa s nt meta l . The Weequa ys bl ood ha d dri ed i n a s trea m down hi s gl ove
a nd ri ght forea rm pl a te. And he ha dnt ma na ged a cl ea n ki l l . It wa s wrong.
They ha d dri l l ed hi m to ki l l , a nd ki l l , a nd ki l l , but nobody ha d thought to tea ch hi m wha t he wa s s uppos ed to feel a fterwa rd. He di d feel
s omethi ng, a nd he wa s nt certa i n wha t i t wa s .
Hed thi nk a bout i t l a ter.
Ai mi ng hi s ri fl e, he corrected hi s mi s ta ke before the s ma l l a rmy of ca rni vores coul d move on to thei r next mea l .

Think of yourselves as a hand. Each of you is a finger, and without the others youre useless. Alone, a finger cant grasp, or control, or form a fist. You are
nothing on your own, and everything together.
Comma ndo i ns tructor Sergea nt Ka l Ski ra ta

Da rma n

moved on fa s t, up a tree-covered s l ope a ki l ometer s outh. He pl a nned on s pendi ng the res t of the da yl i ght hours i n a ca reful l y
cons tructed hi de a t the hi ghes t va nta ge poi nt he coul d fi nd, s l i ghtl y bel ow the s kyl i ne.
He concentra ted on ma ki ng a crude net out of the ca nopy cords he ha d s a l va ged. The a cti vi ty kept hi m occupi ed a nd a l ert. He ha dnt s l ept i n
nea rl y forty s ta nda rd hours ; fa ti gue ma de you more ca rel es s a nd da ngerous l y unfocus ed tha n a l cohol . When he ha d fi ni s hed tyi ng the cord
i nto s qua res , he wove gra s s , l ea ves , a nd twi gs i nto the knots . On i ns pecti on, he deci ded i t wa s a pretty good ca moufl a ge net.
He a l s o conti nued obs erva ti on. Qi i l ura wa s astonishing. It wa s a l i ve a nd di fferent, a ri ot of s cent a nd col or a nd texture a nd s ounds . Now tha t
hi s i ni ti a l poundi ng fea r ha d s ubs i ded i nto a genera l edgi nes s , he bega n to ta ke i t a l l i n.
It wa s the l i ttl e l i vi ng noi s es tha t concerned hi m mos t. Around hi m, crea tures cra wl ed, fl ew, a nd buzzed. Occa s i ona l l y thi ngs s quea l ed a nd
fel l s i l ent. Twi ce now hed hea rd s omethi ng l a rger prowl i ng i n the bus hes .
Apa rt from the bri ef i ntens i ty of Geonos i s , Da rma ns onl y envi ronmenta l experi ence ha d been the el ega nt but encl os ed s ti l t ci ti es of
Ka mi no, a nd the endl es s churni ng s ea s a round them. The cl ea nl y effi ci ent cl a s s rooms a nd ba rra cks where he ha d s pent ten yea rs turni ng from
i ns ta nt chi l d to perfect s ol di er were unrema rka bl e, des i gned to get a job done. Hi s tra i ni ng i n des ert a nd mounta i n a nd jungl e ha d been
enti rel y a rti fi ci a l , hol oprojecti on, s i mul a ti on.
The red des ert pl a i ns of Geonos i s ha d been fa r more a ri d a nd s ta rkl y ma gni fi cent tha n hi s i ns tructors i ma gi na ti ons ; a nd now Qi i l ura s
fi el ds a nd woods hel d s o much more tha n three-di mens i ona l cha rts coul d offer.
It wa s s ti l l open country, thougha terra i n tha t ma de i t ha rd for hi m to move a round unnoti ced.
Concentrate, he tol d hi ms el f. Gather intel. Make the most of your enforced idleness.
Lunch woul d ha ve been wel come a bout now. A decent l unch. He chewed on a concentra ted dry ra ti on cube a nd remi nded hi ms el f tha t hi s
cons ta nt hunger wa s nt rea l . He wa s jus t tired. He ha d cons umed the correct a mount of nutri ents for hi s needs , a nd i f he ga ve i n to ea ti ng
more, he woul d run out of s uppl i es . There wa s exa ctl y enough for a weeks opera ti ons i n hi s pa ck a nd two da ys worth i n hi s emergency bel t.
The bel t wa s the onl y thi ng he woul d gra b, a pa rt from hi s ri fl e, i f he ever ha d to ma ke a l a s t-di tch run for i t wi thout hi s forty-ki l o pa ck.
Benea th hi m, fa rm tra ns ports pa s s ed a l ong a na rrow tra ck, a l l hea di ng i n the s a me di recti on, ca rryi ng s qua re ta nks wi th s ecuri ty s ea l s on
the ha tches . Barq. Da rma n ha d never ta s ted i t, but he coul d s mel l i t even from here. The na us ea ti ngl y mus ky, a l mos t funga l s cent took the
edge off hi s a ppeti te for a whi l e. If he ha d hi s hol ocha rt a l i gned correctl y, the tra ns ports were a l l hea di ng for the regi ona l depot a t Tekl et. He
twi s ted the i ma ge thi s wa y a nd tha t i n hi s ha nds a nd hel d i t up to ma p onto the a ctua l l a nds ca pe.
Yes , he wa s s ure enough now where he wa s . He wa s ten kl i cks ea s t of the s ma l l town ca l l ed Imbra a ni , a bout forty kl i cks northea s t of RV
poi nt Beta a nd forty kl i cks a l mos t due ea s t of RV poi nt Ga mma . Theyd pi cked RV poi nts a l ong the fl i ght pa th beca us e the Sepa ra ti s ts woul d
expect di s pers a l , not a retra ci ng of thei r s teps . Between RVs Al pha a nd Beta wa s a s tretch of woodl a nd, i dea l for movi ng undetected by da y. If
the res t of hi s s qua d ha d l a nded s a fel y a nd were on s chedul e, they woul d be ma ki ng thei r wa y to Beta .
Thi ngs coul d be l ooki ng up a ga i n. Al l he ha d to do wa s get to RV Ga mma a nd wa i t for hi s s qua d. And i f they ha dnt ma de i t, then hed need
to rethi nk the mi s s i on.
The i dea produced a feel i ng of des ol a ti on. You are nothing on your own, and everything together. Hed been ra i s ed to thi nk, functi on, even
brea the a s one of a group of four. He coul d do nothi ng el s e.
But ARCs always operate alone, dont they?
He pondered tha t, fi ghti ng off drows i nes s . Lea ves rus tl ed s uddenl y behi nd hi m, a nd he turned to s ca n wi th the i nfra red fi l ter of hi s vi s or. He
ca ught a bl ur of movi ng a ni ma l . It fl ed. Hi s da ta ba s e s a i d there were no l a rge preda tors on Qi i l ura , s o wha tever i t wa s coul d be no more
troubl es ome tha n the gda ns not a s l ong a s he wa s wea ri ng hi s a rmor, a nywa y.
Da rma n wa i ted moti onl es s for a few moments , but the a ni ma l wa s gone. He turned ba ck a nd refocus ed on the roa d a nd the s urroundi ng
fi el ds , s truggl i ng to s ta y a wa ke. Lay off the stims. No, he wa s nt goi ng to touch hi s medpa c for a qui ck boos t. Not yet. Hed s a ve hi s l i mi ted
s uppl y for l a ter, for when thi ngs got rea l l y tough, a s he knew they woul d.
Then s omethi ng cha nged i n hi s fi el d of vi s i on. The frozen ta bl ea u ha d come to l i fe. He fl i pped down the bi noc fi l ter for a cl os er l ook, a nd
wha t he s a w ma de hi m s na p i t ba ck a nd ga ze through the s ni pers cope of hi s ri fl e.
A thi n wi s p of s moke ros e from a group of wooden bui l di ngs . It wa s qui ckl y becomi ng a pa l l . It wa s nt the s moke of domes ti c fi res ; he coul d
s ee fl a mes , fl a ri ng tongues of yel l ow a nd red. The s tructures ba rns , judgi ng by thei r cons tructi onwere on fi re. A group of peopl e i n dra b
cl othi ng wa s s cra mbl i ng a round, tryi ng to dra g objects cl ea r of the fl a mes , uncoordi na ted, pa ni cki ng. Another groupUbes e, Tra ndos ha n,
ma i nl y Weequa ywa s s toppi ng them, s ta ndi ng i n a l i ne a round the ba rn.
One of the fa rmers broke the l i ne a nd di s a ppea red i nto a bui l di ng. He di dnt come out a ga i n, not a s l ong a s Da rma n wa tched.
Nothi ng i n hi s tra i ni ng corres ponded to wha t he wa s wi tnes s i ng. There wa s not a memory, a pa ttern, a ma neuver, or a l es s on tha t fl a s hed i n
hi s mi nd a nd tol d hi m how thi s s houl d be pl a yed out. Ci vi l i a n s i tua ti ons were outs i de hi s experi ence. Nor were thes e ci ti zens of the Republ i c:
they werent anyones ci ti zens .
Hi s tra i ni ng ta ught hi m not to be di s tra cted by outs i de i s s ues , however compel l i ng.
But there wa s s ti l l s ome urge i n hi m tha t s a i d Do something. Wha t? Hi s mi s s i on, hi s rea s on for s ta yi ng a l i ve, wa s to rejoi n hi s s qua d a nd
thwa rt the na novi rus project. Brea ki ng cover to a i d ci vi l i a ns cut a cros s a l l of tha t.
The Sepa ra ti s ts or whoever control l ed thi s ba nd of a s s orted thugs knew he wa s here.
It di dnt ta ke a geni us to work i t out. The s pra yer ha d expl oded on l a ndi ng, detona ti ng a ny demol i ti on ordna nce tha t Da rma n ha dnt been
a bl e to cra m i nto hi s pa cks . The Weequa y pa trol ha dnt ca l l ed i n when thei r ma s ters ha d expected. Now the huma ns fa rmers were bei ng
puni s hed a nd threa tened, a nd i t wa s a l l to do wi th hi m. The Sepa ra ti s ts were l ooki ng for hi m.
Escape and evasion procedure.

No, not yet. Da rma n i nha l ed a nd l evel ed hi s ri fl e ca reful l y, pi cki ng out a n Ubes e i n the cros s wi res . Then he l i ned up the res t of the group,
one a t a ti me. Ei ght hos ti l es , forty rounds : he knew he coul d s l ot every one, fi rs t ti me.
He hel d hi s brea th, forefi nger res ti ng on the tri gger.
Just a touch.
How ma ny more ta rgets were there tha t he coul dnt s ee? Hed gi ve a wa y hi s pos i ti on.
This isnt your business.
He exha l ed a nd rel a xed hi s gri p on the ri fl e, s l i di ng hi s forefi nger i n front of the tri gger gua rd. Wha t woul d ha ppen to hi s mi s s i on i f they
ca ught hi m?
In the next two mi nutes , rel ucta nt to move, he ta rgeted ea ch Ubes e, Weequa y, a nd Tra ndos ha n s evera l ti mes , but di dnt s queeze the tri gger.
He wa nted to more tha n he coul d ha ve i ma gi ned. It wa s nt the ha rd-dri l l ed tra i ned res pons e of a s ni per, but a hel pl es s , i mpotent a nger
whos e ori gi n he coul dnt begi n to i denti fy.
Dont reveal your position. Dont fire unless you can take out the target. Keep firing until the target is down and stays down.
And then there were ti mes when a s ol di er jus t ha d to ta ke a cha nce.
They could be Republic citizens, one day.
They could be allies now.
Da rma n wa s nt ti red a nymore, or even hungry. Hi s pul s e wa s poundi ng l oud i n hi s ea rs a nd he coul d feel the cons tri cti on i n hi s throa t
mus cl es , the funda menta l huma n refl ex to fl ee or fi ght. Fl eei ng wa s nt a n opti on. He coul d onl y fi ght.
He ta rgeted the fi rs t Weequa y, a cl ea n hea d s hot, a nd s queezed the tri gger. The crea ture dropped, a nd for a moment hi s comra des s ta red a t
the body, uns ure of wha t ha d ha ppened. Da rma n ha d nothi ng a ga i ns t Weequa ys . It wa s onl y coi nci dence tha t thi s wa s the thi rd one hed
ki l l ed i n a few hours .
And, s uddenl y unfrozen, the ba nd of thugs a l l turned to s ta re i n the di recti on of the s hot, dra wi ng thei r wea pons .
The fi rs t bol t hi t the bus hes to Da rma ns l eft; the s econd went three meters over hi s hea d. Theyd worked out where he wa s , a l l ri ght.
Da rma n s na pped on the DC-17s grena de a tta chment a nd wa tched through the s cope a s the ci vi l i a ns s ca ttered. The grena de s ent a s hower of
s oi l a nd s ha ttered wood i nto the a i r, a l ong wi th four of the ei ght mi l i ti a .
Hed certa i nl y pi npoi nted hi s pos i ti on now.
When he s pra ng to hi s feet a nd bega n the run down the s l ope, the four rema i ni ng enemy s tood a nd s ta red for a coupl e of s econds . He ha d
no i dea why, but they were tra ns fi xed l ong enough for hi m to ga i n the a dva nta ge. A coupl e of pl a s ma bol ts hi t hi m, but hi s a rmor s i mpl y took i t
l i ke a punch i n the ches t a nd he ra n on, l a yi ng down a ha i l of pa rti cl e rounds . The bol ts ca me towa rd hi m l i ke hori zonta l l umi nous ra i n. One
Tra ndos ha n turned a nd ra n; Da rma n took hi m down wi th a bol t i n the ba ck tha t bl ew hi m a few meters fa rther a s he fel l .
Then the whi te-hot ra i n s topped a nd he wa s runni ng over bodi es . Da rma n s l owed a nd pul l ed up, s uddenl y dea fened by the s ound of hi s
own pa nti ng brea th.
Ma ybe theyd ma na ged to report hi s pres ence vi a thei r coml i nks i n ti me, a nd ma ybe they ha dnt. The i nforma ti on woul dnt ha ve been much
us e on i ts own a nywa y. He ra n from ba rn to ba rn, checki ng for more hos ti l es , wa l ki ng through the fl a mes uns ca thed beca us e hi s a rmor a nd
bodys ui t coul d ea s i l y wi ths ta nd the hea t of a wood fi re. Even wi th the vi s or, he coul dnt s ee much through the thi ck s moke, a nd he moved
qui ckl y outs i de a ga i n. He gl a nced a t hi s a rm; s moke curl ed off the s oot-bl a ckened pl a tes .
Then he a l mos t wa l ked s tra i ght i nto a youth i n a fa rmers s mock, s ta ri ng a t hi m. The boy bol ted.
Da rma n coul dnt fi nd a ny more of Hoka ns troops . He ca me to the l a s t ba rn a nd booted the door open. Hi s s pot-l a mp i l l umi na ted the di m
i nteri or a nd pi cked out four terri fi ed huma n fa ces two men, a woma n, a nd the boy hed jus t s eenhuddl i ng i n a corner next to a thres hi ng
ma chi ne. Hi s a utoma ti c res pons e wa s to tra i n the ri fl e on them unti l he wa s s ure they werent hos ti l es . Not every soldier wears a uniform. But hi s
i ns ti ncts s a i d thes e were jus t terri fi ed ci vi l i a ns .
He wa s s ti l l tra i l i ng s moke from hi s a rmor. He rea l i zed how fri ghteni ng he l ooked.
A thi n, wa veri ng wa i l bega n. He thought i t wa s the woma n, but i t s eemed to be comi ng from one of the men, a ma n jus t a s ol d a s Sergea nt
Ski ra ta who wa s s ta ri ng a t hi m i n horror. Da rma n ha d never s een ci vi l i a ns tha t cl os e, a nd hed never s een a nyone tha t s ca red.
Im not goi ng to hurt you, he s a i d. Is thi s your fa rm?
Si l ence, except for tha t noi s e the ma n wa s ma ki ng; he coul dnt unders ta nd i t. Hed res cued them from thei r a tta ckers , ha dnt he? Wha t wa s
there to fea r?
How ma ny troops ha s Hoka n got? Ca n you tel l me?
The woma n found her voi ce, but i t wa s s ha ky. Wha t a re you?
Im a s ol di er of the Republ i c. I need i nforma ti on, ma a m.
Youre not hi m?
Who?
Hoka n.
No. Do you know where he i s ?
She poi nted s outh i n the di recti on of Imbra a ni . Theyre down a t the fa rm the Ki rma y cl a n us ed to own before Hoka n s ol d them to
Tra ndos ha ns . About fi fty, ma ybe s i xty of them. Wha t a re you goi ng to do to us ?
Nothi ng, ma a m. Nothi ng a t a l l .
It di dnt s eem to be the a ns wer they were expecti ng. The woma n di dnt move.
He brought them here l ooki ng for hi m, s a i d the ma n who wa s nt whi ni ng, poi nti ng a t Da rma n. Weve got nothi ng to tha nk hi m for. Tel l hi m
to
Shut up, the woma n s a i d, gl a ri ng a t the ma n. She turned ba ck to Da rma n. We wont s a y a word. We wont s a y we s a w you. Jus t go. Get out.
We dont wa nt your hel p.
Da rma n wa s tota l l y unprepa red for the rea cti on. Hed been ta ught ma ny thi ngs , but none of hi s a ccel era ted l ea rni ng ha d menti oned
a nythi ng a bout ungrateful civilians, rescues thereof. He ba cked a wa y a nd checked outs i de the ba rn door before da rti ng from ba rn to bus h to fence

a nd up the s l ope to where hed l eft hi s gea r. It wa s ti me to move on. He wa s l ea vi ng a tra i l behi nd hi m now, a tra i l of enga gements a nd
bodi es . He wondered i f hed s ee civvies, a s Ski ra ta ca l l ed them, i n qui te the s a me beni gn wa y i n the future.
He checked the chrono rea dout i n hi s vi s or. It ha d been onl y mi nutes s i nce he ha d run down the s l ope, fi ri ng. It a l wa ys fel t l i ke hours , hours
when he coul dnt s ee a nythi ng but the ta rget i n front of hi m. Dont worry, Ski ra ta ha d s a i d. Its your forebrain shutting down, just a fear reflex. Youre
bred from sociopathic stock. Youll fight just fine. Youll carry on fighting when normal men have turned into basket cases.
Da rma n wa s never s ure i f tha t wa s good or not, but i t wa s wha t he wa s , a nd he wa s fi ne wi th tha t. He l oa ded hi s extra pa ck on hi s ba ck a nd
bega n worki ng hi s wa y to the RV poi nt. Ma ybe he s houl dnt ha ve expended s o ma ny rounds . Ma ybe he s houl d ha ve jus t l eft the fa rmers to thei r
fa te. Hed never know.
Then i t s truck hi m why both the mi l i ti a a nd the ci vi l i a ns ha d frozen when they fi rs t s potted hi m. The hel met. The a rmor. He looked like a
Mandalorian warrior.
Everyone mus t be terri fi ed of Ghez Hoka n. The s i mi l a ri ty woul d ei ther work to hi s a dva nta ge or get hi m ki l l ed.
Down! Ati n yel l ed.
Ni ner fl ung hi ms el f fl a t a nd hea rd Fi grunt a s he di d the s a me, the a i r knocked from hi s l ungs .
An a i rs peeder fl ew overhea d wi th a decepti vel y gentl e hum. Ati n, s qua tti ng i n the cover of a fa l l en tree, fol l owed i t wi th hi s ri fl e s cope.
Two up, ca mo a nd cus tom a rma ment, he s a i d. Somehow I dont thi nk the l oca l s dri ve thos e. Not wi th mounted ca nnons , a nywa y.
The hum of engi nes fa ded. Ni ner s truggl ed to hi s feet a nd rega i ned hi s ba l a nce, wi s hi ng for the s peeder bi kes a nd a n a bs ence of a rmor.
The s qua d wa s too hea vi l y l a den a nd the a rmor wa s nt des i gned for bl endi ng i nto the l a nds ca pe, a l though i t wa s the di fference between l i fe
a nd dea th i n hos ti l e terri tory: protecti on a ga i ns t bl a s terfi re, nerve a gents , a nd even ha rd va cuum. And when they got to thei r ta rget i t woul d
come i nto i ts own. The a rmor wa s des i gned for FIBUA ops , fi ghti ng i n bui l t-up a rea s a nd i ns i de bui l di ngs , urba n wa rfa re of the ki nd the ga l a xy
now ha d pl enty to offer. For now, theyd jus t ha ve to ma ke the bes t of the s ceni c pa rt of the mi s s i on.
He wa s ti red. They a l l were. Not even the a ni ma l pa ni c brought on by the ri s k of di s covery coul d s ha ke tha t off. They needed to s l eep.
Ni ner checked hi s da ta pa d. They were s ti l l ten kl i cks from RV Beta a nd i t wa s mi dda y. It wa s much ea s i er to move by ni ght, s o he wa nted to
pres s on a nd ma ke the RV poi nt by mi da fternoon, then l i e up unti l ni ghtfa l l . If Da rma n ha d ma de i ta nd ma ybe he ha dnt, but Ni ners mi nd
wa s ma de upthey woul d wa i t for hi m.
Hes ba ck, Ati n s a i d. Everyone down.
The qui et drone of engi nes i nterrupted Ni ners ca l cul a ti ons . The a i rs peeder wa s hea di ng s outh towa rd them a ga i n. They froze, muds mea red, i nvi s i bl e from tha t a l ti tudeor s o they hoped.
It wa s nt enti rel y tra i ni ng tha t produced the rea cti on.
Aeri a l s urvei l l a nce wa s es peci a l l y threa teni ng. Ni ner reca l l ed the Ka mi noa n KE-8 Enforcer cra ft crui s i ng a bove the tra i ni ng grounds of Ti poca
Ci ty, rea dy to pl uck out a nd di s ci pl i ne a ny defecti ve cl one who di dnt conform. They were equi pped wi th el ectros hock devi ces .
Hed s een a KE-8 i n a cti on, jus t once. After tha t he worked extra ha rd to conform.
Hes on a s qua re s ea rch, Ati n s a i d. He wa s turni ng i nto a n excel l ent poi nt ma n; for s ome rea s on he wa s s l i ghtl y more a ttuned to hi s
s urroundi ngs tha n Fi or even Ni ner hi ms el f. He mus t be worki ng out from the center.
Center of wha t, though? Fi a s ked.
Ni ner forgot hi s fa ti gue. You never leave your mates behind. If he ha s nt s een us , hes s een Da rma n.
Or wha ts l eft of hi m.
Shut i t, Ati n. Wha ts your probl em?
Ive been Da rma n, Ati n s a i d.
He s a i d nothi ng more. Ni ner di dnt thi nk i t wa s a good ti me to a s k for a n expl a na ti on. The engi nes were overhea d. Then the s ound fa ded a
l i ttl e a nd dropped i n pi tch, but s oon res umed ful l vol ume.
Hes ci rcl i ng, Ati n s a i d.
Fi erfek, Ni ner s a i d, a nd a l l three men rea ched for thei r a nti -a rmor grena de a tta chments a t the s a me ti me. Wha ts he s een?
Ma ybe nothi ng, Fi s a i d. Ma ybe us .
They fel l s i l ent. The a i rs peeder wa s i ndeed ci rcl i ng. It ha d a l s o dropped l ower a nd wa s now a bout l evel wi th the tops of the trees . Ni ner
coul d s ee i ts twi n ca nnons . Hi s hel met wa s nt tel l i ng hi m i t ha d l ocked on, but tha t di dnt mea n i t ha dnt. You coul d never count on tech.
Best piece of gear is the eyeball. It wa s the fi rs t pi ece of a dvi ce Ski ra ta ha d ever gi ven hi m. Accel era ted l ea rni ng wa s fi ne, but a nythi ng di rect
from the mouths of men who ha d fought rea l enga gements l eft a bi gger i mpres s i on.
Ni ner l evel ed hi s ri fl e a nd peered through the s cope, trus ti ng to Bl a s Tech Indus tri es tha t the s i ght rea l l y wa s nt refl ecti ve. Hed fi nd out the
ha rd wa y i f i t wa s .
He coul d s ee the s un gl i nti ng off the huma n pi l ots goggl es . The gunner wa s a droi d. He wondered i f they fel t vul nera bl e wi thout a ny
a rmored ca nopy, hea ds conveni entl y s kyl i ned for a s hot. He s us pected tha t a nyone l ooki ng down from tha t hei ght wi th a ca nnon or two di dnt
feel vul nera bl e a t a l l .
The fus el a ge ba nked a bove hi m a nd turned s l owl y, ri s i ng wel l a bove the trees a s i f the pi l ot wa s tryi ng to get a vi s ua l fi x a ga i n. It wa s nt
coi nci dence. Ni ner kept the DC-17 tra i ned on the centra l propul s i on uni t.
Then a red fl a s hi ng s ymbol went off i n hi s vi s or.
The thi ng ha d a l ock on hi m.
He s queezed the tri gger. The whi te-hot bl a s t ki cked hi s vi s or i nto bl a cknes s for a n i ns ta nt, a nd the detona ti on wa s s o cl os e tha t the s hock
wa ve hi t hi m l i ke a body bl ow.
He s cra mbl ed to hi s feet a nd ra n. How he ra n wi th more tha n fi fty ki l os of dea dwei ght on hi s ba ck he woul d never know, but a drena l i ne
coul d do rema rka bl e thi ngs . Hi s i ns ti nct wa s to get cl ea r before debri s ra i ned down on hi m. Armor a nd bodys ui ts coul d wi ths ta nd a l ot, but the
huma n i ns ti nct buri ed deep i ns i de hi m s crea med get clear.
When he s topped he ha d covered a hundred meters even i n the ta ngl ed undergrowth of the coppi ce. He wa s pa nti ng l i ke a mott a nd the s ui t
wa s s truggl i ng to cool hi m down.

Behi nd hi m, a fi re burned, wi th s ma l l er fl a mes s ca ttered a round i t l i ke s eedl i ngs a round a tree. He turned to l ook for Fi a nd Ati n. Hi s fi rs t
thought wa s tha t he ha d brought the s peeder cra s hi ng down on them.
Di d you ha ve to?
Fi wa s ri ght next to hi m. He ha dnt hea rd hi m a bove the noi s e of hi s own brea thi ng.
He got a l ock on me, Ni ner s a i d, feel i ng rel i eved, a nd then oddl y gui l ty, but not s ure why.
I know. I s a w your Deece go up a nd I thought Id better get movi ng or Id be wea ri ng a s peedi e.
Ati n?
Ca nt hea r hi m.
Tha t di dnt mea n a nythi ng. The cl os e-ra nge comm s etti ng wa s onl y ten meters ; Ati n coul d be a nywhere. Ni ner di dnt know hi m wel l enough
yet to gues s hi s movements , a nd i t ha d been enough of a cl os e s ha ve for hi m not to s pend much ti me contempl a ti ng the i s s ue. Now he wa s
worri ed tha t hethe s ergea nt, the ma n they l ooked to for l ea ders hi pha d run for i t wi thout thi nki ng of them, a nd tha t they knew i t.
Thi s i s goi ng to ma ke a ni ce ma rker, Fi s a i d, s ta ri ng up a t the cl i mbi ng s moke. It woul d be vi s i bl e for a l ong, l ong wa y.
Wha t di d you expect me to do? Li e there a nd ta ke a ca nnon round?
No, Sa rge. I thought youd ma na ge a doubl e ta p, though. He l a ughed. Better ma ke s ure nobody s urvi ved.
It wa s a remote cha nce, but s peeders coul d be s urpri s i ngl y robus t. Ni ner a nd Fi wa l ked ba ck through the s moke, ri fl es rea dy. Droi d pa rts
were s ca ttered a cros s the s cene of deva s ta ti on, one s cuttl e-s ha ped fa cepl a te s ta ri ng up a t the pa l l of s moke a s i f i n s urpri s e.
They dont bounce much, then, Fi s a i d, a nd moved i t wi th hi s boot. Ati nFi here. You there, over?
Si l ence. Fi put hi s l eft ga untl et a ga i ns t hi s ea r. Ni ner wondered i f hed now l os t two men i n a s ma ny da ys .
Ati n here, over.
Ati n s tepped out of the s moke, dra ggi ng hi s extra pa ck a nd a s corched hunk of meta l tha t tra i l ed a few wi res a nd pl ugs . It l ooked l i ke the
s peeders onboa rd computer. The pi l ot di dnt bounce ei ther, he s a i d. Here, hel p me get thi s s tra pped on a ga i n.
It took both Fi a nd Ni ner to l i ft the pa ck a nd rea tta ch i t to hi s a rmor. A few da ys ea rl i er, ei ther one of them coul d ha ve ma na ged i t s i ngl eha nded. Were too exhausted to be safe, Ni ner thought. Time we got out of here and got some rest.
I mi ght be a bl e to get s omethi ng from thi s , Ati n s a i d, i ndi ca ti ng the cha rred meta l box i n one ha nd. It wa s the fi rs t ti me Ni ner ha d hea rd
hi m s ound remotel y cheerful . Ati n s eemed to rel a te to gea r better tha n he di d to peopl e. Worth a try.
Ni ner took over the poi nt pos i ti on a nd they s truggl ed i nto dens er cover. He gl a nced ba ck a nd hoped the fl a mes woul d burn thems el ves out;
they di dnt ha ve a hope of outrunni ng a ful l -s ca l e fores t fi re. But ma ybe tha t wa s the l ea s t of thei r probl ems . And i f Da rma n wa s a l i ve a nd
a nywhere nea r, hed s ee thei r ha ndi work, a nd Ni ner hoped hed recogni ze i t a s s uch.
The s qua d ha d now l eft a coupl e of tel l ta l e ma rks of comba t on the s l eepy rura l l a nds ca pe. Whether i t wa nted i t or not, Qi i l ura wa s i nvol ved
i n the wa r.
Youre a dikut, Hoka n s a i d.
He took off hi s hel met. Hi s fa ce wa s centi meters from the Ubes es , a nd he wa nted i t to l ook hi m i n the eye. As a s peci es they werent prone
to trembl i ng, but thi s one wa s doi ng a fi ne job of bei ng a n excepti on.
What a re you? he whi s pered.
A dikut, s i r.
Youve ma de me l ook l i ke a dikut, too. I dont l i ke tha t.
Hoka n ha d a s s embl ed hi s enti re s eni or s ta ff i n the room. He remi nded hi ms el f tha t the room wa s i n fa ct a di s us ed merl i e-s hea ri ng s hed,
a nd tha t hi s l i eutena nts were the twenty l ea s t s tupi d i ndi vi dua l s s el ected from the cri mi na l detri tus tha t ha d wa s hed down s oci etys s ewer to
Qi i l ura . It di s a ppoi nted hi m tha t the Nei moi di a ns woul d s pend s o much on s ecure communi ca ti ons a nd s o l i ttl e on pers onnel . A few credi ts
more a nd he coul d ha ve bought the s ma l l a rmy he needed.
The Ubes eCa i l s hhwa s s ta ndi ng a bs ol utel y s ti l l i n the mi ddl e of the room a s Hoka n ci rcl ed. It mi ght ha ve been a fema l e, beca us e you
never coul d tel l wi th Ubes e, but Hoka n s us pected i t wa s ma l e. He ha dnt wa nted to hi re Ubes e. They coul d be unpredi cta bl e, even s l y. But very
few mercena ri es wa nted to work on Qi i l ura a nd thos e who di d were s i mpl y unempl oya bl e a nywhere el s e, a l mos t a l wa ys beca us e of a
cri mi na l record even a Hutt woul d ba l k a t. And here he wa s , pa yi ng them wha t he coul d beca us e Ankki t woul dnt fork out for proper s upport.
Hoka n des pa i red. And when he des pa i red of profes s i ona l s ta nda rds , he s us pected extreme coa chi ng wa s neces s a ry to refocus the tea m.
So you torched a nother fa rm, he s a i d.
It wa s a wa rni ng, s i r. In ca s e they got i dea s . You know. Hi di ng peopl e they s houl dnt.
No, tha ts not how i t works . Hoka n propped hi s ba cks i de a ga i ns t the edge of the ta bl e a nd s ta red i nto the a nonymous ma s ked fa ce, a rms
fol ded. He di dnt l i ke peopl e whos e eyes he coul dnt s ee. You wa rn them fi rs t. If they brea k the rul es , then you puni s h them. If you puni s h
them before they brea k the rul es , they ha ve nothi ng to l os e, a nd they ha te you, a nd they wi l l s eek revenge, a nd s o wi l l thei r offs pri ng.
Yes s i r.
Do you unders ta nd tha t? Hoka n l ooked a round a t the a s s embl ed s ta ff, a nd s prea d hi s a rms i n i nvi ta ti on to joi n the coa chi ng s es s i on.
Does everyone unders ta nd tha t?
There were s ome grunts .
Does everyone understand that? Hoka n s na rl ed. Wha t do we s a y when a n offi cer a s ks you a ques ti on?
Yes s i r! It wa s a l mos t a chorus .
Good, Hoka n s a i d qui etl y.
He s tood up a ga i n. Then he took out Ful i ers l i ghts a ber, a cti va ted the bea m, a nd s l i ced i t through the Ubes es neck, s endi ng the hea d fl yi ng
bl oodl es s , qui et, a nd cl ea n.
There wa s s udden a nd a bs ol ute s i l ence. The s ta ff ha d been qui et before, but theyd been ma ki ng the ma rgi na l noi s es of peopl e forced to
endure a bori ng l es s on. Now there wa s not the s l i ghtes t s wa l l ow, cough, or s i gh. Nobody brea thed.
He peered down a t the body a nd then a t the l egs of hi s da rk gra y uni form trous ers . Perfectl y cl ea n: no bl ood. He ra ther l i ked thi s l i ghts a ber

now. He s a t ba ck on the edge of the des k.

Tha t, Hoka n s a i d, wa s punishment for Ca i l s hh. Its a warning for the res t of you. Now, i s the di fference cl ea r? Its very i mporta nt.
Yes s i r. Fewer voi ces joi ned i n thi s ti me, a nd they wa vered.
Then go a nd fi nd our vi s i tors . And you, Muki t. Cl ea r up thi s mes s . Youre Ubes e. You unders ta nd the proper wa y to di s pos e of the rema i ns .
The group bega n fi l i ng out, a nd Muki t edged over to the nea tl y s undered body of Ca i l s hh. Hoka n ca ught the a rm of hi s s eni or Weequa y
l i eutena nt a s he tri ed to s l i p through the door.
Guta -Na y, wheres your brother a nd hi s fri end? he a s ked. They ha vent s hown up for two mea l s , a nd they ha vent s i gned off s hi ft.
Dont know, s i r.
Are they ma ki ng a few credi ts on the s i de wi th tha t Tra ndos ha n? A bi t of freel a nce s l a vi ng?
Si r
I need to know. To work out i f a nythi ng unus ua l mi ght ha ve ha ppened to them.
Guta -Na y, no doubt reca l l i ng wha t Hoka n ha d done to hi m when he cha s ed tha t fa rm gi rl , moved hi s l i ps s oundl es s l y. Then hi s voi ce
ma na ged to s urfa ce a bove hi s fea r. I never s een, s i r, not a t a l l , not s i nce yes terda y. I s wea r.
I chos e you a s my ri ght-ha nd man beca us e you coul d very nea rl y expres s yours el f i n s evera l s yl l a bl es .
Si r.
Tha t ma kes you a n i ntel l ectua l a mong your ki nd. Dont ma ke me doubt my judgment.
Not s een hi m, s i r, hones t. Never.
Then get out on the route they were pa trol l i ng a nd s ee wha t you ca n fi nd. Hoka n rea ched a cros s hi s des k a nd took out the el ectros hocker.
It wa s onl y a n a gri cul tura l i ns trument for herdi ng, but i t worked fi ne on mos t nona ni ma l s peci es . Guta -Na y eyed i t ca uti ous l y. Thi s i s why I
di s a pprove of undi s ci pl i ned a cts l i ke thi evi ng a nd dri nki ng. When I need to be certa i n of s omeones wherea bouts , I ca nt be. When I need
res ources , theyre a l rea dy commi tted. When I need competence, my s ta ff i s di s tra cted. He pus hed the s hocker up i nto the Weequa ys
a rmpi t. There i s a Republ i c pres ence here. We dont know the s i ze of the force, but we do ha ve a s peeder down a nd a l a rge bl a ck cra ter a t
Imbra a ni . The more da ta I ha ve, the more I ca n a s s es s the s i ze of the threa t a nd dea l wi th i t. Unders tood?
Yes s i r.
Hoka n l owered the s hocker a nd the Weequa y s hot out the door, hi s enthus i a s m for hi s ca reer refres hed. Hoka n pri ded hi ms el f on
moti va ti ona l s ki l l s .
Its started, he thought. He s hut hi ms el f i n hi s room a nd s wi tched on a l l the coml i nk s creens . Theyre coming to take Qiilura.
Hoka n ha d s ome i dea of wha t ki nd of dea l Ankki t ha d wi th the Sepa ra ti s ts . There ha d been a s i gni fi ca nt a mount of cons tructi on work
ca rri ed out to convert a gra i n s tore i nto the ki nd of bui l di ng tha t ha d tri pl e-s ea l ed doors , a nd the type of wa l l s tha t coul d be s teri l i zed wi th
extreme hea t. Then hed ha d to try to ma ke credi bl e bodygua rds out of the ra bbl e he empl oyed beca us e i mporta nt Sepa ra ti s t s ci enti s ts ca me
a nd went, a nd the Nei moi di a ns s a w cons pi ra cy everywhere they l ooked. They werent a l wa ys wrong a bout tha t.
Then the Jedi ca me to Imbra a ni , a nd i t a l l fel l i nto pl a ce, a s nea tl y a s the a rri va l of the Republ i c forces now on the pl a net. There wa s a
mi l i ta ry ta rget here.
Im my fathers son, though. Im a warrior. Hoka n wondered i f a l l cul tures s epa ra ted from thei r heri ta ge were una bl e to move on, doomed to
rel i ve ol d gl ori es . Id rather be fighting a worthy opponent than terrorizing farmers who havent got the guts to stand up for themselves.
Fi ghti ng s ol di ers a l s o comma nded a hi gher fee, of cours e. And the grea ter the fee, the qui cker he woul d be off thi s pl a net a nd
hea di ng s omewhere.
There wa s no l onger a home for hi m, a nd few of hi s ki nd l eft. But thi ngs coul d cha nge. Yes , they very wel l mi ght one da y.
Hoka n l ea ned ba ck i n the cha i r a nd l et the cha tter of coml i nks wa s h over hi m.

You want to know how clones tell each other apart? Who cares? Theyre here to fight, not to socialize.
Sergea nt Ka l Ski ra ta

Get out, Bi rha n yel l ed. Get out a nd dont come ba ck! Youve brought a l l thi s on us . Go on, cl ea r off.
The fa rmer s hi ed a cl od of di rt a t Eta i n, a nd s he s i des tepped i t. It broke i nto dus t behi nd her. The ol d woma nwho wa s nt Bi rha ns wi fe,
s hed di s coveredca me up from behi nd a nd gra bbed hi s a rm.
Dont be a fool , s he s a i d. If we ta ke ca re of the Jedi , then theyl l ta ke ca re of us when the Republ i c comes .
Bi rha n wa s s ti l l s ta ri ng a t Eta i n a s i f he wa s deba ti ng whether to go a nd gra b hi s pi tchfork. Republ i c my rump, he s a i d. Thems no
di fferent to Nei mi es when i t comes to i t. Wel l s ti l l be bottom of the pi l e whoever runs the s how.
Eta i n s tood wi th her a rms fol ded, wonderi ng how the ol d woma n, Ji na rt, ha d ma na ged to a tta ch hers el f to Bi rha ns s pra wl i ng fa mi l y. She
wa s a n a ppa l l i ng cook a nd coul dnt ha ve been much hel p wi th hea vy fa rm l a bor. Eta i n i ma gi ned s he ea rned her keep s pi nni ng merl i e wool
l i ke the res t of the el derl y Qi i l ura ns s hed met.
But ri ght now, Eta i n doubted even Ji na rts powers of pers ua s i on. She deci ded to try her own a ga i n.
Bi rha n, you wa nt me to s ta y, s he s a i d ca reful l y, concentra ti ng a s Ma s ter Ful i er ha d ta ught her. You wa nt to coopera te wi th me.
I rotten wel l dont wa nt to coopera te wi th you, mi s s y, he s a i d. And s a y please.
Shed never qui te ma s tered Jedi pers ua s i on when under s tres s . Unfortuna tel y, tha t wa s a l wa ys the ti me when s he needed i t.
Ji na rt nudged Bi rha n roughl y, no mea n fea t for s uch a s hort woma n. If them Jedi ha ve l a nded, fool , then s hel l bri ng them a round here to
s ort you out, s he s a i d. Thi s i s no ti me to ma ke new enemi es . And i f they ha ventwel l , i tl l a l l bl ow over a nd then youl l ha ve s omeone who
ca n ma ke thi ngs grow. Tha ts ri ght, i nni t, gi rl ? Jedi ca n ma ke crops grow?
Eta i n wa tched the di s pl a y of rus ti c l ogi c wi th growi ng res pect. We ca n ha rnes s the Force to nurture pl a nts , yes .
Tha t wa s a l l too true: s he ha d hea rd the s tori es of Pa da wa ns joi ni ng the a gri corps when they di dnt perform wel l duri ng tra i ni ng. Tha t wa s
a l l s he neededl i fe on a ba ckwa ter pl a net, ta l ki ng to fi el ds of gra i n. It wa s nt jus t the i ntel l i gence da ta s he ha d hi dden i n her cl oa k tha t
ma de her wa nt to get off the pl a net a s fa s t a s s he coul d. Agri cul ture s pel l ed fa i l ure. She di dnt need further remi ndi ng of her i na dequa cy.
Ya h, Bi rha n s pa t, a nd trudged off, mutteri ng profa ni ti es .
We a l l get nervous when Hoka ns thugs s ta rt burni ng down fa rms , Ji na rt s a i d. She took Eta i ns a rm a nd s teered her ba ck to the ba rn tha t
ha d become her home. No, i t wa s nt home. There coul d never be home for her. No loves, no attachments, no commitments except the Force. Wel l , a t
l ea s t i t woul dnt be ha rd to tea r hers el f a wa y from here. And ki l l i ng fa rmers , of cours e.
So why a rent you nervous ? Eta i n a s ked.
Youre a ca uti ous chi l d.
I ha ve a dea d Ma s ter. It encoura ges you s omewha t.
I ha ve a broa der vi ew of l i fe, Ji na rt s a i d, not a t a l l l i ke a wool -s pi nni ng ol d woma n. Now you keep yours el f s a fe a nd dont go wa nderi ng
a bout.
Eta i n wa s devel opi ng a Nei moi di a n l evel of pa ra noi a a nd wondered i f even her own i ns ti ncts were decei vi ng her. She ha d a t l ea s t a l wa ys
been a bl e to s ens e a nothers emoti ons a nd condi ti on. So they know where to fi nd me? s he s a i d qui etl y, tes ti ng.
Ji na rt s ti ffened vi s i bl y. Depends on who they mi ght be, s he s a i d, wa fti ng the pungent s cent of merl i e a s s he wa l ked. I dont ca re for urrqa l
much, a nd a t my ti me of l i fe theres l i ttl e l eft to covet.
You s a i d they were comi ng.
I di d i ndeed.
I ha ve no pa ti ence for ri ddl es .
Then you s houl d ha ve, a nd you s houl d a l s o be rea s s ured, beca us e theyre here a nd theyl l hel p you. But you a l s o need to hel p them.
Eta i ns mi nd ra ced a hea d. Her s toma ch knotted. No, s he wa s fa l l i ng for ca rni va l fortune-tel l ers tri cks . She wa s a ddi ng her own knowl edge
a nd s ens es to va gue genera l i ti es a nd s eei ng mea ni ng where there wa s none. Of cours e Ji na rt knew s tra ngers ha d a rri ved. The whol e of
Imbra a ni ha d known a bout Ma s ter Ful i er, a nd i t wa s very ha rd not to know s omethi ng ha d ha ppened when ves s el s cra s h-l a nded on your fa rm,
a nd when every hi di ng hol e i n the a rea wa s bei ng s ea rched by Hoka ns mi l i ti a . For s ome rea s on or a nother, Ji na rt wa s pl a yi ng a gues s i ng
ga me.
When you s peci fy s omethi ng, Il l ta ke you s eri ous l y, Eta i n s a i d.
You s houl d be l es s s us pi ci ous , Ji na rt s a i d s l owl y, a nd you s houl d l ook a t wha t you thi nk you s ee much more ca reful l y.
Eta i n opened the ba rn door a nd the s cent of s tra w a nd ba rq tumbl ed out, a l mos t s ol i d. She fel t s uddenl y ca l mer, a nd even hopeful . She ha d
no i dea why. Perha ps Ji na rt wa s na tura l l y rea s s uri ng, a s comforti ng a s a gra ndmother, des pi te a l l her odd ta l k.
Eta i n coul dnt a ctua l l y remember a gra ndmother, or a ny of her bi ol ogi ca l fa mi l y, of cours e. Family wa s nt fa mi l i a r or s oothi ng beca us e s he
ha d grown up i n a commune of Jedi novi ces , educa ted a nd ra i s ed a nd ca red for by her own ki nd, a nd by tha t s he never mea nt human.
But fa mi l y, even from wha t s he ha d s een bri efl y of s qua bbl i ng fa rmers cl a ns , s uddenl y s eemed des i ra bl e. It wa s di ffi cul t to be a l one ri ght
then.
I wi s h I ha d ti me to educa te you i n s urvi va l , Ji na rt s a i d. Tha t ta s k wi l l ha ve to fa l l to s omeone el s e. Be rea dy to come wi th me when i t gets
da rk.
Ji na rt wa s becomi ng much more a rti cul a te. She wa s more tha n s he a ppea red to be. Eta i n deci ded to trus t the ol d woma n beca us e s he wa s
the nea res t s he ha d to a n a l l y.
She s ti l l ha d her l i ghts a ber, a fter a l l .
Da rma n ca me to the edge of the wood a nd found hi ms el f fa ci ng a n open fi el d the s i ze of Ka mi nos ocea ns .

It s eemed l i ke i t, a nywa y. He coul dnt s ee the bounda ry on ei ther s i de of hi m, jus t s tra i ght a cros s where the trees bega n a ga i n. The rows of
gra i ns teel gra y, s hi ni ng, s i ghi ng i n the wi ndwere onl y wa i s t-hi gh. He wa s thi rty kl i cks ea s t of RV Ga mma , des pera te to rea ch i t a nd get
s ome s l eep whi l e wa i ti ng for the res t of the s qua d.
Fol l owi ng the cover of the hedgewherever tha t mi ght ta ke hi mwoul d cos t hi m a l ot of ti me. He opted to ta ke the di rect route. He removed
one of the three mi cro-remotes from hi s bel t pa ck a nd a cti va ted i t. The ti ny vi ewi ng devi ce wa s a bout the s i ze of a pygmy hummer, s ma l l
enough to gra s p i n hi s pa l m, a nd he s et i t to s cout the a rea for fi ve ki l ometers a round hi m. He di dnt l i ke us i ng them unl es s he a bs ol utel y ha d
to. On a pl a net l i ke thi s , thei r s hi ny meta l l i c coa ti ng wa s ha rdl y gea red towa rd s tea l th. They a l s o ha d a tendency to go mi s s i ng. And beca us e
they recorded a s wel l a s tra ns mi tted, they were one of the l a s t thi ngs he wa nted to l et fa l l i nto the enemys ha nds .
But he wa s nt exa ctl y i nvi s i bl e, ei ther. He gl a nced down a t hi s fi l thy a rmor, s trea ked wi th dri ed mud, wet green mos s , a nd fa r, fa r wors e, a nd
knew he wa s s ti l l a bi g pl a s toi d-a l l oy i ndus tri a l object i n a gentl e orga ni c envi ronment.
He l owered hi ms el f onto a l l fours , a djus ti ng hi s ba l a nce ca reful l y s o the pa cks s a t s qua rel y down the l ength of hi s ba ck. Hi s knee s ti l l hurt.
Cra wl i ng through a fi el d wa s nt goi ng to hel p i t. The sooner you get there, the sooner you rest.
The remote s oa red verti ca l l y i nto the a i r, pl a yi ng ba ck a ra pi dl y s hri nki ng vi ew of the fi el d, then the wi der l a nds ca pe of fa rml a nd a nd
woods , a l l wi thi n Da rma ns vi s or di s pl a y. There were no bui l di ngs a s fa r a s he coul d s ee. Tha t di dnt neces s a ri l y mea n the a rea wa s des erted.
Cra wl i ng wi th hi s pa cks genera ted a l ot of hea t, but the bodys ui t regul a ted i t obedi entl y. The a rmor s ys tem ha d more pl us es tha n
di s a dva nta ges . He di dnt ha ve to worry a bout wi l dl i fe wa i ti ng to bi te, s ti ng, poi s on, i nfect, or otherwi s e rui n hi s enti re da y.
But i t wa s s l ow goi ng. He ha d to l oop wi de i f he wa s goi ng to a voi d the l i ttl e town, Imbra a ni . In fa ct, the whol e da y ha d been one of s l ow
progres s , a l though the onl y ti meta bl e he coul d l a tch on to now wa s tha t of hi s comra des , a nd how l ong i t woul d ta ke them to ma ke RV
Ga mma . Then theyd move on i f he di dnt s how by the a ppoi nted ti me. After tha twel l , a fter tha t they were off the cha rt, s o to s pea k. It woul d
be a ma tter of regroupi ng a nd ga theri ng enough i ntel to ta ke the ta rget.
Da rma n s us pected i t woul d ta ke l onger tha n a few da ys . A lot l onger. He ha d s ta rted ma ki ng notes of wha t l oca l fl ora a nd fa una mi ght be
edi bl e, a nd the pos i ti ons of s pri ngs a nd wa tercours es tha t ha dnt s hown up on the hi gh-a l ti tude recce. He wondered i f the gda ns ma de decent
ea ti ng. He reckoned i t mi ght not be worth tryi ng.
Every s o often he pa us ed to kneel a nd s i p s ome wa ter from hi s bottl e. Hi s s toma chs fa nta s i es were no l onger of s i zzl i ng nerf s tri ps but of
s weet, fi l l i ng, s ti cky, a mber uj ca ke. It wa s a ra re trea t. Hi s tra i ni ng s ergea nt ha d a l l owed hi s s qua dhi s ori gi na l s qua dto try i t, brea ki ng the
Ka mi noa n rul es on feedi ng cl ones ca reful l y ba l a nced nutri ti ona l mi xes . Youre s ti l l jus t boys , hed tol d them. Fi l l yer boots . And they ha d.
Good old Kal.
The fl a vor wa s s ti l l a chi ngl y vi vi d i n Da rma ns mi nd. He wondered wha t other norma l ci vi l i a n i ndul gences he mi ght enjoy i f he ha d a cces s to
them.
He s l a pped the thought down ha rd. Hi s di s ci pl i ne wa s hi s s el f-es teem. He wa s a profes s i ona l .
He s ti l l thought a bout tha t uj ca ke, though.
Come on, get movi ng, he s a i d, very ti red of the a bs ence of comra des voi ces a nd s eeki ng comfort i n hi s own. He woul d be hi s comma ndi ng
offi cer, jus t to s ta y s ha rp. Shi ft i t.
The remote conti nued to rel a y predi cta bl e i ma ges of bucol i c pea ce, nea t pa tchworks of fi el ds punctua ted by the wi l d ta ngl ed woods ,
remi nders of a n uns ettl ed a nd unta med worl d. There were no gi a nt ha rves ter droi ds out yet. At one poi nt, he thought he s a w a da rk form
movi ng through the fi el d s ome wa y to hi s l eft, but when he focus ed on i t there wa s s i mpl y a ga p opened by the wi nd.
Then there wa s a s udden pa tch of da rknes s i n hi s vi s or.
Da rma n s topped dea d. The thi ng ha d ma l functi oned. But the i ma ge returned, gl owi ng, red, a nd wet, a nd he rea l i zed he wa s l ooki ng i nto the
di ges ti ve tra ct of a l i vi ng crea ture.
Somethi ng ha d s wa l l owed the remote.
A few moments l a ter a l a rge bi rd, s l owl y fl a ppi ng four wi ngs , s a i l ed overhea d a nd ca s t a n a l a rmi ng s ha dow before hi m. He gl a nced up. It
wa s proba bl y the s a me ki nd tha t ha d been s ucked i nto the Na rs h s pra yers a tmos engi ne.
I hope i t gi ves you guta che, you s cumba g, he s a i d, a nd wa i ted for i t to dwi ndl e to a bl a ck s peck before movi ng on.
It took more tha n ha l f a n hour to rea ch the other s i de of the fi el d, a nd he s ti l l ha d twenty-fi ve kl i cks to go to the RV poi nt. Hed deci ded to go
north of the town, a l though he s houl dnt ha ve ri s ked movi ng by da y a t a l l . Get there early. Wait for them, just in case they decide Im dead and they
dont hang about. He ea s ed i nto the bus hes , s ca tteri ng s ma l l crea tures tha t he coul d hea r but not s ee, a nd cons i dered ta ki ng off hi s pa cks jus t
for a moments rel i ef.
But he knew tha t woul d ma ke i t much ha rder to move when he s l otted them ba ck i nto pl a ce a ga i n. Exha us ted, he fumbl ed i n hi s bel t for a
ra ti on cube a nd chewed, wi l l i ng the nutri ents to hi t hi s bl oods trea m a s fa s t a s they coul d, before he s l umped i nto s l eep a nd di dnt get up
a ga i n. Li ghts da nced i n front of hi s eyes . Fa ti gue wa s gi vi ng hi m a hea ds -up di s pl a y of i ts own.
The l a s t of the cube di s s ol ved i n hi s mouth. Come on, s ol di er, ha ul i t up, he s a i d. Pl a yi ng mi nd ga mes coul d keep hi m goi ng. The tri ck wa s
to remember where the ga me ended a nd then s na p ba ck to rea l i ty. Ri ght then he deci ded to l et hi s comma nder-s el f s hout hi m i nto a cti on.
Si r! he s a i d, a nd s pra ng up from a kneel i ng pos i ti on i n one move. He tottered s l i ghtl y when hi s knees l ocked out, but he s ta yed upri ght
a nd l ea ned a ga i ns t a tree. He ma de a menta l note tha t he needed to keep better hydra ted.
It wa s s o da rk i n the wood tha t hi s ni ght vi s i on ki cked i n from ti me to ti me, s uperi mpos i ng ghos tl y green i ma ges on the trunks a nd bra nches .
Hed grown us ed to the ra nge of a ni ma l s ounds , a nd the occa s i ona l whi s per of l ea ves or s na p of twi gs bl ended i nto the pa ttern of wha t hi s
bra i n wa s ca ta l ogi ng a s NFQnorma l for Qi i l ura . From ti me to ti me a s l i ghtl y a bnorma l s na p or rus tl e woul d ma ke hi m drop to a s qua t a nd
turn, ri fl e rea dy; but he wa s cl ea r.
He fol l owed the ri ver on hi s hol ocha rt for pa rt of the wa y, a l though i t wa s a ctua l l y more of a s trea m. The fa i nt tri ckl e of l i qui d over rocks wa s
rea s s uri ng i n the wa y tha t the s ound of wa ter coul d be, a nd a fter a n hour he ca me upon a brea k i n the tree ca nopy tha t a l l owed s unl i ght to
fi l ter down on the s trea m i n s l a nted s ha fts . Bri l l i a ntl y col ored i ns ects ci rcl ed a nd da nced a bove the s urfa ce.
Da rma n ha d never s een a nythi ng qui te l i ke i t. Yes , he knew a l l a bout geol ogi ca l forma ti ons a nd wha t they foretol d for s ol di ers : s ources of
wa ter, trea cherous s cree, ri s k of l a nds l i de, ca verns to s hel ter i n, hi gh ground for defens e, pa s s es to bl ock. Accel era ted l ea rni ng pa cka ged the
na tura l worl d for hi m a nd expl a i ned how he coul d us e i t to mi l i ta ry a dva nta ge.
But nobody tol d hi m i t l ooked s o nice. He ha d no words for i t. Li ke the uj ca ke, i t wa s a gl i mps e of a nother worl d tha t wa s nt hi s .
Sit down and rest. Youre too tired. Youll start making fatal mistakes.
It wa s wea knes s ta l ki ng. He s hook hi s hea d ra pi dl y to cl ea r i t. No stims, no, not yet. He ha d to pres s on. The i ns ects kept up a cons ta nt ci rcui t

of the s trea m l i ke recce a i rcra ft, ci rcl i ng, s eeki ng.

Youre hours ahead. Stop. No sleep makes you careless. You cant afford to be careless.
It di d s ound l i ke common s ens e. It wa s nt the ga me-voi ce, hi s i ma gi na ry comma nder, gi vi ng hi m orders : i t fel t deep wi thi n hi m, i ns ti nct. And
i t wa s ri ght. He wa s ma ki ng s l ower a nd s l ower progres s a nd he ha d to concentra te on putti ng one foot i n front of the other.
He s topped a nd uncl i pped one pa ck, then the other. It wa s a good enough pl a ce to ca mp. He fi l l ed hi s wa ter bottl e a nd ha ul ed a few ha l fdeca yed l ogs i nto pl a ce to bui l d a defens i ve s a nger, jus t a s Sergea nt Ka l ha d ta ught them. It wa s onl y a l ow defens i ve ci rcl e of rocks or
wha tever ca me to ha ndbut i t ma de a di fference on a ba ttl efi el d when you coul dnt di g i n. He s a t i n the wa l l ed hol l ow he ha d crea ted,
s ta ri ng a t the wa ter.
Then he cra cked the s ea l on hi s hel met a nd brea thed unfi l tered a i r for the fi rs t ti me i n ma ny hours .
It s mel l ed compl ex. It wa s nt the a i r-condi ti oni ng of Ti poca Ci ty a nd i t wa s nt the dry dea d a i r of Geonos i s . It wa s a l i ve. Da rma n rel ea s ed a l l
the gri pti on pa nel s on hi s a rmor a nd s ta cked the pl a tes i ns i de the ci rcl e of the s a nger, s et hi s hel met to detect movement, a nd l eft i t on the
ma kes hi ft wa l l . Then he peel ed off hi s bodys ui t s ecti on by s ecti on a nd ri ns ed i t i n the fl owi ng wa ter.
The da y wa s s urpri s i ngl y wa rm; hed ha d no wa y of tel l i ng wha t i t fel t l i ke whi l e he wa s s ea l ed i n the s ui t, jus t the a mbi ent envi ronment
da ta on hi s di s pl a y.
But the wa ter wa s s hocki ngl y col d when he s tepped i n. He wa s hed qui ckl y, s a t i n the pool of s unl i ght to dry off, a nd then repl a ced the
pa nel s of bodys ui t. Theyd dri ed a l ot more qui ckl y tha n he ha d.
Before he l et hi ms el f nod off he put hi s a rmor ba ck on. There wa s no s ens e i n getti ng us ed to the pl ea s a nt s ens a ti on of not wea ri ng i t. It
wa s dri l l ed s o thoroughl y i nto hi m tha t he wa s s urpri s ed hed thought otherwi s e even for a s econd: i n enemy terri tory, you s l ept i n ful l gea r
wi th your bl a s ter rea dy. He cra dl ed hi s ri fl e i n hi s a rms , l ea ned ba ck on hi s pa ck, a nd wa tched the i ns ects da nci ng on the s unl i t wa ter.
They were hypnoti ca l l y bea uti ful . Thei r wi ngs were el ectri c bl ues a nd bri ght vermi l i on a nd they wove a fi gure-ei ght. Then, one by one, they
dropped down a nd fl oa ted on the s urfa ce, dri fti ng wi th the current, s ti l l wonderful l y vi vi d, but now a ppa rentl y dea d.
Da rma n rea cted. Airborne toxin. He s hut hi s eyes ti ght, puffed out the a i r i n hi s l ungs , a nd s na pped hi s hel met ba ck i nto pl a ce, dra wi ng
brea th a ga i n onl y when the s ea l wa s s ecure a nd hi s fi l tra ti on ma s k coul d ta ke over. But there wa s no da ta on hi s vi s or to i ndi ca te a
conta mi na nt. The a i r wa s s ti l l cl ea n.
He l ea ned out a nd s cooped up a coupl e of the i ns ects ca ught i n a n eddy. One ki cked a l eg a few ti mes a nd then wa s s ti l l . When he l ooked
up, there were none l eft fl yi ng. It s eemed s a d. Wha t bothered hi m more wa s tha t i t s eemed i nexpl i ca bl e.
Curi ous , he fumbl ed for a n empty ra ti on cube conta i ner a nd dropped the i ns ects i nto i t to cons i der them l a ter. Then he cl os ed hi s eyes a nd
tri ed to doze, ri fl e rea dy.
But s l eep el uded hi m. Hi s hel met detected movement a nd woke hi m every few mi nutes a t the i ntrus i on of s ma l l crea tures no threa t to hi m.
Once or twi ce i t pi cked up a gda n, a nd he opened hi s eyes to s ee gl i tteri ng poi nts of refl ected l i ght s ta ri ng ba ck a t hi m.
The s ys tem pi cked up s omethi ng l a rger once, but i t wa s nt a s l a rge a s a ny huma noi d i n hi s da ta ba s e, a nd kept i ts di s ta nce before
di s a ppea ri ng.
Get some sleep. Youre going to need it, son.
Da rma n wa s nt s ure i f i t wa s hi s own voi ce or tha t of hi s i ma gi na ry comma nder. Ei ther wa y, i t wa s a n order he wa s onl y too wi l l i ng to obey.
***
Ghez Hoka n never took ki ndl y to bei ng s ummoned, but Ovol ot Qa i l Utha n ha d the gi ft of bei ng cha rmi ng a bout i t. She invited hi m to meet her
i n the res ea rch compl ex. She even s ent one of her s ta ff wi th a s peeder to col l ect hi m from hi s offi ces .
Hoka n a ppreci a ted the ges ture. The woma n unders tood how to us e power a nd i nfl uence. The Nei moi di a n grocer ha d yet to l ea rn.
Utha n wa s not pa rti cul a rl y pretty but s he di d ha ve the kna ck of dres s i ng wel l i n pl a i n da rk robes a nd ca rryi ng hers el f l i ke a n empres s .
Tha t ba l a nced the s ca l es . Wha t Hoka n l i ked mos t a bout her wa s tha t whi l e s he s eemed to know tha t femi ni ne cha rm woul dnt overri de hi s
common s ens e, s he never dropped her s educti vel y rea s ona bl e fa ca de. She wa s a profes s i ona l , a nd mutua l res pect went a l ong wa y wi th hi m.
The fa ct tha t s he wa s a s ci enti s t wi th s ubtl e pol i ti ca l s ki l l s i mpres s ed hi m further s ti l l . He coul d a l mos t forgi ve the unna tura l a ct of fi ghti ng
wi thout rea l wea pons .
The deca yi ng exteri or of fa rm bui l di ngs ga ve wa y to rei nforced a l l oy doors a nd l engthy corri dors wi th wha t a ppea red to be emergency
bul khea ds . Hoka n ca rri ed hi s hel met under one a rm, unwi l l i ng to l ea ve i tor hi s wea pons wi th the s erva nt. The wi zened ma n l ooked l oca l .
The l oca l s were a l l thi eves .
Expecti ng s ome gra i n s i l o fi res , then? he s a i d, a nd prodded the reces s ed bl a s t bul khea ds wi th hi s forefi nger.
Utha n l a ughed a l ow, ti nkl i ng l a ugh tha t he knew coul d jus t a s ea s i l y s wi tch to a comma ndi ng voi ce a nd freeze a pa ra de ground of troops .
Im gra teful you coul d ma ke the ti me to s ee me, Genera l Hoka n, s he s a i d. Under norma l ci rcums ta nces , I woul d never bypa s s s omeone wi th
whom I ha d a contra ct a nd s pea k di rectl y to hi s s ubcontra ctor. Its very rude, dont you thi nk? But Im a l i ttl e concerned.
Ah, Ankki t wa s nt pa rt of thi s convers a ti on. Hoka n bega n to unders ta nd. And s he wa s l a yi ng on the fl a ttery wi th a trowel . Im merel y Hoka n,
a ci ti zen. Let me a ddres s your concerns ma da m? He fel t s uddenl y fool i s h. He ha d no i dea wha t to ca l l her. Mi s tres s Utha n?
Doctor wi l l be fi ne, tha nk you.
How ca n I rea s s ure you, then, Doctor?
She s teered hi m i nto a s i de room a nd i ndi ca ted three s hi mmeri ng bei ge broca de uphol s tered cha i rs , cl ea rl y i mported from Corus ca nt. He
hes i ta ted to s i t on s uch a cons pi cuous l y deca dent s ea t, but he di d beca us e he woul d not s ta nd before her l i ke a s erva nt. Utha n took the cha i r
nea res t hi m.
You ha ve s ome i dea of the i mporta nce of the work I ca rry out here, I thi nk.
Not i n a ny deta i l . Vi rus es . From the bui l di ng s peci fi ca ti on, a nywa y. Hed pol i ced the cons tructi on crews , who were a l s o a l l thi eves .
Ha za rdous ma teri a l s .
If Utha n wa s s urpri s ed, s he ga ve no i ndi ca ti on wha ts oever. Exa ctl y, s he s a i d. And I confes s Im s omewha t di s turbed by the events of
recent da ys . Li k Ankki t a s s ures me my s ecuri ty i s gua ra nteed, but I woul d rea l l y wel come your a s s es s ment of the s i tua ti on. Her tone ha rdened
jus t a fra cti on: s ti l l s yrup, but now wi th gri tty, s ha rp crys ta l s i n i t. Is thi s project under a ny threa t? And ca n you ma i nta i n i ts s ecuri ty?
Hoka n di dnt hes i ta te. Yes , I bel i eve your fa ci l i ty i s vul nera bl e. He wa s a ma s ter of hi s tra de. He s a w no rea s on to l os e hi s reputa ti on over

a res tri cti on not of hi s ma ki ng. And no, I ca nt gua ra ntee a nythi ng wi th the l evel a nd qua l i ty of s ta ff tha t I ha ve.
Utha n s a t ba ck wi th control l ed s l ownes s . La s t ma tter fi rs t. Do you not ha ve the res ources to empl oy them? Ankki ts contra ct i s qui te
generous .
Tha t generos i ty ha s not fi l tered down to my opera ti on.
Ah. Perha ps we s houl d s horten the s uppl y cha i n i n the i nteres ts of effi ci ency.
I ha ve no opi ni on on tha t. Ankki ts wel come to hi s cut a s l ong a s I ha ve the tool s to do the job.
Tha t wa s nt qui te the cut I ha d i n mi nd for Li k Ankki t. She s mi l ed. There wa s no wa rmth i n i t. And you bel i eve the recent i ncurs i ons a re
rel a ted to thi s fa ci l i ty?
Ci rcums ta nti a l evi dence. Yes . Hoka n returned the s mi l e a nd s us pected hi s wa s a few degrees cool er. If s hed do thi s to Ankki t, s hed do i t
to hi m. Its a bi g pl a net. Why the Imbra a ni regi on? Why s end Jedi a gents ?
Ha ve you l oca ted a ny forces ?
No. Ive i denti fi ed a t l ea s t two poi nts of ha rd conta ct a nd one downed ves s el , though.
Ha rd conta ct?
Si tua ti ons when s ol di ers a ctua l l y enga ge ea ch other. Not tha t hi s ra bbl e of mercena ri es ra ted the di s ti ncti on of soldiers. I ca nt ga uge
numbers .
If I were to a rra nge for you to ha ve comma nd of Sepa ra ti s t droi ds a nd thei r offi cers from our nea rby ga rri s on, woul d tha t ma ke your ta s k
ea s i er?
I ta ke no s i des . I wont l i e to you a nd pretend to s upport your ca us e.
You ha ve mi l i ta ry experi ence, of cours e. Theres no di s gra ce i n bei ng a mercena ry.
Im Ma nda l ori a n. Its i n my s oul a s wel l a s pa rt of my educa ti on. No, theres no s ha me i n i t a s l ong a s you gi ve of your bes t.
Utha n s uddenl y mel ted i nto wha t s eemed to be a thoroughl y genui ne a nd s ympa theti c ha l f s mi l e. I thi nk I s houl d s ha re s omethi ng wi th
you. It mi ght be di s tres s i ng. There were s ti l l ha rd edges i n her unctuous tone. The Republ i c ha s crea ted a n a rmy of cl oned troops . Millions.
They ha ve been bred to fi ght a nd s erve Jedi genera l s wi thout ques ti on, a l tered to be thei r wi l l i ng s erva nts . They ha ve ha d no norma l l i fe a nd
they a ge very ra pi dl yi f they s urvi ve bei ng wa s ted i n fool i s h ba ttl es . Do you know whos e geneti c ma teri a l wa s us ed to crea te thes e
unfortuna te s l a ves ?
No, I dont. Hoka n wa s never emba rra s s ed to a dmi t i gnora nce. Tha t wa s for s ma l l men. Tel l me.
Ja ngo Fett.
Wha t?
Yes . The fi nes t Ma nda l ori a n wa rri or of hi s da y ha s been us ed to churn out ca nnon fodder for the a ggra ndi zement of the Jedi .
If s he ha d s pa t i n hi s fa ce, he coul dnt ha ve been more a ppa l l ed. He knew s he wa s a wa re of wha t woul d enra ge hi m; s he us ed the
emoti ona l term warrior, not bounty hunter. She knew how much the revel a ti on woul d offend hi s cul tura l pri de. But s he wa s ri ght to tel l hi m. It
wa s a ma tter of honor, a nd more tha n hi s own. He woul d not s ee hi s heri ta ge us ed i n thi s tra ves ty of hones t wa r.
Id ta ke the contra ct even i f you di dnt pa y me, he s a i d.
Utha n s eemed to rel a x. We ca n gi ve you up to a hundred droi ds to s ta rt wi th. As k i f you need more. Its a s ma l l ga rri s on beca us e we di dnt
wa nt to a ttra ct a ttenti on, but now tha t we ha ve tha t a ttenti on a nywa y we ca n rei nforce i f neces s a ry. Wha t a bout your exi s ti ng mi l i ti a ?
I thi nk l a yoff noti ces mi ght be i n order. Perha ps your troops mi ght s ta rt by hel pi ng me wi th the a dmi ni s tra ti on of tha t.
Utha n bl i nked for a s econd, a nd Hoka n rea l i zed s he ha d ta ken l onger tha n us ua l to unders ta nd wha t he mea nt. Shed gra s ped the mea ni ng:
I can be as ruthless as you. Shed thi nk twi ce before undermi ni ng hi m a s s he wa s undermi ni ng Ankki t.
Tha t mi ght be a s ens i bl e s ta rt, s he s a i d.
Hoka n s tood up a nd hel d hi s hel met i n both ha nds . He ha d a l wa ys been proud of tha t tra di ti on, proud tha t i t ha dnt cha nged i n thous a nds
of yea rs except for a techni ca l enha ncement here a nd there. Wha t rea l l y ma ttered wa s wha t l a y under Ma nda l ori a n a rmora wa rri ors hea rt.
Woul d you l i ke to know wha t vi rus were devel opi ng here, Ma jor Hoka n? Utha n a s ked.
So he ha d a rea l ra nk now, not the fl a tteri ngl y extra va ga nt General. Do I need to?
I thi nk s o. You s ee, i ts s peci fi ca l l y for the cl ones .
Let me s ee. To ma ke them proper men a ga i n?
Nothi ng ca n do tha t. Thi s i s to ki l l them.
Hoka n repl a ced hi s hel met ca reful l y.
The ki ndes t s ol uti on, he s a i d, a nd mea nt i t.

Bal kote, darasuum kote,

Jorsoran kando a tome.
Sa kyram Nau tracyn kad, Vode an.
(And gl ory, eterna l gl ory,
We s ha l l bea r i ts wei ght together.
Forged l i ke the s a ber i n the fi res of dea th,
Brothers a l l .)
Tra di ti ona l Ma nda l ori a n wa r cha nt

It woul d ha ve been much, much ea s i er to fi ght i n a di fferent envi ronment.

Ni ner deci ded tha t when he got ba ck to ba s e hed a s k to a mend the tra i ni ng ma nua l on nonurba n wa rfa re, to refl ect the fa ct tha t SOPs for
tempera te rura l terra i n were defi ni tel y not i ntercha ngea bl e wi th jungl e ta cti cs .
It wa s the fi el ds . There wa s too much open ground between a rea s of cover. Ni ner ha d been s i tti ng i n the fork of a tree for s o l ong tha t one
buttock wa s numb a nd the other wa s ca tchi ng up fa s t. And s ti l l the group of mi l i ti a wa s s pra wl ed i n the gra s s a t the edge of a recentl y mown
fi el d, pa s s i ng a round bottl es of urrqa l .
Ni ner di dnt s ti r under hi s ca moufl a ge of l ea ves . It wa s nea rl y a utumn, s o i t wa s a tri ck they woul dnt be a bl e to rel y on much l onger, a s
a l mos t a l l the woodl a nd wa s deci duous . They pl a nned to pul l out l ong before then.
Anythi ng ha ppeni ng, Sa rge? Fi s voi ce wa s a whi s per i n hi s hel met, even though the s ound woul dnt ca rry. It wa s a s ma rt ha bi t, jus t i n ca s e.
If one preca uti on wa s good, two wa s better. Sti l l s wi ggi ng?
Yea h. We coul d a l wa ys wa i t unti l they di e of l i ver fa i l ure. Sa ve the a mmo.
You oka y?
My bl a dders a bi t ful l , but fi ne otherwi s e.
Ati ns s hreddi ng tha t s peedi es onboa rd computer.
I hope hes doi ng i t qui etl y.
Hes moved i nto the wood a bi t. He reckons hes downl oa ded s ome hi gh-res cha rts , but the res t a re proba bl y fri ed. Hes on the encrypti on
fi l es now.
As l ong a s hes ha ppy.
Fi ma de a s ti fl ed s nort of l a ughter. Yea h, hes ha ppy.
Ive been Darman. Ni ner s ti l l ha d no i dea wha t Ati n ha d mea nt by tha t. Hed remember to a s k hi m a t a more a ppropri a te moment. Al l he
wa nted ri ght then wa s for Hoka ns men to get up a nd move on s o they coul d cros s over to RV Beta , jus t four kl i cks a hea d. It woul d ha ve been
ea s y to pi ck them off from here, but tha t woul d l ea ve a ni ce pi l e of ca l l i ng ca rds a nd the s qua d ha d l eft too ma ny a l rea dy. Ni ner wa nted to
a voi d a l l the ha rd conta ct tha t he coul d.
They have to run out of urrqal soon.
And they cant be taking Ghez Hokan very seriously.
Ni ner wa s wa tchi ng the group through hi s ri fl e s cope, wonderi ng why there wa s a prepondera nce of Weequa ys , when they a l l l ooked up, but
not a t hi m. They were l ooki ng to hi s ri ght.
Fi ve more ta rgets a pproa chi ng, Fi s a i d.
Ni ner tra cked ri ght very gentl y. Got em.
They di dnt l ook l i ke mi l i ti a . There wa s a n Umba ra n, very s ma rt i n a pa l e gra y uni form tha t ma tched hi s s ki n, a nd four ba ttl e droi ds ma rchi ng
behi nd hi m. Some of the mi l i ti a boys got to thei r feet. One of them, recl i ni ng on the ground, hel d hi s bottl e out i n offeri ng, mutteri ng
s omethi ng a bout curi ng rus t.
The onl y words of convers a ti on tha t Ni ner coul d pi ck up from the Umba ra n were Hoka n a s ks a ny conta ct The breeze took the res t.
Theyve got reinforcements, he thought. They look like a different problem altogether.
And they were, but not for hi m thi s ti me. The rei nforcement droi ds ra i s ed thei r i ntegra l bl a s ters wi thout wa rni ng a nd s i mpl y opened fi re i nto
the group of mi l i ti a . They fi red a few bol ts i n a n orderl y ma nner a nd then wa i ted, l ooki ng down a t thei r vi cti ms a s i f checki ng. The Umba ra n
commi s s i oned offi cer or s ergea nt?s tepped forwa rd a nd fi red a nother bl a s t a t cl os e ra nge i nto a Weequa y. Appa rentl y s a ti s fi ed tha t thei r job
wa s done, they ga thered up the groups a s s ortment of bl a s ters a nd s i dea rms , s ea rched the bodi es for s omethi ngID, Ni ner s us pecteda nd
ma rched ca l ml y a wa y, ba ck down thei r a pproa ch route.
Ni ner hea rd Fi exha l e a t the s a me ti me he di d.
Wel l , Fi s a i d. You ca n empty your bl a dder now, I s uppos e.
Ni ner s l i d down from the fork of the tree, a nd hi s l eg buckl ed under hi m. He removed the pl a tes a nd rubbed hi s thi gh to get the ci rcul a ti on
goi ng. Wha t do you reckon tha t wa s a l l a bout, then?
Hoka n does nt l i ke them dri nki ng on duty?
Ati n a ppea red, a jumbl e of ci rcui try a nd wi res i n one ha nd. Looks l i ke the ti nni es ha ve s hown up to ta ke over. But why s hoot them?
Ti nni es ? Fi s a i d.
Wha t di d your s qua d ca l l them?
Droi ds .
Ni ner nudged Fi . Genera l Zey s a i d Hoka n wa s vi ol ent a nd unpredi cta bl e. He executes hi s own peopl e i n col d bl ood. Lets remember tha t.

They ga thered up thei r gea r a nd thi s ti me i t wa s the turn of Ati n a nd Ni ner to ca rry the l oa d theyd ri gged unders l ung on a pol e. Fi wa l ked
a hea d on poi nt.
I ha vent fi red a s hot yet, he s a i d.
On thi s s ort of mi s s i on, the fewer the better, Ati n s a i d.
Ni ner took i t a s a s i gn tha t Ati n wa s joi ni ng i n. Hi s tone wa s nt a s defens i ve. Regul a r peopl e s a i d they coul dnt tel l the di fference between
one cl one a nd a nother, di d they? Tha t wa s wha t ca me of s pendi ng too much ti me l ooki ng a t fa ces a nd not enough wonderi ng wha t s ha ped
peopl e a nd went on i ns i de thei r hea ds .
Sa ve em for l a ter, Ni ner s a i d. I thi nk were goi ng to need every s i ngl e round.
I must be out of my mind.
Eta i n wa tched the ra ms ha ckl e fa rmhous e bui l di ngs through a ga p i n the ba rns pl a nked wa l l s . The roofs were outl i ned a ga i ns t the
deepeni ng turquoi s e of the dus k s ky: two l a mps s tood by the porch of the ma i n bui l di ng to keep the gda ns a wa y from the pa th to the outs i de
refres her. There were s o ma ny of the l i ttl e preda tors nes ti ng a round the fa rm tha t one of thei r wa rrens ha d s ubs i ded, l ea vi ng a ga pi ng hol e i n
the fa rmya rd tha t wa s now fi l l i ng up every ti me i t ra i ned. Bi rha n wa s nt bi g on ma i ntena nce.
Tha t di d ma ke s ome ta s ks ea s i er, though. Sa ti s fi ed tha t nobody wa s a pproa chi ng, s he went ba ck to worki ng boa rds l oos e from the ba rns
fra me a t the rea r of the bui l di ng. There wa s no other exi t i f s he were a mbus hed, s o s he wa s ma ki ng one.
She concentra ted on the boa rds , fi xi ng thei r s ha pe a nd pos i ti on i n her mi nd. Then s he vi s ua l i zed them s epa ra ti ng a nd movi ng a s i de,
crea ti ng a ga p. Move, s he thought. Just part, swing aside a nd the boa rds di d i ndeed move. She rehea rs ed s hi fti ng them wi th the Force a few
ti mes , l etti ng them fa l l ba ck i nto pl a ce qui etl y.
Yes , s he coul d us e the Force. When s he fel t confi dent a nd control l ed, s he coul d ma s ter everythi ng Ful i er ha d ta ught her; but thos e da ys
coul d be few a nd fa r between. She wres tl ed wi th a temper unbefi tti ng a Jedi . She wa tched thos e wi th s erene a ccepta nce of the Force a nd
envi ed thei r certa i nty. She wondered why Jedi bl ood ha d bothered to ma ni fes t i ts el f i n s omeone who wa s s o fa l l i bl e.
Eta i n hoped s he coul d ma na ge to us e the Force to do s omethi ng more momentous tha n movi ng pl a nks i f the s i tua ti on dema nded i t. She
wa s certa i n tha t the next few da ys woul d tes t her beyond her l i mi ts .
Ji na rt a rri ved jus t a fter i t grew compl etel y da rk. Des pi te wa tchi ng i ntentl y through the cra ck i n the wa l l , l i ghts a ber rea dy, Eta i n di dnt s ee her
a pproa ch, or even hea r her unti l the door s wung open.
But s he felt her. And s he wondered why s he ha dnt fel t her before.
Rea dy, gi rl ? Ji na rt a s ked. She wa s wra pped i n a fi l thy s ha wl tha t s eemed a bout to wa l k of i ts own a ccord. It wa s a pretty convi nci ng
di s gui s e.
Why di dnt you tel l me? Eta i n a s ked.
Tel l you wha t? Ji na rt a s ked.
I mi ght be l es s tha n the i dea l Pa da wa n, but I ca n a l wa ys s ens e a nother Jedi . I wa nt to know why.
Youre wrong. Im not tha t a t a l l . But we are s ervi ng the s a me ca us e.
Ji na rt ca s t a round a nd pi cked up the remna nts of a l oa f tha t Eta i n ha dnt fi ni s hed. She s hoved i t under her s ha wl .
Tha t wa s nt a n expl a na ti on, Eta i n s a i d, a nd fol l owed her out the door. There were no gda ns to be s een. If thi s woma n wa s s trong i n the
Force a nd not a Jedi , s he ha d to know why. I need to know wha t you a re.
No, you dont.
How do I know youre not s omeone who ha s turned to the da rk s i de?
Ji na rt s topped a bruptl y a nd s pun a round, s uddenl y fa s ter a nd more upri ght tha n a n ol d woma n s houl d ha ve been. I ca n choos e when I a m
detected a nd not detected. And gi ven your competence, Im the one whos mos t a t ri s k. Now, silence.
It wa s nt qui te the a ns wer Eta i n wa s expecti ng. She fel t the s a me a uthori ty a s s he ha d i n the pres ence of Ful i er, except tha t he exhi bi ted
pea ks a nd troughs of the Force, whi l e Ji na rt projected a n i nfi ni te s tea di nes s .
She wa s certainty. Eta i n envi ed certa i nty.
Ji na rt l ed her i nto the woodl a nd tha t s ki rted Imbra a ni to the ea s t. She wa s keepi ng up a puni s hi ng pa ce, a nd Eta i n deci ded not to a s k a ny
more ques ti ons for the ti me bei ng. At va ri ous poi nts a l ong the wa y, Ji na rt devi a ted: Mi nd the wa rrens , s he s a i d, a nd Eta i n s i des tepped hol es
a nd depres s i ons tha t tol d her col oni es of gda ns ha d been bus y benea th the ground.
They fi na l l y pa us ed ha l f a n hour l a ter, ha vi ng covered a n a rc tha t brought them north to the edge of the Bra a n Ri ver. As ri vers went, i t wa s
more of a l a rge s trea m. Ji na rt s tood s ti l l , a ppa rentl y l ooki ng a t the wa ter but not a ppea ri ng to focus . Then s he jerked her hea d a round a nd
s ta red wes t, ta ki ng a deep brea th a nd exha l i ng s l owl y.
Wa l k ups trea m, s he s a i d. Fol l ow the ri verba nk a nd keep your wi ts a bout you. Your s ol di er i s s ti l l there, a nd he needs thos e pl a ns .
A s ol di er. One?
Tha ts wha t I s a i d. Come on. He wont be there much l onger.
Not a group, then. Not even a few.
Correct. There a re others , but theyre a l i ttl e wa y from here. Now go.
Wha t ma kes you thi nk I ha ve pl a ns ?
If you ha dnt, I woul dnt be ri s ki ng mys el f to di rect you towa rd your conta ct, Ji na rt s a i d. I ha ve other work to do now. When you fi nd your
s ol di er, Il l try to pers ua de Bi rha n to ta ke hi m i n for a whi l e. Hel l need s omewhere to hi de. Get on wi th i t. He wont ha ng a round.
Eta i n wa tched Ji na rt s ta rt a wa y towa rd the town, l ooki ng ba ck jus t once. The Pa da wa n s l i pped out her l i ghts a ber a nd tri ed to get a s ens e of
wha t mi ght l i e wes t a l ong the ri verba nk, a nd when s he gl a nced ba ck a ga i n Ji na rt wa s nowhere to be s een. She wa s a wa re of the s cra bbl i ng of
s ma l l cl a wed feet a round her. Wha tever i nfl uence ha d kept the gda ns a t ba y whi l e Ji na rt wa s wi th her wa s gone. She ki cked out occa s i ona l l y
a nd hoped her boots were thi ck enough.
If s he went ba ck to the fa rm, nothi ng woul d ha ve cha nged a nd s he woul d be no nea rer to del i veri ng the i nforma ti on. She ha d no choi ce but
to go on.
The ba nk wa s overgrown i n pl a ces a nd s he s tepped i nto the ri ver, knowi ng i t woul d be s ha l l ow. The knowl edge di dnt ma ke i t a ny more

pl ea s a nt to wa de i n s odden boots . But i t wa s a rel i a bl e route, a nd i t kept the gda ns from tryi ng thei r l uck wi th her.
They were wa ry of Ji na rt. Eta i n wondered why the Force di dnt deter them from s ta l ki ng her a s wel l . It wa s more confi rma ti on, i f s he ever
needed i t, tha t s he rea l l y wa s nt much of a Jedi when i t ca me to uti l i zi ng the Force. She ha d to concentra te. She ha d to fi nd tha t s i ngl e-mi nded
s ens e of both purpos e a nd a ccepta nce tha t ha d s o l ong el uded her.
Al though Eta i n ha d cl ea rl y not yet come cl os e to ma s teri ng control of the Force, s he coul d s ee a nd feel beyond the i mmedi a te worl d. She
coul d feel the nocturna l crea tures a round her; s he even fel t the l i ttl e s i l ver weed-eel s pa rti ng to a voi d her before they brus hed her boots on
the wa y downs trea m.
Then s he beca me a wa re of s omethi ng s he wa s nt expecti ng to encounter i n the wi l ds of the Imbra a ni woods .
A child.
She coul d feel a chi l d nea rby. There wa s s omethi ng unus ua l a bout the chi l d, but i t wa s defi ni tel y a youngs ter, a nd there wa s a feel i ng of
l os s a bout i t. She coul dnt i ma gi ne a ny of the towns peopl e l etti ng a chi l d out a t ni ght wi th gda ns a bout.
Ignore it. This isnt your problem now.
But i t wa s a chi l d. It wa s nt a fra i d. It wa s a nxi ous , but not scared a s a ny s ens i bl e chi l d s houl d ha ve been, wa nderi ng a round a l one a t ni ght.
Suddenl y there wa s s omethi ng touchi ng her forehea d. She put out her ha nd i ns ti ncti vel y a s i f s hooi ng a wa y a n i ns ect, but there wa s nothi ng
there. And s ti l l s he fel t s omethi ng ri ght between her brows .
It di pped bri efl y to her ches t, exa ctl y on her s ternum, a nd ba ck up to her forehea d. Then s he wa s s uddenl y bl i nded by a l i ght of pa i nful
i ntens i ty tha t s hot out of the da rknes s a nd overwhel med her.
She ha d nothi ng to l os e. She drew her l i ghts a ber, prepa red to di e on her feet i f nothi ng el s e. She di dnt need to s ee her opponent.
There wa s a s l i ght ah s ound. The l i ght s na pped off. She coul d s ti l l s ens e a chi l d ri ght i n front of her.
Sorry, ma a m, a ma ns voi ce s a i d. I di dnt recogni ze you.
And s ti l l s he detected onl y a chi l d, s o cl os e tha t i t ha d to be next to the ma n. For s ome rea s on s he coul dnt s ens e hi m i n the Force a t a l l .
Red ghos t-i ma ges of the l i ght s ti l l bl i nded her. She hel d her l i ghts a ber s tea dy. When her vi s i on cl ea red, s he knew exa ctl y who s he wa s
s ta ri ng a t, a nd s he a l s o knew Ji na rt ha d betra yed her.
Shed proba bl y betra yed Ful i er, too.
Eta i n coul d s ee the di s ti ncti ve ful l -fa ce Ma nda l ori a n hel met of Ghez Hoka n.
The s i ni s ter T-s ha ped s l i t tol d her a l l s he needed to know. She ra i s ed the l i ghts a ber. Both hi s ha nds were res ti ng on hi s ri fl e. Perha ps the
chi l dthe uns een chi l dha d been a l ure, a di s tra cti on projected by Ji na rt.
Ma a m? Put the wea pon down, ma a m
Hoka n, thi s i s for Ma s ter Ful i er, s he hi s s ed, a nd s wung a t hi m.
Hoka n l ea pt ba ck wi th a s toni s hi ng refl exes . She di dnt recogni ze hi s voi ce: i t wa s younger, a l mos t a ccentl es s . He di dnt even ra i s e hi s ri fl e.
The mons ter wa s pl a yi ng wi th her. She s pun on the ba l l of her foot a nd very nea rl y took hi s a rm off. Sudden ra ge cons tri cted her throa t. She
s l a s hed a ga i n but found onl y a i r.
Ma a m, pl ea s e dont ma ke me di s a rm you.
Try i t, s he s a i d. She beckoned hi m forwa rd wi th one ha nd, l i ghts a ber s tea dy i n the other. You wa nt thi s ? Try me.
He l a unched hi ms el f a t her, hi tti ng her s qua re i n the ches t a nd knocki ng her ba ckwa rd i nto the ri ver. The child was still there. Where? How?
And then Hoka n wa s on top of her, hol di ng her under the wa ter wi th one ha nd, a nd s he dropped the l i ghts a ber. She fought a nd choked a nd
thought s he wa s goi ng to drown a nd s he ha d no i dea why s he coul dnt fi ght off a n ordi na ry ma n wi th both her fi s ts . She s houl d ha ve been a bl e
to mus ter more phys i ca l s trength tha n thi s huma n.
He ha ul ed her up out of the wa ter one-ha nded a nd dumped her on the ri verba nk fl a t on her ba ck, hol di ng both her a rms down.
Ma a m, s tea dy now
But s he wa s nt fi ni s hed yet. Wi th a n a ni ma l grunt s he drove her knee up ha rd between hi s thi ghs , a s ha rd a s s he coul d, a nd when s he wa s
fri ghtened a nd des pera te a nd a ngry tha t wa s very ha rd i ndeed. She ha dnt known i t unti l now.
Eta i n ga s ped a s her knee went crack. It hurt. But i t di dnt s eem to hurt hi m.
Ma a m, wi th res pect, pl ea s e shut up. Youre goi ng to get us both ki l l ed. The s i ni s ter ma s k l oomed over her. Im not Hoka n. Im not him. If
you jus t ca l m down Il l s how you. He l oos ened hi s gri p s l i ghtl y a nd s he a l mos t s truggl ed free. Now hi s tone wa s bewi l dered. Ma a m, s top
thi s , pl ea s e. Im goi ng to l et go a nd youre goi ng to l i s ten to me expl a i n who I a m.
Her brea th wa s comi ng i n ga s ps a nd s he coughed wa ter. The ever-pres ent chi l d s o di s ori ented her tha t s he s topped tryi ng to di s l odge hi m
a nd l et hi m s truggl e to hi s feet.
Eta i n coul d s ee hi mi tcl ea rl y now. She coul d s ee wel l i n the da rknes s , better tha n a norma l huma n. She wa s s ta ri ng a t a huge droi d-l i ke
crea ture cl a d i n pa l e gra y a rmor pl a tes wi th no fa ce a nd no ma rki ngs . And i t ha d a bl a s ter ri fl e. Ithehel d out a ha nd a s i f to pul l her to her
feet.
Wel l , i t wa s nt Ghez Hoka n. Tha t wa s a l l s he coul d tel l . She took hi s a rmored ha nd a nd got to her feet.
Wha t i n crea ti ons na me a re you? s he ma na ged to a s k.
Ma a m, my a pol ogi es . I di dnt recogni ze you a t fi rs t. Thi s i s enti rel y my fa ul t for fa i l i ng to i denti fy mys el f correctl y. He touched bl a ck-gl oved
fi ngers bri efl y to hi s templ e, a nd s he noti ced the knuckl e pl a te on the ba ck of the ga untl ets . Comma ndo of the Gra nd Army CC-one-one-threes i x, ma a m. I a wa i t your orders , Genera l .
Genera l ? Voi ces comi ng from thi ngs tha t a ppea red to ha ve no l i ps remi nded her too much of droi ds .
He ti l ted hi s hea d s l i ghtl y. My a pol ogi es . I di dnt s ee the bra i d Comma nder.
And wha ts the Gra nd Army?
The Republ i cs a rmy, ma a m. Sorry. I s houl d ha ve rea l i zed tha t youve been out of conta ct wi th Corus ca nt for a whi l e now, a nd
Si nce when di d we a cqui re a Gra nd Army?
About ten yea rs a go. He ges tured to the bus hes a l ong the ba nk. Sha l l we di s cus s thi s s omewhere l es s publ i c? Youre pres enti ng

s omethi ng of a ta rget to a nyone wi th a ni ght s cope. I thi nk even the l oca l mi l i ti a ca n ma na ge one of thos e between them.
I dropped my l i ghts a ber i n the ri ver.
Let me get i t, ma a m, he s a i d. He s tepped i nto the s ha l l ow wa ter, a nd the l i ght on hi s hel met fl i cked on. He bent down a nd fumbl ed i n the
i l l umi na ted wa ter, then s tood up wi th the hi l t i n hi s ha nd. Pl ea s e dont us e i t on me a ga i n, wi l l you?
Eta i n ra ked her s oa ki ng ha i r ba ck from her fa ce wi th chi l l ed fi ngers . She took the l i ghts a ber ca reful l y. I dont thi nk Id ha ve much l uck
a nywa y. Look, why a re you ca l l i ng me Commander?
Ma a m, Jedi a re a l l offi cers now. You are a Jedi , a rent you?
Ha rd to bel i eve, i s nt i t?
No offens e, ma a m
Id a s k the s a me ques ti on i f I were you. Commander. Commander? Im Pa da wa n Eta i n Tur-Muka n. Ma s ter Ka s t Ful i er i s dea d. It s eems youre
the s ol di er I ha ve to hel p. She l ooked up a t hi m. Wha ts your na me?
Ma a m, Comma ndo CC
Your na me. Your real na me.
He hes i ta ted. Da rma n, he s a i d, s oundi ng a s i f he were emba rra s s ed by i t. We need to get out of here. Theyre l ooki ng for me.
They wont ha ve much troubl e fi ndi ng you i n that outfi t, s he s a i d s a rca s ti ca l l y.
The di rts ri ns ed off. He s tood s i l ent for a moment. Do you ha ve orders for me, ma a m? I ha ve to ma ke RV poi nt Ga mma a nd fi nd the res t
of my s qua d.
He wa s ta l ki ng a rmy gi bberi s h. When do you ha ve to do tha t? Now?
He pa us ed. Wi thi n twel ve s ta nda rd hours .
Then weve got ti me. I ha ve pl a ns to s how you. Come ba ck wi th me a nd l ets work out wha t we ha ve to do next. She took the l i ghts a ber from
hi m a nd ges tured wi th both a rms . Il l hel p you ca rry wha t I ca n.
Its hea vy, ma a m.
Im a Jedi . I mi ght not be a very competent Jedi , but I am phys i ca l l y s trong. Even i f you di d ta ke me down.
A bi t of tra i ni ng wi l l fi x tha t, ma a m, he s a i d, a nd he ea s ed off tha t terri bl e Ma nda l ori a n hel met wi th a fa i nt pop of i ts s ea l . Youre a
comma nder.
He wa s a young ma n, proba bl y i n hi s ea rl y twenti es , wi th cl os e-cropped bl a ck ha i r a nd da rk eyes . And des pi te the ha rd pl a nes of hi s fa ce he
ha d a trus ti ng a nd i nnocent expres s i on tha t wa s s o ful l of confi dence tha t i t s urpri s ed her. He wa s nt jus t confi dent i n hi ms el f; he exuded
confi dence i n her. Youre proba bl y jus t a bi t rus ty, ma a m. Wel l get you ba ck on form i n no ti me.
Are you on form, Da rma n? He ha d overpowered her. It wa s nt s uppos ed to be l i ke tha t. How good a re you?
Im a comma ndo, ma a m. Bred to be the bes t. Bred to s erve you.
He wa s nt joki ng. How ol d a re you, Da rma n?
He di dnt even bl i nk. She coul d s ee the ha rd mus cl e i n hi s neck. There wa s nt even a hi nt of fa t on hi s fa ce. He l ooked extremel y fi t i ndeed,
upri ght, a model s ol di er.
Im ten yea rs ol d, ma a m, Da rma n s a i d.
Droi ds di dnt dri nk or cha s e women, a nd they ha d no i nteres t i n ma ki ng money on the s i de. They werent rea l wa rri ors , s ol di ers wi th pri de
a nd honor, but a t l ea s t Ghez Hoka n coul d trus t tha t they woul dnt be found l yi ng i n the gutter wi th a n empty bottl e the next morni ng.
And they di d l ook trul y ma gni fi cent when they ma rched.
They were ma rchi ng now, a l ong the wi de gra vel pa th tha t l ed up to Li k Ankki ts vi l l a . Hoka n wa l ked bes i de them, then behi nd them, movi ng
pos i ti on beca us e he wa s s o fa s ci na ted by the a bs ol ute preci s i on of thei r s teps , a nd the compl ete unva ryi ng conformi ty of thei r hei ght a nd
profi l e. They l ooked l i ke bri cks i n a perfect wa l l , a wa l l tha t coul d never be brea ched.
Ma chi nes coul d be ma de to be i denti ca l , a nd tha t wa s good. But i t wa s a na thema to do tha t to menes peci a l l y Ma nda l ori a n men.
The Umba ra n l i eutena nt ra i s ed hi s a rm a nd brought the droi d pl a toon to a ha l t ten meters from the vera nda s teps . Li k Ankki t wa s a l rea dy
s ta ndi ng on the top s ta i r, ga zi ng down a t them i n hi s fa ncy hea ddres s a nd tha t dikutla robe l i ke the wea k, deca dent grocer he wa s .
Hoka n wa l ked forwa rd, hel met under hi s a rm, a nd nodded pol i tel y.
Good morni ng, Hoka n, Ankki t s a i d. I s ee youve fi na l l y ma de s ome fri ends .
Id l i ke to i ntroduce you to them, Hoka n s a i d. Beca us e youre goi ng to be s eei ng a grea t dea l of ea ch other. He turned to the l i eutena nt.
Proceed, Cuvi n.
The Umba ra n s a l uted. Pl a toona dva nce.
It wa s a l l vul ga r thea tri cs , but Hoka n ha d wa i ted a l ong ti me for thi s . It wa s a l s o neces s a ry. He ha d to bi l l et s ome troops nea r Utha ns
fa ci l i ty for ra pi d depl oyment. They woul d be l i ttl e us e i n the ba s e thi rty ki l ometers a wa y.
Ankki t s tepped forwa rd a s the droi ds rea ched the s teps . Thi s i s a n outra ge, he s a i d. The Tra de Federa ti on wi l l not tol era te
The Nei moi di a n s tood a s i de jus t a s the fi rs t ra nk of pa i red droi ds rea ched the i ntri ca tel y i nl a i d kuva ra door, wi th i ts ma rquetry i ma ge of
entwi ned vi nes .
Hoka n wa s nt expecti ng a di s pl a y of heroi cs , a nd he di dnt get one. Its very good of you to a l l ow me to bi l l et my troops here, he s a i d. A
nobl e us e of a l l tha t wa s ted s pa ce. The Sepa ra ti s ts a re gra teful for the pers ona l s a cri fi ce youve ma de to ens ure the s ecuri ty of Doctor Utha ns
project.
Ankki t wa l ked down the s teps a s fa s t a s hi s toweri ng hea ddres s a nd l ong robe woul d a l l ow. Even by Nei moi di a n s ta nda rds of a nxi ety, he
l ooked terri bl y ups et. He shook. He s tood a l mos t a hea d ta l l er tha n Hoka n even wi thout the hea ddres s , whi ch wa s rus tl i ng a s i f s ome crea ture
ha d l a nded i n i t a nd wa s s truggl i ng to es ca pe. I ha ve a contract wi th Doctor Utha n a nd her government.
And you fa i l ed to honor the cl a us e tha t gua ra nteed a dequa te res ourci ng for s ecuri ty. Doctor Utha ns noti ce of pena l ty s houl d be on i ts wa y
to your offi ce.
I do not ta ke ki ndl y to betra ya l .

Tha ts no wa y to a ddres s a commi s s i oned offi cer of the Sepa ra ti s t forces .

An officer?
Fi el d commi s s i on. Hoka n s mi l ed beca us e he wa s genui nel y ha ppy. I ha ve no need of you now, Ankki t. Jus t be gra teful youre a l i ve. By the
wa y, Doctor Utha ns government ha s pa i d a bonus di rectl y to the Tra de Federa ti on to ens ure Im a l l owed to work unhi ndered. Enemy troops
ha ve l a nded, a nd thi s regi on i s now under ma rti a l l a w.
Ankki ts s l i t of a mouth wa s cl a mped ti ght i n a nger. At l ea s t he wa s nt pl ea di ng for hi s l i fe. Hoka n woul d ha ve ha d to ki l l hi m i f he ha d
begged. He coul dnt bea r whi ni ng.
And I s uppos e tha t mea ns you, Hoka n, Ankki t s a i d.
Major Hoka n, pl ea s e. If you s ee a ny of my former empl oyees wa nderi ng a round, dont s hel ter them, wi l l you? Some of them ha ve fa i l ed to
s how up to col l ect thei r s evera nce pa yment. Id l i ke to ha ndl e thei r outpl a cement pa cka ge pers ona l l y.
Youre the pa ra di gm of effi ci ent ma na gement for us a l l , Ankki t s a i d.
Hoka n enjoyed the moment of revenge, then put i t a s i de a s the di s tra cti ng ba ubl e tha t i t wa s . Ankki t wa s no threa t now; you coul dnt bri be
droi ds . The Umba ra n a nd Aqua l i s h offi cers now knew wha t ha ppened to negl i gent s ol di ers beca us e theyd ca rri ed out hi s executi on orders .
Hoka n wa s ca reful to ens ure tha t everyone wa s cl ea r on wha t ha ppened i f they l eft hi s empl oyment under a cl oud.
And where do I l i ve? Ankki t a s ked.
Oh, pl enty of room here, Hoka n repl i ed. There wa s a l oud cra s h, fol l owed by the ti nkl e of fra gi l e gl a s s hi tti ng a ha rd fl oor. Droi ds coul d be
s o ca rel es s . Im s ure you wont get i n thei r wa y.
He touched hi s fi ngers to hi s hel met a nd s trode off.
There were s ti l l a few of hi s former troops mi s s i ng. One wa s hi s Weequa y l i eutena nt Guta -Na y. He wa nted to l oca te hi m very ba dl y, a s he
needed to demons tra te to the new offi cers tha t he woul d ha ppi l y do hi s own di s ci pl i na ry work. It wa s a n i ma ge he wa nted pl a nted i n thei r
hea ds s houl d Ankki t ever a ttempt to bri be them.
He wa l ked down the pa th to the wa i ti ng s peeder bi ke. A fa rmer ha d found s cra ps of ci rcui try on hi s l a nd a nd wa nted to know i f i t wa s worth
a bottl e of urrqa l to revea l the l oca ti on.
Hoka n s et off to vi s i t hi m pers ona l l y, to s how tha t the i nforma ti on wa s worth more tha n tha t. It wa s worth a fa rmers l i fe.
RV poi nt Beta s houl d ha ve been a coppi ce a t the top of a s ha l l ow es ca rpment wes t of Imbra a ni . When Ni ner got wi thi n vi s ua l ra nge of i t,
there were no trees to be found.
Coordi na tes a re ri ght, or el s e thi s vi s or i s up the creek, Ati n s a i d, ti l ti ng hi s hea d one wa y, then the other. No, pos i ti ons a ccura te. Confi rm
no trees , though. Sha l l I depl oy a remote to recce?
No, Ni ner s a i d. Lets s a ve them for ordna nce. Too cons pi cuous out here. Wel l ha ve to l a y up a s cl os e a s we ca n a nd rel y on eyeba l l i ng
Da rma n i f he s hows . Wheres the nea res t cover?
About one kl i ck ea s t.
Tha tl l ha ve to do.
Ati n l ooped ba ck, keepi ng wi thi n the trees a nd retra ci ng thei r s teps to ens ure they werent bei ng tra cked. Hi s a rmor wa s now ca ked wi th
mos s , a nd Ni ner wa s gl a d he wa s nt downwi nd of hi m. Wha tever hed cra wl ed through s mel l ed a uthenti ca l l y rura l . Fi a nd Ni ner ta bbed on,
ca rryi ng the extra gea r between them, a n a s s ortment of entry equi pment i ncl udi ng three dyna mi c ha mmers , a hydra ul i c ra m, a nd a ra tchet
a tta chment for the really di ffi cul t doors . They ha d tra ns ferred a l l the expl os i ve ordna nce to thei r ba ckpa cks . If they ma de ha rd conta ct a nd ha d
to drop the l oa d a nd hurry out, Ni ner di dnt fa ncy bei ng l eft wi th a hydra ul i c ra m a nd ra ti on pa cks for s el f-defens e. A pi l e of grena des wa s fa r
more us eful .
Loggi ng, Fi s a i d qui etl y.
Wha t?
The mi s s i ng coppi ce. Its comi ng up on a utumn. Theyve been out cutti ng trees for wi nter s i nce the recce wa s done.
Tha ts the probl em wi th i ntel , Ni ner s a i d. Goes s ta l e rea l l y fa s t.
Not l i ke exerci s es .
No. Its not. Thi s i s goi ng to be i nva l ua bl e for tra i ni ng upda tes when we get ba ck.
Fi s ounded a s i f he ha d s i ghed. Tha t wa s the funny thi ng a bout hel met coml i nks . One got us ed to l i s teni ng to every nua nce of brea th a nd
tone a nd even the di fferent wa ys hi s brothers s wa l l owed. They coul dnt s ee ea ch others fa ci a l expres s i ons , a nd ha d to l i s ten for them. It wa s
proba bl y l i ke bei ng bl i nd. Ni ner ha d never known a ny bl i nd peopl e, but he ha d hea rd of a ba tch of cl ones whos e eyes i ght wa s nt 20/20
di s a ppea ri ng a fter thei r fi rs t exerci s e. Ka mi noa ns were obs es s i ve a bout qua l i ty control .
He mi ght ha ve been bred for s el fl es s obedi ence, but he wa s nt s tupi d. The Ka mi noa n techni ci a ns were the onl y thi ngs tha t trul y terri fi ed
hi m, a nd wha t he fel t when he obeyed thei r i ns tructi ons wa s di fferent tha n the feel i ngs he ha d when a Jedi ga ve hi m orders . He wondered i f
Fi a nd Ati n fel t the s a me wa y.
You dont thi nk were goi ng to ma ke i t, do you, Fi ?
Im not a fra i d to di e. Not i n comba t, a nywa y.
I di dnt s a y you were.
Its jus t
Ten-meter ra nge, s on. No Ka mi noa ns l i s teni ng.
Its jus t s o i neffi ci ent. You s a i d i t yours el f. You s a i d i t wa s a wa s te.
Tha t wa s Geonos i s .
They s pend s o much ti me a nd troubl e ma ki ng us perfect a nd then they dont gi ve us wha t we need to do the job. You remember wha t
Sergea nt Ka l us ed to s a y?
He us ed to s wea r a l ot, I remember tha t.
No, he us ed to get ups et when hed ha d a few dri nks a nd s a y tha t he coul d ma ke us better s ol di ers i f we ha d ti me to go out a nd l i ve. Datarich, experience-poor. Tha ts wha t he us ed to s a y.

He us ed to s l ur the words qui te a bi t, too. And he di dnt l i ke cl ones .

Tha t wa s a l l bl us ter. And you know i t.
Yes , Ka l Ski ra ta s a i d a wful thi ngs a bout cl ones , but i t never s ounded a s i f he mea nt them, not to the cl ones , a nywa y. He got uj ca ke from
home, no ea s y fea t on s ecret, s ea l ed Ka mi no, a nd s ha red i t wi th the comma ndo s qua ds he wa s res pons i bl e for tra i ni ng. He ca l l ed them hi s
Dea d Men, hi s Wet Droi ds , a l l ki nds of a bus i ve thi ngs . But i f you ca ught hi m off duty i n hi s ca bi n, he woul d s ometi mes fi ght ba ck tea rs a nd
ma ke you ea t s ome del i ca cy s muggl ed i n for hi m, or encoura ge you to rea d one of hi s i l l i ci t texts tha t wa s nt on the a ccel era ted tra i ni ng
curri cul um. They were often s tori es of s ol di ers who coul d ha ve done ma ny other thi ngs , but chos e to fi ght. Sergea nt Ka l wa s es peci a l l y ea ger
for hi s Wet Droi ds to rea d s tuff a bout a cul ture ca l l ed Ma nda l ori a n. He a dmi red Ja ngo Fett. Thi s i s who you rea l l y a re, hed s a y. Be proud,
however much thes e ugl y gra y frea ks trea t you l i ke ca ttl e.
No, he di dnt l i ke Ka mi noa ns much, di d Ka l Ski ra ta .
Once he s i gned up wi th the Ka mi noa ns , he s a i d, they never l et hi m go home a ga i n. But hed tol d Ni ner tha t he di dnt wa nt to. He coul dnt
l ea ve hi s boys now, not s i nce he knew. Bri ef, hed s a y, ges turi ng wi th a gl a s s of col orl es s a l cohol , i s never gl ori ous .
Ni ner wa s determi ned to work out wha t Ka l Ski ra ta ha d come to unders ta nd, a nd why i t ups et hi m s o much.
Nobody ha s a l l the a ns wers , Ni ner s a i d. The troubl e wi th getti ng us ed to bei ng powerful i s tha t you ca n forget the s ma l l deta i l s tha tl l
bri ng you down.
Fi ma de tha t ffff s ound a s i f he wa s a bout to s ta rt l a ughi ng. I know who youre quoti ng.
Ni ner di dnt even rea l i ze hed s a i d i t. It wa s Sergea nt Ka l a l l ri ght. Hed even s ta rted us i ng the word son.
He mi s s ed hi m.
Then the coml i nk wa rni ng l i ght i n hi s HUD i nterrupted hi s thoughts . Medium range. Wha t wa s Ati n
Conta ct, fi ve hundred meters , dea d on your s i x. Ati ns voi ce cut through. Droi ds . Ten, one huma noi dconfi rm ten ti nni es , one wet, l ooks
l i ke a n offi cer. There wa s a l oud bl a s t behi nd them. Correcti onha rd conta ct.
Ni ner knew thi s by rote a nd Fi di dnt even excha nge words wi th hi m. They dropped the gea r a nd da rted ba ck the wa y they ha d come, ri fl es
up, s a fetys off, a nd when they got wi thi n fi fty meters of Ati ns l oca ti on they dropped i nto the prone pos i ti on to a i m.
Ati n wa s pi nned down a t the foot of a tree. There wa s one droi d s l umped on i ts s i de wi th wi s ps of s moke ri s i ng from i t, but the others were
formed up, l a yi ng down coveri ng fi re whi l e two a dva nced i n s hort s pri nts , zi gza ggi ng. Ati n wa s ma na gi ng to get off the occa s i ona l s hot. If theyd
wa nted hi m dea d, they proba bl y ha d the bl a s ter power to do i t.
They wa nted Ati n a l i ve.
I ca n s ee the wet, Fi s a i d. He wa s to Ni ners l eft, s ta ri ng down the s ni pers cope. Aqua l i s h ca pta i n, i n fa ct.
Oka y. Ta ke hi m when youre rea dy.
Ni ner s na pped on hi s grena de l a uncher a nd a i med a t the l i ne of droi ds . They were s prea d, ma ybe forty meters end-to-end. It mi ght ta ke two
rounds to knock them out i f they di dnt s ca tter. Droi ds were grea t on ba ttl efi el ds . But they werent ma de for s ma rt s tuff, a nd i f thei r offi cer wa s
down
Crack.
The a i r expa nded i ns ta ntl y wi th the rel ea s e of hea t a nd energy. Tha t wa s wha t ga ve pl a s ma bol ts thei r s a ti s fyi ng s ound. The Aqua l i s h fel l
ba ckwa rd, ches t pl a te s ha ttered, a nd l umps tha t l ooked l i ke cl ods of wet s oi l but werent fl ew from hi m a nd dropped. The droi ds s topped for a
fra cti on of a s econd, then ca rri ed on thei r cours e a s i f tha t wa s the bes t i dea they ha d.
Fi s cra mbl ed a wa y from hi s pos i ti on a nd rol l ed.
No, they rea l l y werent good a t cl os e-qua rters comba t, a t l ea s t not wi thout di recti on from a wet. But there were a l wa ys a l ot of them, a nd
they coul d return fi re a s wel l a s a ny orga ni c l i fe-form. Three of the s even rema i ni ng droi ds turned thei r a ttenti on to the di recti on of Fi s bol t.
The bus hes where Fi ha d been fi ri ng expl oded i n fl a me. Ni ner percei ved tha t i t wa s a l l ha ppeni ng s l owl ya t hea rtbea t pa cebut i t wa s nt,
not a t a l l . He a i med a nd fi red, once, twi ce. The twi n expl os i ons a l mos t merged i nto one. Soi l a nd gra s s a nd meta l fra gments ra i ned down
a round hi m. At cl os e ra nge, droi ds were a l mos t a s da ngerous when you hi t them a s when they hi t you: they were thei r own s hra pnel .
The fi ri ng s topped. Smoke dri fted from a t l ea s t fi ve i mpa ct poi nts . Ni ner coul d s ee nothi ng movi ng.
One ti nni e i nta ct but i mmobi l e, Fi s a i d.
Got i t, Ni ner s a i d. He fi red a ga i n, jus t i n ca s e.
Looks s orted out there, Fi s a i d. He l owered hi s ri fl e. Ati n? You oka y?
Nothi ng mi s s i ng tha t I ca nt bol t ba ck on.
Youre a l a ugh a mi nute, Ni ner s a i d, a nd s ta rted to ea s e up on one a rm. It wa s a ma zi ng how he coul d forget the wei ght of hi s pa ck for the
few moments i t took to s a ve hi s l i fe. Now, how di d they
Down! Ati n yel l ed.
A bol t fl ew a meter a bove Ni ners hea d a nd he dropped ba ck on hi s bel l y. It s ounded l i ke two s hots . Then there wa s s i l ence.
Now i ts s orted, Ati n s a i d. Someone hel p me get up, pl ea s e?
When Ni ner ma na ged to get i nto a kneel i ng pos i ti on he coul d s ee a thoroughl y s ha ttered pi l e of droi d, a bi t cl os er to hi m tha n the l i ne. It
ha d been two s hots hed hea rd: one ha d been a i med a t hi m a nd one ha d come from Ati n, to ma ke s ure there wa s nt a s econd.
Comi ng, brother, Ni ner s a i d.
Ati ns mud-s mea red ches t pl a te wa s a di fferent col or now, ma tte bl a ck wi th s trea ks ra di a ti ng from the center. I ca nt brea the properl y, he
s a i d, utterl y ma tter-of-fa ct, i n the wa y ba dl y i njured men often were. He gul ped i n a brea th. My ches t hurts .
Fi propped hi m up a ga i ns t the trunk of a tree a nd took hi s hel met off. There wa s no bl ood comi ng from hi s mouth: he wa s bone whi te, a nd
hi s ra w s ca r l ooked dra ma ti c, but he wa s nt bl eedi ng out. Hi s pupi l s l ooked oka y: he wa s nt i n s hock. Fi rel ea s ed the gri pti on on hi s ches t
pl a te a nd ea s ed the a rmor off.
The bodys ui t wa s i nta ct.
Sure i ts jus t your ches t? Fi a s ked. He di dnt ha ve a ta l l y s ca n to check Ati ns s ta tus . You di dnt s ta rt removi ng a rmor or embedded objects
unti l you knew wha t you were dea l i ng wi th. Someti mes tha t wa s a l l tha t wa s hol di ng a ma n together. Ati n nodded. Fi peel ed a wa y the s ecti on

of s ui t s ta rti ng a t the col l a r.

Phwoar, Fi s a i d. Tha ts goi ng to be a mons ter of a brui s e. There wa s a l i vi d pa tch from hi s s ternum to ha l fwa y down hi s ches t. You
col l ecti ng di s ti ngui s hi ng fea tures or s omethi ng?
Hi t me s qua re on, Ati n s a i d, pa nti ng. Not a regul a r round. Armor works though, eh?
Fi took hi s hel met off a nd l i s tened to Ati ns brea thi ng wi th hi s ea r pres s ed to hi s ches t.
Ow.
Shut up a nd brea the.
Ati n took s ha l l ow brea ths , wi nci ng. Fi s tra i ghtened up a nd nodded. Ca nt hea r a ny pneumothora x, he s a i d. But l ets keep a n eye on hi m.
The a i r tra pped i ns i de ca n bui l d up. Mi ght be fra ctured ri bs , mi ght jus t be a ba d brui s e. He took out a ca ni s ter of ba cta a nd s pra yed the
ra pi dl y devel opi ng brui s e. Ati n l i fted hi s a rms s l i ghtl y a s i f tes ti ng them.
Fi s ea l ed the bodys ui t a nd a rmor ba ck i n pl a ce.
Il l ta ke your pa ck, Ni ner s a i d, a nd uncl i pped i t. It wa s the l ea s t he coul d do. I thi nk we ca n s ki p RV Beta now. Lets l ea ve s ome s ouveni rs
a round there s o Da rma n ca n s pot them i f he s hows up. You never know i f more ti nni es wi l l fol l ow. Theyre not ori gi na l thi nkers .
They proba bl y ha d a few mi nutes , even i f a ny of the droi ds ha d ma na ged to ca l l i n to ba s e. Fi s pri nted off through the trees wi th a few
pi eces of debri s to l ea ve them a t the RV poi nt. Ni ner s ea rched the rema i ns of the Aqua l i s h offi cer a nd took everythi ng tha t l ooked l i ke a key, a
da ta medi um, or proof of ID. Then he dra gged Ati ns pa ck behi nd hi m on a webbi ng s tra p, hea di ng for the pl a ce theyd l eft the entry
equi pment.
It wa s goi ng to be a tough s l og to RV Ga mma , a t l ea s t unti l Ati n coul d ca rry hi s pa ck a ga i n.
The whol e enga gement ha d l a s ted fi ve mi nutes a nd ei ght s econds , fi rs t s hot to l a s t, i ncl udi ng runni ng ti me. He ha d no i dea i f i t ha d been
one s econd or ha l f a n hour. Funny thi ng, ti me percepti on under fi re. Ni ners boots crunched over droi d s hra pnel a nd he wondered how l ong a
fi refi ght fel t to a droi d.
Is tha t how they s ee us ? Ni ner a s ked. Ordi na ry peopl e, tha t i s . Li ke droi ds ?
No, Ati n s a i d. We dont ha ve a ny s cra p va l ue. He l a ughed a nd s topped s hort wi th a s ma l l ga s p. It mus t ha ve hurt hi m. Im goi ng to s l ow
you down.
Dont go ga l l a nt on me. Youre comi ng the res t of the wa y beca us e Im not l uggi ng a l l tha t gea r a round wi th Fi . I wa nt a brea k s ometi me.
Oka y.
And tha nks . I owe you.
No. You dont.
Tha nks a nywa y. Wa nt to expl a i n why youve been Da rma n?
Ati n wa s hol di ng hi s ri fl e ca reful l y, a ha nds pa n cl ea r of hi s ches t. Ive been the l a s t ma n l eft s ta ndi ng i n two s qua ds now.
Oh. Si l ence. Ni ner prompted: Wa nt to tel l me how?
Fi rs t s qua d tri ed to res cue me on a l i ve ra nge exerci s e. I di dnt need res cui ng. Not tha t ba dl y, a nywa y.
Ah. Ni ner fel t i ns ta ntl y a ppa l l ed a t hi ms el f for thi nki ng Ati n di dnt ca re wha t ha ppened to Da rma n. He wa s jus t ca ri ng too much. My
tra i ni ng s ergea nt s a i d there wa s s omethi ng ca l l ed s urvi vors gui l t. He a l s o s a i d tha t i n thos e ca s es , ha vi ng you s urvi ve wa s wha t your s qua d
wa nted.
They bred a l ot of s tuff out of us . Why not tha t a s wel l ?
Ni ner s topped dra ggi ng Ati ns pa ck a nd s l ung hi s ri fl e over hi s s houl der. He l i fted the pa ck a nd wa s gl a d to ca rry i t.
If they ha d, I mi ght not be here now, he s a i d, a nd knew Da rma n woul d be wa i ti ng for them tomorrow.
Ghez Hoka n s urveyed the s cra p hea p tha t ha d been a functi oni ng droi d pl a toon a few hours ea rl i er. Wha tever ha d hi t them ha d hi t fa s t a nd
ha rd. Andjudgi ng by the preci s el y pl a ced s ni per s hot a nd the bl a s t pa ttern of onl y two grena des they ha d been ta ken out by experts .
It mi ght ha ve been one ma n or i t mi ght ha ve been a pl a toon. You typi ca l l y coul dnt a mbus h ba ttl e droi ds l i ke tha t wi th a ha ndful of men, but
tha t depended enti rel y on who the men were. It wa s a s ha me the ca pta i n ha dnt ca l l ed ba ck wi th a s i trep a s i ns tructed: i f he ha dnt been
ki l l ed, Hoka n woul d ha ve ha d hi m s hot for di s obeyi ng opera ti ona l procedure. He s tudi ed the droi d es cort l i ned up nea tl y by the s peeder bi kes
a nd wondered i f they fel t a nythi ng when they s a w di s ma ntl ed comra des .
Theres no s i gn of a ca mp, s i r. Li eutena nt Cuvi n ca me joggi ng ba ck from the woods oppos i te the cl ea ri ng. It wa s curi ous to s ee the
Umba ra ns dea thl y pa l l or ti nged pi nk by the exerti on. Some broken bra nches a t knee hei ght a nd crus hed gra s s from troops fi ri ng prone, but I
hones tl y ca nt tel l how ma ny men were dea l i ng wi th.
You ca nt tel l much, ca n you, Li eutena nt? Hoka n s a i d.
Si r, Il l check a ga i n. He wa s whi te-fa ced now, whi te even for a n Umba ra n.
Si r! Si r! Second Li eutena nt Hura ti wa s enthus i a s ti c, no doubt keen to be el eva ted to Cuvi ns ra nk. He sprinted to hi s comma nder, a n a tti tude
Hoka n a ppreci a ted. Ive found the mos t extra ordi na ry thi ng.
Im gl a d one of you ha s found s omethi ng. Wha t i s i t?
A pi l e of droi d pa rts , s i r.
And thi s i s extra ordi na ry beca us e ?
No, s i r, theyre s ome wa y from here a nd theyre s ort of arranged, s i r.
Hoka n s trode off for the s peeder. Show me.
The trees ha d been cut down a few da ys ea rl i er beca us e there wa s a l rea dy kl ol fungus growi ng on them i n a pa l e-pi nk mes h. One broa d
s tumpthe fl a ttes t one, a l mos t l i ke a n a l ta rs upported the rema i ns of a droi d.
The torn pi eces of i ts trunk were l a i d fl a t. The a rms were nea tl y a rra nged on one s i de of the thora x a nd the l egs on the other. Pa rt of the
fa cepl a te wa s propped up a s i f l ooki ng s kywa rd.
Tha ts how the droi d pi l ot wa s l eft, too, s i r. Hura ti was a good ma n. Hed obvi ous l y s tudi ed the report the mi l i ti a ha d fi l ed, however
a ppa l l i ngl y i na dequa te i ts pres enta ti on ha d been. I thi nk i ts a s i gn.

It wa s a l ong wa y to move a dea d droi d from a ba ttl e. There were no dra g ma rks l ea di ng to the s tump. It wa s a hea vy l oa d to ca rry on foot;
they mi ght even ha ve a tra ns port, a l though he coul d s ee no s i gns tha t a repul s orl i ft ha d pa s s ed over the ground. Hoka n s ta red a t the ri tua l l y
a rra nged debri s a nd tri ed to thi nk who woul d wa nt to s end the Sepa ra ti s ts a mes s a gea nd wha t i t mi ght mea n.
Its a trophy, Hoka n s a i d. Theyre ta unti ng us . Theyre s howi ng how ea s y thi s i s for them.
Tha t ma de hi m a ngry. He wa s Ma nda l ori a n. Bei ng a n ea s y enemy wa s nt hi s wa y. A curfew, Hura ti . Decl a re a perma nent curfew on a l l
powered vehi cl es unti l further noti ce. Anythi ng movi ng under power i s ei ther ours or the enemy. We ca n tra ck a l l fri endl y tra ns ports . He
pa us ed. You ha ve ma de s ure a l l our vehi cl es ha ve thei r own tra ns ponders , ha vent you?
Yes s i r.
Why the del a y, then?
Its i ts ha rves t, s i r. How wi l l the fa rmers get thei r produce to Tekl et for s hi ppi ng?
I i ma gi ne they ha ve ha ndca rts , Hoka n s a i d. He s wung hi s l eg over the s peeders s a ddl e. Ankki t wi l l ha ve to fi nd a n a l terna ti ve mea ns of
conveya nce for hi s crops .
Hoka n pondered on the ca reful l y a rra nged droi d debri s a l l the wa y ba ck to hi s new hea dqua rters i n Ankki ts vi l l a . He fea red tha t movi ng i nto
tha t vul ga r Hutt bordel l o of a hous e woul d ma ke hi m s oft a nd deca dent, too, s o he s et up hi s offi ce i n a n outbui l di ng. He di dnt ca re for fa ncy
dra pery a nd us el es s orna ments . It jus t ha ppened to be conveni ent for the res ea rch fa ci l i ty, a nd cl os e to hi s troops .
So who ha d the Republ i c s ent to ta rget Utha ns project? They were cl ea rl y bol d men; fi rs t they ma de s port of a n a eri a l pa trol , now a droi d
pl a toon a nd i ts ca pta i n. They s eemed to be choos i ng thei r ta rgets ca s ua l l y. The cl one a rmy mus t ha ve been terri bl y i mporta nt to the Republ i cs
s tra tegy for thes e troops to l a nd l i ke thi s . Where were the conventi ona l a rmi es ? Where were the Jedi genera l s ? When woul d they come?
Thi s wa s a new ki nd of wa r. He coul d feel i t.
He ha ted not knowi ng who wa s out there, prepa ri ng to fi ght hi m. If he ha dnt known the ma n wa s dea d, he woul d ha ve s worn i t wa s Ja ngo
Fett hi ms el f.

You know what makes you especially effective? Its not just that youre genetically superior and intensively trained. And its not just because you obey
orders without question. Its because youre a l l prepared to shoot to kill, every ti me. Only one percent of civilians are prepared to kill, and less than a quarter
of ordinary human soldiers, even under fire.
Sergea nt Ka l Ski ra ta , from hi s openi ng l ecture to comma ndos on mi l i ta ry ps ychol ogy

The droi d fi red a vol l ey of bol ts a t the s ea l ed a l l oy doors unti l they gl owed red. And s ti l l nothi ng ha ppened.
Stop!
The droi d a ppea red not to hea r.
Dr. Ovol ot Qa i l Utha n ra n down the fl i ght of s teps , red a nd bl a ck s tra nds of ha i r s trea mi ng out behi nd her. She wa s wea ri ng a vol umi nous
da rk bl ue ni ghtgown; i t l ooked a s expens i ve a s her da y wea r. Hoka n s a l uted her pol i tel y a nd went on wa tchi ng the droi ds progres s .
Ha ve you gone ma d? Utha n whi s pered fi ercel y. She di dnt s tri ke Hoka n a s the s ort of woma n who woul d need to ra i s e her voi ce to ma ke
her poi nt. Theres a biohazard behi nd tha t door.
I know, Hoka n s a i d. Jus t tes ti ng. Its a l l hol di ng up wel l i ndeed. Excel l ent s a fety bul khea ds .
Utha n took a di s creet but deep brea th a nd gl a nced bri efl y a t the ba cks of her ha nds . Thi s fa ci l i ty ha s been bui l t a nd tes ted to the hi ghes t
conta i nment s ta nda rds , Ma jor. You neednt worry.
But I do, Doctor. He wa tched the droi d pa ti entl y wa s ti ng bol t a fter bol t on the door for a whi l e. It pa us ed to s wa p power pa cks . Stop.
It s topped. Hoka n took out the l i ghts a ber he ha d ta ken from Ka s t Ful i er a nd ra n i ts pure bl ue l i ght down the s ea m between the two doors .
Smoke curl ed up from the s urfa ce, but no brea ch a ppea red. It woul d ta ke even a Jedi a l ong ti me to cut through thi s pl a ti ng.
Forgi ve my i ns i s tence, but coul d thi s not wa i t unti l the morni ng? Utha n a s ked. Im worki ng a round the chrono a s i t i s to wea poni ze thi s
a gent. I even s l eep here. I woul d prefer to be doi ng tha t ri ght now.
My a pol ogi es , Doctor, but we mi ght not ha ve the l uxury of ti me.
Wha ts ti me got to do wi th i t?
I thi nk I need to rel oca te you.
Utha n ha d a wa y of l oweri ng her hea d s l i ghtl y, then s tra i ghteni ng up a s i f s he were a kra yt dra gon. It wa s mos t i mpres s i ve. Thi s i s a hi ghri s k bi oha za rd fa ci l i ty. It ca nt be rel oca ted l i ke s ome tent.
I a ppreci a te the i nconveni ence i nvol ved. I s ti l l bel i eve i t woul d be s a fer i f you were to pa ck up your ma teri a l s a nd s ta ff a nd move
el s ewhere.
Why? You ha ve the s ecuri ty s i tua ti on under control .
I ha ve i t more under control tha n I di d, tha ts true, but enemy troops ha ve l a nded. I dont know thei r numbers , a nd I dont know wha t
ma tri el a nd a rma ments they ha ve a t thei r di s pos a l . Al l I knowa l l I thi nk I knowi s tha t thi s i s wha t theyve come for.
Thi s i s a fortres s . You ha ve a hundred droi ds a t your di s pos a l . Let them come. You ca n repel them.
Al l fortres s es ca n be brea ched i n ti me. I coul d gi ve you a l i s t of ci rcums ta nces under whi ch s omeone whos very res ourceful coul d get pa s t
thes e doors , but I wa nt you to trus t my judgment a nd a ccept wha t I s a y. Lets move you a nd your work to s omewhere l es s obvi ous unti l I ha ve a
more a ccura te a s s es s ment of the threa t.
Utha n l ooked compl etel y i mpa s s i ve, s ta ri ng s l i ghtl y pa s t Hoka n a s i f s he wa s ca l cul a ti ng s omethi ng.
I ca n remove the bi oma teri a l s a nd my s ta ff, s he s a i d a t l a s t. The equi pment ca n be repl a ced i f needed. I wont be a bl e to conti nue
worki ng wi thout a s a fe l a bora tory envi ronment, of cours e, but i f you bel i eve the project i s a t ri s k, then i dl e ti me i s a better opti on tha n wa s ti ng
three months work.
Wha t a s pl endi dl y s ens i bl e woma n s he wa s , a l mos t Ma nda l ori a n i n her di s ci pl i ne a nd dedi ca ti on. Hoka n us hered the droi d out. How
l ong? he a s ked.
Si x hours , perha ps .
Is thi s ma teri a l tha t da ngerous ?
She ti l ted her hea d s l i ghtl y. Onl y i f youre a cl one. If youre not, i t mi ght s i mpl y ma ke you unwel l .
It mus t be s tra nge to fi ght wi th wea pons you ca nt s ee.
Wa r i s a bout technol ogy, s he s a i d.
Hoka n s mi l ed pol i tel y a nd wa l ked ba ck out i nto the courtya rd to s ta nd i n the di m l i ght from the doorwa y. There wa s the fi rs t hi nt of chi l l on
the ni ght a i r; wi nter wa s comi ng, a nd the l a nds ca pe woul d be much ea s i er to pa trol when the l ea ves ha d fa l l en. When the s nows ca me, i t
woul d be even ea s i er. But he s us pected tha t thi s confl i ct wa s goi ng to be a ra pi d one. Intel l i gence reports were s ta rti ng to come i n tha t the
Republ i c wa s now fi ghti ng on hundreds of di fferent fronts . Hundreds.
Thei r new a rmy woul d ha ve to be mi l l i ons s trong to a chi eve tha t di s pers a l . So they were a l l cl ones . Sad travesties of the great Jango Fett.
Wel l , he knew one thi ng. The Republ i c woul dnt be s endi ng cl ones to dea l wi th thi s pa rti cul a r probl em. They ha d to know the Sepa ra ti s ts
a l rea dy ha d the one wea pon tha t coul d s top them i n thei r tra cks . And thi s ki nd of opera ti on wa s beyond the ca pa ci ty of the doci l e i nfa ntry
cl ones Utha n ha d des cri bed. Thi s wa s not a ga me of numbers .
Hoka n repl a ced hi s hel met a nd s ta rted vi s ua l i zi ng the res ea rch fa ci l i ty a s a tra p. So they wa nted to come a nd ta ke a l ook, di d they? Hed
ma ke them wel come.
Droi ds , form up. Two ra nks a cros s thi s entra nce.
The droi ds moved a s one, even i n the da rknes s , a nd Hoka n a ga i n a dmi red thei r preci s i on. Now they were a roa d s i gn poi nti ng the wa y to the
ta rget, confi rmi ng wha t the Republ i c thought i t knew. But theyd be wrong. Theyd be s endi ng thei r bes t men to a decoy.
War is about technology.

No, Hoka n s a i d a l oud. The droi ds s na pped to a ttenti on. Wa r i s nt even a bout fi repower. He ta pped hi s templ e. Its a bout a ppl yi ng your
bra i ns . Then he touched hi s ches t. And i ts a bout coura ge.
He di dnt expect the droi ds to unders ta nd tha t. Cl ones proba bl y di dnt unders ta nd i t, ei ther.
The s tra w s ta nk of s omethi ng a wful , but Da rma n wa s too exha us ted to ca re. It l ooked l i ke i t mi ght be s oft enough to s i nk i nto. Tha t wa s
good enough for hi m.
But fi rs t he wa l ked a round the wa l l s of the ba rn a nd checked for a n exi t i f he needed one i n a n emergency. There were s evera l l oos e boa rds
i n one wa l l tha t woul d do fi ne. The ri ckety bui l di ng l ooked a s i f he coul d a ctua l l y punch a n es ca pe hol e through a ny fra gi l e pl a nk he chos e.
Rea s s ured, he dropped everythi ng he wa s ca rryi ng a nd tri ed to s i t on the ba l es , but i t turned i nto more of a n uncontrol l ed s l ump. He di dnt
even ta ke hi s hel met off. He s a t ba ck a nd l et out a brea th.
The Pa da wa n comma nder l ea ned over hi m. Are you a l l ri ght, Da rma n? She hel d her ha nd out, pa l m down over hi m, a s i f s he wa s goi ng to
touch hi m but di dnt.
Im fi t to fi ght, Comma nder. He s ta rted to s i t up, a nd s he hel d her ha nd i n a s l i ghtl y di fferent ges ture tha t cl ea rl y mea nt Stay where you are.
I di dnt a s k tha t, s he s a i d. I ca n feel youre i n s ome di s tres s . Tel l me.
It wa s a n order. It ca me from a Jedi . I i njured my l eg when I l a nded. Apa rt from tha t Im jus t ti red a nd a bi t hungry. Bit hungry? He wa s
ra venous . Nothi ng a t a l l , Comma nder.
La nded?
I free-fel l from a ves s el .
Wi th a l l tha t equi pment?
Yes ma a m.
You a s tound me. He coul dnt tel l i f tha t wa s good or ba d. Two thi ngs , though. Pl ea s e dont ca l l me Padawan or CommanderI dont wa nt to
be recogni zed a s a Jedi . And Id ra ther be ca l l ed Eta i n tha n maam. She pa us ed, no doubt thi nki ng of s ome other fa i l ure on hi s pa rt. And
pl ea s e ta ke your hel met off. Its ra ther di s turbi ng.
So fa r Da rma n ha d met three Jedi a nd they a l l s eemed to fi nd hi m di s tra cti ng i n s ome wa y, wi th or wi thout hi s hel met. Al l hi s l i fe he ha d
been ta ught tha t he a nd hi s brothers were crea ted for the Jedi , to hel p them fi ght thei r enemi es ; hed expected s ome recogni ti on of tha t bond,
or a t l ea s t a n expres s i on of s a ti s fa cti on. He removed hi s hel met a nd s a t feel i ng confus ed, torn between the a bs ol ute cl a ri ty of hi s mi l i ta ry
experti s e, a nd the confus i on of dea l i ng wi th the ci vi l i a n worl d he ha d been thrus t i nto for the fi rs t ti me.
The Pa da wa nno, Etain, s hed ma de her orders cl ea rtook a s ma l l s phere out of her cl oa k a nd opened i t i n both ha nds . La yer a fter l a yer of
hol ogra phi c i ma ges s pi l l ed out of i t, s ta cki ng nea tl y l i ke pl a tes .
Pl a ns , s he s a i d. Her voi ce ha d cha nged compl etel y. She ra di a ted rel i ef. Pl a ns of a l l the Sepa ra ti s t a nd Nei moi di a n bui l di ngs i n thi s
regi on. Fl oor pl a ns , uti l i ty l a youts , wi ri ng di a gra ms , dra i na ge, ducts , s peci fi cs on ma teri a l s us edevery deta i l of how the contra ctors bui l t
them. Thi s i s wha t you need, i s nt i t? Wha t you a re l ooki ng for?
Da rma n wa s nt ti red a nymore. He rea ched out a nd broke the bea m of the projecti on, fl i ppi ng a pl a n verti ca l l y s o he coul d rea d i t. He l ooked
through them a l l a nd hea rd hi ms el f l et out a n i nvol unta ry brea th.
Eta i n wa s ri ght. It wa s nea rl y every bi t of i ntel l i gence they needed, a pa rt from more fl ui d deta i l s s uch a s pers onnel numbers a nd routi nes .
Wi th thes e pl a ns they knew how to cut power to the bui l di ngs , where to i ns ert nerve a gents i nto a i r ducts or wa ter s uppl i es , a nd exa ctl y wha t
they woul d s ee a nd where they woul d ha ve to go when they ga i ned entry. The pl a ns s howed the cons tructi on of wa l l s , doors , bul khea ds , a nd
wi ndows , s o they knew preci s el y wha t s i ze of cha rge or type of ra m woul d be needed to brea ch them. Thi s wa s a s et of cl ea r i ns tructi ons for
a chi evi ng thei r objecti ve.
But Eta i n di dnt s eem to know tha t objecti ve. Wha t a re you goi ng to do wi th thi s ? s he a s ked.
Weve come to a bduct Ovol ot Qa i l Utha n a nd des troy her res ea rch fa ci l i ty, Da rma n s a i d. Shes devel opi ng a na novi rus i ntended to ki l l
cl ones .
Eta i n l ea ned cl os er. Cl ones ?
Im a cl one. The whol e Gra nd Army i s compos ed of cl ones , mi l l i ons of us , a l l comma nded by Jedi genera l s .
Her fa ce wa s a s tudy i n bl a nk s urpri s e. It wa s a l s o fa s ci na ti ng i n a wa y he coul dnt defi ne. He ha d never s een a huma n fema l e thi s cl os e,
thi s real. He wa s a s toni s hed by the da ppl i ng of s ma l l brown dots a cros s the bri dge of her nos e a nd her cheeks , a nd the di fferent s tra nds of
col ors i n her l ong, unkempt ha i rl i ght browns , gol ds , even reds . And s he wa s a s thi n a s the l oca l s . He coul d s ee bl ue vei ns i n the ba cks of her
ha nds , a nd s he s mel l ed di fferent from a nyone hed ever s ha red s pa ce wi th. He wa s nt s ure i f s he wa s pretty or downri ght ugl y. He jus t knew
s he wa s utterl y a l i en a nd utterl y fa s ci na ti ng, a s a l i en a s a gda n or a Gurl a ni n. It wa s a l mos t s toppi ng hi m from concentra ti ng on the job.
Al l l i ke you? s he s a i d a t l a s t, bl i nki ng ra pi dl y. She s eemed uns ettl ed by hi s s cruti ny. Wha t ha ve I s a i d?
No ma a ms orry, Etain. Im a comma ndo. Were tra i ned di fferentl y. Some peopl e s a y tha t were eccentric. I rea l i ze you ha vent recei ved
much by wa y of i ntel l i gence.
Al l I knewa l l my Ma s ter woul d tel l mewa s tha t Utha n wa s here a nd tha t the pl a ns were cri ti ca l to the Republ i cs s a fety. Cl ones di dnt
come i nto the convers a ti on. She wa s s ta ri ng a t hi m jus t a s Jus i k ha d. Theres a n ol d woma n who tol d me you were comi ng, but s he di dnt tel l
me much el s e. How ma ny of there a re you on Qi i l ura now?
Four.
Four? You s a i d there were mi l l i ons of you! Wha t us e i s four goi ng to be?
Were comma ndos . Speci a l forces . You unders ta nd tha t term?
Obvi ous l y not. How a re four ten-yea r-ol ds goi ng to s torm Utha ns compl ex?
It took hi m a few moments to rea l i ze s he wa s bei ng s a rca s ti c. We fi ght di fferentl y.
Youre goi ng to ha ve to be very di fferent i ndeed, Da rma n. She l ooked a bs ol utel y crus hed, a s i f hed l et her down s i mpl y by s howi ng up.
Are you rea l l y ten yea rs ol d?
Yes . Our growth i s a ccel era ted.
How ca n we pos s i bl y tra i n competent s ol di ers i n tha t ti me?
Its very i ntens i ve tra i ni ng. He wa s fi ndi ng i t ha rd not to s a y maam ea ch ti me. They crea ted us from the bes t geneti c s tock. From Ja ngo

Fett.
Eta i n ra i s ed her eyebrows , but s a i d nothi ng el s e. Then s he s tood up, rea ched for a ba s ket ba l a nced on a l ow bea m, a nd ha nded i t to hi m. It
wa s ful l of odd round i tems tha t s mel l ed edi bl e, but he thought hed check a nywa y.
Is thi s food?
Yes . The l oca l brea d a nd s ome s ort of s tea med ca ke. Nothi ng exci ti ng, but i tl l fi l l you up.
Da rma n bi t i nto a l ump tha t yi el ded s l i ghtl y i n hi s fi ngers . It wa s gl ori ous . It wa s s trongl y fl a vored a nd chewy a nd a mong the mos t s a ti s fyi ng
mea l s he ha d ever ea ten: not qui te on the s ca l e of uj ca ke, but s o fa r from the odorl es s , ta s tel es s , texturel es s fi el d ra ti ons tha t i t mi ght wel l
ha ve been.
Eta i n wa tched hi m ca reful l y. You must be s ta rvi ng.
Its wonderful .
Tha t does nt s a y much for a rmy food.
Da rma n rea ched i nto hi s bel t a nd pul l ed out a dry ra ti on cube. Try thi s .
She s ni ffed i t a nd bi t i nto i t. The expres s i on of va gue di s bel i ef on her fa ce cha nged s l owl y i nto one of revul s i on. Its a ppa l l i ng. Theres
nothi ng i n i t.
Its the perfect nutri ti ona l profi l e for our requi rements . It ha s no s mel l , s o the enemy ca nt detect i t, a nd no fi ber, s o we excrete mi ni ma l
wa s te products tha t woul d ena bl e us to be tra cked, a nd
I get the i dea . Is tha t how they trea t you? Li ke fa rm a ni ma l s ?
We dont go hungry.
Wha t do you l i ke doi ng?
He rea l l y di dnt know wha t a ns wer s he wa s a fter. Im a good s hot. I l i ke the DC-s eventeen
I mea nt i n your free ti me. Do you get free ti me?
We s tudy.
No fa mi l y, of cours e, s he s a i d.
Yes , Ive got s qua d brothers .
I mea nt She checked hers el f. No, I unders ta nd. She pus hed the ba s ket of brea d cl os er to hi m. My l i fe ha s nt been tha t much di fferent
from yours , except the food wa s better. Go on. You ca n fi ni s h the whol e l ot i f you wa nt.
And he di d. He tri ed not to wa tch whi l e Eta i n wrung wa ter from her robe a nd s hook out her boots . She ma de hi m feel uncomforta bl e but he
di dnt know why, a pa rt from the fa ct tha t s he wa s nt qui te the Jedi comma nder he ha d been s o thoroughl y tra i ned to expect.
The onl y fema l es he coul d reca l l were Ka mi noa n medi ca l techni ci a ns whos e qui etl y i mpers ona l tones i nti mi da ted hi m more tha n a yel l i ng
dri l l s ergea nt. And hi s pl a toon ha d once experi enced a n unpl ea s a ntl y memora bl e l ecture i n encrypti on techni ques from a fema l e Sul l us ta n.
He fea red fema l es . Now he fea red hi s Jedi offi cer a nd wa s a l s o a gi ta ted by her i n a wa y tha t he di dnt even ha ve a word for. It di dnt feel
acceptable.
We need to move on, he s a i d. I ha ve to ma ke the RV poi nt. Ive been out of comm conta ct wi th my s qua d for nea rl y two da ys , a nd I dont
even know i f theyre a l i ve.
Thi s gets wors e by the s econd, s he s a i d wea ri l y. Fi rs t we ha ve four. Now we mi ght be down to one.
Two. Unl es s you ha ve other duti es .
Youve s een me fi ght.
Youre a Jedi . A comma nder.
Tha ts a ti tl e, not a n a s s es s ment of my a bi l i ty. Im not exa ctl y the bes t of the bes t.
You mus t be. I know wha t Jedi ca n do. Nobody ca n defea t you a s l ong a s you ha ve the Force.
She ga ve hi m a very odd s mi l e a nd pi cked up the hol ocha rt s phere. She s eemed to be s truggl i ng to fi nd her threa d a ga i n. She s wa l l owed a
few ti mes . Show me where your RV poi nt i s tha ts ri ght, i s nt i t? RV? Show me where i t i s on thi s cha rt.
Da rma n took out hi s da ta pa d a nd l i nked hi s mi s s i on cha rts wi th the i ma ge projected from the s phere. He poi nted to the coordi na tes .
Its here, he s a i d. Before we s et out on exerci s es or mi s s i ons , we a gree where wel l meet up i f a nythi ng goes wrong. We ha d to ba i l out
when our tra ns port cra s hed, s o were s ca ttered, a nd the procedure i s tha t we go to a n RV poi nt for a s et ti me wi ndow.
He zoomed i n on the a rea northwes t of Imbra a ni . Eta i n ti l ted her hea d to fol l ow.
Wha ts thi s ? s he a s ked.
Pri ma ry ta rget. Utha ns fa ci l i ty.
No, i ts not.
Intel s a i d
No, tha ts the Sepa ra ti s t ba s e. Thei r ga rri s on. Her eyes da rted ba ck a nd forth, s ca nni ng the cha rt. She poi nted. This group of bui l di ngs i s
the fa ci l i ty. You ca n s ee. Look. She s uperi mpos ed the fl oor pl a ns of the fa ci l i ty wi th the l a yout of the fa rm bui l di ngs a nd s hra nk the i ma ge to
fi t. They l i ned up perfectl y.
Da rma ns s toma ch knotted. My s qua d wi l l be hea di ng for the Sepa ra ti s ts , then.
Wed better ma ke s ure we i ntercept them, Eta i n s a i d. Or theyl l run s ma ck-ba ng i nto a hundred droi ds .
Da rma n wa s s uddenl y on hi s feet i n one move, even before hed rea l i zed tha t hed hea rd s omeone comi ng.
I dont thi nk s o, a woma ns voi ce s a i d. Beca us e the droi ds a re a l l hea di ng for Imbra a ni .
Da rma ns s i dea rm wa s out of hi s bel t a nd a i med before Eta i n coul d even turn her hea d.

There is something very touching about them. They look like soldiers; they fight like soldiers; and sometimes they even talk like soldiers. They have all the
finest qualities of the fighting man. But behind that is nothingno love, no family, no happy memory that comes from having truly lived. When I see one of
these men killed, I weep more for him than for any ordinary soldier who has lived a full and normal life.
Jedi Genera l Ki -Adi -Mundi

Da rma n ha d fl a ttened Ji na rts fa ce a ga i ns t the wa l l a nd put hi s bl a s ter to her hea d i n the ti me i t took Eta i n to jump to her feet.
Stea dy there, boy, Ji na rt s a i d qui etl y. I mea n you no ha rm.
He ha d her pi nned s ecurel y. The expres s i on on hi s ea rnes t fa ce wa s enti rel y beni gn, s o fa r di vorced from the potenti a l vi ol ence he wa s
rea dy to mete out tha t Eta i n s huddered.
Let her go, Da rma n, s he s a i d. Shes a fel l ow Jedi .
Da rma n s tood ba ck i ns ta ntl y a nd l et Ji na rt go.
Im not a Jedi , I tel l you, Ji na rt s a i d i rri ta bl y. She l ooked up i nto Da rma ns fa ce. So youd s hoot a n ol d woma n, woul d you?
Yes ma a m, Da rma n s a i d. Eta i n s ta red, horri fi ed. Threa ts come i n a l l gui s es . Not a l l s ol di ers a re young ma l es , a nd not a l l s ol di ers wea r
uni forms .
Eta i n wa i ted for Ji na rt to a i m a ki ck a t hi s groi n, but the ol d woma n broke i nto a s a ti s fi ed gri n. Theres a s ens i bl e boy, s he s a i d. Youl l do
wel l . Trus t thi s one, Eta i n. Hes very good a t hi s job. She peered a t the bl a s ter, s ti l l fi rml y i n hi s gri p. DC-s eventeen, I s ee.
There a re four of them, Eta i n s a i d, expecti ng Ji na rt to rea ct wi th the s a me di s a ppoi ntment s he ha d.
I know. The woma n ha nded Eta i n a bundl e of ra gs . A compl ete s qua d of cl one comma ndos . Here, dry cl othi ng. Nothi ng chi c, but a t l ea s t
i ts cl ea n. Yes , I know a l l a bout them. Ive been tra cki ng the other three.
Theyre oka y? Da rma n wa s a l l a nxi ety a ga i n, s ti l l emi tti ng tha t s a me s ens e of child tha t Eta i n found ha rd to bea r. Ive got to rejoi n them.
Where a re they?
Hea di ng north.
To RV Ga mma .
Wha tever you s a y, l a d. Youve a l l l ed me on s omethi ng of a da nce. Youre a cha l l enge to tra ck.
Tha ts how they tra i ned us , ma a m.
I know.
Ji na rt wa s s ti l l s ta ri ng a t Da rma ns fa ce. You rea l l y are a perfect copy of Fett, a rent you? In hi s pri me, of cours e. Her voi ce ha d become
l ower, wi th l es s of the hoa rs e cra cki ng typi ca l of the very ol d, a nd Eta i n wondered i f thi s wa s the moment a t whi ch s he woul d revea l tha t s he
wa s a Si th. The Pa da wa n s l i d her ha nd s l owl y i nto her s odden cl oa k.
Ji na rt s uddenl y beca me bl a ck a s Corus ca nt ma rbl e, a nd then devoi d of texture a nd ha i r a nd fa bri c a nd wri nkl es , a s i f s he were wa x poured
i nto a crude mol d. Her form bega n fl owi ng.
Da rma ns i ncongruous l y i nnocent fa ce broke i nto s omethi ng l i ke a fa mi l i a r s mi l e. Eta i n wa s rea dy thi s ti me. She wa s focus ed; s he
vi s ua l i zed the l i ghts a ber a s pa rt of her a rm. She wa s prepa red to fi ght.
Youre the Gurl a ni n, Da rma n s a i d. We werent tol d you were on thi s mi s s i on. How di d you ma na ge tha t?
Im not Va l a qi l , s a i d a s oothi ng l i qui d voi ce. Im hi s cons ort. Ji na rt, now a four-l egged, bl a ck-furred crea ture, s a t up on her ha unches a nd
s eemed to s i mpl y extend upwa rd l i ke a col umn of mol ten meta l . Gi rl , you do l ook s urpri s ed.
Eta i n coul dnt a rgue wi th tha t. Even i f youd encountered the ful l di vers i ty of nonhuma n s peci es a nd s he certa i nl y ha d, even wi thi n her own
Jedi cl a ns eei ng a s ha pes hi fter meta morphos e before your eyes wa s mes meri zi ng. On top of tha t, even thi s na ve cl one s ol di er knew wha t
thi s crea ture wa s . She di dnt.
Youre qui te a revel a ti on, Ji na rt. But why ca n I s ens e s omethi ng a bout you tha t feel s l i ke the Force?
Were tel epa ths , the Gurl a ni n s a i d.
Oh
No, Im not del vi ng i nto your mi nd. It does nt work l i ke tha t. We communi ca te onl y wi th ea ch other.
But I hea rd your voi ce tha t ni ght, i n my mi nd.
I wa s s ta ndi ng nea r you, a ctua l l y. Not i n a ny s ha pe youd noti ce, of cours e.
And me, ma a m? Da rma n a s ked, s eemi ng tota l l y a bs orbed by the convers a ti on.
Yes , I tol d you to get s ome s l eep. I ma ke a convi nci ng fa l l en tree, dont I? Ji na rt fl owed a nd cha nged a nd rea s s embl ed hers el f i nto the
epi tome of a crone a ga i n. I know, s tereotypi ca l , but effecti ve. Ol d women a re i nvi s i bl e. Li ke you, Da rma n, we go where others wont a nd do
wha t others ca nt. The communi ca ti ons network here i s tota l l y control l ed by the Tra de Federa ti on, a nd i n pra cti ce tha t mea ns a s i ngl e rel a y
a nd moni tori ng ground s ta ti on a t Tekl et. And whi l e my ki nd ca nnot tra ns mi t deta i l s over i nters tel l a r di s ta nces , we can communi ca te broa d
i dea s a nd noti ons to ea ch other. My cons ort a nd I a re your coml i nk. Not perfect, but better tha n s i l ence.
The Gurl a ni n ma de a l i qui d s ound l i ke wa ter boi l i ng. Ive s pent the l a s t two da ys runni ng mys el f ra gged to ga ther thi s i ntel l i gence, a nd i ts
a s much for thi s young ma n a s i t i s for you. Ghez Hoka n now ha s comma nd of the a rmed forces here, s uch a s they a re, a nd hes no fool he
rea l i zes Republ i c troops a re here for Utha ns box of tri cks . Da rma n, hes tra cki ng your comra des .
Were pretty good a t eva s i on.
Yes , but they do tend to l ea ve bodi es a nd pa rts behi nd them. He a dmi ts he does nt know how ma ny of you there a re, a nd tha t troubl es
hi m.
Youre pri vy to hi s concerns , then? Eta i n s a i d. She trus ted nobody now. She s ti l l di dnt know who ha d betra yed Ma s ter Ful i er, a nd unti l s he
di d s he woul d keep a n open a nd ca uti ous mi nd. Al though her Ma s ter ha dnt tol d her a bout the cl ones , he mus t ha ve known i f he ha d

di s covered Utha ns a cti vi ti es . But he ha dnt trus ted her. For a l l hi s ki nd words , when i t ca me down to i t he s i mpl y confi rmedeven from the
gra vetha t s he wa s not fi t to become a Jedi Kni ght.
I know Hoka ns concerns beca us e I ca n ma ke a very convi nci ng ol d ma n a s wel l a s a n excel l ent gra ndmother, Ji na rt s a i d. The repl y ma de
no s ens e. Il l ca tch up wi th Da rma ns comra des a nd try to di rect them to s omewhere s a fe. They ha ve no rel i a bl e intel, a s you ca l l i t, a fi ni te
a mount of ordna nce, a nd no a dva nta ge of s urpri s e a ny l onger. Hoka n knows wha t you ha ve come to do a nd he ha s enough fi repower a nd
droi ds to s top you. Tha t ma kes your mi s s i on next to i mpos s i bl e wi thout s ome cha nge of pl a n or i nterventi on.
Da rma n cons i dered her ca reful l y. Ji na rts news ha dnt dented tha t ta ngi bl e confi dence: Eta i n s a w not a fl i cker on hi s fa ce. It coul d be
wors e. I qui te l i ked the s ound of a s i ngl e tra ns mi tter.
Mi ght I a l s o a dd tha t the l oca l s wi l l turn you i n for one cha nce to get di s gus ti ngl y drunk.
Da rma n l ooked a t Eta i n. She s qui rmed. Out of i dea s , s ol di er? s he a s ked.
I a wa i t your orders , Comma nder.
It wa s the fi na l s tra w. Weeks of fea r, hunger, a nd fa ti gue on top of yea rs of doubt a nd di s i l l us i on s uddenl y brought Eta i ns fra gi l e edi fi ce
cra s hi ng down. She ha d done a l l s he coul d do, a nd there wa s nothi ng l eft i n her to gi ve.
Stop i t, s top ca l l i ng me Commander. She fel t her na i l s di g i nto her pa l ms . I a m not your bl a s ted comma nder. I ha vent a cl ue wha t to do
next. Youre on your own, Da rma n. Youre the s ol di er. You come up wi th a pl a n.
Ji na rt s a i d nothi ng. Eta i n fel t her fa ce burn. She ha d l os t a l l di gni ty. A l i feti me of ca reful tra i ni ng i n the a rt of control a nd contempl a ti on ha d
come to nothi ng.
Da rma n cha nged before her eyes . He tra ns formed not i n the phys i ca l s ens e tha t the Gurl a ni n ha d, but the cha nge wa s jus t a s s ta rtl i ng
beca us e the s ens e of the chi l d tha t Eta i n detected s o cl ea rl y s i mpl y eva pora ted. Its pl a ce wa s ta ken by ca l m res i gna ti on a nd s omethi ng el s e,
a ra ther forl orn feel i ng. She coul dnt pi n i t down.
Yes ma a m, he s a i d. Il l do tha t ri ght a wa y.
Ji na rt jerked her hea d i n the di recti on of the door. Get s ome a i r, Da rma nI need to ta l k to Commander Tur-Muka n.
Da rma n hes i ta ted for a moment a nd then s l i pped outs i de. Ji na rt rounded on Eta i n.
Li s ten to me, gi rl , s he whi s pered, a l l ha rs h s i bi l a nts . Dropl ets of fi ne s a l i va gl i ttered bri efl y i n the di m l i ght. Tha t s ol di er ma y thi nk a
Jedi s every word i s a di vi ne pronouncement, but I dont. Youd better s ha rpen up fast. The comma ndos a nd I a re a l l tha t s ta nds between
ma i nta i ni ng s ome ki nd of order i n the ga l a xy a nd i ts fra gmenta ti on, beca us e i f the cl one a rmy ca n be wi ped out, then the Sepa ra ti s ts wi l l win.
You ca n ei ther hel p us or s ta nd a s i de, but you wi l l not be a n obs ta cl e, a nd tha ts wha t you a re i f you ca nt l ea d thos e men. Theyve been
bred to obey Jedi wi thout ques ti on. Sa dl y, i n thi s ca s e tha t mea ns you.
Eta i n wa s us ed to feel i ng worthl es s . There wa s no l ower pl a ce tha t Ji na rt coul d ca s t her. I di dnt a s k for tha t res pons i bi l i ty.
And nei ther di d Da rma n. Ji na rt fl a s hed ba ck i nto a ma s s of s eethi ng bl a ck s i news for a terri fyi ng s econd. Tha ts the na ture of duty. It ca l l s
a nd you gi ve your a l l . He wi l l . So wi l l hi s comra des , every s i ngl e one of them. They need you to hel p them do thei r job.
Im s ti l l l ea rni ng how.
Then l ea rn fa s t. If thos e s ol di ers werent condi ti oned to obey you Id cons i der cutti ng you down now a nd ha ve done wi th i t. My ki nd ha ve
nothi ng to tha nk Jedi for, nothi ng a t a l l . But we s ha re a common enemy, a nd I wa nt to s ee Va l a qi l a ga i n. Thi nk yours el f l ucky.
Ji na rt s wept out. Eta i n s a nk down on her knees i n the ha y a nd wondered how s he ha d come to thi s . The ba rn door crea ked open s l owl y, a nd
Da rma n peered a round.
Dont mi nd me, s he s a i d.
You oka y, ma a m? He wi nced vi s i bl y. Apol ogi es . Etain.
You proba bl y thi nk Im us el es s a s wel l , dont you?
I ca me up wi th a pl a n, a s you ordered.
Bred for di pl oma cy, too, eh?
If Hoka n ha s s et the fa ci l i ty a s a decoy, then we need hi m to thi nk tha t we bel i eve i ts s ti l l the genui ne ta rget. So we s pl i t
Il l ta ke tha t a s a yes .
Da rma n l a ps ed i nto s i l ence.
Im s orry, s he s a i d. Ca rry on.
He knel t down, fa ci ng her, a nd s wept the fl oor cl ea r wi th hi s ha nd, crea ti ng a cl ea r s pa ce on whi ch to demons tra te s omethi ng. He rea ched
for s ome crus ts of brea d a nd a l ump of i ns ect-ea ten wood.
Wha t do you thi nk I a m? he a s ked qui etl y.
From wha t Ji na rt s a ys , a cl one s ol di er bred to obey. She wa tched hi m brea k the wood a nd the crus ts i nto s epa ra te chunks a nd pl a ce them
i n a row l i ke ga me pi eces . No choi ce.
But I do ha ve a choi ce, he s a i d. A choi ce i n how I i nterpret your orders . Im i ntel l i gent. Ive s een Jedi fi ght, s o I know wha t youre ca pa bl e
of. Once youre expos ed to s i tua ti ons tha t ca l l on your s ki l l s , youl l be the s a me.
He wa s a l l contra di cti ons . She wondered for a moment i f he wa s nt a cl one s ol di er a t a l l but a nother Gurl a ni n pl a yi ng s pi teful ga mes wi th
her. But s he coul d feel a combi na ti on of qui et des pera ti on a nd fa i th. Yes , faith.
He wa s the onl y pers on i n ma ny yea rs who ha d s hown a ny degree of confi dence i n her, a nd the fi rs t s i nce Ma s ter Ful i er who ha d s hown her
rea l ki ndnes s .
Very wel l , s he s a i d. Thi s i s your overri di ng order. Wha tever ha ppens , you a re to i ntervene i f a nythi ng I do or s a y compromi s es your
mi s s i on. No, dont l ook a t me l i ke tha t. She hel d up her ha nd to s ti fl e the protes t s he coul d s ee formi ng on hi s l i ps . Thi nk of me a s a
comma nder i n tra i ni ng. You mus t tra i n me. Tha t mi ght mea n s howi ng me the correct wa y to do thi ngs , or even s a vi ng me from my own l a ck
of experi ence. She coul d ha rdl y bri ng hers el f to s a y i t. And a nd tha ts a n order.
He a l mos t s mi l ed. Thi s i s why I ha ve confi dence i n obeyi ng a Jedi comma nder. Your wi s dom i s unequa l ed.
Eta i n ha d to thi nk a bout tha t for a few s econds . If Ji na rt ha d s a i d i t, s he woul d ha ve s eethed. Da rma n mea nt i t. And perha ps he mea nt i t i n a
number of wa ys .

Yes , he wa s i ntel l i gent a nd s ubtl e, not a droi d a t a l l . How di d a ten-yea r-ol d get tha t wa y? Di s turbed, s he concentra ted on the comfort of
bel i evi ng tha t he ha d s een thi ngs tha t s he never ha d, a nd s o knew bes t. Go on, s he s a i d. You ha d a pl a n.
RV Ga mma , l a yi ng-up poi nt, ni ghtfa l l
How do you feel now? Ni ner a s ked.
Ati n moved hi s a rms , bent a t the el bow i n a s wi mmi ng moti on, tes ti ng hi s pectora l mus cl es . Nea rl y good a s new. No brea thi ng probl ems ,
ei ther. No, jus t a ha rd s ma ck on the pl a te.
Fi s di s embodi ed voi ce s poke up i n thei r hel met coml i nks . He wa s tucked under a bus h on the edge of the ri dge, keepi ng wa tch on the tra ck
bel ow. Im s uch a good fi el d medi c. Wa i t ti l l you s ee me do a tra cheotomy.
Il l pa s s i f tha ts a l l ri ght wi th you, Ati n s a i d, ea s i ng off hi s hel met. Di nner?
Wha t do you prefer, Ni ner a s ked. Dry ra ts , dry ra ts , or ma ybe dry ra ts ?
Lets go wi th the dry ra ts for a cha nge. Yes , Ati n wa s defi ni tel y feel i ng better, a nd not jus t phys i ca l l y. Who us ed to s a y tha t, then?
Uh?
The dry ra ti ons thi ng.
Oh. Ski ra ta . Our ol d i ns tructor s ergea nt.
Ati n took a bi te out of the whi te cube a nd wa s hed i t down wi th a gul p of wa ter from hi s bottl e. He never tra i ned us . Hea rd a l ot a bout hi m.
Tra i ned Fi a nd Da rma n, too. Our s qua ds were a l l i n the s a me ba tta l i on.
We ha d Wa l on Va u.
Tha t expl a i ns where you get your cheery outl ook.
Sergea nt Va u ta ught us the i mporta nce of pl a nni ng for the wors t s cena ri o, Ati n s a i d, a l l l oya l ty. And ma xi mi zi ng your tech. Being hard is
good, being hard with superior tech is better.
Il l bet.
Id hea rd everyone l oved Ski ra ta , though. Even i f he wa s a ba d-tempered drunk.
Ni ner ha d never been drunk a nd he di dnt even know wha t a l cohol ta s ted l i ke. He ca red wha t ha ppened to us . He was one of us , pretty
much. Not jus t there beca us e he coul dnt cope wi th not bei ng i n the a rmy a nymore, or ha d to di s a ppea r. No, he wa s a good ma n. Ni ner woul d
ha ve gi ven a grea t dea l to ha ve s een Ski ra ta come l i mpi ng through the trees ri ght then, dema ndi ng to know wha t they were doi ng l oungi ng
a round l i ke a bunch of Ka mi noa n na hra a rti s ts . No i dea where he i s now, not s i nce we l eft Ka mi no. Bes t covert ops a nd s a bota ge ma n ever.
Youd know, of cours e.
Wel l a l l know s oon. Im rel yi ng on wha t he ta ught us to get thi s mi s s i on compl eted.
Ni ner a te the perfectl y ba l a nced, s ens i bl y des i gned, a nd utterl y ta s tel es s cube, a nd s a t s i l entl y, s ti l l wa i ti ng for Da rma n. They coul dnt even
tra p s omethi ng a nd cook i t: the s mel l of roa s ti ng mea t a nd the l i ght of the fi re woul d betra y thei r pos i ti on.
Wi th Fi on wa tch, he coul d s hut hi s eyes a nd s l eep for a coupl e of hours . He put hi s hel met ba ck on, pa rtl y to be rea dy to move fa s t i f they
ha d enemy conta ct, a nd pa rtl y to keep the tempera ture up i n hi s s ui t. It wa s getti ng chi l l y. He a l l owed hi ms el f one comfort tha t he di dnt rea l l y
need, for morale.
You scare me. You just absorb everything I tell you. Dont you ever forget?
No, Sa rge, Ni ner s a i d.
He ha d no i dea how l ong hed been a s l eep. He woke wi th a s ta rt a t the s ound of Fi s voi ce.
Pos s i bl e conta ct, due ea s t, ra nge forty kl i cks . Looks l i ke i ts centered on Imbra a ni .
Even through the vi s or, i t wa s nt cl ea r exa ctl y wha t Fi ha d s potted, but Ni ner coul d s ee i t now, too. A gl ow ma rked the hori zon l i ke a fa l s e
s unri s e. It wa s cons ta nt, the gentl es t gra dua ti on from a mber to deep red: i t wa s nt a n expl os i on.
Ni ner s wi tched between vi s or modes , ma i n s pectrum to i nfra red to ful l s pectrum, a nd then ba ck a ga i n. The gl ow wa s hot, too. The i nfra red
l ong-ra nge pi cked i t up.
I reckon tha ts one bi g fi re comi ng, Fi s a i d.
They wa i ted, wa tchi ng: Ni ner coul d hea r Ati n a few meters a wa y, ga theri ng up equi pment a nd a s s embl i ng i t, rea dy to pul l out. Wi th the
bi nocs on ful l di s ta nce, they coul d s ee tha t the fi re wa s bei ng ecl i ps ed i n pl a ces by bi l l ows of s moke. Eventua l l y, Ati n joi ned them, a nd a l l
three obs erved the di s ta nt bl a ze i n s i l ence.
Theyre not burni ng crop s tubbl e a t ni ght, Fi s a i d. They ha vent even fi ni s hed ha rves ti ng tha t s ti nki ng ba rq s tuff yet. Theyve found
s omethi ng.
I know.
Ei ther theyve found Da rma n, a nd theyre tea chi ng the l oca l s not to s hel ter the enemy, or they ha vent found Da rma n a nd theyre tryi ng to
fl us h hi m out.
Ni ner thought i t wa s rel a ti vel y good news . But i t mea ns he ma de the l a ndi ng, he s a i d. So we wa i t here ri ght up to the l a s t s econd, a nd
ma ybe a l i ttl e l onger jus t to be s ure.
Ati n l a i d the gea r down a ga i n. He wa s too profes s i ona l a nd di s ci pl i ned to s l a m i t on the ground, but Ni ner pi cked up on the s l i ght s a g of hi s
s houl ders . And i f he does nt s how by then? he a s ked, wi th a l evel tone tha t s ugges ted he di dnt wa nt to s how di s s ent a ny l onger. Next
pl a n?
We ta ke a nother l ook a t the whol e a rea from Tekl et to Imbra a ni , Ni ner s a i d. We s ta rt from s cra tch.
Thi s i s nt to s ca l e, Da rma n s a i d. He s cra ped ma rks i n the l oos e s oi l on the expos ed di rt fl oor of the ba rn a nd pl a ced pi eces of s ta l e brea d
ca reful l y on the crude cha rt. Thi s i s the ri ver. Thes e three crus ts a re RVs Al pha , Beta , a nd Ga mma . He s na pped the wood i nto more pi eces
a nd pl a ced them. Thi s i s the droi d ba s e a nd thi s i s Utha ns l a b.
Eta i n hel d out her cupped ha nd. He dropped two chunks of wood i nto i t. Thi s i s Li k Ankki ts res i dence, s he s a i d. Hes the Nei moi di a n
overl ord, for wa nt of a better word. He runs the a gri cul tura l produce export bus i nes s , a nd tha t nea r enough ma kes hi m a n emperor here.

Oka y. Wha t el s e ha ve we got?

Eta i n crumbl ed her rema i ni ng l ump of wood i nto s ma l l er pi eces a nd s ca ttered them ca reful l y i n pa tches . Imbra a ni i ts el f, a nd Tekl et, whi ch
i s the s pa ceport, a nd i ts s tora ge a nd di s tri buti on depot.
And this wa s the l a s t known pos i ti on for my s qua d.
Eta i n s ta red a t the worm-ea ten wood a nd the mol dy crus ts tha t mi ght hel p them s a ve the Gra nd Army from des tructi on. Why a re we s cra pi ng
ma ps i n the di rt when weve got perfectl y good hol ocha rts ?
Tha ts wha t Sergea nt Ski ra ta us ed to do, Da rma n s a i d. He di dnt l i ke hol os . Too tra ns pa rent. He a l s o thought tha t feel i ng the texture of
di rt focus ed your mi nd.
And you dont need a ny technol ogy to do i t.
He wa s a grea t bel i ever i n i ntui ti on.
Da rma n drew hi s bl a s ter a nd turned s uddenl y. The ba rn door opened. He rel a xed a nd dropped hi s a rm to hi s s i de. Ji na rt hel d more dra b
fa bri c bundl ed i n her a rms . You ha ve to go, s he s a i d brea thl es s l y. Ta ke a l ook out there to the ea s t. Theyre burni ng the fi el ds to fl us h you
out a nd deny you cover. Theres s omewhere you ca n l i e l ow, but you ha ve to pa s s for fa rmers tha ts not goi ng to be ea s y for you, l a d. Youre
too bi g a nd wel l fed.
Eta i n di dnt ri s e to the ba i t. She knew s hed fi t i n fi ne wi th the undernouri s hed, s ha bby l oca l s .
I ha ve to ta ke my gea r, Da rma n s a i d. I ca n l a y up s omewhere wi th i t i f I ha ve to.
Ca nt you l ea ve a ny of i t?
Not i f were goi ng to bl ow up tha t fa ci l i ty. Ive got a l l the i mpl os i on ordna nce to dea l wi th the na novi rus , a s wel l a s the E-Web ca nnon. We
need i t.
Then ta ke a ca rt. Theres a curfew on powered vehi cl es . Ji na rt tos s ed one of the bundl es to Da rma n. And get out of tha t a rmor. You
coul dnt be more cons pi cuous i f you were wea ri ng a weddi ng gown.
We ca n try to ma ke RV Ga mma .
No, go to the fi rs t s a fe hous e you ca n fi nd. Il l rea ch your s qua d a nd l et them know, then Il l return to you.
There wa s a n a s s ortment of ba rrows a nd ha ndca rts s tored i n the ba rn, a l l i n va ri ous s ta tes of di s repa i r. Theyd a ttra ct no a ttenti on: the
network of di rt roa ds wa s wel l tra vel ed by peopl e tryi ng to get thei r quota of ba rq a nd other crops to Tekl et on foot or wi th merl i e-ca rts .
Loa di ng the s ecti ons of the bl a s ter ca nnon on the s turdi es t ba rrow they coul d fi nd ma de Eta i n rea l i ze jus t how hea vy a burden Da rma n ha d
ca rri ed. When s he tri ed to hea ve one of the gra y pa cks i nto the ca rt, i t nea rl y wrenched her s houl der from the s ocket, s o s he deci ded to enl i s t a
l i ttl e a s s i s ta nce from the Force. She ha dnt expected i t to be s o hea vy. She wa s nt the onl y one wi th decepti ve phys i ca l s trength.
Thi s i s a l l wea pons ? s he a s ked.
Pretty much.
Not enough to ta ke a hundred droi ds , though.
Depends how you us e i t, Da rma n s a i d.
Eta i n wondered i f he l ooked more cons pi cuous out of hi s s i ni s ter gra y a rmor tha n i n i t. The a rmor ha d ma de hi m l ook much bi gger, but even
wi thout i t he wa s s o s ol i dl y bui l t tha t i t wa s obvi ous hed s pent hi s l i fe tra i ni ng for s trength, ea ti ng a dequa te protei n. Subs i s tence fa rmers
di dnt ha ve tha t di s ti ncti ve s l ope from neck to s houl der formed by overdevel oped tra pezi us mus cl es . Even the youngs ters bore the ma rks of
cons ta nt expos ure to the el ements ; Da rma n s i mpl y l ooked s tri ki ngl y hea l thy a nd unburned by the s un. He di dnt even ha ve ca l l us ed ha nds .
And then there wa s tha t ra mrod pa ra de-ground pos ture. He l ooked exa ctl y l i ke the el i te s ol di er he wa s . He woul d never pa s s for a l oca l .
Eta i n hoped the fa rmers woul d be more terri fi ed of hi m tha n they were of Hoka n.
The ni ght hori zon wa s a mber l i ke the urba n s ki es of Corus ca nt, but i t wa s fl a me, not the l i ght of a mi l l i on l a mps , tha t ca us ed the refl ecti on
from the cl ouds . It l ooked l i ke ra i n mi ght fol l ow; they coul d cover the ca rt wi th a ta rpa ul i n a nd not ca us e a ny curi os i ty. La yers of ba rq s ta l k,
s a cks of ba rq gra i n, a nd s tri ps of dri ed kus ha ya n buri ed Da rma ns gea r, a s he kept ca l l i ng i t. Hi s l a ngua ge s wung from s l a ng a nd genera l i ty
to hi ghl y educa ted s ubbtl ety, from gearhi s ca tcha l l noun for a ny a rti fa ctto DC-17s a nd DC-15s a nd a whol e s l ew of numbers a nd a cronyms
tha t l eft Eta i n befuddl ed.
Look a t tha t, Da rma n s a i d, a s s es s i ng the s kyl i ne. Tha t fl a me front mus t be four kl i cks , a t l ea s t.
Tha ts a mi l l i on or more credi ts worth of ba rq goi ng up i n s moke. The fa rmers a re goi ng to be furi ous . The Nei moi di a ns a re goi ng to be
even a ngri er.
So wi l l Bi rha n, Ji na rt s a i d. Tha ts a fa i r wha ck of hi s ba rq youre us i ng for ca moufl a ge, gi rl . Get goi ng. The Gurl a ni n took Da rma ns
da ta pa d a nd i ns erted a mem-s ti ck. Thes e a re a l l the rel a ti vel y s a fe homes I coul d cha rt. Dont a dverti s e your i denti ty, ei ther of you. Even i f
the ma s ter of the hous e you ca l l on knows who you a re, do hi m the fa vor of not compromi s i ng hi m by a dmi tti ng i t.
Eta i n ha d covered her di s ti ncti ve Jedi cl oa k wi th a n Imbra a ni a nkl e-l ength tuni c. Ji na rt i ndi ca ted her ha i r. And tha t, s he s a i d.
The bra i d, too?
Unl es s you wa nt to a dverti s e wha t you a re.
Eta i n hes i ta ted. She ha d once hea rd s omeone s a y they coul d never remove thei r betrotha l ri ng, not unti l they di ed. Her Pa da wa ns bra i d fel t
equa l l y perma nent, a s i f her s oul wa s woven i n wi th i t, a nd tha t removi ng i t a fter s o l ongeven tempora ri l ywoul d rend the fa bri c of the
uni vers e a nd unders core her bel i ef tha t s he wa s not Jedi ma teri a l . But i t ha d to be done. She unfa s tened the s i ngl e thi n bra i d a nd combed the
s tra nds of wa vy ha i r l oos e wi th her fi ngers .
She fel t l es s l i ke a Jedi tha n ever, a nd not even remotel y cl os e to a comma nder.
I i ma gi ne you never thought a Jedi comma nder woul d run a wa y from a fi ght, s he s a i d to Da rma n a s they ma de thei r ca reful l y unhurri ed wa y
up the tra ck.
Not runni ng a wa y, Da rma n s a i d. Thi s i s E a nd E. Es ca pe a nd eva s i on.
Sounds l i ke runni ng to me.
Ta cti ca l wi thdra wa l to regroup.
Youre a very pos i ti ve ma n. The chi l d wa s a l mos t compl etel y a bs ent now. She coul d ma i nl y s ens e focus a nd purpos e. He s ha med her

wi thout i ntenti on. Im s orry tha t I l os t my compos ure ea rl i er.

Onl y i n pri va te. Not under fi re, Comma nder.
I s a i d not to ca l l me tha t.
Where we ca n be overhea rd, Il l obey your order. He pa us ed. Everyone l os es i t now a nd then.
Im not s uppos ed to.
If you dont cra ck s ometi mes , how do you know how fa r you ca n go?
It wa s a good poi nt. For s ome rea s on he wa s fa r more rea s s uri ng tha n Ma s ter Ful i er ha d ever been. Ful i er, when not getti ng ca ught up i n
putti ng the ga l a xy ri ght, wa s a l l effortl es s bri l l i a nce. Da rma n wa s expert a t hi s cra ft, too, but there wa s a s ens e of ha rd-won s ki l l , a nd there
wa s no ra ndomnes s or mys tery to tha t.
She l i ked hi m for bei ng s o pra gma ti c. It cros s ed her mi nd tha t s he mi ght be s a vi ng cl one s ol di ers from dea th by bi ol ogi ca l a gent s o they
coul d di e from bl a s ter a nd ca nnon round. It wa s a horri bl e thought.
She di dnt l i ke ha vi ng to ki l l , not even by a nothers a cti ons . It wa s goi ng to ma ke l i fe a s a comma nder excepti ona l l y ha rd.
The droi ds a dva nced a l ong the edge of the wood wi th fl a methrowers borrowed from the s a me fa rmer whos e fi el ds they were burni ng. Ghez
Hoka n a nd hi s l i eutena nts Cuvi n a nd Hura ti s tood i n the pa th of the bl a ze, s ta ri ng ba ck a t i t from three hundred meters .
Wel l ha ve to burn a grea t dea l of l a nd to deny a l l cover to the enemy, s i r, Cuvi n s a i d.
Tha t i s nt the poi nt, Hura ti s a i d. Thi s i s a s much to crea te the i mpres s i on of protecti ng the fa ci l i ty a s i t i s to fl us h out troops .
Correct, Hoka n s a i d. Theres no poi nt a l i ena ti ng the na ti ves , a nd I ca nt a fford to compens a te them a l l for l os t producti on. Thi s i s
s uffi ci ent. Wel l us e droi ds on the rema i ni ng bounda ri es .
Cuvi n s eemed undeterred. Ma y I s ugges t we us e hunti ng s tri l l s ? We coul d bri ng i n a pa ck wi th thei r ha ndl ers i n two da ys . The Tra de
Federa ti on wont wel come the di s rupti on to the ba rq ha rves t, a nd a s horta ge of the del i ca cy wi l l be noti ced by s ome very i nfl uenti a l peopl e.
I dont ca re, Hoka n s a i d. The s a me i nfl uenti a l peopl e wi l l be even more i nconveni enced by the a rri va l of mi l l i ons of Republ i c cl ones on
thei r homeworl ds .
Hoka n wa s i n ful l Ma nda l ori a n ba ttl e a rmor now, not s o much for protecti on a s to convey a mes s a ge to hi s offi cers . Someti mes he ha d to
i ndul ge i n a l i ttl e thea ter. He knew tha t the gl ow of the fl a mes i l l umi na ti ng hi s tra di ti ona l wa rri ors a rmor ma de a fi ne s pecta cl e, ca l cul a ted
to i mpres s a nd overa we. He wa s a t wa r. He di dnt ha ve to pros ti tute hi s ma rti a l s ki l l s a s a n a s s a s s i n or bodygua rd for wea k a nd wea l thy
cowa rds a ny l onger.
Cuvi n wa s ri ght a bout the s tri l l s , though. It di dnt mea n he woul dnt ha ve to dea l wi th hi s di s s ent, but fi ndi ng the Republ i c troops woul dnt
be ea s y.
How ma ny do you es ti ma te now, Hura ti ? he a s ked.
Hura ti fl i cked a hol ocha rt i nto l i fe a nd a fl y-through i ma ge s hi mmered i n the da rk. Ves s el downed here, confi rmed Republ i c R5 mi l i ta ry
droi d. He poi nted. Rema i ns of two Weequa y mi l i ti a found here, here, a nd herebut gda ns ha d di s membered a nd dra gged the ca da vers over
a fi ve-kl i ck ra nge, s o the exa ct l oca ti on of the ki l l i s es ti ma ted. The a i rs peeder wa s brought down here. The s peeder ci rcui try wa s found
di s ma ntl ed here, but a s i t wa s a t the entra nce to gda n burrows , theres no tel l i ng where they mi ght ha ve found i t to s ta rt wi th. The enga gement
wi th the droi d pa trol wa s here, beca us e we depl oyed the pa trol ba s ed on tha t fi ndi ng.
Tha ts pretty much a l l i n a fi ve-kl i ck corri dor s pa nni ng forty kl i cks . Looks obvi ous to me tha t theyre hea di ng for Tekl et, proba bl y to ta ke the
port before ta rgeti ng the fa ci l i ty.
It woul d l ook tha t wa y, s i r.
Numbers ?
I woul d ha ve s a i d no more tha n ten, s i r. We ha ve reports from fa rmers whove found evi dence of movement a cros s thei r l a nd. Theyre very
protecti ve of thei r crops , s o they noti ce thes e s ubtl e s i gns unl i ke droi ds , s i r.
And wha t does tha t s ugges t, then?
Mul ti pl e tra cks cros s i ng a n a rea forty kl i cks by thi rty kl i cks , s i r. Expertl y done, toothe l oca l s thought i t mi ght be wi l dl i fe, but thes e tra cks
a re not ra ndom. Id s a y were bei ng decoyed.
Ten troops. Tenpa thfi nders , s peci a l forces , s a boteurs ? Were they prepa ri ng the ground for more troops , or were they ta s ked to compl ete the
mi s s i on on thei r own? Hoka n wi s hed he ha d a few Ma nda l ori a n mercena ri es , not droi ds a nd ca reer offi cers . He kept hi s concern wel l hi dden
behi nd hi s ful l -fa ce hel met. He a l s o wi s hed he ha d more a i rs peeders ; hed never needed more tha n one to pol i ce fa rms , a nd i t woul d ta ke
da ys to ha ve a ny s hi pped to Qi i l ura . Fa rmers ca n be pretty coopera ti ve, ca nt they?
Rema rka bl y s o, ever s i nce tha t one found the ci rcui try, s i r.
Hoka n turned a nd s ta rted wa l ki ng ba ck towa rd the res ea rch fa ci l i ty tha t wa s now empty but l a vi s hl y a nd cons pi cuous l y gua rded. He
beckoned Hura ti to fol l ow hi m. Cuvi n s ta rted to fol l ow, too, but Hoka n hel d up hi s ha nd to moti on hi m to s ta y put.
Li eutena nt, he s a i d qui etl y. Any s i gn of my former empl oyee, Guta -Na y?
Not yet, s i r. Pa trol s ha ve been bri efed.
Good, a nd keep a n eye on Cuvi n for me, wont you? I dont thi nk hes goi ng to ma ke ca pta i n.
Hura ti pa us ed, but bri efl y. Unders tood, s i r.
It wa s a ma zi ng wha t the uns poken promi s e of a n extra ra nk i ns i gni a coul d do. Hoka n wondered wha t ha d ha ppened to the code of conduct.
So there were perha ps ten comma ndos opera ti ng i n the regi on. Hunti ng them down woul d be enormous l y ti me-cons umi ng. Ba rri ng l uck,
Hoka n woul d never ca tch them, not wi th droi ds a nd thes e young a ca demy theori s ts . Sooner or l a ter, the enemy woul d need to res uppl y; s ooner
or l a ter, they woul d s how thems el ves .
The Republ i c wa s pl a yi ng decoy ga mes wi th hi m, a nd he wi th them. It wa s l ooki ng better a l l the ti me. They di dnt a ppea r to be a dopti ng
thei r us ua l ta cti c of l a ndi ng i nfa ntry i n force. It wa s a ga me of wi ts , a nd i f need a ros e he coul d s i t ti ght a nd force the Republ i c to come to hi m.
If he wa nted to bri ng the Republ i c cl os e enough to s hoot, then he mi ght need a n even more compel l i ng ba i t.
Dr. Utha n woul d unders ta nd. She wa s a pra gma ti c woma n.
Fi wa s getti ng edgy. It wa s nt l i ke hi m. Ni ner ha d onl y known hi m a ma tter of da ys , but you ma de qui ck judgments on s ma l l deta i l i f you were

a cl one comma ndo, es peci a l l y a mong your own.

He di dnt s l eep when Ni ner rel i eved hi m on wa tch, a nd a fter fi fteen mi nutes Fi ca me forwa rd to the obs erva ti on pos i ti on a nd s ettl ed down
bes i de hi m. The fi res s eemed to ha ve s topped; the gl ow wa s s ti l l vi s i bl e, but i t wa s s ta ti c. It ha d proba bl y rea ched one of the s trea ms a nd
wa s burni ng i ts el f out.
They know were here a nywa y, Fi s a i d. Ni ner needed no tel epa thy to know he wa s worryi ng a bout Da rma n. We coul d try the coml i nk a t
l onger ra nge.
Theyd get a fi x on pos i ti ons .
Theyd ha ve to get l ucky.
And we onl y ha ve to be unl ucky once.
Oka y. Sorry, Sa rge.
He l a ps ed ba ck i nto s i l ence. Ni ner a djus ted hi s i nfra red fi l ter to remove the di s tra cti ng l i ght of the fi re. Suddenl y, i t wa s a bnorma l l y s i l ent,
a nd tha t mea nt the gda ns ha d s topped thei r i nces s a nt prowl i ng, whi ch wa s not good.
Ni ner l ooked down hi s ri fl e s cope one-ha nded to get a na rrower focus on the bus hes i n front of hi m. As he pa nned a cros s 180 degrees , he
ca ught s i ght of l i ttl e pa i red refl ecti ons , the a l ert eyes of gda ns huddl ed i n uncha ra cteri s ti c s ti l l nes s to a voi d s omethi ng.
Movement. Hi s s cope fl a s hed bl ue i n one qua dra nt, wa rni ng hi m. Ma ybe wha tever i t wa s coul d s ee i nfra red. He ki l l ed the ta rgeti ng,
s wi tchi ng to i ma ge i ntens i fi ca ti on a nd the Ma rk One Ea rol e, a s Ski ra ta ca l l ed i t. You got eyes and ears, son, good ones. Dont rely on the tech too
much. Somethi ng wa s comi ng, s omethi ng s l ow, s tea l thy, s ma l l er tha n a ma n, more s l y tha n a droi d.
Ni ner put hi s ha nd on Fi s s houl derStay downnot da ri ng to s pea k, even on coml i nk.
It wa s ten meters a wa y, comi ng s tra i ght a t them, ma ki ng no a ttempt to s ta l k. Ma ybe i t di dnt know wha t they were. It wa s goi ng to get a
s urpri s e, then.
Ni ner fl i cked on hi s ta cti ca l s pot-l a mp, a nd the bl i ndi ng bea m ca ught a s hi ni ng bl a ck s ha pe. He cut the bea m i mmedi a tel y, mus cl es
rel a xi ng. The crea ture wa s s o fl a t to the ground now tha t i t l ooked a s i f i t were fl owi ng wa ter. It wa s onl y when i t wa s ri ght i n front of them
tha t i t s a t up a nd beca me Va l a qi l .
I thought Id l et you s ee me comi ng, gi ven your a rma ments , s a i d a voi ce tha t wa s nt Va l a qi l s but wa s equa l l y l i qui d a nd hypnoti c. I ma ke
i t a rul e never to s ta rtl e a huma noi d wi th a ri fl e.
Jus t a s wel l tha t weve s een a Gurl a ni n before, Fi s a i d, a nd touched hi s gl ove to hi s hel met pol i tel y.
I di dnt s eem to s urpri s e your col l ea gue, ei ther. Ive come to bri ef you. Im Ji na rt. Pl ea s e dont ca l l me maam every two s econds l i ke Da rma n
does .
Ni ner wa nted to a s k a hundred ques ti ons a bout Da rma n, but the Gurl a ni n ha d us ed the pres ent tens e a nd s o he wa s alive. Ni ner wa s gl a d
he ha d hi s hel met i n pl a ce. Di s pl a ys of emoti on werent profes s i ona l , not to outs i ders , a nywa y.
Youre hea di ng for the wrong ta rget, Ji na rt s a i d. Youre on a cours e for the Sepa ra ti s t ba s e. Norma l l y youd be knocki ng on the door of a
ba rra cks wi th a hundred droi ds i ns i de, but theyve moved ha l f of them to defend the res ea rch fa ci l i ty a nd pa trol the a rea . Nei ther Utha n nor
her na novi rus i s a t the a ctua l fa ci l i ty a ny l onger.
So i ts a l l goi ng jus t grea t, Fi s a i d cheerful l y.
Your ta rgets a re a t a vi l l a jus t outs i de Imbra a ni , des pi te wha t evi dence you mi ght s ee of the fa ci l i ty bei ng defended. Its a tra p.
Wha ts Da rma n doi ng? Ni ner a s ked.
He ha s your s peci a l ordna nce a nd deta i l ed pl a ns of your ta rgets . Ive s ent hi m i nto hi di ng wi th the Jedi .
Genera l Ful i er? We thought
You thought ri ght. Hes dea d. The Jedi i s hi s Pa da wa n, Tur-Muka n. Dont get your hopes up. She i s nt comma nder ma teri a l not yet, perha ps
never. For the ti me bei ng, thi s i s s ti l l your wa r.
We werent pl a nni ng on a fronta l a s s a ul t, not wi thout i nfa ntry, Ni ner s a i d. Now tha t weve l os t the a dva nta ge of s urpri s e, were goi ng to
ha ve to get i t ba ck a ga i n.
You do ha ve one el ementGhez Hoka n ha s no a ccura te i dea how few of you there a re. Ive ma de s ure there a re ma ny, ma ny obvi ous s i gns
of movement through the woods a nd fi el ds .
Youve been bus y.
I ca n do a good i mpers ona ti on of a s ma l l a rmy, or a t l ea s t i ts movement. Ji na rt gl a nced a t Ati n a nd Fi a s i f checki ng them. Ma ybe s he wa s
worki ng out how s he woul d mi mi c the form of a comma ndo. Not thi nki ng of s hooti ng a nd ea ti ng a ny merl i es , a re you?
Why?
Tha t a rmor i s nt l ooki ng s uch a ti ght fi t on you a s i t s houl d.
Fi nodded. Shes ri ght. Expendi ng a bout thi rty percent more ca l ori es tha n pl a nned, Sa rge. They di dnt ca l cul a te for us ca rryi ng gea r
overl a nd.
Youl l exha us t your ra ti ons s oon, Ji na rt s a i d. Merl i es a re del i ci ous . Jus t never s hoot one, pl ea s e. If neces s a ry, I coul d hunt them a nd l ea ve
them for you.
Why?
The one you s hoot mi ght be me.
It wa s one more a ngl e they ha dnt covered on exerci s es . Not even Ka l Ski ra ta ha d dea l t wi th Gurl a ni ns , i t s eemed, or i f he ha d he ha dnt
menti oned i t. Ni ner l i ked them. He wondered wha t worl d they ca me from. It wa s bound to be a fa s ci na ti ng one.
Where wi l l you hea d now? Ji na rt a s ked. I need to l et Da rma n know where you a re.
Id ha ve s a i d RV Ga mma , but tha ts goi ng the wrong wa y, from wha t youve tol d us .
I ca n gi ve you the l oca ti on of a s ui ta bl e a rea nea rer Imbra a ni , a nd when I return to Da rma n I wi l l gi ve hi m the s a me coordi na tes .
Ati n cut i n. They mi ne gems here, ri ght?
Zeka qua rtz a nd va ri ous green s i l i ca tes , ma i nl y, yes .

Pi cks a nd s hovel s or mecha ni zed?

Mecha ni zed.
Theyl l ha ve expl os i ves for bl a s ti ng, then. And remote detona tors wi th ni ce, s a fe, l ong-ra nge s etti ngs .
Gurl a ni ns chuckl ed jus t l i ke a huma n. She mi ght ha ve been a mus ed. On the other ha nd, s he mi ght ha ve been thi nki ng Ati n wa s a ma dma n.
But Ni ner l i ked the di recti on tha t Ati ns i nventi ve mi nd wa s ta ki ng.
Get your hol ocha rts , Ji na rt s a i d. Let me gi ve you a vi rtua l gui de to the gem i ndus try of the Imbra a ni regi on.

10

NOTICE TO QIILURAN CITIZENS

Anyone found with Republic personnel on their land will have that property confiscated and will forfeit their freedom. They, their family, and anyone
employed by them in any capacity will be delivered to the Trandoshan representative at Teklet for enslavement. Anyone actively aiding or sheltering Republic
personnel will face the death penalty.
A reward is offered for anyone providing information leading to the capture of Republic personnel or deserters from the former militia or the Separatist
armed forces, in particular Lieutenant Guta-Nay or Lieutentant Pir Cuvin.
By order of Ma jor Ghez Hoka n, comma ndi ng offi cer, Tekl et Ga rri s on

A thi n,

col d dri zzl e s ta rted fa l l i ng a l mos t a s s oon a s the s un ca me up. It fel t l i ke Ka mi no; i t fel t l i ke home, a nd tha t wa s a t once both
rea s s uri ng a nd unpl ea s a nt.
The moi s ture bea ded on Da rma ns cl oa k, a nd he s hook i t off. Merl i e wool wa s ful l of na tura l oi l s tha t ma de i t feel unpl ea s a ntl y cl a mmy
next to the s ki n. He l onged to get ba ck i nto the bl a ck bodys ui t, a nd not onl y beca us e of i ts ba l l i s ti c properti es .
Eta i n wa s pus hi ng the rea r of the ca rt. Da rma n wa s pul l i ng i t, wa l ki ng between i ts twi n s ha fts . There were ti mes on the rutted tra ck when
s he ha d the wors t of i t, buta s s he kept tel l i ng hi mJedi coul d s ummon the Force.
I coul d hel p, he s a i d.
I ca n ma na ge. Her voi ce s ounded l i ke s he wa s s tra i ni ng i t through her teeth. If thi s i s l i ghtwei ght gea r, Id ra ther not s ee the regul a r
va ri ety.
I mea nt I coul d hel p wi th ma rti a l s ki l l s . If you wa nt to tra i n wi th your l i ghts a ber.
Id proba bl y end up s l i ci ng off s omethi ng youd mi s s l a ter.
No, s he wa s nt wha t he wa s expecti ng a t a l l . They wa l ked on, tryi ng ha rd to l ook downtrodden a nd rura l , whi ch wa s nt s o much of a
cha l l enge when you were hungry, wet, a nd ti red. The di rt roa d wa s des erted: a t thi s ti me of yea r there s houl d ha ve been vi s i bl e a cti vi ty a t fi rs t
l i ght. Ahea d of them wa s the fi rs t s a fe hous e, a s i ngl e-s tory hut topped by a mi xture of s tra w tha tch a nd rus ti ng meta l pl a tes .
Il l knock, Eta i n s a i d. Theyl l proba bl y run for thei r l i ves i f they s ee you fi rs t.
Da rma n took i t a s a s ens i bl e obs erva ti on ra ther tha n a n i ns ul t. He pul l ed hi s cl oa k up a cros s hi s mouth a nd pus hed the ca rt out of s i ght
behi nd the hut, l ooki ng a round s l owl y a nd ca reful l y a s i f he were ca s ua l l y ta ki ng i n the countrys i de. There were no wi ndows a t the rea r, jus t a
s i mpl e door a nd a wel l -worn pa th i n the gra s s l ea di ng to a pi t wi th a n i nteres ti ng a roma a nd a pl a nk a cros s i t. It wa s nt a n i dea l l oca ti on for
a n a mbus h, but he wa s nt ta ki ng cha nces . Stoppi ng i n the open l i ke thi s ma de you vul nera bl e.
He di dnt l i ke i t a t a l l . He wi s hed he coul d fei gn i nvi s i bi l i ty l i ke Sergea nt Ski ra ta , a s hort, wi ry, nondes cri pt l i ttl e ma n who coul d pa s s
compl etel y unnoti ced, unti l he deci ded to s top a nd fi ght. And Ski ra ta coul d fi ght i n a l ot of wa ys tha t werent i n the tra i ni ng ma nua l . Da rma n
reca l l ed a l l of them.
He pres s ed hi s el bow i nto hi s s i de to rea s s ure hi ms el f tha t hi s ri fl e wa s wi thi n ea s y rea ch. Then he s l i pped hi s ha nd under hi s cl oa k a nd
fel t for one of the probes i n hi s bel t.
When he rea ched the front a ga i n, Eta i n wa s s ti l l ra ppi ng on the doorpos t. There wa s no res pons e. She s tood ba ck a nd s eemed to be l ooki ng
a t the door a s i f wi l l i ng i t to open.
Theyre gone, s he s a i d. I ca nt s ens e a nyone.
Da rma n s tra i ghtened up a nd wa l ked ca s ua l l y towa rd the rea r of the hous e. Let me check the regul a r wa y.
He beckoned her to fol l ow. Once a round the ba ck, he took a probe a nd s l i d the fl a t s ens or s tri p ca reful l y under the ga p benea th the ba ck
door. The rea dout on the s ecti on tha t he wa s hol di ng s a i d there were no tra ces of expl os i ve or pa thogen. If the pl a ce wa s booby-tra pped, i t
woul d be very l ow tech. It wa s ti me for a ha nds -on check. He pres s ed on the door wi th hi s l eft ha nd, ri fl e i n hi s ri ght.
Its empty, Eta i n whi s pered.
Ca n you s ens e a tri pwi re tha tl l s end a row of meta l s pi kes s wi ngi ng i nto you? he a s ked.
Poi nt ta ken.
The door s wung s l owl y open. Nothi ng. Da rma n took a remote from hi s bel t a nd s ent i t i ns i de, pi cki ng up l ow-l i ght i ma ges from the i nteri or.
There wa s no movement. The room a ppea red cl ea r. He l et the door s wi ng ba ck, reca l l ed the remote, a nd s tood wi th hi s ba ck to the entra nce
for one fi na l check a round hi m.
I go i n, l ook a ga i n, then you fol l ow me i f you hea r me s a y in, in, in, oka y? he s a i d, a l mos t under hi s brea th. He di dnt meet her eyes .
Li ghts a ber rea dy, too.
As s oon a s he wa s i ns i de, he pul l ed hi s ri fl e, s tood ha rd up i n the corner, a nd s ca nned the room. Clear. So cl ea r, i n fa ct, tha t l a s t ni ghts
mea l wa s s ti l l ha l f ea ten on the ta bl e. There wa s a s i ngl e door tha t di dnt a ppea r to open to the exteri or. A cupboa rd, a cl os etma ybe a
threa t. He tra i ned hi s ri fl e on i t.
In, in, in, Da rma n s a i d. Eta i n s l i pped through a nd he ges tured her to the corner oppos i te, then poi nted: Me, that door, you, back door. Eta i n
nodded a nd drew her l i ghts a ber. He wa l ked up to the cl os et a nd tri ed to ra i s e the l a tch, but i t di dnt open, s o he took two s teps ba ck a nd put
hi s boot to i t, ha rd.
They di dnt bui l d wel l a round here. The door s pl i ntered a nd hung on one rus ted hi nge. Behi nd i t wa s a s toreroom. It ma de s ens e now: i n a
poor country, you l ocked a wa y your food s uppl y.
They l eft i n a hurry, Da rma n s a i d.
Are you wea ri ng your a rmored boots ? Eta i n s a i d.
I woul dnt be ki cki ng down a door wi thout them. Hed covered them i n ti ghtl y wound s a cki ng. No boots , no s ol di er. As true a s i t ever wa s .
He s tepped through the ga p i nto the s tore a nd s tudi ed the s hel ves . Youre jus t l ea rni ng the fi rs t s tep i n cl ea ri ng a hous e.
Wha ts tha t? Eta i n rea ched pa s t hi m for a meta l conta i ner ma rked
Whos wa tchi ng the door? Whos wa tchi ng our gea r?

GAVVY-MEAL.

Sorry.
No probl em. I expect i t never occurs to you when you ha ve Jedi s ens es to rel y on. There: he ha dnt even tri ed to ca l l her maam thi s ti me. If
we knew why the occupa nts l eft i n s uch a hurry, thi s mi ght ha ve ma de a decent pl a ce to l a y up. But we dont. So l ets gra b s ome s uppl i es a nd
move on.
He took dri ed frui t a nd s omethi ng tha t l ooked l i ke cured l ea thery mea t, ma ki ng a menta l note to tes t a l l of i t wi th the toxi n s tri p i n hi s
medpa c. It wa s too ki nd of the l oca l s to l ea ve a l l thi s . There wa s , of cours e, every cha nce they ha d fl ed i n terror from the s a me vi ol ence tha t he
ha d wi tnes s ed l ooki ng down from hi s obs erva ti on poi nt jus t a fter he l a nded.
Eta i n wa s fi l l i ng a coupl e of wa ter bottl es from a pump outs i de.
Ive got a fi l ter for tha t, Da rma n s a i d.
Are you s ure you werent tra i ned by Nei moi di a ns ?
Youre i n enemy terri tory.
She s mi l ed s a dl y. Not a l l s ol di ers wea r uni forms .
Shed ca tch on. She had to. The thought tha t a Jedi mi ght be una bl e to offer the l ea ders hi p he ha d been promi s ed wa s a l mos t unbea ra bl e.
Hi s emoti ons di dnt ha ve na mes . But they were feel i ngs tha t ha d memori es embedded i n themfi ni s hi ng a fi fty-ki l ometer run thi rty-two
s econds outs i de the permi tted ti me, a nd bei ng ma de to run i t a ga i n; s eei ng a cl one trooper fa l l on a bea chhea d l a ndi ng exerci s e, wei ghed
down by hi s pa ck a nd drowni ng, whi l e no di recti ng s ta ff pa us ed to hel p; a comma ndo whos e s ni pi ng s core wa s onl y 95 percent, a nd whos e
whol e ba tch di s a ppea red from tra i ni ng a nd were never s een a ga i n.
They were a l l thi ngs tha t ma de hi s s toma ch s i nk. And ea ch ti me i t di d, i t never qui te rega i ned the s a me l evel a s before.
Are you a l l ri ght? Eta i n a s ked. Is i t your l eg?
My l egs fi ne now, tha nk you, he s a i d.
Da rma n wa nted hi s trus t ba ck, a nd s oon.
They res umed thei r pa th a l ong the di rt tra ck tha t wa s gra dua l l y l i quefyi ng i nto mud, the ra i n a t thei r ba cks . By the ti me they got to the next
fa rm the ra i n s eemed to ha ve s et i n for the da y. Da rma n thought of hi s s qua d ma ki ng thei r wa y through s odden countrys i de, perfectl y dry i n
thei r s ea l ed s ui ts , a nd he s mi l ed. At l ea s t thi s ma de i t ha rder for a nyone to tra ck them.
A woma n wi th a pi nched expres s i on l i ke a gda n s ta red a t them from the front s tep of the fa rmhous e. It wa s a gra nder bui l di ng tha n the l a s t
one: not by much, but the wa l l s were s tone a nd there wa s a l ea n-to s hel ter a l ong one s i de. Eta i n wa l ked up to her. Da rma n wa i ted, l ooki ng,
a wa re of a n outdoor refres her to the ri ght tha t mi ght conta i n a threa t, keepi ng ha l f a n eye on a group of youngs ters ti nkeri ng wi th a l a rge
ma chi ne on rol l ers .
They a l l l ooked s o di fferent. Everyone was so different.
After s ome convers a ti on, Eta i n beckoned hi m a nd i ndi ca ted the l ea n-to. So fa r, s o good. Da rma n s ti l l di dnt pl a n on rel i nqui s hi ng hi s
ordna nce. He rea ched i nto the ba rq for hi s hel met a nd deta ched the coml i nk, jus t i n ca s e Ni ner tri ed to conta ct hi m.
Are you comi ng? Eta i n a s ked.
Jus t a moment. Da rma n took out a s tri ng of AP mi cromi nes a nd tra i l ed them a round the front of the hous e a s fa r a s the ca bl e woul d
s tretch. He s et them to run off a remote s i gna l a nd tucked the tra ns mi tter s ecti on of the detona tor i n hi s bel t. Eta i n wa tched hi m wi th a n
uns poken ques ti on, perfectl y cl ea r from her expres s i on. In ca s e a nyone gets a ny i dea s , Da rma n s a i d.
Youve pl a yed thi s ga me before, Eta i n s a i d.
He certa i nl y ha d. The fi rs t thi ng he checked when he entered the fa rmhous e, one ha nd a ga i ns t hi s ri fl e, wa s where the bes t obs erva ti on
poi nt mi ght be. It wa s a perfora ted a i r-bri ck tha t ga ve hi m a good vi ew of the roa d. There wa s a l a rge wi ndow i n the fa r wa l l wi th a brown
s a cki ng s heet ti ed a cros s i t. Rea s s uredbut onl y s l i ghtl yhe s a t down a t the ta bl e tha t domi na ted the front room.
The fa mi l y tha t took them i n cons i s ted of the thi n gda n-fa ced woma n, her s i s ter, her even thi nner hus ba nd, a nd s i x youngs ters ra ngi ng from
a s ma l l boy cl utchi ng a pi ece of grubby bl a nket to the nea rl y ful l -grown men worki ng outs i de. They woul dnt gi ve thei r na mes . They di dnt wa nt
a visit, they s a i d, a s i f a vi s i t wa s much more tha n i t s eemed.
Da rma n wa s ri veted. Thes e peopl e were huma ns l i ke hi m; yet they were a l l di fferent. But s ti l l they ha d fea tures tha t l ooked s i mi l a rnot the
s a me, but s i mi l a rto others i n the group. They were di fferent s i zes a nd di fferent a ges , too.
He ha d s een di vers i ty i n tra i ni ng ma nua l s . He knew wha t di fferent s peci es l ooked l i ke. But the i ma ges a l wa ys ca me to mi nd wi th da ta
a bout wea pons ca rri ed a nd where to a i m a s hot for ma xi mum s toppi ng power. Thi s wa s the fi rs t ti me i n hi s l i fe tha t he ha d been i n cl os e
conta ct wi th di vers e huma ns who were i n the ma jori ty.
To them, perha ps , he a l s o l ooked uni que.
They s a t a round the rough wooden ta bl e. Da rma n tri ed not to s pecul a te on wha t the s ta i ns i n the wood mi ght be, beca us e they l ooked l i ke
bl ood. Eta i n nudged hi m. They cut up the merl i e ca rca s s es here, s he whi s pered, a nd he wondered i f s he coul d rea d hi s mi nd.
He tes ted the brea d a nd s oup pl a ced i n front of hi m for toxi ns . Sa ti s fi ed tha t i t wa s s a fe, he dug i n. After a whi l e he wa s a wa re tha t the
woma n a nd the s ma l l boy were s ta ri ng a t hi m. When he l ooked up, the chi l d fl ed.
He does nt l i ke s ol di ers much, the woma n s a i d. Is the Republ i c comi ng to hel p us ?
I ca nt a ns wer tha t, ma a m, Da rma n s a i d. He mea nt tha t he woul d never di s cus s opera ti ona l ma tters ; i t wa s a n a utoma ti c res pons e under
i nterroga ti on. Never just say yes, never just say no, and give no information except your ID number. Eta i n a ns wered for hi m, whi ch wa s her preroga ti ve
a s a comma nder.
Do you wa nt the Republ i cs hel p? s he a s ked.
You a ny better tha n the Nei mi es ?
Id l i ke to thi nk s o.
The ta bl e fel l s i l ent a ga i n. Da rma n fi ni s hed the s oup. Pol i ti cs wa s nothi ng to do wi th hi m; he wa s more i nteres ted i n fi l l i ng up on
s omethi ng tha t ha d fl a vor a nd texture. If a l l went a ccordi ng to pl a n, i n a few weeks hed be fa r from here a nd on a nother mi s s i on, a nd i f i t
di dnt, hed be dea d. The future of Qi i l ura wa s genui nel y of no rel eva nce to hi m.
The woma n kept refi l l i ng hi s bowl wi th s oup unti l he s l owed up a nd eventua l l y coul dnt ma na ge a ny more. It wa s the fi rs t hot food hed ha d
i n da ys , a nd he fel t good; l i ttl e perks l i ke tha t boos ted mora l e. Eta i n di dnt s eem s o enthus i a s ti c a bout i t. She wa s movi ng ea ch chunk
ca uti ous l y a round wi th her s poon, a s i f the l i qui d conta i ned mi nes .

You need to keep your s trength up, he s a i d.

I know.
You ca n ha ve my brea d.
Tha nks .
It wa s s o qui et i n the room tha t Da rma n coul d hea r the i ndi vi dua l rhythm of everyones chewi ng, a nd the fa i nt s cra pe of utens i l s a ga i ns t
bowl s . He coul d hea r the di s ta nt, muffl ed s ound of merl i es nea rby, a n i ntermi ttent ga rgl i ng noi s e. But he di dnt hea r s omethi ng tha t Eta i n
s uddenl y di d.
She s a t bol t upri ght a nd turned her hea d to one s i de, eyes unfocus ed.
Someones comi ng, a nd i ts not Ji na rt, s he hi s s ed.
Da rma n fl ung off hi s cl oa k a nd pul l ed hi s ri fl e. The woma n a nd her rel a ti ves jumped up from the ta bl e s o fa s t tha t i t ti pped des pi te i ts
wei ght, s endi ng bowl s tumbl i ng to the fl oor. Eta i n drew her l i ghts a ber, a nd i t s hi mmered i nto l i fe. They both wa tched the entra nce; the fa mi l y
s cra mbl ed through the ba ck door, the woma n pa us i ng to gra b a l a rge meta l bowl a nd a ba g of mea l from a s i deboa rd.
Da rma n dous ed the l a mps a nd peered out through a hol e i n the a i r-bri ck. Wi thout hi s vi s or, he wa s compl etel y dependent on hi s Deece for
l ong-di s ta nce vi s i on. He coul dnt s ee a nythi ng. He hel d hi s brea th a nd l i s tened ha rd.
Eta i n moved towa rd hi m, ges turi ng a t the fa r wa l l , i ndi ca ti ng sevena whol e ha nd then two fi ngers .
Where? he whi s pered.
She wa s ma rki ng s omethi ng on the di rt fl oor. He wa tched her fi nger dra w a n outl i ne of the four wa l l s a nd then s ta b a number of dots
outs i de them, mos t a round the one s hed been poi nti ng to, a nd one dot nea r the front door.
She put her l i ps s o cl os e to hi s ea r i t ma de hi m jump. Si x there, one here. It wa s a brea th, ba rel y a udi bl e.
Da rma n i ndi ca ted the fa r wa l l a nd poi nted to hi ms el f. Eta i n ges tured to the door: Me? He nodded. He ges tured one, two, three qui ckl y wi th
hi s fi ngers a nd ga ve her a thumbs -up: Ill count to three. She nodded.
Whoever wa s outs i de ha dnt knocked. It di dnt bode wel l .
He cl i pped the grena de a tta chment to hi s ri fl e a nd a i med a t the fa r s i de. Eta i n s tood a t the door, l i ghts a ber hel d a bove her hea d for a
downwa rd s troke.
Da rma n hoped her a ggres s i on woul d tri umph over her s el f-doubt.
He ges tured wi th hi s l eft ha nd, ri fl e ba l a nced i n hi s ri ght. One, two
Three. He fi red one grena de. It s ma s hed through the s a ck-covered wi ndow a nd bl ew a hol e i n the wa l l jus t a s he wa s fi ri ng the s econd. The
bl a s t ki cked hi m ba ckwa rd, a nd the front door burs t open a s Eta i n brought her l i ghts a ber down i n a bri l l i a nt bl ue a rc.
Da rma n s wi tched hi s ri fl e to bl a s t s etti ng a nd s wung hi s s i ght on the fi gure, but i t wa s a n Umba ra n a nd i t wa s dea d, s l i ced through from
cl a vi cl e to s ternum.
Two, Eta i n s a i d, i ndi ca ti ng the wi ndow, or a t l ea s t where i t ha d been s econds ea rl i er. Da rma n s pra ng forwa rd a cros s the room, dodgi ng
the ta bl e a nd fi ri ng a s he ca me to the hol e s ma s hed i n the wa l l . When he s tumbl ed through the ga p there were two Tra ndos ha ns comi ng
towa rd hi m wi th bl a s ters , fa ces tha t s eemed a l l s ca l es a nd l umps , wet mouths ga pi ng. He opened fi re; one return s hot s ea red hi s l eft
s houl der. Then there wa s nothi ng but numb s i l ence for a few moments , fol l owed by the gra dua l a wa renes s tha t s omeone wa s s crea mi ng i n
a gony outs i de.
But i t wa s nt hi m, a nd i t wa s nt Eta i n. Tha t wa s a l l tha t ma ttered. He pi cked hi s wa y a cros s the room, cons ci ous of the growi ng pa i n i n hi s
s houl der. It woul d ha ve to wa i t.
Its a l l cl ea r, Eta i n s a i d. Her voi ce wa s s ha ki ng. Except for tha t ma n
Forget hi m, Da rma n s a i d. He coul dnt, of cours e: the s ol di er wa s ma ki ng too much noi s e. The s crea ms woul d a ttra ct a ttenti on. Loa d up.
Were goi ng.
Des pi te Eta i ns a s s ura nce tha t there were no more wa i ti ng outs i de, Da rma n edged out the door a nd kept hi s ba ck to the wa l l a l l the wa y
a round the exteri or of the fa rmhous e. The wounded s ol di er wa s a n Umba ra n. Da rma n di dnt even check how ba dl y hurt he mi ght be before he
s hot hi m cl ea nl y i n the hea d. There wa s nothi ng el s e he coul d do, a nd the mi s s i on ca me fi rs t.
He wondered i f Jedi coul d s ens e droi ds a s wel l . Hed ha ve to a s k Eta i n l a ter. Hed been tol d Jedi coul d do extra ordi na ry thi ngs , but i t wa s
one thi ng to know i t, a nd a nother enti rel y to see i t i n a cti on. It ha d proba bl y s a ved thei r l i ves .
Wha t wa s tha t? s he a s ked when he returned to the l ea n-to. She a l rea dy ha d the extra pa ck s l ung on her ba ck, a nd he rea l i zed s hed
a ctua l l y moved the mi cromi nes even though they were s ti l l l i ve. Da rma n, s wa l l owi ng a nxi ety, di s a bl ed the detona tor a nd a dded i t to the l i s t of
thi ngs he needed to tea ch her.
Fi ni s hi ng the job, he s a i d, a nd pul l ed on hi s bodys ui t s ecti on by s ecti on. She l ooked a wa y.
You ki l l ed hi m.
Yes .
He wa s l yi ng wounded?
Im not a medi c.
Oh, Da rma n
Ma a m, thi s i s a wa r. Peopl e try to ki l l you. You try to ki l l them fi rs t. There a re no s econd cha nces . Everythi ng el s e you need to know a bout
wa rfa re i s a n a mpl i fi ca ti on of tha t. She wa s horri fi ed, a nd he rea l l y wi s hed he ha dnt ups et her. Ha d they gi ven her a l etha l l i ghts a ber a nd
not ta ught her wha t i t rea l l y mea nt to dra w one? Im s orry. He wa s i n a ba d wa y, a nywa y.
Dea th s eemed to s hock her. I ki l l ed tha t Umba ra n.
Tha ts the i dea , ma a m. Ni cel y done, too.
She di dnt s a y a nythi ng el s e. She wa tched hi m a tta ch the a rmor pl a tes , a nd when he fi na l l y repl a ced hi s hel met he knew he di dnt ca re how
cons pi cuous he l ooked i n i t, beca us e he wa s nt goi ng to ta ke i t off a ga i n i n a hurry. He needed tha t edge.
No more s a fe hous es , Da rma n s a i d. Theres no s uch thi ng.
Eta i n fol l owed hi m i nto the woodl a nd a t the ba ck of the hous e, but s he wa s preoccupi ed. Ive never ki l l ed a nyone before, s he s a i d.

You di d fi ne, Da rma n tol d her. Hi s s houl der wa s throbbi ng, gna wi ng i nto hi s concentra ti on. A clean job.
Its s ti l l not s omethi ng I woul d ca re to repea t.
Jedi a re tra i ned to fi ght, a rent they?
Yes , but we never ki l l ed a nyone i n tra i ni ng.
Da rma n s hrugged a nd i t hurt. We di d.
He hoped s he got over i t fa s t. No, i t wa s nt enjoya bl e, ki l l i ng: but i t ha d to be done. And ki l l i ng wi th l i ghts a ber or bl a s ter wa s rel a ti vel y
cl ea n. He wondered how s hed ha ndl e ha vi ng to s ti ck a bl a de i n s omeone a nd s ee wha t ra n out. She wa s a Jedi , a nd wi th a ny l uck s hed never
ha ve to.
Them or us , he s a i d.
Youre i n pa i n.
Nothi ng ma jor. Il l us e the ba cta when we rea ch the RV.
I s uppos e they turned us i n.
The fa rmers ? Yea h, tha ts ci vi l i a ns for you.
Eta i n ma de a noncommi tta l grunt a nd fol l owed s i l entl y behi nd hi m. They moved deeper i nto the woods , a nd Da rma n ca l cul a ted how ma ny
rounds hed expended. If he kept enga gi ng ta rgets a t thi s ra te, hed be down to hi s s i dea rm by ni ghtfa l l .
Its a ma zi ng how you ca n s ens e peopl e, Da rma n s a i d. Ca n you detect droi ds , too?
Not es peci a l l y, s he s a i d. Us ua l l y jus t l i vi ng bei ngs . Ma ybe I ca n
A fa i nt whi ne ma de Da rma n turn i n ti me to s ee a bl ue bol t of l i ght s trea ki ng towa rd hi m from behi nd. It s truck a tree a few meters a hea d,
s pl i tti ng i t l i ke ki ndl i ng i n a puff of va por.
Obvi ous l y not, Eta i n s a i d.
It wa s goi ng to be a nother l ong, ha rd da y.
A wa rni ng s i ren s ounded: three l ong bl a s ts , repea ted twi ce. Then the pea ceful fi el ds northwes t of Imbra a ni s hook wi th a ma s s i ve
expl os i on, a nd terri fi ed merl i es bol ted for the cover of the hedgerows .
Bl a s ti ng toda y, then, Fi s a i d. Lovel y da y for i t.
Ni ner coul dnt s ee a nythi ng but droi ds i ndus tri a l droi ds movi ng a round the qua rry. He ra n hi s gl ove a cros s hi s vi s or to cl ea r the dropl ets
of ra i n a nd tri ed s evera l bi noc ma gni fi ca ti ons , fl i cki ng between s etti ngs wi th eye movements . But i f there were orga ni c workers a round, he
coul dnt s ee a ny.
The qua rry wa s a ma s s i ve a nd s ta rtl i ng gouge i n the l a nds ca pe, a n a mphi thea ter wi th s tepped s i des tha t a l l owed droi d exca va tors to di g
out rock for proces s i ng. The depres s i on s l oped gentl y a t one s i de; i t wa s a toweri ng cl i ff on the other. A s ma l l s i te offi ce wi th a l l oy-pl a ted
wa l l s a nd no wi ndows s a t bes i de a wi de tra ck a t the top of the s l ope. Apa rt from the s tea dy proces s i on of droi ds l a den wi th ra w rock for the
s creeni ng pl a nt, the a rea wa s des erted. But s omeones omethi ngwa s control l i ng the detona ti ons . They ha d to be i n the bui l di ng. And
s tructures wi th s ol i d a l l oy wa l l s l i ke tha t tended to ha ve i nteres ti ng contents .
The a l l -cl ea r s i ren s ounded. The droi ds moved i n to s coop up the l oos e rock, s endi ng s pra y a nd mud fl yi ng a s they rumbl ed up the s l opes .
Oka y, l ets s ee wha t we ca n l i bera te from the hut, Ni ner s a i d. Ati n, wi th me. Fi , s ta y here a nd cover.
They da rted out of the trees a nd a cros s a hundred meters of open l a nd to the edge of the qua rry, dodgi ng between gi a nt droi ds tha t took no
noti ce of them. One droi d, i ts wheel s a s hi gh a s Ni ner wa s ta l l , s wung i ts bucket s coop unexpectedl y a nd s truck hi s s houl der pl a te a gl a nci ng
bl ow. He s tumbl ed a nd Ati n ca ught hi s a rm, s tea dyi ng hi m. They pa us ed, wa i ti ng for the next droi d to return up the s l ope, then jogged
a l ongs i de i t unti l l evel wi th the s i te bui l di ng.
They were now expos ed, pres s ed cl os e to the front wa l l . The bui l di ng wa s onl y ten meters wi de. Ati n knel t a t the door a nd s tudi ed the
s i ngl e l ock.
Pretty i ns ubs ta nti a l i f thi s i s where they s tore the expl os i ves , he s a i d.
Lets ta ke a l ook.
Ati n s tood up s l owl y a nd pl a ced a s cope on the door to l i s ten for movement. He s hook hi s hea d a t Ni ner. Then he s l i d a fl i ms i -thi n fl a t
endos cope a round the ja mb, worki ng i t ba ck a nd forth, s l owl y a nd ca reful l y. Now tha ts a ti ght fi t, he s a i d. Ca nt get i t i n.
We coul d a l wa ys jus t wa l k i n there.
Remember, were proba bl y hea di ng i nto a s tore ful l of expl os i ves . If I coul d get a probe through i t coul d a t l ea s t get a s ni ff of the a i r a nd
tes t for chemi ca l s .
Oka y, l ets wa l k i n carefully, then.
There wa s no ha ndl e. Ni ner s tood to the hi nge s i de, Deece i n one ha nd, a nd pres s ed s i l entl y on the s i ngl e pl a te tha t ma de up the door. It
di dnt yi el d.
Ati n nodded. He took out the ha ndhel d ra m, ten ki l os tha t ha d s eemed l i ke dea d, us el es s wei ght i n thei r pa cks unti l now. He s qua red i t up
to the l ock.
Ni ner ra i s ed one fi nger. Three two
It a ppl i ed a force of two metri c tons .
Go.
The door fel l open, a nd they both l ea pt ba ck a s a s trea m of bl a s terfi re s hot out. It s topped s uddenl y. They s qua tted on ei ther s i de of the
entra nce. Us ua l l y thi s wa s s i mpl e: i f s omeone i ns i de di dnt wa nt to l ea ve, a grena de coa xed them out, one wa y or a nother. But wi th a hi gh
cha nce of expl os i ves bei ng i ns i de, tha t method wa s a l i ttl e too empha ti c. Ni ner s hook hi s hea d.
Ati n moved the endos cope ca reful l y, getti ng a gl i mps e of the bui l di ngs i nteri or. Then he edged the probe i nto the doorwa y, dra wi ng a nother
s trea m of bl a s terfi re.
Two movi ng a round, he s a i d. Li ghts out. But the probe got a s ni ff of expl os i ves .
Spot-l a mp a nd rus h them, then?

Ati n s hook hi s hea d. He took out a grena de a nd l ocked i t i n the s a fety pos i ti on. How nervous woul d you be i f you were s i tti ng on enough
s tuff to put thi s qua rry i nto orbi t?
Dri nk-s pi l l i ng nervous , Id s a y.
Yea h. Ati n hefted the grena de a few ti mes . Tha ts wha t I thought.
He bowl ed the di s a bl ed grena de i nto the doorwa y a nd jerked ba ck. Three s econds l a ter, two Weequa ys rus hed out. Ni ner a nd Ati n fi red
s i mul ta neous l y; one Weequa y dropped i ns ta ntl y, a nd the others momentum ca rri ed hi m on a few meters fa rther, unti l he fel l i n the pa th a t
the top of the ra mp. The qua rry droi ds trundl ed on, obl i vi ous . If the s hot ha dnt ki l l ed hi m, the a dva nci ng droi d di d.
Sa rge, you need s ome hel p down there?
Ni ner moti oned Ati n i ns i de. No, Fi , were s et here. Keep a n eye out i n ca s e we get compa ny.
The bui l di ng reeked of cooki ng a nd unwa s hed Weequa y. A s ma l l droi d, l i ghts bl i nki ng on s ta ndby a nd ca ked i n dri ed mud, s tood by a
cons ol e. The res t of the s pa cethree rooms wa s ta ken up by expl os i ves , detona tors , a nd va ri ous s pa re pa rts a nd s tenci l ed cra tes .
Theres your demol i ti ons ma n, Ati n s a i d, ta ppi ng the droi d on i ts hea d, a nd retri eved hi s grena de. He wi ped i t wi th hi s gl ove a nd put i t
ba ck i n hi s bel t pa ck.
Id ra ther ha ve Da rma n, Ni ner s a i d. He s tudi ed the i nert droi d, whi ch s eemed to be wa i ti ng for the di s l odged rock to be cl ea red. It jerked
s uddenl y i nto l i fe, ma de i ts wa y towa rd a cra te of expl os i ves , opened the s a fety l i d, a nd took out s evera l tubes . Then i t turned towa rd the
room where the detona tors were kept. Ni ner rea ched out a nd opened i ts control pa nel to dea cti va te i t. Ta ke s ome ti me off, fri end, he s a i d.
Bl a s ti ngs over for the da y.
It di dnt a ppea r tha t the Weequa y ha d been empl oyed here. The droi d s orted a l l the cha rges a nd overs a w the bl a s ti ng. On a n upturned cra te
were the rema i ns of a mea l , ea ten off ma kes hi ft pl a tes fa s hi oned from box l i ds . It l ooked l i ke the Weequa ys ha d been hi di ng out here, a nd
Ni ner wa s pretty s ure he knew who they ha d been a voi di ng.
Ati n checked the va ri ous cha rges a nd detona tors , s el ecti ng wha t a ppea red to ta ke hi s fa ncy a nd pi l i ng i t i n a cl ea r s pa ce on the muddy fl oor.
He wa s a connoi s s eur of technol ogy, es peci a l l y thi ngs wi th compl ex ci rcui try. Lovel y, he s a i d, wi th genui ne s a ti s fa cti on. Some dets here tha t
you ca n s et off from fi fty kl i cks . Tha ts wha t we need. A bi t of a pyrotechni cs s how.
Ca n we ca rry a s much a s we need?
Oh, theres s ome bea uti es here. Da rma n woul d thi nk they were pretty ba s i c, but theyre goi ng to work fi ne a s a di vers i on. Abs ol ute beauts.
Ati n hel d up s pheres a bout the s i ze of a s coopba l l . Now thi s ba by
Crash.
Somethi ng fel l to the fl oor i n one of the rooms off the ma i n one. Ati n hel d hi s ri fl e on the doorwa y a nd Ni ner drew hi s s i dea rm. He wa s
edgi ng towa rd the door when a s udden voi ce a l mos t ma de hi m s queeze the tri gger.
Ap-xmai keepuna! The voi ce wa s s ha ki ng, a nd judgi ng by the a ccent i t proba bl y bel onged to a Weequa y. Dont ki l l ! I hel p you!
Out. Now. Projected from hi s hel met, Ati ns voi ce wa s i nti mi da ti ng enough wi thout a ri fl e to ba ck i t up. A Weequa y s tumbl ed out from
behi nd a s ta ck of cra tes a nd s a nk to hi s knees , ha nds hel d up. Ati n pus hed hi m down fl a t wi th hi s boot, Deece a i med a t hi s hea d. Arms
behi nd your ba ck a nd dont even brea the. Got i t?
The Weequa y a ppea red to ha ve got i t very qui ckl y. He froze a nd l et Ni ner cuff hi s wri s ts wi th a l ength of wi re. Ni ner di d a s weep of the rooms
a ga i n, worri ed tha t i f theyd mi s s ed one ta rget they mi ght ha ve mi s s ed more. But i t wa s cl ea r. He wa l ked ba ck a nd s qua tted down by the
Weequa ys hea d.
We dont need a pri s oner s l owi ng us down, he s a i d. Gi ve me a good rea s on why I s houl dnt ki l l you.
Pl ea s e, I know Hoka n.
Il l bet you know hi m pretty wel l i f you were hi di ng out here. Wha ts your na me?
Guta -Na y. I were right-hand man.
Not a nymore, though, eh?
I know pl a ces .
Yea h, we know pl a ces , too.
I got key codes .
Weve got ordna nce.
I got codes to Tekl et ground s ta ti on.
You woul dnt be mes s i ng a round, woul d you, Guta -Na y? I dont ha ve ti me for tha t.
Hoka n ki l l me. You ta ke me wi th you? You Republ i c guys ni ce, you gentlemen.
Stea dy, Guta -Na y. Al l thos e s yl l a bl es mi ght burn you out.
Ni ner l ooked a t Ati n. He s hrugged.
Hel l s l ow us down, Sa rge.
Then we ei ther l ea ve hi m here or ki l l hi m.
The convers a ti on wa s nt des i gned to s ca re Guta -Na y, but i t ha d tha t effect a nywa y. It wa s a genui ne probl em: Ni ner wa s rel ucta nt to dra g a
pri s oner a round wi th them, a nd there wa s no gua ra ntee the Weequa y woul dnt try to buy ba ck fa vor from Hoka n wi th i ntel l i gence on thei r
s trength a nd movements . He wa s a n unwel come di l emma . Ati n cl i cked hi s Deece, a nd i t s ta rted to power up.
I get you Nei mi e bos s , too!
We defi ni tel y dont need hi m.
Nei mi es rea l l y ma d a t Hoka n. He put droi ds i n hi s ni ce s hi ny vi l l a . Fl oors mes s ed up.
Guta -Na ys brea thi ng ra s ped i n the s i l ence of the room. Ni ner wei ghed the extra ba gga ge a ga i ns t the pros pect of s ome edge i n ga i ni ng
a cces s to Utha n.
Wheres Utha n now?
Sti l l i n vi l l a . Nowhere el s e to hi de.

You know a l ot a bout Hoka n, dont you?

Everythi ng. Guta -Na y wa s a l l s ubmi s s i on. Too much.
Oka y, Ni ner s a i d. You got a repri eve.
Ati n wa i ted a coupl e of s econds before poweri ng down hi s ri fl e. He s eemed doubtful . Ni ner coul dnt s ee hi s expres s i on, but he hea rd the
cha ra cteri s ti c s l i ght exha l a ti on tha t wa s Ati ns s i l ent oh-terrific.
Hel l l ea ve a tra i l a worrt coul d fol l ow.
Idea s ?
Yea h. Ati n l ea ned over Guta -Na y, a nd the Weequa y turned hi s hea d s l i ghtl y, eyes wi de wi th terror. He s eemed more terri fi ed by the hel met
tha n the gun. Where do the droi ds ta ke the ra w rock?
Bi g pl a ce s outh of Tekl et.
How fa r s outh?
Fi ve kl i ck ma ybe.
Ati n s tra i ghtened up a nd i ndi ca ted wi th a poi nted fi nger tha t he wa s goi ng outs i de. Techni ca l s ol uti on. Wa i t one.
Hi s predi l ecti on for ga dgets wa s becomi ng a bl es s i ng. Ni ner wa s tempted to ta ke ba ck the unki nd thoughts hed ha d a bout the ma ns
tra i ni ng s ergea nt. He fol l owed hi m outs i de. Ati n jogged a l ongs i de one of the exca va ti on droi ds , ma tchi ng i ts pa ce before jumpi ng up
s cra mbl i ng onto i ts fl a tbed. The ma chi ne rumbl ed i nexora bl y up the s l ope a s i f nothi ng wa s goi ng to di vert i t from i ts progres s to the s creeni ng
pl a nt. Then i t s topped a nd s wung a round, na rrowl y mi s s i ng the droi d bri ngi ng up i ts rea r. It pa us ed a coupl e of meters from Ni ner; Ati n,
kneel i ng on the fl a tbed, hel d up two ca bl es .
You ca nt get i t to do tri cks , he s a i d. But you ca n s ta rt, s teer, a nd s top i t now.
Bra i n bypa s s , eh?
Ive s een a few peopl e wi th thos e
So we ri de i t i nto town?
How el s e a re we goi ng to move a l l thi s expl os i ve?
They coul dnt pa s s up the cha nce. Ni ner ha d pl a ns for the cha rges , pl a ces to l a y them a l l a round the Imbra a ni countrys i de. They a l s o ha d a
tempti ngl y nea t wi ndow of opportuni ty to ta ke out the ground s ta ti on a t Tekl et, a nd renderi ng Hoka ns troops dea f to wha t wa s ha ppeni ng
a round them woul d doubl e thei r cha nces of pul l i ng off the mi s s i on. It mea nt they coul d us e thei r own l ong-ra nge coml i nks a t l a s t.
Tel l you wha t, Ni ner s a i d. Il l ta ke thi s one to Tekl et. You hotwi re a nother a nd ta ke Fi a nd our fri end a s fa r ba ck down the roa d to
Imbra a ni a s you ca n get wi th a s much a s you ca n ca rry. He took out hi s da ta pa d a nd checked the cha rt. La y up here where Ji na rt s ugges ted,
wi th the droi d i f you ca n, wi thout i t i f you ca nt.
A bul l dozer droi d on a s tea dy pa th to the s creeni ng pl a nt woul d a ttra ct no a ttenti on. It jus t ha d to overs hoot by a few ki l ometers . It woul d be
dus k s oon, a nd da rknes s wa s thei r bes t a s s et when i t ca me to movi ng a round.
Ni ner ha ul ed Guta -Na y out of the bui l di ng. Is the ground s ta ti on defended i n a ny wa y?
Guta -Na y ha d hi s hea d l owered, l ooki ng up from under hi s brows a s i f bl ows to the hea d norma l l y a ccompa ni ed ques ti ons . Jus t fence to
s top merl i es a nd thi evi ng. Onl y fa rmers a round, a nd they s ca red a nywa y.
If youre l yi ng to me, Il l s ee tha t you get ba ck to Ghez Hoka n a l i ve. Oka y?
Oka y. Truth, I s wea r.
Ni ner s ummoned Fi from hi s cover pos i ti on, a nd they l oa ded two droi ds . One ca rri ed enough expl os i ves to reduce the ground s ta ti on to
powder s evera l ti mes over, a nd the other took everythi ng they coul d l a y thei r ha nds on, except for s ome detona tors a nd expl os i ves to keep the
bl a s ti ng droi d bus y for a few more hours . There wa s no poi nt l etti ng the qua rrys s i l ence a dverti s e the fa ct tha t they ha d l i bera ted s ome
ordna nce. It woul d s poi l the whol e s urpri s e.
They l oa ded Guta -Na y l a s t, bundl i ng hi m i nto the huge bucket s coop wi th hi s a rms s ti l l bound. He protes ted a t bei ng s tuck on top of s pheres
of expl os i ve.
Dont worry, Ati n s a i d di s mi s s i vel y. Ive got a l l the dets here. He bounced a few detona tors up a nd down i n hi s pa l m; Guta -Na y fl i nched.
Youl l be fi ne.
Ji na rts qui te a n a s s et, Fi s a i d. He took off hi s hel met to dri nk from hi s bottl e, a nd Guta -Na y ma de a n i ncoherent noi s e.
She coul d be ri ght behi nd us now a nd wed never know. I hope they s ta y on our s i de. Ni ner removed hi s hel met, too, a nd they s ha red the
bottl e before ha ndi ng i t to Ati n for a l a s t s wi g. Wha ts tha t Weequa y whi ni ng a bout now?
Dunno, Ati n s a i d, a nd took hi s hel met off a s wel l . He pa us ed, bottl e i n ha nd, a nd they a l l s tood a nd s ta red a t Guta -Na y, l oa ded i n the
s coop of the droi d l i ke ca rgo.
Hi s mouth wa s s l i ghtl y open a nd hi s eyes were da rti ng from one comma ndo to the next. He wa s ma ki ng a s l i ght uh-uh-uh s ound, a s i f he wa s
tryi ng to s crea m but coul dnt.
Its Ati ns fa ce, Fi s a i d. Dont s ta nd there bei ng s o ugl y, ma n. Youre s ca ri ng hi m.
Ni ner ga ve the Weequa y a qui ck prod wi th hi s gl ove to s hut hi m up.
Wha ts the ma tter? he a s ked. Ha vent you ever s een comma ndos before?
They were here.
The brea k tha t Ghez Hoka n ha d been wa i ti ng for ha d come: a fa rmer ha d rus hed to noti fy the a uthori ti es tha t Republ i c s ol di ers one ma n,
one woma n, both very youngwere a t a hous e on the Imbra a ni Tekl et roa d.
Hoka n s tudi ed the dri ppi ng fol i a ge a t the s i de of the fa rmhous e. The ma ze of foots teps i n the mud a nd the crus hed s ta l ks were no di fferent
from thos e on a ny fa rm, a nd they were di s a ppea ri ng fa s t i n the ra i n. Behi nd the ra ms ha ckl e col l ecti on of s heds a nd s tone wa l l s , the l a nd
s l oped a wa y to the Bra a n Ri ver.
Its a mes s i n there, s i r, Hura ti s a i d. One wa l l nea rl y bl own out. Al l dea d. And tha t wa s jus t two enemy comma ndos .
One, Hoka n s a i d.

One?
Onl y ma l e cl ones i n the front l i ne. The other ha d to be a Jedi . He turned over the body of a n Umba ra n wi th hi s boot a nd s hook hi s hea d.
Tha t wound wa s ma de by a l i ghts a ber. I know wha t a l i ghts a ber wound l ooks l i ke. Two peopl e. I woul dnt even ha ve tha t i nforma ti on i f i t
ha dnt been for i nforma nts . Do I ha ve to rel y on dung-ca ked farmers for i ntel l i gence? Do I? Do I?
He regretted ha vi ng to s hout. But i t s eemed neces s a ry. Why ca nt a nyone ma na ge to call it in when they ma ke a n enemy conta ct? Thi nk! Us e
your dikutla hea ds , or Il l s how you how to recogni ze a l i ghts a ber wound the ha rd wa y. Two droi ds bega n l i fti ng the Umba ra ns body onto a
s peeder. Lea ve tha t thi ng where i t i s . Get a fter your comra des a nd fi nd me s ome enemy.
Hura ti put hi s ha nd to the s i de of hi s hea d. Droi ds ha ve found s omethi ng el s e i n a hous e up the roa d, s i r. Hi s expres s i on fel l bl a nk a s he
l i s tened to hi s coml i nk. Oh. Oh. He turned to Hoka n. I thi nk you s houl d s ee thi s for yours el f, s i r.
Hura ti di dnt s tri ke hi m a s a n offi cer tha t woul d wa s te hi s ti me. They mounted the s peeder a nd worked thei r wa y ba ck up the roa d to
a nother s ma l l , di l a pi da ted hovel s et a mong the trees . Hoka n fol l owed Hura ti i nto the fa rmhous e, where a coupl e of droi ds ha d i l l umi na ted
the rooms wi th s pot-l a mps .
For s ome rea s on he woul d never fa thom, the fi rs t a s pect of the cha os tha t ca ught hi s eye wa s the s oup tureen l yi ng on i ts s i de on the fi l thy
fl oor. It wa s onl y when he turned hi s hea d tha t he s a w the bodi es .
Ah, Hoka n s a i d.
Sol di ers us ed bl a s ters . In a pi nch, they woul d us e kni ves or bl unt objects . But he ha d never known a nyone i n uni form, not even hi s ra gta g
mi l i ti a , who us ed teeth. The three a dul ts were ri pped a nd torn a s i f a l a rge ca rni vore ha d a tta cked them. Al l ha d crus h i njuri es to wha t wa s l eft
of thei r throa ts . One woma n ha d s o l i ttl e i nta ct ti s s ue i n her neck tha t the hea d wa s bent over a t a l mos t ni nety degrees . Hoka n found hi ms el f
s ta ri ng.
There a re others outs i de i n the s hed, Hura ti s a i d.
Hoka n ha d never cons i dered hi ms el f ea s i l y di s turbed, but thi s worri ed hi m. It wa s a n a ct by s omethi ng he di dnt recogni ze a nd coul dnt
comprehend, beyond the s cope of a s enti ent crea tures s i mpl e revenge. It mi ght ha ve been coi nci dence, a n a ni ma l a tta ck on s omeone who
ha ppened to be a n i nformerbut he coul dnt thi nk of a ny s peci es on Qi i l ura tha t coul d or woul d bri ng down huma ns .
Hura ti s tudi ed the bodi es . I di dnt thi nk ki l l i ng ci vi l i a ns wa s the Republ i cs s tyl e.
Its not, Hoka n s a i d. And comma ndos woul dnt wa s te ti me on work tha t woul dnt a i d thei r effort.
Wel l , whoever ki l l ed them wa s nt moti va ted by robbery. Hura ti pi cked up a l a rge meta l bowl from the fl oor, dus ted i t wi th hi s gl ove, a nd
s et i t on a s hel f. Thi s i s proba bl y our i nformer. I woul dnt count on much a s s i s ta nce from now on. Word wi l l get a round fa s t.
Youre certa i n there a re no bl a s ter wounds ? It mi ght ha ve been s i mpl e preda ti on. He knew i n hi s gut tha t i t wa s nt. But wha t ha d done
thi s ?
None, Hura ti s a i d.
Hoka n di dnt l i ke i t a t a l l . He beckoned Hura ti to fol l ow hi m a nd wa l ked out bri s kl y to s ummon two droi ds . I wa nt a ri ng a round Imbra a ni .
Pul l a l l the droi ds ba ck. Id ra ther l os e Tekl et tha n ri s k Utha ns project.
We coul d a rra nge for Doctor Utha n to be eva cua ted.
Movi ng her a nd her entoura ge i s goi ng to be s l ow a nd cons pi cuous . Were better off defendi ng a pos i ti on tha n movi ng. I wa nt ha l f the
droi ds bl a ta ntl y vi s i bl e a t the fa ci l i ty a nd the other ha l f a round the vi l l a but di s creetl y, unders ta nd?
There wa s a ra ttl e of meta l i n the di s ta nce, a nd Hoka n s pun a round to s ee droi ds s wa rmi ng towa rd the ri verba nk.
Ha ve they found a nythi ng?
Hura ti pres s ed hi s ha nd to hi s hea d, l i s teni ng to the coml i nk. Two enemy s i ghted fi ve kl i cks wes t of here, s i r. The droi ds ha ve enga ged
them.
Tha ts more l i ke i t, Hoka n s a i d. Id l i ke a t l ea s t one a l i ve, prefera bl y both i f the gi rl s a Jedi .
He s wung onto the s peeder bi ke a nd moti oned Hura ti to s i t up front a nd dri ve. The s peeder zi pped down the tra ck hea di ng wes t a s Hura ti
confi rmed coordi na tes wi th the droi d pa trol .
Hoka n hoped the droi ds coul d ma na ge a n i ns tructi on l i ke take them alive. He needed rea l troops for thi s , a ctua l s ol di ers who coul d get i nto
a wkwa rd pl a ces a nd s ee s ubtl e thi ngs . He now ha d jus t thi rty orga ni c offi cers rema i ni ng a nd s l i ghtl y under a hundred droi ds : i dea l for a s ma l l
s et-pi ece ba ttl e, but next to us el es s for counteri ng a comma ndo force s prea d over terra i n wi th pl enty of cover.
Theyd defi ni tel y ha ve to come to hi m. Jus t thi s once, though, hed humor them a nd joi n the purs ui t.

11

Owing to shortages, we regret to inform you that we have been forced to increase the price of the new seasons barq. Shortages are due to local
difficulties at source. We will of course be giving preference to our most favored regular customers.
Tra de Federa ti on noti ce to whol es a l ers

Da rma n

ha d ta ken down qui te a few ti nni es on Geonos i s , a nd one thi ng hed l ea rned wa s tha t they were bui l t for conventi ona l i nfa ntry
comba t on ni ce, fl a t ground.
They werent s o cl ever on trea cherous terra i nor wi thout a n orga ni c offi cer ca l l i ng the s hots .
He coul d s ee a group of trees a hundred meters a wa y tha t a ppea red to be s kyl i ned a ga i ns t nothi ng, a nd he hoped tha t mea nt there mi ght
be a n es ca rpment on the other s i de. Down there, he yel l ed to Eta i n, poi nti ng. Come on, a nd get rea dy to jump.
Hed a l mos t forgotten the pa i n i n hi s s houl der. He cl utched hi s ri fl e ti ght to hi s ches t a nd s pri nted for the tree l i ne. It took hi m ten s econds .
The l a nd s l oped a wa y bel ow, a l l thorn bus hes a nd muddy s oi l ri ght down to the ri ver, broken onl y by a na tura l ba ck-s l opi ng terra ce tha t
formed a s ma l l gul l y. When he l ooked ba ck, Eta i n wa s ri ght behi nd hi ma nd he wa s nt expecti ng her to be.
Keep goi ng! s he pa nted. Dont keep l ooki ng ba ck.
The bl a s terfi re of the a dva nci ng droi ds wa s hi tti ng bra nches fa r too cl os e for comfort. When they got to the edge he s i mpl y s hoved her. She
tri ed to ri ght hers el f for a s econd before fa l l i ng a nd rol l i ng down the s l ope. He l a unched hi ms el f a nd rol l ed a fter her.
Da rma n ha d the protecti on of Ka ta rn a rmor, but s he di dnt. When they ca me to a ha l t a t the bottom of the gul l y, Eta i n wa s mi nus her outer
cl oa k a nd pl us a l ot of s cra pes . But s he s ti l l ha d two s ecti ons of the E-Web ca nnon s tra pped to her s ha re of the pa ck. She wa s cl i ngi ng to them
wi th gri m determi na ti on.
Next ti me, l et me jump, wi l l you? s he hi s s ed. Im not compl etel y hel pl es s .
Sorry. He checked hi s grena des . Im goi ng to run s hort of a mmo s oon. Im goi ng to ha ve to s a cri fi ce s ome demol i ti on ordna nce.
Tel l me wha t youre pl a nni ng.
Bri ngi ng down the s l ope. Wi th them on i t. He pa i d out the l i ne of mi cromi nes a nd s cra mbl ed a few meters ba ck to s tri ng them hori zonta l l y
between the trees . Ca n you di g out s ome of the bore-ba ngs from tha t pa ck, pl ea s e? Four s houl d do i t.
Wha t a re they?
The l ong red s ti cks . Cus tom ordna nce.
He hea rd her ga s pi ng her wa y up the s l ope behi nd hi m. When he turned hi s hea d s he wa s gri ppi ng a bus h wi th one ha nd, a nd hol di ng out
tubes of expl os i ve i n the other. Her fi ngers were covered i n bl ood. He fel t s uddenl y gui l ty, but hed ha ve to worry a bout tha t l a ter.
Tha nks , ma a m, he s a i d a utoma ti ca l l y. He ba l a nced preca ri ous l y, feel i ng the s tra i n i n hi s ca l ves , a nd s cra mbl ed from bus h to bus h. He
hel d ea ch bore-ba ng perpendi cul a r to the s l ope a nd twi s ted the end ca p; the cyl i nder whi rred a nd burrowed deep i nto the ground. He s pa ced
them a t fi ve-meter i nterva l s .
The chi nki ng noi s e of droi ds on the move wa s getti ng cl os er, ca rryi ng on the s ti l l , da mp a i r.
Run! Da rma n hi s s ed.
Adrena l i ne wa s a wonderful thi ng to s ee i n a cti on. Eta i n gra bbed her pa ck a nd bol ted a l ong the gul l y. Da rma n fol l owed. Fi fty meters a
hundredtwo hundred. He pa us ed to l ook ba ck a nd s a w one thi n meta l fa cepl a te peer over the edge.
Down! he yel l ed, a nd s queezed the detona tor i n hi s pa l m.
A chunk of Qi i l ura bl ew a pa rt a t a pproxi ma tel y ei ght thous a nd meters a s econd. Da rma n hea rd i t a nd regretted not s eei ng i t, but hi s hea d
wa s s hi el ded by hi s cros s ed a rms a nd he wa s fa cedown i n the di rt. It wa s pure i ns ti nct. He s houl d ha ve tol d Eta i n to cover her ea rs , a l though i t
woul dnt ha ve hel ped her much. He s houl d ha ve ma de her run a l ot s ooner. He s houl d ha ve done a l ot of thi ngs , l i ke i gnori ng Ji na rt, a nd
i ns tea d s ta yed on the mi s s i on.
He ha dnt. Hed dea l wi th i t.
The noi s e of the bl a s t overl oa ded hi s hel met for a few moments ; there wa s a cra ckl i ng s i l ence. Then s ound rus hed ba ck i n a ga i n a nd he
coul d feel cl ods of s oi l pl oppi ng a ga i ns t hi s ba ck l i ke hea vy ra i n. When he got to hi s knees a nd turned a round, there wa s a bra nd-new
l a nds ca pe to be s een. Trees jutted out from a s ha rp cl i ff of pa cked mud a t bi za rre a ngl es . Some ha d i nta ct bra nches , a nd others were s na pped
off a nd s pl i ntered. A s i ngl e meta l l i c l eg protruded from the debri s . Di rt wa s crumbl i ng a wa y from the fa ce of the cl i ff l i ke wet perma crete, a nd
one tree wa s s l i di ng s l owl y downwa rd.
Da rma n l ooked a round for Eta i n. She wa s a few meters a hea d, kneel i ng ba ck on her heel s wi th her ha nd to one ea r. When he drew cl os er he
coul d s ee a thi n tri ckl e of bl ood runni ng down the s i de of her fa ce.
Oka y? he a s ked.
Eta i n s ta red a t hi s mouth. I ca nt hea r you, s he s a i d. She nurs ed her l eft ea r, fa ce contorted wi th pa i n.
Youve bl own a n ea rdrum. Ta ke i t ea s y. Stupi d: s he coul dnt hea r, a nd s he coul dnt s ee hi s l i ps wi th hi s hel met on. It wa s refl ex
rea s s ura nce. He wa s a bout to l ook for hi s ba cta s pra y when s he l ooked pa s t hi m a nd poi nted fra nti ca l l y. He turned. A droi d wa s peeri ng over
the edge of the cra ter. It di dnt a ppea r to ha ve s een them.
Da rma n di dnt know how ma ny there mi ght be. He deba ted whether to depl oy a remote, then wondered wha t hed do i f i t s howed hi m a
hundred more ti nni es comi ng. He wa s nt s ure where el s e to run. He es ti ma ted tha t he coul d hol d them off for a bout a n hour, a nd then theyd
be out of everythi ng except hi s vi brobl a de a nd Eta i ns l i ghts a ber.
Then he hea rd a s hout.
Droi ds , report!
Da rma n fl a ttened hi ms el f i nto the s i de of the s l ope bes i de Eta i n. He coul d hea r the voi ces , even i f s he coul dnt. She s ta red up a t the cl i ff
a nd s queezed her eyes s hut. For a moment Da rma n thought i t wa s pl a i n terror, a nd he woul dnt ha ve bl a med her. Hed bl own a wa y ha l f a
hi l l s i de a nd s ti l l ha dnt s topped the droi ds . He wa s s ta rti ng to feel a gna wi ng empti nes s i n hi s gut a s wel l .

He concentra ted on the voi ces , tryi ng to gues s numbers . Two huma ns , two men.
theyve booby-tra pped
ca n you s ee a nythi ng?
theres nothi ng el s e down there.
Da rma n hel d hi s brea th.
No, theyre gone. Mus t ha ve s peeders .
Droi ds , form up a nd return
The meta l fa ce pul l ed ba ck a nd the cl i nki ng ga i t fa ded on the a i r, a l ong wi th the whi r of a s peeder engi ne. Then there wa s s i l ence, broken
onl y by the occa s i ona l crea k of a s pl i ntered tree bei ng pul l ed s l owl y a pa rt on i ts journey down the s ha ttered s l ope.
Da rma n gl a nced a t Eta i n. Her eyes were s ti l l s hut, a nd s he wa s brea thi ng ha rd.
I di dnt thi nk I coul d do tha t, s he s a i d.
Do wha t? She s ta red a t hi m. He took off hi s hel met s o s he coul d s ee hi s mouth. Dowha t? Da rma n mouthed, exa ggera ti ng the s yl l a bl es .
Her ga ze fi xed on hi s l i ps .
Infl uence them. Both of them.
Wa s tha t s ome s ort of Jedi thought tri ck?
She l ooked ba ffl ed. She obvi ous l y wa s nt us ed to l i p-rea di ng. Its s ort of a Jedi thought tri ck, s he s a i d.
Da rma n s ti fl ed a n urge to l a ugh. It wa s nt funny a t a l l . Shed a chi eved s omethi ng he found a l mos t ma gi ca l . At tha t poi nt i n the cri s i s , i t wa s
the bes t mi l i ta ry opti on, better tha n l etti ng l oos e wi th a l l the ordna nce a t hi s di s pos a l , a nd s omethi ng even Ka l Ski ra ta coul dnt do.
They were a l i ve. They coul d move on.
Ni ce job, comma nder, he s a i d. Very ni cel y done. He touched hi s gl ove to hi s forehea d a nd gri nned. Lets get ours el ves s orted, eh?
Da rma n took out hi s medpa c a nd removed two s ha rps of pa i nki l l er a nd the ba cta s pra y. He fi xed hi s own s houl der fi rs t, ja bbi ng the needl e
ha rd i nto the bl ue vei n i n the crook of hi s l eft el bow s o tha t the drug di s pers ed fa s ter. But i t s ti l l ma de hi s eyes wa ter when he s pra yed the
bl a s ter burn.
Eta i n wa tched wi th gri m res i gna ti on a nd s wa l l owed vi s i bl y.
Come on, Eta i n, Da rma n s a i d. Hol d s ti l l .
He a i med the s pra y l i ke a pi s tol i nto her l eft ea r.
Da rma n ha d no i dea tha t Jedi coul d curs e fl uentl y i n Huttes e, but he wa s l ea rni ng more a bout them every mi nute. A lot more.
The exca va ti on droi d ra ttl ed down the roa d, ma na gi ng to fi nd every pothol e a nd rut between Imbra a ni a nd the s creeni ng pl a nt. Ni ner
bounced ea ch ti me, too. Buri ed i n the s coop under a l a yer of l oos e rubbl e, wi th enough expl os i ves to l evel everythi ng wi thi n ha l f a ki l ometer,
he wa s anxious.
The detona tors were di s a bl ed. He kept checki ng tha t.
Now tha t ni ght ha d fa l l en a nd the ra i n s topped, he coul d ea s e hi ms el f i nto a pos i ti on where he coul d s ee a hea d. Bl ue na vi ga ti on l i ghts
pi cked out the droi ds front fender, a nd a n a mber ha za rd l i ght whi rl ed on i ts ca nopy, i l l umi na ti ng the trees on ei ther s i de of the tra ck. It wa s a
l umberi ng thi ng tha t woul dnt get out of a nyones wa y. Behi nd i t, a convoy of i denti ca l droi ds fol l owed. They were a n i nti mi da ti ng proces s i on.
Even the col umn of ti nni es ma rchi ng towa rd Ni ner moved to one s i de of the roa d.
He pi cked them out i n hi s ni ght-vi s i on vi s or, a l though the s ound a l one i denti fi ed them. Clink-rasp-clink-rasp. It wa s the knee joi nts . Nothi ng
but ba ttl e droi ds ma rched tha t regul a rl y, not even cl one troopers . There were no voi ces , not even the occa s i ona l comma nd to form s i ngl e fi l e,
or shut it back there. It wa s a l l gri m mecha ni ca l purpos e.
Ni ner cl os ed hi s fi ngers a round the gri ps of the DC-17. He rea l l y di dnt wa nt to enga ge them. It wa s goi ng to be ha rd enough to di rect the
exca va tor to the ta rget a nd get a wa y i n one pi ece wi thout pa us i ng for s ki rmi s hes a l ong the route. Walk on, will you? Just walk on. He di dnt wa nt
to tes t the ma nufa cturers a s s ura nce tha t a few bl a s ter bol ts woul dnt s et off the cha rges . He wa s s pra wl ed on top of them. Proxi mi ty ma de you
s kepti ca l .
There were fi fty ba ttl e droi ds i n the col umn hea di ng for Imbra a ni . If he ma na ged to knock out the ground s ta ti on, tha t woul d be the fi rs t
mes s a ge hed s end on hi s l ong-ra nge coml i nk.
The chunk-chunk-chunk of thei r feet drew l evel wi th hi m a nd he froze.
Chunk-chunk-chunk-chunk-chunk.
It bega n to fa de behi nd hi m. He brea thed a ga i n. Once the exca va tor droi d wa s coa xed pa s t i ts l ogi ca l des ti na ti on of the s creeni ng pl a nt, i t
woul d be tha t much more cons pi cuous . At l ea s t the ti nni es l ooked bus y. The wors t pa rt wa s ha vi ng a pretty good i dea a bout wha t orders theyd
been gi ven.
Jus t ten kl i cks . He wa s mi nutes a wa y from the poi nt where the droi d woul d a ttempt to del i ver i ts l oa d. At tha t moment, hed di vert i t towa rd
Tekl et i ts el f, through the center of the town a nd i nto the ground s ta ti on compound. At l ea s t the a eri a l recce a ppea red to ha ve been ri ght a bout
tha t. Tekl et wa s a s pra wl of s tora ge s i l os a nd s hi ppi ng fa ci l i ti es for getti ng produce off the pl a net, a nd not much el s e.
The wors t tha t the Tra de Federa ti on ha d ever a nti ci pa ted dea l i ng wi th wa s a ba nd of a ngry fa rmers . It wa s goi ng to ma ke hi s job a good dea l
ea s i er.
Jus t a hea d, the droi ds fl a s hi ng l i ght bounced off a s i gn poi nti ng l eft: ALL CONTRACTOR TRAFFICNO ENTRY VIA MAIN GATE. The exca va tor knew i ts wa y a nd
bega n s l owi ng for the turn. Ni ner took Ati ns jury-ri gged ca bl es a nd unpl ugged one s tra nd. Go on. Go on. Go
The droi d wa s a l mos t a t the turn. It wa s movi ng a t a round twenty-fi ve kl i cks now, threa teni ng to veer off. But i t ca rri ed on, pa s t the s i gn, pa s t
the s l i p roa d, a nd on towa rd Tekl et. Tha ts my boy, Ni ner s a i d. The s wea t pri ckl ed between hi s s houl der bl a des , des pi te hi s s ui ts
envi ronment control s . Coul dnt s peed up a bi t, coul d you? Ma ybe tha t wa s a s ki ng for troubl e. When he ea s ed hi s hea d cl ea r of the l a yer of
rubbl e a nd peered a round the s i de of the s coop, he coul d s ee a proces s i on of droi ds s trung out behi nd hi m a l ong the curve of the roa d, nea tl y
l i ne a s tern l i ke ba ttl e crui s ers , ea ch fl a s hi ng a n ora nge ha za rd l i ght wi th i ts outl i ne pi cked out i n bl ue.
It wa s a ctua l l y pretty, a l l thi ngs cons i dered. Then the nea res t droi d s l owed a nd peel ed off down the s l i p roa d, the l i ght s how behi nd Ni ner
fa di ng, then di s a ppea ri ng a l together. He wa s on hi s own. He s ettl ed ba ck under the rubbl e wi th hi s hea d ti l ted s o tha t he coul d s ee a hea d

through a cha nnel i n the debri s .

Tekl et ha d l i ttl e i n the wa y of s treet l i ghti ng, a nd there were few peopl e a bout. As a rchi tecture went, thi s wa s nt ta s teful , el ega nt Ti poca . It
wa s a s ervi ce depot a nd i t l ooked l i ke one. A coupl e of Tra ndos ha ns were s i tti ng under a n a wni ng outs i de a hut, bl a s ters a cros s thei r l a ps ;
they s ta red a t the droi d wi th va gue curi os i ty but di dnt a ppea r to move. Ni ner wa s a l mos t pa s t the ri bbon of huts when the thought s truck hi m
tha t a fi ve-hundred-meter bl a s t zone woul d ta ke out a l ot of Tekl et, a nd peopl e wi th i t. Not a l l of them were Sepa ra ti s ts .
Once you make that your concern, theyll always have a weapon to use against you. Ski ra ta s a i d they ha d to get us ed to i t. Achi evi ng your objecti ve
s ometi mes ha d a hi gh pri ce.
A bonded ca rgo tra ns porter wi th red s ecuri ty s tra ps s ea l i ng i ts conta i ners cros s ed i n front of hi m. The droi d mi s s ed i t by two s econds . If the
dri ver wa s cutti ng i t tha t cl os e, then they ha dnt ta ken much noti ce of the ma chi ne. So fa r, s o good a nd getti ng better. As the droi d pres s ed
on, Ni ner wa s checki ng hi s es ca pe route. It wa s a good two-hundred-meter s pri nt to the nea res t cover from a ny pa rt of the roa d. It wa s goi ng to
be ti ght.
He ha d to get the droi d to ha l t ri ght a l ongs i de the ground s ta ti on. If i t kept goi ng, the bl a s t woul d be centered el s ewhere. He coul d s et the
dets now, s l i de out of the s coop, a nd run for i t, but tha t mea nt obs ervi ng the droi d up to the l a s t s econd, a nd tha t mea nt hed proba bl y be too
cl os e when i t bl ew.
But he wa s commi tted now. The ground s ta ti on ha d to go. It woul d put a s eri ous dent i n the Sepa ra ti s ts defens es for a few cri ti ca l da ys ,
ma ybe even weeks , a nd tha t wa s a n edge they needed.
Worki ng s ome rubbl e a s i de wi th hi s fi nger, Ni ner coul d s ee the l i ghts of the compound. He fl i cked to ni ght vi s i on, a nd the green i ma ge
s howed hi m fl i ms y mes h fenci ng a nd a wa i s t-hi gh reta i ni ng wa l l . The exca va tor woul d rol l ri ght over i t on i ts pa th to the bui l di ng i ts el f.
Theyd know he wa s there, a l l ri ght.
Hed l eft the dets unti l l a s t. The cha rges were l i nked by cord i n s eri es , jus t wa i ti ng for the fi na l connecti on to the three detona tors tha ti n
theoryNi ner coul d tri gger remotel y. He cl a mped the cords together a nd s hoved them i nto the a perture of the det hous i ngs , s na ppi ng them
s hut.
The expl os i ves were now l i ve. He wa s nt jus t s i tti ng on a bomb; he wa s s i tti ng in one. The cha rges , di s pers ed a mong the rubbl e, were up to
hi s neck. He bega n to ea s e hi s l egs cl ea r, rea dy to jump.
If he di dnt wa l k a wa y from thi s , then tha t wa s the wa y i t ha d to be. For a moment Ni ner fel t a col d s pa s m i n hi s gut tha t he recogni zed from
a dozen a l l -too-rea l exerci s es . He wa s proba bl y goi ng to get ki l l ed. He wa s possibly goi ng to get ki l l ed. If a nyone thought i ntens i ve tra i ni ng
wi ped out the fea r of dyi ng, they were wrong. He wa s a s a fra i d a s he wa s when l i ve rounds ha d fl own pa s t hi m for the fi rs t ti me. It never went
a wa y. He jus t l ea rned to l i ve wi th i t, a nd tri ed to l ea rn wel l enough tha t he coul d us e i t to work for hi m, a nd get hi m out of troubl e fa s ter.
Ni ner fumbl ed wi th the ca bl i ng. He s teered the droi d i n a gentl e a rc s o tha t i t wa s s qua re-on to the fence. It wa s nt the bes t cours e hed ever
s teered, but wi th a fi ve-hundred-meter bl a s t zone, i t wa s goi ng to be good enough. He ducked. The wi re mes h l oomed i n hi s fa ce a t the edge
of the s coop, then s tra i ned a nd vi bra ted, tea ri ng up pos ts wi th i t a s the droi d pus hed through, obl i vi ous .
It wa s nea rl y a t the wa l l . The bui l di ng wa s fi ve meters hi gh; fl a t roof, no wi ndows . They di dnt s eem to l i ke wi ndows here. He hea rd a s i ngl e
s hout, s omethi ng l i ke chuba, a nd he ha d to a gree. Thi s wa s goi ng to fi erfek s omeones wa tch wi th a l ot of reports .
Ni ner ya nked the ca bl es a pa rt a nd cut the droi ds power. Its momentum ca rri ed i t on a few more meters , a nd meta l twa nged a nd s quea l ed
a s the cha i n-l i nk fence wa s s tretched to the brea ki ng poi nt. The wi res fi na l l y s na pped ba ck l i ke a bows tri ng under the exca va tors wheel s .
One, two, three
The droi d wa s a t a dea d s top ha rd a ga i ns t the wa l l . The bl ocks were begi nni ng to cra ck, a nd ga ps were openi ng between them. He ha d a
s udden vi s i on of fi ndi ng hi ms el f buri ed i n col l a ps i ng ma s onry a nd una bl e to move, a nd a combi na ti on of a ni ma l pa ni c a nd a l i feti me of
tra i ni ng propel l ed hi m out of the rubbl e a nd over the edge of the s coop. He fel l fl a t from two meters a nd s truggl ed to ri ght hi ms el f. Then there
wa s s houti ng a nd, fi fty-ki l o pa ck or not, he executed the fa s tes t bugout of hi s ca reer, Deece i n one ha nd a nd the remote det control i n the
other.
There wa s one wa y out a nd tha t wa s through the ga p hed s ma s hed i n the fence.
It wa s nt covert. A huma n i n a n overa l l wa s s ta ndi ng open-mouthed i n hi s pa th, a nd Ni ner knocked hi m fl a t on hi s ba ck a s he ra n ful l -ti l t for
the hol e i n the mes h.
He ha d a bout a mi nute to put di s ta nce between hi ms el f a nd the ground s ta ti on before he bl ew the cha rges . At twenty kl i cks a n hour, tha t
mea nt hed be a bout
Fierfek, just do it.
Ni ner wa s pa s t the fi rs t l i ne of trees a nd i nto l ong gra s s when he dropped a nd pres s ed the remote det i n both ha nds .
Tekl et wa s a s udden ba l l of l i ght. Then the roa r of a i r a nd the s hock wa ve s hook hi m. He crouched a s debri s ra i ned down on hi m, hopi ng
rea l l y hopingtha t Ka ta rn a rmor wa s a l l tha t i t wa s cra cked up to be.
Ghez Hoka n wa s the fi rs t to a dmi t tha t i t wa s ta ki ng a l ot l es s to get hi m i rri ta ted l a tel y. Hed wa i ted l ong enough. He ta pped the coml i nk
cons ol e i mpa ti entl y.
I a s ked to be out through to CO CISCom ten mi nutes a go, dikut.
I rea l i ze tha t, Ma jor. Hel l be wi th you a s s oon a s hes free.
Enemy forces ha ve i nfi l tra ted a nd I need to s pea k to your comma ndi ng offi cer. Do you unders ta nd wha t we ha ve on Qi i l ura ? Coul d you
pos s i bl y s hi ft your dikutla shebs l ong enough to fi nd out why thi s i s s o vi ta l to the wa r?
Si r, we ha ve Republ i c troops i nfi l tra ti ng more pl a ces tha n I ca re to na me ri ght now, s o
The s creen fl i ckered a nd broke up i n noi s e. Hoka n s wi tched to a nother cha nnel a nd got the s a me cra ckl i ng, s hi mmeri ng di s pl a y. It wa s the
s a me for every cha nnel he tri ed. Hi s fi rs t thought wa s tha t s omeone ha d di s a bl ed hi s recei ver. They were cl os er tha n hed thought, a nd a l ot
more da ri ng. He put on hi s hel met a nd edged ca uti ous l y down the pa s s a ge to the exteri or door, hi s verpi ne s ha tter gun i n one ha nd a nd a
hunti ng vi brobl a de i n the other.
The droi d s entry s tepped a s i de to l et hi m pa s s . On the roof, the comm rel a y wa s i nta ct. Hoka n took out hi s pers ona l coml i nk a nd ca l l ed
Hura ti .
Al l Hoka n coul d hea r wa s the cha tter of s ta ti c. It s truck hi m tha t the Republ i c troops mi ght wel l ha ve done wha t he woul d ha ve, fa ced wi th
the s a me ta rget.
Droi d, ca n you ma ke conta ct wi th your fel l ows ?

Affi rma ti ve s i r.
The droi ds ha d thei r own coml i nk s ys tem. They coul d communi ca te i ns ta ntl y on a ny ba ttl efi el d. Wha t they di dnt need wa s the ma i n rel a y a t
Tekl et i n order to do i t.
Ca n you conta ct Li eutena nt Hura ti ?
The droi d pa us ed for a few moments . I ha ve hi m, s i r.
As k hi m i f he ha s a ny news of Tekl et.
Pa us e. A much l onger pa us e.
La rge expl os i on s een i n the di recti on of Tekl et, s i r.
Its what Id do if I was preparing an assault, Hoka n thought. Id render my enemies blind and deaf.
There wa s nothi ng he coul d do on the ground to dea l wi th a n i nva s i on, i f one wa s comi ng. There wa s a Republ i c a s s a ul t s hi p i n Qi i l ura
s pa ce, a nd tha t di dnt bode wel l .
He ha d two opti ons for hi s i mmedi a te ta s k. He coul d defend Utha ns projectthe techni ca l knowl edge i nves ted i n her a nd her s ta ff, a nd the
na novi rus i ts el for, i f he wa s overrun, he coul d prevent i t fa l l i ng i nto enemy ha nds to be s tudi ed a nd neutra l i zed.
It wa s a bi g pl a net. If he ha d to run, theyd ha ve to fi nd hi m. In the mea nti me, hed s i t ti ght a nd wa i t for them to come.
Tel l Hura ti I wa nt every functi oni ng droi d ba ck here now, Hoka n s a i d. Were di ggi ng i n.

12

Corus ca nt Comma nd to Republ i c As s a ul t Shi p Majestic,

Qi i l ura Sector
Crui s er Vengeance wi l l RV wi th you a t 0400. You ha ve cl ea ra nce to i ntercept a ny ves s el l ea vi ng Qi i l ura s pa ce, prevent l a ndi ng by nonRepubl i c ves s el s , a nd enga ge a ny ves s el fa i l i ng to compl y. Ha ve bi oha za rd conta i nment s ta ndi ng by.

Ni ner s truggl ed to hi s feet a nd s ta red ba ck a t the ground s ta ti on.

It wa s nt there a nymore. Nei ther were the few s ma l l huts s ca ttered a l ong the a pproa ch roa d. There wa s bi l l owi ng s moke a nd fi res burni ng,
i ncl udi ng one tha t l ooked a s i f i t were a bl owtorch. Another expl os i on ma de hi m s hi el d hi s hea d, a nd more debri s peppered hi s a rmor.
Apa rt from tha t, the a rea wa s s i l ent. He s et off through the trees a ga i n, feel i ng a s i f hed been pi cked up a nd s ha ken ha rd by s omeone rea l l y
a ngry. A s ma l l pa ck of gda ns bega n cha s i ng hi m, s na ppi ng on hi s l eg a rmor, but they ca ught on fa s t tha t he wa s goi ng to be i mpos s i bl e to ea t
a nd fel l ba ck. He opened hi s l ong-ra nge coml i nk for the fi rs t ti me i n da ys .
Ni ner here, a nyone recei vi ng?
He coul d hea r hi s own brea th ra s pi ng a s he ra n. He wa s down to a s tumbl i ng jog now a nd feel i ng the rea l i ty of hi s exha us ti on. Hed ta ke a
s ti m or two l a ter. He ha d to.
Sa rge? Fi here. Ta rget a cqui red, then.
Wow. P for pl enty.
You s ound bus y.
On my wa y to the RV.
Youre runni ng.
You bet. Si trep?
Ha d to dump the droi d a nd ca che a l ot of s tuff. But the Weequa y ca n ca rry a s urpri s i ng a mount i f you a s k hi m ni cel y. ETA a n hour or s o.
Ca l l Da rma n, i n ca s e Ji na rt ha s nt ca ught up wi th hi m yet.
Copy tha t. ETA?
Depends . Looki ng for tra ns port ri ght now.
You s ure a bout tha t?
You ca n do fa s t or you ca n do covert. Ri ght now fa s t l ooks good to me. Out.
Ni ner kept cl os e enough to the roa d to hea r vehi cl es . He needed a s peeder. The ma ngl ed cha s s i s of a pers ona l tra ns port of s ome ki nd wa s
upended a t the s i de of the roa d, tes ti mony to the force of the bl a s t.
Eventua l l y, s omeone woul d s how up to ta ke a l ook a t the da ma ge. Then hed ha ve hi s cha nce.
After a few mi nutes Ni ner wa s s ta rti ng to s ee i nta ct bui l di ngs through the trees . He wa s nea ri ng the fa rthes t edge of the bl a s t zone. Fa rther
a hea d he coul d s ee l i ghts comi ng towa rd hi m, a nd hi s vi s or tol d hi m they were a pproa chi ng fa s t. He dropped down i nto the cover of the gra s s .
As they got nea rer, he coul d pi ck out one l a nds peeder a nd a s peeder bi ke.
Ni ner coul dnt fa ce wa l ki ng ba ck i nto the bl a s t zone to ta ke one. Hed ha ve to s top them here. And hed ha ve to s top them wi th mi ni mum
da ma ge, or el s e hed s ti l l be hi ki ng ba ck to the RV poi nt.
He a i med hi s ri fl e on s ni per s etti ng a nd wa i ted unti l the l a nds peeder wa s wi thi n three hundred meters . It di dnt s urpri s e hi m tha t i t wa s nt
a n emergency vehi cl e. He coul d s ee the dri ver cl ea rl y: a Tra ndos ha n. They di dnt ha ve a record i n huma ni ta ri a n publ i c s ervi ce. He wa s proba bl y
rus hi ng to s ee i f hi s s l a ve tra ffi c ha d been a ffected by the bl a s t. The s peeder wa s ca rryi ng a Tra ndos ha n a s wel l .
Ni ner s queezed gentl y, a nd the bol t s ha ttered the l a nds peeders s creen. The vehi cl e veered ri ght off the roa d, s pra yi ng mud a nd gra vel i n
the a i r, a nd the s peeder bi ke s wung l eft a nd pul l ed up dea d. For a moment the ri der hes i ta ted, i ns ti ncti vel y l ooki ng a round i n the da rk a s i f
uns ure wha t ha d ha ppened, but then he a ppea red to work i t out jus t a s Ni ners s econd bol t ca ught hi m ful l i n the ches t. The s peeder bi ke
hung moti onl es s a meter a bove the ground.
There wa s a l ot to be s a i d for ni ght-vi s i on vi s ors .
Ni ner ra n from cover a nd s wung onto the s peeder, ca tchi ng hi s pa ck on the ba ck of the s ea t. He s a vored the moment. Ta ki ng the wei ght off
hi s feet ra nked nea r the top of the l i s t of pri meva l huma n needs , a l ong wi th a l ong dri nk of i ce-col d wa ter. The rel i ef wa s wonderful .
A good ni ghts s l eep a nd a decent hot mea l woul d ha ve rounded i t off perfectl y. The s ooner he got ba ck to hi s s qua d a nd fi ni s hed the job i n
ha nd, the s ooner hed be a bl e to i ndul ge. He s teered the s peeder i nto the woods a nd hea ded s outh wi th newl y upl i fted s pi ri ts .
Pi npri cks of l i ght formed a s ma l l cons tel l a ti on a hea d of Eta i n. They mi ght ha ve been a ki l ometer a wa y, or they mi ght ha ve been wi thi n a rms
rea ch: s he coul dnt tel l by s i ght a l one.
But s he coul d certa i nl y s mel l thei r brea th. It wa s a cl oyi ng, s i ckl y s cent of ra w mea t. She s wi ped her l i ghts a ber a cros s the entra nce to the
s hel ter, a nd the gda ns s ca ttered. She ha d tri ed us i ng the Force to pers ua de them to bother s omeone el s e, but i t onl y s ucceeded i n ma ki ng
them more curi ous , a l though they ha d s topped tryi ng to ta ke bi tes out of her.
How do you do it, Jinart? How do you keep them at bay? She s a t huddl ed under the coveri ng Da rma n ha d cons tructed a nd l i s tened to the wa ter
worki ng i ts wa y down through the l ea ves . The ra i n ha d s topped, but the runoff wa s s ti l l tri ckl i ng through a nd pl oppi ng on the s heet of pl a s toi d
a bove her hea d. She coul d hea r a ga i n, a t l ea s t i n one ea r.
She coul d a l s o s ee very cl ea rl y. Wha t s he s a w wa s the fa ce of the Umba ra n s hed a l mos t deca pi ta ted wi th her l i ghts a ber. Pa ni c a nd fea r ha d
pus hed the event from her mi nd, but now tha t s he wa s qui et a nd ti red, i t fl ooded ba ck a nd woul dnt go a wa y.
Eta i n tri ed to medi ta te for the fi rs t ti me i n da ys , s hutti ng out the i rri ta ti ng dri p of wa ter on her hea d. Da rma n prowl ed a round outs i de, s i l ent
a nd unnervi ng. She coul d feel hi m ebbi ng a nd fl owi ng; a nxi ous , even a l i ttl e s ca red, but focus ed a nd devoi d of vi ol ence or i nner confl i ct.
She wa nted to a s k hi m how he a chi eved tha t ba l a nce. They ha d both been ra i s ed i n compl ete i s ol a ti on from the everyda y worl d, wi th thei r

own s et of va l ues a nd di s ci pl i nes , not beca us e they ha d been chos en to be di fferent but beca us e they ha d been born tha t wa y. Thei r ca l l i ng
wa s ra ndom, geneti cunfa i r. Hed obvi ous l y s ucceeded bri l l i a ntl y; s he ha d fa i l ed i n equa l mea s ure. She l et the s ens a ti on of hi s cl a ri ty wa s h
over her.
It wa s a l mos t s oothi ng. Then i t wa s s uddenl y gone a nd a wa ve of pure exhi l a ra ti on hi t her l i ke a body bl ow. Da rma n thrus t hi s hea d through
the entra nce to the s hel ter.
Theyre comi ng, he s a i d. My s qua ds on i ts wa y. He pa us ed a s i f he wa s l i s teni ng to s omethi ng, hi s gl ove hel d a ga i ns t the s i de of hi s
hel met. It wa s odd to wa tch s omeone s o obvi ous l y del i ghted wi thout ha vi ng the s l i ghtes t i dea of hi s fa ci a l expres s i on. An hour or s o. Ni ners
ta ken out the comm s ta ti on a t Tekl et. Fi a nd Ati n ha ve a cqui red a bi t more gea r tha tl l come i n ha ndy. Pl us a pri s oner. He pa us ed a ga i n. Hi s
hea d wa s movi ng a s i f he wa s ta l ki ng. He a ppea red to be a bl e to s wi tch ba ck a nd forth between bei ng a udi bl e a nd i na udi bl e to her, a s i f hi s
hel met wa s a s epa ra te envi ronment i nto whi ch he coul d retrea t a t wi l l . A Weequay, of a l l thi ngs . Oh wel l , theyve got thei r rea s ons .
He wa s utterl y s ti l l for a few moments before noddi ng vi gorous l y. He ea s ed off hi s hel met a nd hi s fa ce wa s one broa d gri n, a i med a t
nothi ng i n pa rti cul a r.
Theyre a l l ri ght, I ta ke i t, Eta i n s a i d.
Theyre fi ne.
Im gl a d. Youre brothers , ri ght?
No, not rea l l y.
Al l ri ght, youre cl ones .
Theyre not my ori gi na l s qua d, Da rma n s a i d. Hi s expres s i on wa s s ti l l a l l del i ght a nd good humor. My brothers were a l l ki l l ed a t the ba ttl e
of Geonos i s , a nd s o were thei rs . We di dnt even know ea ch other before thi s mi s s i on. But three of us ha d the s a me tra i ni ng s ergea nt, s o I
s uppos e we feel l i ke fa mi l y. Except Ati n, of cours e.
It wa s a n extra ordi na ry s ta tement. Da rma n s howed not the s l i ghtes t s i gn of bei ng wounded by hi s recent l os s . Eta i n knew l i ttl e of bi ol ogi ca l
fa mi l i es , but s he knew tha t l os i ng Ma s ter Ful i er woul d s ti l l hurt ba dl y i n three months ti me, a nd even i n three yea rs . Perha ps theyd bred gri ef
out of cl ones , too.
You dont mi s s your brothers , then.
Da rma ns gri n s l owl y rel a xed. Of cours e I do, he s a i d qui etl y. Every da y.
You s eem to be ta ki ng i t ca l ml y.
We know were l i kel y to get ki l l ed. If we dwel l on tha t, we wont be a ny us e to a nyone. You jus t get on wi th i t, tha ts wha t our ol d tra i ni ng
s ergea nt us ed to s a y. Were a l l goi ng to di e s ometi me, s o you mi ght a s wel l di e pus hi ng the odds for s omethi ng tha t ma tters .
Eta i n wa nted to a s k hi m wha t ma ttered to hi m a bout the Republ i cs ca us e. She wa s a l mos t a fra i d to, but s he needed to know.
Wha t do you thi nk youre fi ghti ng for, Da rma n?
He l ooked bl a nk for a moment. Pea ce, ma a m.
Oka y, wha t do you thi nk youre fi ghti ng against?
Ana rchy a nd i njus ti ce. It wa s a rote res pons e, but he pa us ed a s i f cons i deri ng i t for the fi rs t ti me. Even i f peopl e a rent gra teful .
Tha t s ounds l i ke your tra i ni ng s ergea nt, too.
He wa s nt wrong, though, wa s he?
Eta i n thought of the l oca l s who ha d betra yed them to Hoka ns men. Yes , s hed l ea rned a l ot a bout the rea l i ty of confl i ct i n the l a s t few
weeks . But i t s ti l l wa s nt enough.
Its getti ng l i ght, Da rma n s a i d. He s a t down cros s -l egged i n the hi de, a rmor pl a tes cl a cki ng a ga i ns t s omethi ng. You l ook col d. Need a ny
more pa i nki l l ers ?
Eta i n ha d a chi eved a cons i s tent l evel of da mpnes s a nd pa i n tha t s he coul d l i ve wi th. She wa s too ti red to thi nk of doi ng a nythi ng el s e. Shed
even s topped noti ci ng the pers i s tent odor of wet merl i e wool . Im oka y.
If we l i ght a fi re wel l be a ma gnet for ha l f the Sepa ra ti s t a rmy. He rumma ged i n hi s bel t a nd hel d out a ra ti on cube to her, s ti l l tha t
i ncongruous a ma l ga m of fres h na vet a nd utterl y cl i ni ca l ki l l er. She s hook her hea d. He pul l ed out a ba g. Dri ed kuva ra ?
She rea l i zed from the wa y he ha d put the frui t ca reful l y i n hi s bel t a nd not i n hi s pa ck tha t he pri zed i t. He l i ved on ra ti ons wi th a l l the ta s te
a ppea l of ra nci d mott hi de. The s a cri fi ce wa s ra ther touchi ng; s hed ha ve pl enty of ti me to gorge hers el f on the ga l a xys va ri ed foods , provi ded
s he got off Qi i l ura a l i ve, but Da rma n woul dnt. She ma na ged a s mi l e a nd wa ved i t a wa y. No. Ea t up. Tha ts a n order.
He di dnt need encoura gi ng. He chewed wi th hi s eyes cl os ed a nd s he fel t des pera tel y s orry for hi m; yet a l i ttl e envi ous of hi s del i ght i n
ordi na ry thi ngs .
I know a good wa y to wa rm up, he s a i d, a nd opened hi s eyes .
Eta i n bri s tl ed. Ma ybe he wa s nt a s na ve a s he s eemed. You do?
If youre feel i ng up to i t.
Up to what?
Da rma n ma de a wait-and-see ges ture wi th one ra i s ed fi nger a nd got up to go outs i de. No, Eta i n thought, he woul dnt ha ve mea nt that a t a l l .
She wa s s uddenl y emba rra s s ed tha t s hed even i ma gi ned he mi ght. She s ta red a t the ba cks of her ha nds , s uddenl y a ppa l l ed a t thei r
a bra s i ons a nd broken na i l s a nd genera l ugl i nes s . A roughl y tri mmed pol e wa s thrus t i nto the s hel ter. She jumped. She di dnt need a ny more
s urpri s es .
If tha ts s uppos ed to be funny, Da rma n, Im not l a ughi ng.
Come on, comma nder. He peered down the l ength of the pol e. Li ghts a ber dri l l . Lets do i t now before you ha ve to for rea l .
I jus t wa nt to res t.
I know. He s qua tted down a nd s ta red a t her. I dont know much a bout s words , ei ther, but Im tra i ned i n ha nd-to-ha nd comba t.
He di dnt move. Hi s pers i s tence a nnoyed her. Actua l l y, i t s uddenl y angered her; s hed ha d enough. She wa s exha us ted, a nd s he wa nted to s i t
numbl y a nd do a bs ol utel y nothi ng. She jumped to her feet, s na tched the pol e, a nd ra n a t hi m.
He s i des tepped her, but onl y jus t.

Rel a ti vel y s a fe wa y to perfect your l i ghts a ber s ki l l s , Da rma n s a i d.

Rel a ti vel y? She hel d the pol e two-ha nded, furi ous .
Rel a ti vel y, Da rma n s a i d, a nd brought hi s own mock l i ghts a ber a round s ha rpl y on her s hi n.
Ow! You
Come on. Do your wors t. Da rma n l ea pt ba ck out of the ra nge of a s a va ge a nd uncontrol l ed l unge. Tha ts i t. Come a t me.
Tha t wa s the poi nt a t whi ch s he a l wa ys s tumbl edthe fi ne l i ne between gi vi ng ma xi mum effort a nd bei ng bl i nded by a ngry vi ol ence. You
have to mean it. Its not a game anymore. She ca me a t hi m wi th a two-ha nded s weep from ri ght to l eft, cra cki ng ha rd a ga i ns t hi s wea pon a nd
feel i ng the i mpa ct i n her wri s ts a nd el bows , forci ng Da rma n onto hi s ba ck foot. Three more ra pi d s weeps , ri ght, ri ght, l efta nd then one
i mmedi a tel y downwa rds , unexpected, hi tti ng hi m s o ha rd between neck a nd s houl der tha t i f the pol e ha d been a rea l l i ghts a ber s he woul d
ha ve s l i ced hi m i n ha l f.
She hea rd the s i ckeni ng thwack. It wa s the fi rs t ti me s hed s een hi m i n pa i n. It wa s a s pl i t s econd of a gri ma ce, no more, but s he wa s
i ns ta ntl y a ppa l l ed a t hers el f.
Sorry s he s a i d, but he ca me s tra i ght ba ck a t her a nd s ent the s ta ke fl yi ng from her ha nd.
You ha ve to pres s home your a dva nta ge, Da rma n s a i d, rubbi ng hi s neck. Ive never us ed a n energy bl a de a nd I dont ha ve the Force to ca l l
on. But I do know when to go a l l -out.
I know, Eta i n s a i d, i ns pecti ng her s hi n a nd ca tchi ng her brea th. Di d I do a ny da ma ge?
Nothi ng s eri ous . Good move.
I dont wa nt to l et you down when you need me mos t.
Youve done fi ne s o fa r, Comma nder.
How ca n you do a l l thi s , Da rma n?
Do wha t? Fi ght?
Ki l l a nd rema i n deta ched.
Tra i ni ng, I s uppos e. And wha tever wa s i n Ja ngo Fett tha t ma de hi m deta ched.
Were you ever a fra i d i n tra i ni ng?
Al mos t a l wa ys .
Di d you ever get hurt?
Al l the ti me. Others di ed. Its how you l ea rn. Getti ng hurt tea ches you to s hoot i ns ti ncti vel y. Tha ts why our i ns tructors bega n tra i ni ng us
wi th s i muni ti on tha t woul d hurt us wi thout ca us i ng perma nent da ma ge. Then we moved on to l i ve rounds .
How ol d were you then?
Four. Perha ps fi ve.
She ha dnt known tha t. It ma de her s hudder. She coul dnt reca l l a ny Jedi dyi ng i n tra i ni ng. It wa s a nother worl d. She pi cked up her pol e a nd
ma de a few s l ow pa s s es wi th i t, her ga ze fi xed on i ts ti p. I fi nd thi s a ccel era ted growth di ffi cul t to comprehend.
Its a Ka mi noa n i ndus tri a l s ecret.
I mea n tha t i ts ha rd for me to reconci l e wha t you a ppea r to be a nd wha t you ca n do, wi thwel l , wi th s omeone whos ha d l es s experi ence
of the profa ne worl d tha n even a Pa da wa n.
Sergea nt Ski ra ta tol d us we perplexed hi m.
You ta l k a bout hi m a l ot.
He tra i ned my s qua d a nd a l s o Ni ners a nd Fi s . Tha t mi ght be why they put us together for thi s mi s s i on when our brothers were ki l l ed.
Eta i n fel t a s ha med. There wa s no s el f-pi ty i n hi m wha ts oever. Wha t wi l l they do wi th you i n thi rty yea rs , when youre too ol d to fi ght?
Il l be dea d l ong before then.
Tha ts ra ther fa ta l i s ti c.
I mea n tha t wel l a l wa ys a ge fa s ter tha n you. Weve been tol d decl i ne for cl ones i s merci ful l y s wi ft. Sl ow s ol di ers get ki l l ed. I ca nt thi nk of
a better ti me to di e tha n when Im no l onger the bes t.
Eta i n rea l l y di dnt wa nt to hea r a nythi ng more a bout dea th ri ght then. Dea th wa s ha ppeni ng a l l too ea s i l y a nd frequentl y, a s i f i t di dnt
ma tter a nd ha d no cons equences . She coul d feel the Force bei ng di s torted a round her; not the regul a r rhythm of l i fe a s i t wa s mea nt to be, but
the cha os of des tructi on. She fel t s he coul d nei ther a ccept i t nor i nfl uence i t.
Were s uppos ed to be pea cekeepers , s he s a i d wea ri l y. Thi s i s ugl y.
But wa r a l wa ys i s . Ca l l i ng i t pea cekeepi ng does nt cha nge a nythi ng.
Its di fferent, Eta i n s a i d.
Da rma n purs ed hi s l i ps , l ooki ng s l i ghtl y pa s t her a s i f rehea rs i ng s omethi ng di ffi cul t i n hi s mi nd. Sergea nt Ski ra ta s a i d tha t ci vvi es di dnt
ha ve a cl ue, a nd tha t i t wa s a l l ri ght for them to ha ve l ofty i dea s a bout pea ce a nd freedom a s l ong a s they werent the ones bei ng s hot a t. He
s a i d nothi ng focus es your mi nd better tha n s omeone tryi ng to ki l l you.
Tha t s tung. Eta i n wondered i f the comment were jus t a n ungua rded recol l ecti on, or a s ubtl e rebuke of her pri nci pl es . Da rma n a ppea red
equa l l y ca pa bl e of ei ther. She s ti l l ha dnt come to terms wi th hi s dua l i ty, ki l l er a nd i nnocent, s ol di er a nd chi l d, educa ted i ntel l i gence a nd
gri m humor. Undi s tra cted by a norma l l i fe, he s eemed to ha ve s pent more ti me i n contempl a ti on tha n even s he ha d. She wondered how much
the i ntens e experi ence of the outs i de worl d woul d cha nge hi m.
Shed ki l l ed jus t one fel l ow l i vi ng bei ng. It ha d certa i nl y cha nged her.
Come on, he s a i d. Suns comi ng up. Mi ght dry out your cl othes .
It wa s defi ni tel y a utumn. A mi s t ha d bl a nketed the countrys i de l i ke a s ea . A puddl e ha d formed i n the s heeti ng s tretched over the top of the
s hel ter, a nd Da rma n went to s coop i t out but s topped.
Wha t are thes e thi ngs ? he a s ked. I s a w them on the ri ver, too.

Ruby- a nd s a pphi re-col ored i ns ects were da nci ng a bove the s urfa ce of the puddl e. Da ywi ngs , Eta i n s a i d.
Ive never s een col ors l i ke i t.
They ha tch a nd ta ke fl i ght for a da y, a nd they di e by the eveni ng, s he s a i d. A bri ef a nd gl ori ous
Her voi ce tra i l ed off. She wa s a ppa l l ed a t her own i ns ens i ti vi ty. She bega n a s s embl i ng a n a pol ogy, but Da rma n di dnt a ppea r to need one.
Theyre a ma zi ng, he s a i d, compl etel y a bs orbed by the s pecta cl e.
They certa i nl y a re, s he s a i d, a nd wa tched hi m.
Li k Ankki ts vi l l a ha d been s pl endi d. It wa s s ti l l s pl endi d i n i ts unneces s a ry wa y, but the pol i s hed kuva ra fl oors , wi th thei r i ntri ca tel y i nl a i d
fl ower moti f borders , were now s cuffed a nd gouged by the meta l feet of droi ds .
Ankki t hovered i n the doorwa y whi l e thes e four droi ds s crewed a l l oy s heets a cros s the wi ndow fra mes , s hutti ng out the s unri s e. Ghez Hoka n
wa tched the progres s of the convers i on from ma ns i on to fortres s .
Youl l s pl i t the wood, Ankki t hi s s ed. Ca reful ! Do you know how l ong i t took to ha ve thos e pa nel s ca rved?
Hoka n s hrugged. Im not a ca rpenter.
They were not ma de by carpenters. They were ma de by a rti s ts
I dont ca re i f Supreme Cha ncel l or Pa l pa ti ne ca rved them hi ms el f wi th a di nner fork. I need to s ecure thi s bui l di ng.
You ha ve a perfectl y a dequa te purpos e-bui l t fa ci l i ty not three ki l ometers from here. You coul d defend that.
And I ha ve.
Why? Why rui n my home when Utha n i s no l onger here?
For a devi ous a nd trea cherous l i ttl e bea n counter, Ankki t, you s how a s urpri s i ng l a ck of ta cti ca l crea ti vi ty. Hoka n wa l ked over to the
Nei moi di a n a nd s tood cl os e to hi m. He woul d not be i nti mi da ted by thi s grocers hei ght. He di dnt ca re i f he ha d to cra ne hi s neck to l ook hi m
i n the eye; he wa s the bi gger ma n. I know s hes no l onger here. The enemy mi ght bel i eve s he i s . If I obs erved my enemy ma ki ng l a vi s h
prepa ra ti ons to defend a n i ns ta l l a ti on, I mi ght a s s ume i t wa s a bl uff a nd i nves ti ga te a n a l terna ti ve ta rget. If I found tha t a l terna ti ve ta rget
di s creetl y prepa red a ga i ns t i ntruders , I woul d ma ke a n educa ted gues s tha t i t wa s the rea l objecti ve, a nd a tta ck i t.
Ankki t a ppea red unconvi nced. He gl a red a t Hoka n wi th ha l f-l i dded red eyes , whi ch wa s a ra re s how of coura ge for hi m. And how wi l l they
s pot thi s di s creet rei nforcement?
Ive ma de s ure tha t s uppl i es ha ve been s een a rri vi ng here wi th a n a ccompa nyi ng degree of s ecuri ty procedure. Movement by ni ght, tha t s ort
of thi ng. Gi ven the nobi l i ty of the l oca l popul a ti on, Im s ure s omeone wi l l tra de tha t i nforma ti on for s ome ba ubl e or other. It a l wa ys worked
for me.
Thi s rei nforcement wi l l not s a ve my home from des tructi on.
Youre ri ght, Ankki t. Wooden s tructures dont bea r up wel l to ca nnons . Tha ts why Ive moved Doctor Utha n ba ck to the fa ci l i ty. If I ha ve to, I
ca n a ctua l l y defend meta l a nd s tone more s ucces s ful l y.
So why di d you move her here i n the fi rs t pl a ce?
Im s urpri s ed tha t you even ha ve to a s k. To keep everyone gues s i ng, of cours e.
It ha d s eemed l i ke a s ens i bl e i dea a t the ti me: he ha dnt known wha t he wa s dea l i ng wi th. Now he wa s fa i rl y s ure tha t he wa s fa ci ng no
more tha n ten men. Ha d a n a rmy l a nded, hed ha ve known by now. Movi ng Utha nnot a ta s k he coul d a chi eve i n compl ete s ecrecy a nywa y
ha d hel ped thi cken the fog of confus i on.
Hoka n wa s l ea vi ng nothi ng to cha nce. He wa s l a yi ng a tra i l of cl ues tha t woul d l ea d the enemy comma ndos to one concl us i on: tha t Utha n
a nd the na novi rus were ba rri ca ded i n Li k Ankki ts vi l l a .
A droi d dra gged a hea vy a l l oy joi s t through the s a l on, pl owi ng a furrow i n the gol den fl oorboa rds . Ankki t l et out a muffl ed s quea l of
frus tra ti on. The droi ds comra des l i fted the joi s t a nd a l i gned i t wi th a hori zonta l bea m, knocki ng over a fi ne Na boo va s e a nd s ma s hi ng i t.
Droi ds werent progra mmed to s a y Oops a nd s weep up the fra gments . They s i mpl y crunched through them, obl i vi ous .
Ankki t wa s s ha ki ng a ga i n. He s crea med for a s erva nt. A s ul l en-l ooki ng l oca l boy a ppea red wi th a brus h a nd s wept the debri s i nto a pa n.
Oh dea r, Hoka n s a i d. He di dnt thi nk i t wa s the ri ght ti me to menti on tha t the l a byri nth of wi ne cel l a rs a nd s ecure va ul ts benea th the vi l l a
wa s now pa cked wi th expl os i ves . He di dnt know how to revi ve a Nei moi di a n who ha d fa i nted, a nd he ha d no i ntenti on of l ea rni ng.
Li eutena nt Hura ti wa s wa i ti ng outs i de the front door. Even when not under s cruti ny, Hura ti s tood wi th mi l i ta ry compos ure. Hoka n ha d never
ca ught hi m s nea ki ng a dri nk from a fl a s k or s cra tchi ng hi ms el f. Hura ti di dnt s tra i ghten up when he s a w Hoka n, beca us e he wa s a l rea dy a t
a ttenti on.
Si r, Doctor Utha n i s getti ng i rri ta ted a bout the di s rupti on, the l i eutena nt s a i d.
Il l ta l k to her. How i s our droi d s i gna l cha i n worki ng out?
Its a dequa te, s i r, but I woul d feel more s ecure i f we ha d comm moni tori ng onl i ne.
My boy, there wa s a ti me when we ha d no l i s teni ng s ta ti ons , a nd we ha d to fi ght wa rs by obs erva ti on a nd our own wi ts . It ca n be done.
Wha t ha ve the droi ds s potted?
The i ncurs i ons a ppea r to be l i mi ted to Tekl et a nd the a rea to the s outh, s i r, a nd qui te s peci fi c i n na ture. At l ea s t we know why they
a tta cked the qua rry offi ce. I ha ve to s a y I ha vent encountered a n exca va tor bomb before. Hura ti l i cked hi s l i ps nervous l y. Si r, a re you s ure you
dont wa nt a ny pa trol s to s ea rch the Tekl et roa d? Id be ha ppy to do i t mys el f, s i r. Its no troubl e.
Hoka n took i t for the genui ne concern i t wa s ra ther tha n a cri ti ci s m. No, we coul d be cha s i ng gda n tra i l s a l l over the regi on. Our enemy i s
obvi ous l y good a t di vers i ona ry ta cti cs , a nd Im not goi ng to ta ke a ny ba i t. Il l wa i t for them to ta ke mi ne. He pa tted Hura ti s ba ck. If youre
a nxi ous to be bus y, keep a n eye on Ankki t. I dont wa nt hi m i nterferi ng. Res tra i n hi m by a ny mea ns you cons i der neces s a ry.
Hura ti s a l uted. Wi l l do, s i r. Al s oLi eutena nt Cuvi n I dont thi nk he wi l l ma ke ca pta i n, a s you s a i d.
Hoka n l i ked Hura ti more every da y. Ha s hi s remova l from the promoti on l i s t been noted by your fel l ow offi cers ?
It ha s , s i r.
Good. Wel l done.
Hura ti wa s provi ng to be a l oya l a i de. He wa s ea ger to obey. Hoka n deci ded he woul d ha ve to wa tch hi m. He promoted hi m a nywa y. There
wa s nothi ng to be ga i ned by wi l l ful l y i gnori ng excel l ence i n a nother.

13

CO Majestic to Republ i c Comma nd, Corus ca nt

On s ta ti on a nd a wa i ti ng conta ct from Omega Squa d. Al l communi ca ti ons from Tekl et ground s ta ti on ha ve cea s ed. Sepa ra ti s t ves s el ha s
a pproa ched a nd i s s ta ndi ng off our port bow a t 50 ki l ometers ha s not res ponded to s i gna l s but i s bel i eved to be a Techno Uni on a rmed
tra ns port. Wi l l enga ge i f ves s el a ppea rs to be ta ki ng hos ti l e a cti on. Sta ndi ng by.

Turned out ni ce a ga i n, Fi s a i d, s omewhere a hea d of the col umn.

You been on the s ti ms ? Ni ner a s ked.
Im jus t na tura l l y cheerful .
Wel l , Im not, s o where di d you get i t from?
Ni ner di dnt l i ke bei ng ta i l on a pa trol . He wa l ked ba ckwa rd, s ca nni ng the trees , wonderi ng why he wa s thi s cl os e to Imbra a ni wi thout a s i gn
of enemy conta ct s i nce Tekl et.
Ti nni es coul dnt cl i mb trees . It wa s the wets he wa s worri ed a bout.
Wa nt to s wa p? Fi s a i d.
Im fi ne.
Jus t s a y the word.
Fi wa s a bout a hundred meters a hea d on poi nt. Ati n wa l ked behi nd Guta -Na y. The Weequa y wa s ca rryi ng a fa i r s ha re of the ordna nce a nd
equi pment theyd ha d to l oa d on thei r ba cks s i nce a ba ndoni ng the exca va tor droi d a nd the s peeder bi ke.
Very qui et, a l l thi ngs cons i dered, Ati n s a i d. Mi nd i f I s end up a remote?
Mi ght a s wel l , Ni ner s a i d. Pa tch vi s ua l through to a l l of us , wi l l you?
We there yet? Guta -Na y a s ked.
Soon. Ni ner ha dnt found the Weequa y much us e s o fa r except a s a pa ck a ni ma l . Al l he s eemed to know a bout Hoka ns ta cti cs wa s tha t
they hurt bad. Now, a re you goi ng to be coopera ti ve, or a m I goi ng to return you to your bos s ?
You not do tha t! It cruel i t i s !
Hel l proba bl y jus t gi ve you a bi g ki s s a nd tel l you how much hes mi s s ed you.
He gonna cut my
Im s ure he wi l l . Wa nt to tel l us more a bout the droi ds ?
A hundred.
Any SBDs ?
Wha t?
Superba ttl edroi ds . Ni ner i ndi ca ted the bul ky s ha pe wi th hi s a rms hel d a wa y from hi s s i des , l etti ng hi s ri fl e ha ng on i ts webbi ng. Bi g
ones .
No. I s een none, a nywa y.
I tol d you we s houl d ha ve s l otted hi m, Fi s a i d. Sti l l , he ca rri ed a bi t of gea r. I s uppos e we ought to cut hi m s ome s l a ck for tha t.
The meta l l i c s phere of the remote ros e jus t a bove the l evel of the trees a nd s hot off. Ni ners fi el d of vi s i on wa s i nterrupted i n one qua dra nt
by a n a eri a l vi ew of the countrys i de. As the remote tra cked a l ong pa ths a nd s wooped a mong bra nches , i t wa s cl ea r tha t nobody wa s a bout, a
worryi ng thi ng i n i ts el f. Then i t di ved i n to s how a fa mi l i a r fi gure, s tri pped to the wa i s t, bendi ng over a ma kes hi ft ba s i n of s oa py wa ter
fa s hi oned from a s ecti on of pl a s toi d s heet.
The remote hovered a bove Da rma n a s he rea ched for hi s ri fl e, not even ra i s i ng hi s eyes .
Sa rge, i s tha t you?
Ni ner wa s s ta ri ng i nto the bus i nes s end of Da rma ns Deece. It wa s a s oberi ng cl os e-up. Were a bout ten mi nutes from the RV. Goi ng
a nywhere ni ce?
The ri fl e di s a ppea red from the fra me a nd Da rma n, ha l f s ha ved, s ta red ba ck. Knock fi rs t, wi l l you?
Im gl a d to s ee you, too. Whered you get tha t wound?
Thi s one? Or this one?
The burn.
A Tra ndos ha n. Ex-Tra ndos ha n, a ctua l l y. Weve ha d a l i ttl e more a ttenti on tha n wed ha ve l i ked.
The comma nders s ti l l i n one pi ece?
Wel l , this brui s e i s hers . Im tea chi ng her to fi ght di rty. Shes ca tchi ng on.
Get the kettl e boi l i ng, then. Were bri ngi ng a gues t.
Da rma ns fa i ntl y i mpa ti ent expres s i on dwi ndl ed bel ow the remote a nd wa s repl a ced by a n open vi ew over Imbra a ni . It wa s nt s o much a
town a s a s ca tteri ng of fa rms , wi th a few knots of i ndus tri a l -l ooki ng bui l di ngs dotted a mong them. Ati n s ent i t hi gher a nd a few more remote
bui l di ngs were vi s i bl e.
Ta ke i t i n over the vi l l a , Ni ner s a i d.
Open country, Sa rge. Bi t ri s ky.
I thi nk weve l os t the el ement of s urpri s e.
Oka y. Long l ens , though.

Wha t you doi ng? Guta -Na y a s ked. To hi m, they were tra vel i ng i n s i l ence. He coul dnt hea r the convers a ti ons goi ng on between hel met
coml i nks . Ni ner s wi tched cha nnel s wi th a coupl e of del i bera te bl i nks .
Ta ki ng a l ook a t tha t vi l l a .
I know a bout vi l l a .
We a l l know a bout the vi l l a .
Ni ner woul d ha ve wel comed a vi s i t from Ji na rt. They ha dnt s een the s ha pes hi fter s i nce yes terda y. She coul d ha ve been a nywhere, of cours e,
but s he ha dnt ma de hers el f vi s i bl e. He hoped s he ha dnt run i nto probl ems .
Five minutes now. No ti me a t a l l . Theyd be a s qua d a ga i n, a nd theyd ha ve a comma nder. Theyd be a t the RV, a nd then they coul d res t up, ea t,
ha ve a wa s h, a nd genera l l y cl ea r thei r hea ds . It bega n to feel l i ke good news .
There wa s jus t the ma tter of ta ki ng Utha n a nd the na novi rus , then getti ng out i n one pi ece.
***
Eta i n ha d a l mos t grown us ed to thi nki ng of Da rma ns a rmored a nonymi ty a s a fri endl y fa ce. Then three more exa ctl y l i ke hi m emerged from
the trees a nd di s turbed tha t fra gi l e equi l i bri um.
And then they took thei r hel mets off.
It wa s rude, s he knew, but a l l s he coul d do wa s s ta re, a nd s he found hers el f s l owl y putti ng her ha nd to her mouth i n a n a ttempt to di s gui s e
her s hock.
Yes , s orry a bout the Weequa y, Comma nder, one of them s a i d. He ha d Da rma ns voi ce a nd Da rma ns fa ce. Hes a bi t ri pe, I know. Wel l
ha ve hi m cl ea n hi ms el f up.
They were utterl y i denti ca l , except for one wi th a terri bl e s ca r a cros s hi s fa ce. The other two s eemed l i ke di fferent moods of the s a me ma n,
one s eri ous , one pl ea s a ntl y ca l m a nd unconcerned. They were a l l s ta ri ng a t her.
I ca nt tel l you a pa rt, s he s a i d.
Im CC
No, you ha ve proper na mes . I know you ha ve na mes .
Its i ts not pol i cy, Comma nder.
Da rma n l owered hi s eyes . Its a pri va te thi ng.
Everyone ca l l s me Fi , s a i d the ca l m one, cl ea rl y not bothered by pol i cy. And thi s i s Ati n.
Ni ner, the s eri ous one s a i d, a nd s a l uted. Eta i n coul dnt s ens e a grea t dea l from ei ther of them, but the s ca rred Ati n exuded a s ens e of l os s
tha t wa s a l mos t s ol i d. She coul d feel i ts wei ght. She tri ed to concentra te on the Weequa y. She di dnt need to ta p i nto the Force to tel l tha t he
wa s terri fi ed. He wa s bent over a s i f a bout to drop to hi s knees , s ta ri ng up a t her.
Weequa y di dnt a l l l ook the s a me. She knew thi s one. He ha d cha s ed her a cros s a ba rq fi el d. He wa s a ra pi s t a nd a murderer, not tha t the
des cri pti ons s et hi m a pa rt from a ny other of Hoka ns thugs . She rea ched for her l i ghts a ber.
Whoa , Da rma n s a i d.
Gi rl i e? Guta -Na y s a i d.
Il l gi ve you girlie, s he s a i d, but Da rma n ca ught her a rm a nd s he wa s i ns ta ntl y a s ha med of her rea cti on. Aga i n, i t wa s a nger. It wa s wha t
s tood between her a nd ma ki ng s ens e of her ca l l i ng. She ha d to get the better of i t. If Da rma n coul d exerci s e force wi thout venom, then s o
coul d s he.
Wha ts he here for? s he a s ked, thumbi ng off the bl a de.
We thought he mi ght ha ve us eful i nforma ti on, Ni ner s a i d.
Eta i n wa s des pera te to be us eful . She fel t a s i f s he were onl y ca pa bl e of performi ng conjuri ng tri cks : enough s ki l l s to di s tra ct, but not
enough to be a functi oni ng s ol di er. She a l s o wa nted Da rma n to s top trea ti ng her a s i f s he were merel y i n need of a l i ttl e more i ns tructi on. She
wa nted hi m to tel l her how much he des pi s ed a l l tha t potenti a l power wa s ted on a gi rl wi th no di s ci pl i ne or focus . He wa s nt s tupi d. He had to
be thi nki ng tha t.
Wha t do we need to know, Ni ner?
How Hoka n thi nks , Comma nder.
Gi ve me s ome ti me wi th hi m.
Guta -Na y s tra i ghtened up a nd took one s tep ba ck, s ha ki ng hi s hea d. He wa s expecti ng Hoka n-s tyl e trea tment.
Fi chuckl ed. Guta -Na y thi nks youre goi ng to cut off hi s er, bra i ds , ma a m.
Braids. Shed forgotten. She pul l ed a s ecti on of ha i r free of her col l a r, pl a i ted i t a s fa s t a s s he coul d, a nd fumbl ed i n her pocket for a pi ece of
cord to fa s ten i t. This is what you are. Live up to it, if only to justify Darmans faith in you.
Were goi ng to ha ve a l i ttl e cha t, s he s a i d. She l et her bra i d fa l l ba ck i ns i de her col l a r. Si t down Guta -Na y.
It wa s nt ea s y for hi m to s ettl e down on the ground wi th hi s ha nds s ti l l ti ed, but Eta i n wa s nt ta ki ng a ny cha nces . He knel t a nd then fel l
s i dewa ys i n a n undi gni fi ed s pra wl . She ha ul ed hi m i nto a s i tti ng pos i ti on a nd they s a t outs i de the s hel ter i n s i l ence. She wa nted hi m to ca l m
down before s he a ttempted to i nfl uence hi m.
A s udden cl a ck of a rmor ma de her gl a nce over her s houl der, a nd s he wa s a s toni s hed to s ee Ati n gi vi ng Da rma n a n a wkwa rd hug, s l a ppi ng
hi m on the ba ck. She ca ught Da rma ns eye: he l ooked bewi l dered.
Wha tever ha d gi ven Ati n hi s huge emoti ona l burden ha d been s l i ghtl y rel i eved by fi ndi ng Da rma n wel l . Then the two men pa rted a s i f
nothi ng i n pa rti cul a r ha d ha ppened. Eta i n turned ba ck to Guta -Na y, s uddenl y very a wa re tha t for a l l thei r ca l m ma nner a nd unna tura l
a ppea ra nce, thes e s ol di ers were every bi t a s pa i nful l y huma n a s s he wa s .
Bred to fight.
A new doubt wa s growi ng i n her. She s hook i t off a nd turned to Guta -Na y, who woul dnt meet her eyes .
Youre not a fra i d, s he s a i d qui etl y, a nd vi s ua l i zed the gentl e tri ckl e of wa ter from the founta i n of her cl a n home on Corus ca nt. Youre

rel a xed a nd you wa nt to ta l k a bout Ghez Hoka n.

He certa i nl y di d.
Ha vent s een Ji na rt? Da rma n s a i d.
Not s i nce yes terda y. Ni ner cl ea ned hi s a rmor. It di dnt ma tter how vi s i bl e they were now, a nd he ha ted s cruffy ri g. Da rma n ha d s tri pped
down hi s Deece a nd wa s wi pi ng the i gni ti on cha mber more tha n i t needed i t. Fi wa ndered a round the tempora ry ca mp, cra dl i ng hi s ri fl e,
keepi ng wa tch.
Wel l , whether s hes here or not, I thi nk we go i n s ooner ra ther tha n l a ter.
The vi l l a or the fa ci l i ty?
La tes t i ntel we ha ve from Ji na rt i ndi ca tes the vi l l a .
But
Yea h, but. Id fi nd i t ha rd to wa l k a wa y from a pl a ce I coul d defend, too. Tha t vi l l a s nothi ng but fi rewood. He put down the s houl der pl a te
he wa s cl ea ni ng. Show me tha t pl a n a ga i n.
Da rma n cl i pped the DC-17 ba ck together a nd rea ched i nto hi s bel t for the hol ocha rt s phere. She di d oka y to get thi s .
Our comma nder? Ji na rt s eemed di s mi s s i ve of her.
Cmon, Ni ner. Shes a Jedi . Shes a n officer.
Wel l ? Wha t do you thi nk?
Da rma n rubbed the bri dge of hi s nos e. Shes got a l ot of fi ght i n her.
And?
Shes wel l , s hes not exa ctl y Ski ra ta . But s hes l ea rni ng fa s t. And you s houl d s ee the Jedi s tuff s he ca n do. Theres more to i t tha n jus t the
fi ghti ng s ki l l s .
Ni ner occa s i ona l l y ha d hi s doubts a bout noncl one offi cers . They a l l di d. They never a dmi tted i t publ i cl y, but Ski ra ta ha d wa rned them,
qui etl y, pri va tel y, tha t outs i de offi cers s ometi mes needed hel p, a nd whi l e you a l wa ys obeyed orders, you needed to be a bl e to ma ke helpful
interpretations i f the offi cer wa s l es s tha n s peci fi c. Offi cers coul d uni ntenti ona l l y get you ki l l ed.
Nobodys Ski ra ta , Ni ner s a i d. He wa s wa tchi ng the comma nder di s creetl y. Wha tever s he ha d done to Guta -Na y ha d tra ns formed hi m i nto a
true convers a ti ona l i s t. She wa s a ctua l l y l ooki ng bored, a s i f s hed been cornered by s omeone who rea l l y, rea l l y wa nted to expl a i n every
engi neeri ng deta i l of a repea ti ng bl a s ter.
You ha ve to a dmi t tha ts qui te a s ki l l , Da rma n s a i d.
Ni ner tri ed not to thi nk a bout i t. It ma de hi m unea s y, not knowi ng how ma ny of hi s a cti ons were hi s own choi ce. He di dnt l i ke the other
confl i cts s he crea ted i n hi m, ei ther. He ha d never been thi s cl os e to a huma n fema l e before, a nd he wa s rel i eved tha t s he wa s ema ci a ted,
unkempt, a nd genera l l y l es s tha n a ppea l i ng. The proxi mi ty s ti l l ma de hi m feel edgy, though, a nd from the wa y Da rma n wa s l ooki ng a t hi m, i t
s eemed they s ha red the rea l i za ti on.
They both wa tched Guta -Na y unburdeni ng hi ms el f to the comma nder unti l s he s eemed to ti re of i t a nd got up from her cros s -l egged
pos i ti on. She wa l ked over a nd l ooked a t both of them uncerta i nl y.
Im s orry, Da rma n, s he s a i d to Ni ner. Then s he ga ve a n emba rra s s ed s hrug. Sorry. Of cours eyoure Ni ner. I got a l i ttl e deta i l out of hi m,
but he i s nt the a na l yti ca l type, Im a fra i d. I ca n tel l you tha t Hoka n ca rri es a Verpi ne s ha tter gun a nd a cus tom KYD-twenty-one bl a s ter. Hes
got a l ot of Tra ndos ha n equi pment, a nd a s fa r a s a ny of the mi l i ti a knew, there were no more tha n a hundred ba ttl e droi ds a t the ga rri s on.
Hoka n i s a l s o a ppa rentl y s omethi ng of a ga me pl a yerhe l i kes to bl uff a nd doubl e-bl uff.
Ni ner cons i dered the i nforma ti on. Tha ts us eful , Comma nder. Tha nk you.
I wa s goi ng to s ee i f I coul d s ummon Ji na rt. She coul d proba bl y s ee wha ts ha ppeni ng down there a t the vi l l a .
Ca n you do tha t? Da rma n a s ked.
I ca n s ens e her, when s he wa nts me to. Il l s ee i f s he ca n s ens e me. She s ta red down a t her boots . And pl ea s e dont ca l l me Commander. I
ha vent ea rned the ra nk. Unti l I doi f I ever doIm Eta i n. Da rma n knows tha t, dont you, Da rma n?
He nodded. Ni ner di dnt feel comforta bl e wi th tha t. He l i ked to know who s tood where i n the hi era rchy of thi ngs . Wha tever you s a y. Ca n I
a s k you a ques ti on?
Certa i nl y.
Why di d you s a y of course youre Niner?
She pa us ed. You feel di fferent. Al l of you. You mi ght l ook the s a me, but youre not. I dont norma l l y i denti fy i ndi vi dua l s by thei r effect on the
Force, but I ca n i f I concentra te.
We s eem di fferent to you?
You know you a re, s urel y. You know youre Ni ner a nd he knows hes Da rma n. Youre a s s el f-a wa re a s I a m, a s a ny other huma n.
Yes , but
Al l bei ngs a re i ndi vi dua l s , a nd thei r es s ence i n the Force refl ects tha t. The a ct of l i vi ng ma kes us di fferent, a nd i n tha t wa y youre l i ke
twi ns , onl y more s o. Ati ns very di fferent. Wha t ha ppened to hi m to ma ke hi m s o burdened?
The a ns wer s tunned Ni ner. He wa s us ed to bei ng a product. Hi s s qua d a nd hi s s ergea nt ha d trea ted hi m l i ke a ma n, but the Ka mi noa ns
certa i nl y ha dnt. Thi s wa s the fi rs t ti me tha t a Jedi , a comma nder, ha d confi rmed the cl one comma ndos i ntens el y pri va te s us pi ci on tha t they
were no l es s tha n norma l men. It wa s no l onger a s ecret di s s ent tha t ha d to be hi dden.
Ati n wa s the onl y s urvi vor of hi s fi rs t s qua d, then he wa s rea s s i gned a nd l os t a l l three brothers i n a cti on a ga i n, Ni ner s a i d. He feel s
gui l ty.
Poor ma n, s he s a i d. Does he ta l k a bout i t?
Not much.
Perha ps I coul d hel p hi m s ee he ha s nothi ng to feel gui l ty a bout. Jus t a l i ttl e encoura gement. Nothi ng l i ke the i nfl uence I us ed on the
Weequa y, I promi s e.

Tha ts ki nd of you.
We ha ve to l ook out for ea ch other.
Ri ght then Ni ner di dnt ca re i f s he ha d l es s i dea of guerri l l a wa rfa re tha n a mott. She pos s es s ed one funda menta l el ement of l ea ders hi p
tha t you coul dnt tea ch i n a l i feti me: s he ca red a bout thos e s he l ed.
She ha d ea rned her ra nk on the s trength of tha t a l one.
Conta ct, fi ve hundred meters , Fi s a i d.
The s qua d a ba ndoned thei r i mpromptu mea l of s tewed dri ed mea t a nd put thei r hel mets ba ck on. Eta i n wa s a ga i n s urpri s ed a t how fa s t
they moved. They were l yi ng prone i n the undergrowth, ri fl es tra i ned, i n the ti me i t took her to turn a nd check where the Weequa y wa s .
Youre not going to make a sound, Guta-Nay. You want to be totally silent.
He wa s . But s he fel t wha t wa s a pproa chi ng. She s cra mbl ed i nto the bus hes on her ha nds a nd knees a nd l ea ned cl os e to Da rma n. Its
Ji na rt, s he s a i d. Rel a x.
Da rma n, Fi , a nd Ati n s a t ba ck on thei r heel s . Ni ner s ta yed prone, s ti l l l i ned up on hi s s i ghts , a nd hel d hi s ha nd a wa y from the tri gger i n a
cons pi cuous ges ture.
Ni ner l i kes to be s ure, Da rma n s a i d. No offens e.
The gra s s s hook vi s i bl y, a nd then a l i vi ng oi l s l i ck fl owed pa s t the kneel i ng comma ndos . It s eemed to be ca rryi ng s omethi ng horri fi c i n i ts
bl a ck s wi rl s . The s l i ck res ol ved i ts el f i nto Ji na rts na tura l form, a nd s he ha d a huge l ump of ra w mea t i n her ja ws . She l a i d i t on the ground.
I ga ve you pl enty of wa rni ng, Ji na rt s a i d, s ta ri ng a t Ni ner. She s ni ffed the a i r a nd a ppea red to fol l ow a n i nvi s i bl e bea con wi th her l ong
s nout. Her ga ze s ettl ed on Guta -Na y, dozi ng a ga i ns t a tree, bound ha nds i n hi s l a p. Wha t pos s es s ed you to col l ect that s ouveni r?
We thought he mi ght come i n ha ndy, Fi repea ted.
You ca nt even ea t Weequa ys , Ji na rt s a i d, a nd meta morphos ed i nto her huma n form. Better not l et the crea ture s ee me for wha t I a m, jus t
i n ca s e. Ha ve you ea ten? Woul d you l i ke s ome merl i e?
Fi took hi s hel met off a nd gri nned. Weve got ti me for tha t, ha ve we?
You mi ght a s wel l fi ght on a ful l s toma ch, Ji na rt s a i d. You ha ve a tough job on your ha nds .
Fi pi cked up the l eg of merl i e a nd ri ns ed i t wi th wa ter from hi s bottl e. Da r, you got a ny of tha t dri ed frui t l eft? He ejected the vi brobl a de
from hi s knuckl e pl a te a nd bega n cutti ng the l eg i nto chunks . Eta i n wondered how he ha d devel oped hi s rel entl es s good humor; s he coul dnt
i ma gi ne hi m s hooti ng a nyone. One thi ng s he ha d di s covered i n the l a s t few da ys wa s tha t profes s i ona l s ol di ers were nei ther ha bi tua l l y a ngry
nor vi ol ent.
They di dnt even ta l k tough. They were a ma s s of contra di cti ons . They wa s hed thei r cl othi ng a nd they s ha ved a nd cooked a nd genera l l y
conducted thems el ves l i ke wel l -beha ved, wel l -educa ted Pa da wa ns . Then they went out a nd bl ew up i ns ta l l a ti ons a nd ki l l ed tota l s tra ngers
a nd cra cked ba d jokes . Eta i n wa s getti ng us ed to i t, but s l owl y.
Whi l e Ati n kept a n eye on Guta -Na y, the res t of them s a t l i s teni ng to Ji na rt i n the s hel ter.
I ha ve been obs ervi ng, s he s a i d. Hoka n ha s ma de much of rei nforci ng the Nei moi di a n vi l l a under s tri ct s ecuri ty, a nd he does i ndeed ha ve
mos t of hi s hundred droi ds there. The whol e bui l di ng i s pa cked wi th expl os i ves , mos t of them i n the wi ne cel l a rs . But he ha s a l s o moved
Utha n ba ck to the i ns ta l l a ti on.
Our fra gra nt Weequa y fri end wa s ri ght a bout the doubl e bl uff, then, Eta i n s a i d.
Ni ner s hrugged. Its wha t Id do. Defend the s tronges t pos i ti on.
So we go for the i ns ta l l a ti on, then, s he s a i d.
Wel l ha ve to dea l wi th both ta rgets . Theyre onl y two or three ki l ometers a pa rt. Once we s ta rt on the ma i n fa ci l i ty, the droi ds from the vi l l a
wi l l pop over for a vi s i t i n a ma tter of mi nutes .
Eta i n rubbed her forehea d. If they fol l owed the pl a ns when they bui l t the fa ci l i ty, then the onl y wa y i n wi l l proba bl y be through the front
door.
Da rma n s hrugged. We ca n ma ke our own doors . Tha ts wha t fra me cha rges a nd wa ter cuts a re for.
Sorry?
We bl ow hol es i n the wa l l s . But Id ra ther a voi d tha t i f were dea l i ng wi th ha za rdous ma teri a l s . Dont wa nt to brea k a ny bottl es , I reckon.
There i s nt even a fi re exi t. One door, no wi ndows , no l a rge venti l a ti on s ha fts .
Does nt l ook l i ke a nyone enforces bui l di ng regul a ti ons a round here. Da rma n s hrugged. Front door, wa l l s , or dra i ns . Wa l l s woul d be bes t,
but how we ca n get i nto pos i ti on unnoti ced i s a nother ma tter.
Ni ner l ooked a t Da rma n a s i f wa i ti ng for a s ugges ti on. A s pl i t a tta ck coul d di vert them i f i ts noi s y enough.
Wel l , i f Hoka ns been ki nd enough to l oa d up the vi l l a wi th thi ngs tha t go ba ng, i t woul d be a s ha me for them to go to wa s te. Da rma n
s tudi ed the hol ocha rt pl a n of the vi l l a . They wont fa l l for a droi d bomb a ga i n, but we do ha ve a l ot of expl os i ves we coul d i ntroduce to the
mi x.
You ma ke i t s ound a s i f i ts goi ng to be rel a ti vel y ea s y, Eta i n s a i d.
No, i ts goi ng to be ha rd. But tha ts wha t were tra i ned for.
Id ra ther ha ve you effecti ng ra pi d entry to the ma i n fa ci l i ty, Ni ner s a i d.
But we s houl d pl a ce our own expl os i ves i ns i de the vi l l a , i n the cel l a rs i f we ca n, Da rma n s a i d. A hi gh-energy expl os i on wi l l s et off the
res t of thei r cha rges . If we ca n pl a ce one, i tl l di rect the bl a s t upwa rd, a nd i f the droi ds a re on top of the pi l e, i tl l s ol ve tha t probl em, too.
Oka y, i n rea l terms , theres a l a yer of s ol i d droi d on top of the cel l a rs . Ca nt free-fa l l i n. So i ts through the front door, the wa l l , or the dra i ns .
And the dra i ns l ook l i ke thi rty-centi meter di a meter.
Bore-ba ngs ? Fi s a i d.
They wont dri l l fa r enough i nto the ground to penetra te the cel l a rs , a nd theyre not powerful enough a nywa y. Da rma ns ga ze wa s fi xed on
the hol ogra phi c pl a n. Al though they mi ght be i f Ati n modi fi ed them a nd pa cked i n a bi t of the therma l ta pe. I wa s s a vi ng i t for the bl a s t doors
i n the fa ci l i ty, but I coul d s pa re a meter. Tha td be a mpl e.

How a bout a remote? Ati n s a i d. If we ca n di rect i t i nto the bui l di ng, tha t i s . If you took out the recordi ng components , you coul d pa ck i n
the therma l ta pea bout a coupl e of meters , ea s i l y.
Theyl l be a bl e to s pot a nythi ng tha ts fl yi ng.
Ji na rt, i n a ged crone mode, l ooked from fa ce to i denti ca l fa ce. Wha t s i ze i s thi s devi ce?
Da rma n formed a fi s t. About thi s bi g. Il l s how you one.
I coul d ca rry tha t to the vi l l a , ri ght to the wa l l s , i f you ca n di rect i t from there.
Ni ner poi nted i nto the s hi mmeri ng i ma ge of the bui l di ng. Down the roof vent, whi ch woul d put i t i n the ma i n ha l l runni ng front to ba ck.
Or ma ybe a l ong the ma i n dra i n from thi s cul vert a bout two hundred meters behi nd the hous e. I l i ke tha t better.
Eta i n joi ned i n the communa l ri tua l of s ta ri ng a t the hol ogra phi c di s pl a y a s i f a n a ns wer woul d eventua l l y emerge on i ts own. The onl y
poi nt i n bl owi ng up the vi l l a i s i f you coul d hi t a s ma ny droi ds wi th i t a s pos s i bl e.
Then we ha ve to convi nce them were goi ng a l l out for the vi l l a , Ni ner s a i d. Tha t mea ns a fei nt of s ome s ort, whi ch woul d be fi ne i f we
ha d more men. But we dont.
Then Eta i n di d ha ve a n i dea , a nd i t wa s one tha t s he wa s nt proud of.
How a bout s endi ng Hoka n a di rect mes s a ge? s he s a i d. Wha t i f Guta -Na y were to es ca pe a nd tel l hi m we were pl a nni ng to a tta ck the
vi l l a ?
But he knows there a re onl y four of us , Da rma n s a i d. Sorry, fi ve.
Si x, Ji na rt s a i d s ourl y.
We coul d convi nce the Weequa y tha t we ha ve a nother s qua d or two i n the a rea , Eta i n s a i d. At thi s poi nt, hel l bel i eve a nythi ng I tel l hi m.
But Il l be s endi ng hi m to hi s dea th.
Fi nodded. Yea h, i f Hoka n s kewers hi m wi thout wa i ti ng to hea r wha t hes got to s a y, were s tuffed.
He wa s cheerful l y, beni gnl y ca l l ous . Eta i n wa s bri efl y a ppa l l ed before l etti ng the rea l i ty wa s h over her. Gi ven the cha nce, Guta -Na y woul d
ha ve a bus ed a nd ki l l ed her wi thout a s econd thought. As i de from tha t, the s qua ds ta rget wa s effecti vel y a wea pons fa ctory, a wea pon tha t
woul d ki l l mi l l i ons of men jus t l i ke Ni ner, Fi , a nd Ati n. And Darman. If they di dnt ki l l , they woul d be ki l l ed.
It di dnt ta ke her l ong to move from her reverence for a l l l i vi ng thi ngs to thi nki ng waste the Weequay. She wondered i f tha t wa s the true na ture
of corrupti on.
Il l do my bes t to gi ve hi m a good openi ng l i ne, Eta i n s a i d.
Hes s cum, Ji na rt s a i d s uddenl y. If hi s dea th ca n hel p remove the Tra de Federa ti on a nd a l l thei r mi ni ons from my worl d, then i t i s a chea p
pri ce to pa y.
My worl d? Eta i n obvi ous l y ha d the s a me thought a s the comma ndos , beca us e they a l l rea cted, l ooki ng a t the s ha pes hi fter expecta ntl y.
We di dnt rea l i ze thi s wa s your homeworl d, Ni ner s a i d.
It i s , Ji na rt s a i d. Im a mong the l a s t of my ki nd. Va ri ous i nva ders ha ve dri ven us from our ha bi ta t wi thout even s eei ng us a nd now I doubt
they woul d ha ve done a ny di fferentl y ha d they known we were here. Yes , wel l hel p you ri d thi s worl d of Nei moi di a ns a nd every other hos ti l e
a l i en s peci es tha ts here. Tha ts our ba rga i n wi th the Republ i c. You hel p us ; we hel p you. Tha ts why we ri s k our l i ves . It i s not for the grea ter
gl ory of your ca us e.
Nobody tol d us , Eta i n s a i d. Im s orry. I ca nt s pea k for the Republ i c, but wel l do our bes t to s ee tha t they keep thei r word.
Ma rk tha t you do, Ji na rt s a i d. She i ndi ca ted the comma ndos wi th a s wi ng of her fi ne bl a ck hea d. Li ke your young fri ends here, we a re few,
but we ha ve no probl em i nfl i cti ng a grea t dea l of da ma ge.
Eta i n coul d onl y nod. At l ea s t Ji na rt wa s bruta l l y hones t. Perha ps tel epa ths , depri ved of s ecret thought, ha d no other s tyl e of i ntera cti on. The
crea ture wa s s ta ri ng a t her, a l l unbl i nki ng ora nge eyes , a nd s he coul d s ee for the fi rs t ti me tha t the four fa ngs protrudi ng over the Gurl a ni ns
l ower l i p ea ch ended i n a doubl e poi nt.
Il l pl a ce s cent ma rks a round thi s ca mp, Ji na rt s a i d s ti ffl y. The gda ns wont bother you toni ght. She s l i pped a wa y a nd merged wi th the
l a nd, l ea vi ng a tra i l of rus tl i ng noi s es a s s he moved through the bus hes .
Oka y, l ets s ee wha t Guta -Na y ca n ma na ge, Ni ner s a i d. If we dont s ee s i gns of movement towa rd the vi l l a by mi dda y tomorrow, wel l go i n
a nywa y, a nd tha tl l mea n s pl i tti ng the s qua d a nd ta ki ng both groups of droi ds . We rea l l y dont wa nt to do tha t i f we ca n hel p i t.
Thi s ha s the ma ki ngs of a di verti ng eveni ng, Fi s a i d. Anyone for s upper?
It wa s a n el a bora te cha ra de, a nd the bi za rre thi ng wa s tha t i t needed no rehea rs a l . Guta -Na y wa s enti rel y unques ti oni ng: Eta i n ha d begun
to s ee hi m a s a mons trous a nd s a di s ti c chi l d, una bl e to comprehend the feel i ngs of others , or control hi s own. They s a t a round a nd a te the
merl i e s tewed wi th dri ed kuva ra , ta l ki ng a bout l ea vi ng enough for the other s qua d when i t s howed up. They di s cus s ed i n hus hed tones
a bout how the vi l l a wa s thei r ta rget. If thi s wa s the mi s i nforma ti on ga me, i t wa s a n ea s y one.
Even s o, Eta i n defi ni tel y di dnt feel proud of her s ubterfuge when s he cut the ti es a round the Weequa ys wri s ts , os tens i bl y a n a ct of
ki ndnes s s o tha t he coul d ea t. It wa s des i gned to s end hi m to hi s dea th. At l ea s t s he fel t s ome rel i ef tha t a s s oon a s i t wa s da rk, a nd they
ma de a s how of turni ng thei r ba cks on hi m a nd bei ng preoccupi ed, Guta -Na y woul d try to es ca pe, a nd vi ndi ca te Ji na rts judgment tha t he wa s
scum.
The deci s i on s ti l l s a t hea vy on her.
Fi a nd Da rma n were a s l eep, judgi ng by the pos i ti on of thei r hea ds . It wa s i mpos s i bl e to tel l wi th thei r hel mets on, but they were s i tti ng
a ga i ns t a tree, chi ns res ti ng on thei r brea s tpl a tes a nd a rms fol ded over the ri fl es cl utched to thei r ches ts . She ha d no doubt tha t i f s he wa l ked
over to them, theyd wa ke a nd be on thei r feet i n a s econd.
She gl a nced up. Ni ner wa s on wa tch, perched i n the fork of a tree wi th one l eg da ngl i ng, occa s i ona l l y peeri ng down hi s ri fl e s cope a t
s omethi ng.
Wha t ca n he s ee? s he a s ked.
Ati n, cros s -l egged wi th a n a rra y of wi res a nd detona tors s prea d a round hi m, l ooked up. Hed ta ken off the a rmor s ecti on tha t protected hi s
ba cks i de a nd wa s us i ng i t a s a conveni ent pl a te for components whi l e he worked.
Li ne of s i ght? Up to thi rty ki l ometers i n good vi z. Connected to a remote s hi p s ys tem? Wel l , you na me i t, Coms orry, Etain. He poi nted to
hi s ri fl e, a nd then went on pa cki ng ti ght-coi l ed bl a ck a nd whi te ri bbons of expl os i ve i nto the remote. Ha ve a l ook through the Deece. Sa fetys

on, but dont pres s a nythi ng.

Eta i n s houl dered the ri fl e. It wa s a l ot l i ghter tha n i t l ooked, a nd the vi ew through the s cope wa s s ta rtl i ngl y vi vi d des pi te the fa i l i ng l i ght.
She found i t di ffi cul t to s hut out the di s pl a y tha t wa s s uperi mpos ed on her fi el d of vi s i on. It na rrowed the vi ew to a ti ght focus on the ta rget.
Is thi s wha t you s ee through tha t vi s or?
Sort of.
Ca n I try the hel met? I wa nt to know wha t i ts l i ke to be i ns i de i t.
Ati n ga ve her a dubi ous l ook a nd s hrugged. You wont get a l l the rea douts wi thout the res t of the a rmor s ys tem, but youl l s ee enough. Its
top s hel f. They upgra ded i t jus t for thi s mi s s i on.
She l i fted the hel met a nd hel d i t a bove her hea d, a bi za rre corona ti on. As s he l owered i t i nto pl a ce, the feel i ng of confi nement a nd s ti fl i ng
hea t a l mos t ma de her na us eous , but s he s teel ed hers el f to tol era te i t.
Hot, s he s a i d.
Its fi ne when i ts s ea l ed to the res t of the s ui t, Ati n s a i d. He got to hi s feet a nd l oomed i n her fi el d of vi s i on. See the red l i ght i n the top
corner?
Mm.
Look a t i t a nd bl i nk twi ce, fa s t.
She di d. It unl ea s hed cha os . Al l s he coul d s ee now wa s a ri ot of l i nes a nd numbers a nd fl a s hi ng s ymbol s . She wa s a wa re of a norma l vi ew
beyond i t, but the res t of the da ta da nci ng before her eyes wa s overwhel mi ng.
Tha ts the HUD, Ati n s a i d. Hea ds -up di s pl a y. Rea l l i fes a ver. The proverbi a l eyes i n your ba cks i de.
Its di s tra cti ng. How do you cope wi th i t?
You get us ed to i t fa s t. Weve us ed thes e s ys tems a l l our l i ves . You ca n fi l ter the i nforma ti on out, l i ke l i s teni ng to a convers a ti on i n a
crowd.
Eta i n l i fted the hel met off a nd i nha l ed cool eveni ng a i r. And you ca n communi ca te wi thout a ny a udi bl e s ound outs i de the hel met?
Yes , a nd even wi thout Comma nd a nd Control hea ri ng us on certa i n frequenci es . I dont thi nk ordi na ry troopers ca n do tha t, but were
di fferent.
Sepa ra te s peci a l i zed tra i ni ng?
Theyre tra i ned from da y one to be more obedi ent tha n us . And were more obedi ent tha n ARC troopers . Theyre pretty wel l ra w Ja ngo.
He wa s ta l ki ng a bout hi ms el f a s i f he were a commodi ty. Eta i n found i t uncomforta bl e: yes , thes e young men were odd beca us e they were
externa l l y i denti ca l , but they were s ti l l i ndi vi dua l men, a nd not exoti c hous epl a nts or s tra i ns of gra i n. She unders tood tha t the Republ i c fa ced
des pera te ti mes . She jus t wondered how ma ny des pera te mea s ures tha t coul d jus ti fy. Somehow i t s eemed a n a ffront to the Force to do thi s to
fel l ow huma ns , even i f they s eemed rema rka bl y s a ngui ne a bout i t.
She ha nded hi m ba ck hi s hel met. We us e you, dont we, Ati n? Al l of you.
No s ol di er ha s i t ea s y. He fumbl ed wi th a l ength of wi re, cl ea rl y emba rra s s ed, brow furrowed i n mock concentra ti on. The fres h s ca r from
cheek to chi n wa s a l l the more s hocki ng etched i nto fres h young s ki n, a nd not a ba ttl e-ha rdened, wri nkl ed fa ce tha t i ndi ca ted a ful l l i fe. But I
l i ke thi s job. Wha t el s e woul d I do?
It wa s a pa i nful l y good ques ti on. Wha t woul d a ny of them do i f they were di s cha rged from the Gra nd Army? She rea ched out a nd s queezed
hi s a rm i ns ti ncti vel y, but a l l s he gra s ped wa s pl a s toi d-a l l oy pl a te.
I know wha t ha ppened to you, s he s a i d. She concentra ted, a preci s i on job: jus t enough to i nfl uence hi m to s ee wha t wa s true a nd
rea s ona bl e, but not to ma ke mockery of hi s na tura l gri ef. Wha t ha ppened to your brothers wa s nt your fa ul t. Youre a good s ol di er. Someti mes
the odds a re too fa r a ga i ns t you.
He s ta red down a t hi s boots . Eventua l l y, he l ooked up a nd s hrugged. Il l do my bes t to ma ke s ure thi s bunch s ta ys a l i ve, then. There wa s
l i ttl e i ndi ca ti on on hi s fa ce tha t the gentl e pus h towa rd a ccepta nce ha d worked, but Eta i n fel t l es s of a ja gged tea r i n the Force a round hi m. He
mi ght hea l , i n ti me.
And ti me wa s s omethi ng none of the cl one comma ndos woul d ha ve. It ma de her a s ha med.
Ca n I hel p wi th a nythi ng? Eta i n s a i d.
You coul d hel p me put s ome remote dets i nto thes e. I tol d Da r Id fi ni s h them for hi m. Ati n i ndi ca ted s ma l l pa cks of mi ni ng expl os i ve, a nd
ha nded her s omethi ng tha t l ooked l i ke a pa cket of s teel toothpi cks . Sl i de thes e between the ri bbon a nd the ma i n cha rge. Ma kes a ny pa rty go
off wi th a bi gger ba ng.
Wha t a re they?
IEDs , he s a i d. Grea t for pl a nti ng down dra i na ge s ys tems a nd a i r-condi ti oni ng ducts .
Not more a cronyms .
Improvi s ed expl os i ve devi ces . Be s ure you ma ke them l ook nea t. Da rs fus s y a bout hi s devi ces .
It wa s a rel a ti vel y s i mpl e but fi ddl y ta s k: Eta i n wa s a qui ck l ea rner. They s a t i n s i l ent concentra ti on, ma ki ng bombs a s ca s ua l l y a s i f they
were s hel l i ng qa na bea ns . This is how it happens, s he thought. This is how you slide from peacekeeper to soldier to assassin.
Ca n I a s k you a fa vor? Ati n s a i d, not l ooki ng up from the bomb i n progres s .
Of cours e.
Ma y I l ook a t your l i ghts a ber?
Eta i n s mi l ed. Wel l , youve s hown me yours , s o i ts onl y fa i r I s houl d s how you mi ne. She took out the hi l t a nd hel d i t up to hi m. He wi ped
hi s pa l ms on hi s bodys ui t a nd took the s a ber ca reful l y. Thats the da ngerous end, a nd this i s the control .
He s howed no i ncl i na ti on to a cti va te i t. He s eemed a bs orbed by the hi l t a nd i ts ma rki ngs .
Go on, Eta i n s a i d.
The l i ghts a ber fl a red i nto bl ue l i ght wi th a vzzmmm. Ati n di dnt even fl i nch. He s i mpl y s ta red down the l ength of the bl a de a nd s eemed to
be checki ng i t for true.

It does nt feel l i ke a wea pon, he s a i d. Its a bea uti ful thi ng.
I ma de i t.
That cha nged hi s expres s i on. She ha d s truck a chord wi th hi m, one bui l der of ga dgets to a nother. Now tha t is i mpres s i ve.
Eta i n enjoyed the res pect. Bei ng trea ted wi th deference a s a n offi cer ma de her s qui rm, but thi s fel t good. So I think Im pretty good at
something. And someone else thinks Im good at it, too. It wa s a boos t tha t s he s orel y needed.
Ati n thumbed off the bl a de a nd ha nded the hi l t ba ck to her wi th s ui ta bl e reverence. Id s ti l l ra ther ha ve pl enty of di s ta nce between me a nd
the enemy, he s a i d. Thi s i s a cl os e-i n wea pon.
Ma ybe I need to pra cti ce my more remote s ki l l s , Eta i n s a i d. You never know when tel eki nes i s mi ght come i n ha ndy.
They went on bundl i ng expl os i ves wi th ri bbon cha rges a nd s ta cki ng the pa cka ges i n a hea p. She hea rd a nd fel t Da rma n rel i eve Ni ner on
wa tch: thei r res pecti ve pres ences ebbed a nd fl owed, mergi ng a t one poi nt a s they cros s ed pa ths .
Through the ni ght Eta i n a l terna ted between dozi ng a nd checki ng on Guta -Na y. She wa s ca reful not to gi ve hi m the i dea tha t s he wa s
wa tchi ng hi m, a nd i ns tea d concentra ted on s ens i ng whether he wa s s ti l l there, s i tti ng i n the l ee of a tree wi th hi s knees dra wn up to hi s
ches t. Someti mes he s l ept; s he coul d feel the a bs ence of menta l a cti vi ty, a l mos t l i ke s ens i ng a pl a nt. Other ti mes he woke a nd fel t more vi vi d
a nd cha oti c, l i ke a preda tor.
It wa s getti ng l i ght a ga i n. It ha d been a l ong a nd res tl es s ni ght.
And s ti l l Guta -Na y s a t there. Hed ma de no a ttempt to es ca pe.
Of course he wont. Eta i n fel t her s toma ch knotti ng. Hes terrified of Hokan. He wants to stay with us. Were the good guys, the civilized guys.
Once a ga i n s he wa s horri fi ed by her ruthl es s a nd a l mos t i nvol unta ry ca l cul a ti on of benefi t a ga i ns t evi l . She wa ndered pa s t the s hel ter
ma de of l ea ves , ta rpa ul i n, a nd a ca moufl a ge net tha t s eemed to be ha ndma de. Ni ner, now cl ea rl y a s l eep, s ti l l wea ri ng ful l a rmor, wa s curl ed
up on hi s s i de, one a rm fol ded under hi s hea d. Ati n wa s rea di ng hi s da ta pa d; Fi wa s fi ni s hi ng the col d rema i ns of the merl i e s tew. He gl a nced
up a t her a nd hel d out the mes s ti n.
Il l pa s s , tha nks . Fa t ha d congea l ed i n una ppeti zi ng yel l ow gl obul es on the s urfa ce. It s eemed s ol di ers coul d s l eep a nywhere a nd ea t
a nythi ng.
Thi s coul dnt be a mora l di l emma . It wa s obvi ous . Thes e men ha d become her res pons i bi l i ty, both a s a n i ndi vi dua l a nd a s a Jedi : s he owed
i t to them to s ee tha t they s urvi ved. She l i ked them. She ca red wha t ha ppened to them, a nd s he wa nted to s ee Ati n l i ve l ong enough to
overcome hi s demons .
And s he coul d do s omethi ng tha t even they coul dnt.
Guta -Na y, s he s a i d, putti ng her ha nd on the Weequa ys s houl der. He opened hi s eyes . Guta -Na y, youre not a fra i d. You wa nt to go to Ghez
Hoka n a nd tel l hi m wha t you know. You wa nt to offer hi m i nforma ti on a bout the Republ i c forces i n excha nge for your l i fe. You wa nt to tel l hi m
tha t they pl a n to a tta ck the vi l l a beca us e they thi nk the forces a t the fa ci l i ty a re a decoy.
Guta -Na y s ta red pa s t her for a moment, a nd then s tood up. He pi cked hi s wa y through the bus hes a nd hea ded ea s t towa rd Imbra a ni .
Eta i n knew s he ha d now ta ken a s econd l i fe.
She pi nched the bri dge of her nos e, eyes s crewed s hut, a nd wondered wha t ha d ha ppened to her, wha t Ma s ter Ful i er woul d ha ve thought
ha d he been a l i ve. Then s he wa s a wa re of s omeone wa tchi ng her.
She l ooked up. Da rma n, perched i n the s a me fork of bra nches a s Ni ner ha d been, s ta red down.
Its ha rd to s end s omeone to thei r dea th, s he s a i d, a ns weri ng hi s s i l ent ques ti on.
Hi s expres s i on wa s hi dden behi nd the vi s or of hi s hel met. She di dnt need to ca l l on a ny of her a bi l i ti es a s a Jedi to know wha t he wa s
thi nki ng: one da y s he woul d do the s a me to men l i ke hi m. The rea l i za ti on ca ught her una wa res .
Youl l get us ed to i t, he s a i d.
She doubted i t.

14

There is nothing wrong with fear. You need never be ashamed of it, as long as it doesnt stop you functioning. Fear is your natural warning system; it keeps
you alive so that you can fight. Show me a man who isnt afraid, and Ill show you a fool who is a danger to his entire ship. And I do not tolerate fools in my
navy.
Admi ra l Ada r Ta l l on, a ddres s i ng the new i nta ke a t a Republ i c a ca demy

Hoka n s tood on the vera nda of Ankki ts vi l l a a nd s ta red out a t a bri ght a utumna l morni ng. There were s ti l l too ma ny l ea ves on the trees for hi s
l i ki ng.
They were out there s omewhere. Republ i c forces . A ha ndful .
But they were not a n a rmy.
He wa l ked to Utha ns l a bora tory compl ex, a comforta bl e fi fteen-mi nute s trol l . It occurred to hi m tha t he wa s a good ta rget for a s ni per, i f a
s ni per ha d been a bl e to penetra te Ma nda l ori a n a rmor. Even s o, he deci ded to di vert vi a a coppi ce. Hi s pa th took hi m a l ong a dry-s tone wa l l to
the rea r of the i ns ta l l a ti on, a nd he ma de a compl ete ci rcl e of the fa rm bui l di ng before wa l ki ng up to the s i ngl e entra nce a t the front.
As a l ure, thi s wa s a good one. The l i ne of droi ds a cros s the entra nce wa s s pecta cul a r. Hoka n ma de a poi nt of i ns pecti ng them a t a l ei s urel y
pa ce a nd then enga ged them i n convers a ti on a bout thei r ca nnons . If a nyone wa s obs ervi ngs ol di er, s py, or ta l ka ti ve fa rmerthey woul d get
the mes s a ge.
Ins i de, though, Dr. Utha n wa s l os i ng her gl a morous cool .
Is thi s the l a s t ti me youre goi ng to move me? s he s a i d, ta ppi ng her na i l s a ga i ns t the pol i s hed meta l of her des k. Her fi l es a nd equi pment
were s ti l l i n pa cki ng cra tes . My s ta ff members a re fi ndi ng thi s extremel y s tres s ful , a s a m I.
Hoka n took out hi s da ta pa d a nd projected a hol ocha rt of the i ns ta l l a ti on a bove the s urfa ce of the des k. The pl a ce wa s a cube wi thi n a cube:
bel ow ground l evel , the a ccommoda ti ons , s tora ge, a nd offi ces l a y i n a ri ng a round a centra l core. The core conta i ned a s qua re of ei ght s ma l l
l a bora tori es wi th one morethe s ecure roomnes tl ed i n the center. The res t of the compl ex ha d bul khea ds tha t coul d be brought down a nd
s ea l ed to i s ol a te a bi oha za rd es ca pe. It coul d be defended.
But i t woul dnt come to tha t. Hed l a i d a ca reful tra i l to Ankki ts vi l l a a nd a greeti ng from fi fty droi ds , a l ong wi th ca nnons a nd powerful
expl os i ves .
He wa nted to get i t over wi th.
Yes , Doctor, thi s i s the l a s t ti me Il l move you, he s a i d. Try to unders ta nd why Ive done thi s , Doctor. I bel i eve Im fa ci ng a s ma l l comma ndo
force. Ra ther tha n cha s e them, whi ch coul d be di vers i ona ry, Ive deci ded to bri ng them to me. Thi s mea ns theyl l be fa ci ng a conventi ona l
i nfa ntry a nd a rti l l ery ba ttl e tha t I dont thi nk theyre equi pped to fi ght. Thos e a re ba ttl es of numbers .
Im not s ure i f I do s ee your poi nt, a ctua l l y.
We ca n defend thi s i ns ta l l a ti on. I ha ve the numbers a nd the fi repower. Sooner or l a ter, theyl l ta ke ca s ua l ti es .
Youre certa i n a bout thi s ?
Not certa i n, but everythi ng I s ee s ugges ts they ha ve l a nded a mi ni ma l a mount of troops for exa mpl e, no evi dence of l a rge-s ca l e tra ns port.
They hi ja cked expl os i ves from a qua rry to des troy the Tekl et ground s ta ti on. If they ha d the ma tri el , they woul dnt ha ve bothered.
And then a ga i n, ma ybe tha ts a di vers i ona ry ta cti c, too.
Hoka n l ooked up from the hol ocha rt. Nobody ha s perfect knowl edge i n ba ttl e. No pl a n s urvi ves conta ct wi th the enemy. Yes , Im ma ki ng a n
educa ted gues s , a s every comma nder i n hi s tory ha s ha d to do.
Utha n cons i dered hi m wi th col d bl a ck eyes . You s houl d ha ve eva cua ted my project from the pl a net.
Hoka n fol ded hi s a rms . When you move, youre vul nera bl e. Youre vul nera bl e cros s i ng the countrys i de between here a nd the s pa ceport.
Youre even more vul nera bl e a ttempti ng to l ea ve Qi i l ura wi th a Republ i c a s s a ul t s hi p on s ta ti on. And now we ha ve no communi ca ti ons beyond
runners , a nd a bunch of droi ds rel a yi ng mes s a ges . No, we s i t ti ght.
Utha n i ndi ca ted the wa rren of rooms behi nd her wi th one ha nd. If thi s comes to a pi tched ba ttl e, wha t a bout my project? Wha t a bout my
s ta ff? Thos e fi ve s ci enti s ts repres ent the bes t mi crobi ol ogi s ts a nd geneti ci s ts i n the CIS. In ma ny wa ys , theyre more i mporta nt tha n the
bi oma teri a l we hol d. We ca n s ta rt a ga i n, even i f the work s o fa r i s l os t.
Its a s da ngerous for them to l ea ve a s i t i s for you.
I s ee.
You s peci fi ed a very s ecure l a yout when you ha d thi s fa ci l i ty bui l t. You mus t know i ts defens i bl e.
Utha n s eemed s uddenl y fi xed on the hol ocha rt i n front of her. It s howed hydra ul i c emergency bul khea ds a nd cha mbers wi thi n cha mbers . It
s howed venti l a ti on s ys tems wi th tri pl e fi l ters . It coul d be s ea l ed a s ti ghtl y a s a bottl e.
Its not s ecure enough to s top a nythi ng getti ng in, s he s a i d ca reful l y. Its to s top a nythi ng getti ng out.
You s a i d the na novi rus wa s onl y l etha l for cl one troops .
There wa s a pa us e, the s ort of pa us e Hoka n di dnt l i ke. He wa i ted. He s ta red a t her, a nd he wa s di s a ppoi nted to s ee for the fi rs t ti me tha t
s he wa s nervous . He wa i ted for her to conti nue. He woul d wa i t a l l da y i f neces s a ry.
It wi l l be, s he s a i d a t l a s t.
You s a i d tha t i t mi ght ma ke other orga ni s ms merel ywha t wa s the wordunwel l ?
Yes .
How unwel l , then, i f you go to a l l thi s troubl e to conta i n i t?
Very unwel l .
Dead unwel l ?
Pos s i bl y. Dependi ng on whether the expos ed s ubject ha s certa i n s ets of genes

Hoka n experi enced a ra re moment of uncerta i nty. It wa s nt beca us e he wa s cl os er to a da ngerous vi rus tha n he s uppos ed. It wa s beca us e
s omeone ha d l i ed to hi m, a nd hi s i ns ti ncti ve wa y to dea l wi th tha t wa s a vi ol ent one. The fa ct tha t he wa s dea l i ng wi th a woma n wa s the onl y
thi ng tha t ma de hi m hes i ta te.
But i t wa s onl y hes i ta ti on. He l ea ned forwa rd, s ei zed her by her el ega nt des i gner col l a r, a nd hea ved her s ha rpl y out of her s ea t a cros s the
des k.
Never l i e to me, he s a i d.
They were eye-to-eye. She wa s s ha ki ng, but s he di dnt bl i nk. Get your ha nds off me.
Wha t el s e ha vent you tol d me?
Nothi ng. You di dnt need to know the deta i l s of the project.
Thi s i s your fi na l cha nce to tel l me i f theres a nythi ng el s e I s houl d know.
She s hook her hea d. No, there i s nt. Were ha vi ng s ome probl ems i s ol a ti ng the pa rts of the vi rus tha t wi l l a tta ck onl y cl ones . Theyre huma n.
Al l huma n ra ces s ha re the ma jori ty of genes . Even you.
He hel d her for a few more s econds a nd then l et go, a nd s he fel l ba ck i nto her cha i r. He rea l l y s houl d ha ve s hot her. He knew i t. It woul d
ha ve ma de her s ta ff more compl i a nt. But s he wa s a s i gni fi ca nt pa rt of the a s s et. He ha dnt gone s oft beca us e s he wa s a woma n, he wa s
certa i n of tha t.
Unders ta nd thi s , he s a i d, feel i ng s uddenl y very uncomforta bl e. Thi s mea ns were s i tti ng on a wea pon tha t mi ght des troy us a s ea s i l y a s i t
wi l l des troy the enemy. It pl a ces cons tra i nts on how we fi ght. He went ba ck to the hol ocha rt a nd i ndi ca ted va ri ous fea tures of the i ns ta l l a ti on
wi th hi s forefi nger. Youre s ure i t ca nt es ca pe i nto the envi ronment?
Utha n wa s s ta ri ng a t hi s fa ce, not a t the cha rt. It wa s a s i f s he di dnt recogni ze hi m. He s na pped hi s fi ngers a nd poi nted a t the cha rt.
Come on, Doctor. Pa y a ttenti on.
Tha ts tha ts the bi oha za rd conta i nment a rea . Impregna bl e, for obvi ous rea s ons . I wa s thi nki ng we mi ght retrea t i n there for the ti me
bei ng.
I woul d prefer to keep you a nd the bi oma teri a l s epa ra te. In fa ct, I woul d prefer a l s o to keep you s epa ra te from your s ta ff. I di s l i ke ha vi ng
a l l my eggs i n one boxi f the enemy ever brea ches thi s fa ci l i ty, then they wont be a bl e to des troy the project i n one a cti on. If they el i mi na te
one pa rt, we ca n s ti l l s a l va ge the other components , be they pers onnel or ma teri a l s .
Thes e rooms a rent a s s ecure i n bi oha za rd terms .
But they are rel a ti vel y s ecure i n terms of s toppi ng s omeone from getti ng a t them. The ha za rdous ma teri a l s ca n s ta y i n the centra l bi oha za rd
cha mber.
Yes , s he s a i d. I concede tha t.
Then get your peopl e movi ng.
You thi nk i tl l come to tha t? To a ba ttl e?
No, not here. But i f i t does , thi s gi ves me the bes t cha nce of s ucceedi ng.
Youre prepa red to fi ght whi l e s i tti ng on a bomb, effecti vel y.
Yes . Your bomb. And i f were both s i tti ng on i t, i tl l moti va te us to prevent i ts detona ti on, wont i t?
I thi nk youre a da ngerous a nd fool ha rdy ma n.
And I thi nk youre a woma n whos l ucky tha t s he ha s rel a ti ve i mmuni ty through her va l ue to the Sepa ra ti s t ca us e. Hoka n s tra i ghtened up.
Ma ybe s he wa nted a n a pol ogy. He s a w no rea s on to gi ve one. A s ci enti s t, expecti ng ha l f the rel eva nt fa cts to be a ccepta bl e i n the s ol uti on of a
probl em? It wa s s l oppy, unforgi va bl y s l oppy. Il l ha ve a droi d hel p you i f you l i ke.
Wel l do i t ours el ves . I know how ca reful they a re wi th fra gi l e objects .
Hoka n cl os ed the hol ocha rt a nd wa l ked out i nto the corri dor.
Outs i de, a droi d a pproa ched hi m. Ca pta i n Hura ti i s bri ngi ng a pri s oner a nd a vi s i tor, he s a i d. He s a ys he di s obeyed your orders on both.
Ma ybe promoti ng the ma n ha dnt been s uch a good i dea . But Hura ti wa s s ma rt. Hed ta ken them a l i ve when he s houl d ha ve ta ken them
dea d, a nd tha t wa s s i gni fi ca nt. The young offi cer wa s nt s quea mi s h.
Hoka n deci ded to gi ve hi m the benefi t of the doubt. When the droi ds a t the entra nce pa rted to l et hi m pa s s , Hura ti wa s wa i ti ng, a nd he ha d
two others wi th hi m.
One wa s a Tra ndos ha n mercena ry. He ca rri ed hi s di s ti ncti ve tool of the tra de, a n APC repea ti ng bl a s ter.
The other wa s no s tra nger a t a l l . It wa s Guta -Na y, hi s former Weequa y l i eutena nt.
I got i nforma ti on, the Weequa y s a i d, coweri ng.
You better ha ve, Hoka n s a i d.
Wi th one pa i r of s houl ders mi s s i ng, Ni ner ha d s ome ha rd choi ces to ma ke a bout wha t equi pment they coul d ta ke wi th them. He s ta red
down a t the va ri ous wea pons a nd pi l es of ordna nce l a i d out on the ground, a s toni s hed by wha t they ha d ma na ged to ca rry a s wel l a s i n
cons i dera ti on of wha t they coul dnt ta ke i nto ba ttl e.
We coul d a l wa ys ca che s ome s tuff nea r the ta rget, Fi s a i d.
Two tri ps doubl e the ri s k.
Ati n pi cked up one of the LJ-50 concus s i on ri fl es . He ha d been mos t i ns i s tent on s a vi ng thos e. Wel l , Im ta ki ng thi s conk ri fl e a nd the APC
a rra y bl a s ter i f Im goi ng i nto tha t fa ci l i ty.
Dont trus t Republ i c procurement, then? Fi s a i d.
No poi nt bei ng a s nob a bout gea r, Ati n s a i d.
Dont get s tuck i n a ny confi ned s pa ces .
It wa s a fa i r poi nt: wi th a ba ckpa ck, Deece, ri fl e a tta chments , a nd s ecti ons of ca nnon, there wa s nt a l ot of room l eft to l oa d much el s e.
Ni ner di dnt wa nt to s a y i t a l oud, but they were tryi ng to do two s qua ds work. Somethi ng ha d to gi ve.

Come on, you know I ca n ca rry equi pment, Eta i n s a i d. She di dnt l ook l i ke s he coul d even ca rry a tune: ba ttered, di s hevel ed, a nd a s hen, s he
s eemed a bout to drop. As k Da rma n.
Tha t ri ght, Da r? Ni ner s a i d on the hel met l i nk.
Da rma n gl a nced down from hi s obs erva ti on poi nt i n the tree. Li ke a ba ntha , Sa rge. Loa d her up.
They coul d s pl i t the E-Web a cros s fi ve of them. Tha t mea nt a n extra pi ece a nd a decent s uppl y of extra power cel l s a nd ordna nce.
Oka y, pl a n A, Ni ner s a i d. He projected a hol ocha rt from hi s da ta pa d. The nea res t s ui ta bl e l a yi ng-up poi nt i s jus t under one ki l ometer from
the fa ci l i ty i n thi s coppi ce here. We ta b down there now a nd depl oy two s urvei l l a nce remotes to gi ve us a good vi ew of both the fa ci l i ty a nd the
vi l l a . Dependi ng on the s i tua ti on, we ca n try to come ba ck for the s pa re gea r duri ng the da y. Its two kl i cks ea ch wa y. Not a l ot, but i ts da yl i ght,
a nd i f Guta -Na y di d the bus i nes s , wel l ha ve a l ot of a ttenti on.
Im up for i t, Ati n s a i d. Were goi ng to need i t.
Go on wi th pl a n A, Eta i n s a i d.
As we a greedget a remote l oa ded wi th ri bbon cha rge i nto the vi l l a a nd do wha t da ma ge we ca n, whi l e Fi l a ys down fi re a t the rea r of the
fa ci l i ty, Da rma n bl ows the ma i n doors , a nd I go i n wi th Ati n. If we ca nt get the remote i nto the vi l l a , then we ha ve to ti e the droi ds down wi th
a s pl i t a tta ckpl a n B.
Eta i n chewed her l ower l i p. Tha t s ounds a l mos t i mpos s i bl e.
I never s a i d we ha d good odds .
And Im not tha t much us e a ga i ns t droi ds .
You woul d be i f you ha d one of thes e, Ati n s a i d, a nd offered her the Tra ndos ha n a rra y bl a s ter. Li ghts a bers a re a l l very wel l , but we dont
wa nt to get too i nti ma te wi th the enemy, do we? Its got a good cl os e-ra nge s prea d s o you dont even ha ve to be a n expert ma rks ma n to us e i t.
He ma de a ges ture wi th hi s ha nds . Ba ng. Serious ba ng.
She took the wea pon a nd exa mi ned i t ca reful l y, then s houl dered i t l i ke a pro. Never us ed one of thes e. Il l get the ha ng of i t fa s t.
Tha ts the s pi ri t, ma a m.
You s houl d a l s o know tha t I ca n move thi ngs , too. Not jus t ca rry them.
Move?
Wi th the Force.
Ha ndy, Fi s a i d.
Ni ner s l a pped a cl i p of pl a s ma bol t rounds i n Fi s ha nd to s hut hi m up. We mi ght need you to keep Doctor Utha n coopera ti ve, too. Wors e
comes to wors t, weve got s eda ti on for her, but Id rea l l y ra ther ha ve her wa l ki ng tha n a s a dea dwei ght.
Is there a pl a n C?
The ni ce thi ng a bout the a l pha bet, ma a m, i s tha t i t gi ves you pl enty of pl a ns to choos e from, Fi s a i d.
Shut up, Fi , Ni ner s a i d.
He ha s a poi nt, Eta i n s a i d. She s pun a round to fa ce the undergrowth. Ji na rt?
The Gurl a ni n s l i pped out of the bus hes a nd wa ndered a mong the s el ecti on of wea pons , a gl os s y bl a ck preda tor a ga i n, pi cki ng her wa y
between the equi pment wi th ca reful pa ws . She s ni ffed a t i t.
Show me wha t I need to ca rry, s he s a i d.
Ca n you ma na ge three remotes ? Ati n a s ked.
Al l bombs ?
No, two hol o-ca ms , one bomb.
Very wel l . You ca n expl a i n to me wha t you wa nt done wi th them when we rea ch your
La yi ng-up poi nt, Ni ner prompted. LUP.
You enjoy not bei ng unders tood, dont you?
Pa rt of our mys ti que a nd cha rm, Fi s a i d, a nd s tra pped more webbi ng onto hi s a rmor.
They fol l owed the l i ne of the woods , a route tha t took them a coupl e of ki l ometers out of thei r wa y, but offered the s hortes t di s ta nce over
open terra i n. Eta i nNi ner s ti l l s truggl ed wi th fi rs t-na me fa mi l i a ri ty, even i n hi s mi ndkept cl os e to Da rma n. She s eemed to l i ke hi m. She wa s
pol i te a nd s ympa theti c to the res t of them, but s he certa i nl y liked Da rma n. Ni ner coul d s ee i t on her fa ce. She exuded concern. He hea rd
s na tches of convers a ti on.
How di d you ever ca rry a l l the E-Web s ecti ons a l one?
No i dea . Jus t di d, I s uppos e.
She wa s a Jedi . Ski ra ta s a i d they were fi ne peopl e, but they di dnta nd coul dntca re a bout a nyone. But you got cl os e very qui ckl y under
fi re. He wa s nt goi ng to a s k Da rma n wha t he wa s pl a yi ng a t. Not yet.
They rea ched the edge of the woodl a nd a nd ca me i nto a hundred-meter s tretch of wa i s t-hi gh gra s s . Fi went forwa rd a s poi nt ma n. Spri nti ng
a nd droppi ng wa s now beyond them, but there a ppea red to be nothi ng a round to s pot thei r gra y a rmor a nywa y, s o they wa l ked a t a crouch.
Ni ners ba ck wa s s crea mi ng for a res t. It di dnt ma tter how fi t you were when you pus hed yours el f thi s ha rd: i t hurt.
When they rea ched the coppi ce, i t wa s pa i nki l l er ti me. Ni ner s tri pped off hi s a rm pl a te a nd peel ed ba ck a s ecti on of s ui t. He di dnt bother
fi ndi ng a vei n. He s ta bbed the needl e i nto mus cl e.
Know the feel i ng, Da rma n s a i d. He dropped hi s pa ck a nd s a t down, l egs outs tretched. Anyone ta ken a ny s ti ms s o fa r?
Not yet, Ni ner s a i d. I reckon we s houl d a l l dos e up one hour before movi ng, jus t to ma ke s ure were a hundred percent. He gl a nced a t
Eta i n, wonderi ng how s he mi ght a ppea r a fter a week of norma l mea l s , unbroken s l eep, a nd cl ea n cl othi ng. She l ooked worryi ngl y fra i l now,
even though s he wa s doi ng a va l i a nt job of keepi ng up. You, too. Especially you. Ca n Jedi ta ke s ti mul a nts ?
Wha t exa ctl y do they do?
The equi va l ent of ten hours good, s ol i d s l eep a nd four s qua re mea l s . Unti l they wea r off.

I ought to dra w on the Force to s us ta i n my s ta mi na , s he s a i d. But the Force coul d do wi th a bi t of hel p ri ght now. Count me i n.
She s a t down a nd res ted her hea d on her fol ded a rms . Ma ybe s he wa s medi ta ti ng. Ni ner s wi tched to hel met comms .
Da r, s hes not goi ng to col l a ps e on us , i s s he? We ca nt ca rry a nythi ng el s e.
If s he drops , i tl l be beca us e s hes dea d, he s a i d. Trus t me, s hes tougher tha n s he l ooks . Phys i ca l l y, a nywa y.
Shed better be. Lets get thos e remotes depl oyed.
Ji na rt ha d i denti fi ed a coupl e of hi gh poi nts to pl a ce the ca m remotes . One wa s on the gutter of a fa rm bui l di ng overl ooki ng the entra nce to
the fa ci l i ty; the other wa s a tree whos e ca nopy ga ve a good 270-degree vi ew of the vi l l a . The thi rd remotethe one l oa ded wi th ri bbon cha rge
needed more ca reful pl a cement. She s a t up on her hi nd l egs a nd a pouch formed on her s toma ch l i ke a cooks a pron.
Norma l l y I woul d ca rry my young a round i n thi s , s he s a i d. She pl a ced the three s pheres i n the pouch, gi vi ng the i mpres s i on tha t s hed
s wa l l owed s ome pa rti cul a rl y l umpy prey. But i f I dont hel p you, my cha nces of ra i s i ng a nother l i tter a re remote. So I cons i der i t a n
a ppropri a te a ct.
Ni ner wa s a s fa s ci na ted a s ever by the Gurl a ni n. The more he s a w of the crea tures , the l es s he knew a bout them. He hoped he mi ght ha ve
the cha nce to fi nd out more one da y.
In a n hour i t woul d be mi dda y. Ati n took out hi s ra ti on pa ck a nd mes s ti n, a fl a t s heet tha t s na pped i nto s ha pe. He pl a ced hi s rema i ni ng
ra ti on cubes i n i t a nd hel d i t out. How much ha ve we got a mong us ?
Im down to ha l f a da ys worth, Fi s a i d.
Me, too, Ni ner s a i d.
Da rma n rea ched i nto hi s pa ck a nd pul l ed out a ca reful l y wra pped bri ck-s i zed ba g. A da ys worth of cubes a nd thi s dri ed kuva ra a nd jerky.
Lets pool thi s a nd ha ve two mea l s before we go i n. If we pul l thi s off, wel l be runni ng too fa s t to ha ve l unch. If we dont, i td be a s ha me to
di e hungry.
Gets my vote, Ati n s a i d.
Ni ner wa s goi ng to a s k Eta i n, but s he wa s s i tti ng cros s -l egged wi th her eyes s hut a nd her ha nds i n her l a p. Da rma n put a fi nger to hi s l i ps
a nd s hook hi s hea d.
Medi ta ti ng, he mouthed s i l entl y.
Ni ner hoped s he emerged from i t tra ns formed. He wa s s ti l l one s qua d s hort of a n a dequa te force for thi s job.
***
You ha ve ten s econds to l i ve, Ghez Hoka n s a i d. He took out Ful i ers l i ghts a ber, a nd the bl ue s ha ft of energy buzzed i nto l i fe. He wondered
wha t ma de the bl a de a cons i s tent, fi ni te l ength ea ch ti me. Spea k.
Guta -Na y, l ooki ng more bemus ed tha n he reca l l ed, i gnored the l i ghts a ber. I been ca ptured by s ol di ers . I get a wa y.
Republ i c troops ? Huma n?
Yes . They ca tch me, they ma ke me ca rry s tuff.
Hoka n s hea thed the bl a de. They obvi ous l y s potted your ta l ents . How di d you get a wa y?
They were s l eepi ng. They not ca re. I go.
How ma ny s ol di ers ?
Four. And gi rl i e.
Gi rl i e?
Guta -Na y poi nted a t the l i ghts a ber. She got one l i ke tha t.
So the woma n wi th them was a Jedi . Jus t four?
They got a nother l ot. He purs ed hi s l i ps , gra ppl i ng wi th a new word. Squad.
Very wel l , s o we ha ve two s qua ds . Ei ght men. Tha t woul d fi t. Hoka n turned to Hura ti . And our Tra ndos ha n fri end?
He s a ys hes hi ghl y i rri ta ted a bout hi s bus i nes s bei ng i nterrupted, s i r, a nd he offers hi ms el f a nd three col l ea gues to hel p you dea l wi th the
i nconveni ence.
Tha nk hi m a nd a ccept hi s offer. Hoka n turned ba ck to Guta -Na y. I wa nt you to thi nk very ha rd. Di d they s a y wha t they were goi ng to do?
Where they were goi ng?
The vi l l a .
How predi cta bl e peopl e were. The l oca l s woul d tel l you a nythi ng for money, s el l you thei r da ughters , i nform on thei r nei ghbors . Hoka n ha d
ha l f expected the rus e to be a l mos t too obvi ous . Youre doi ng wel l . Tel l me wha t equi pment they ha ve.
Bl a s ters . Expl os i ves . The Weequa y ma de a n i ndi ca ti on of grea t wi dth wi th hi s ha nds . Big gun. They got a rmor wi th kni ves i n gl oves .
Des cri be.
Li ke yours .
Wha t do you mea n, l i ke mi ne?
Guta -Na y i ndi ca ted hi s hea d a nd ma de a T-s ha pe wi th hi s fi ngers . Your hel met.
It wa s di ffi cul t to ta ke i n. Guta -Na y wa s a n i na rti cul a te brute, but there wa s no a mbi gui ty i n hi s des cri pti on. Are you s a yi ng they were
wea ri ng Mandalorian armor?
Yea h. Tha t i t.
Youre s ure a bout tha t.
Sure.
Anythi ng el s e? Hoka n wondered how he expected thi s crea ture to be a bl e to a s s es s i ntel l i gence. Anythi ng el s e unus ua l ?
Guta -Na y concentra ted on the ques ti on a s i f hi s l i fe depended on i t, whi ch i t di d not; Hoka n woul d ki l l hi m a nywa y. They a l l l ook the

s a me.
They were wea ri ng uni forms ?
No, the men. Sa me fa ces .
Chi l dren coul d be unerri ngl y a ccura te i n thei r obs erva ti on of deta i l , a nd s o coul d s tupi d a dul ts . Guta -Na y wa s des cri bi ng s omethi ng tha t Dr.
Utha n ha d tol d hi m a bout: s ol di ers , i denti ca l s ol di ers , mi ndl es s l y obedi ent s ol di ers clone s ol di ers .
Hoka n coul dnt bel i eve tha t cl one troopers coul d opera te l i ke thi s . And the one wea pon tha t woul d work a ga i ns t them wa s deni ed hi m,
beca us e i n i ts pres ent s ta te i t woul d ki l l everyone, Utha n a nd her tea m i ncl uded.
But there were proba bl y onl y ei ght of them. He ha d nea rl y a hundred droi ds . He ha d wea pons .
Hura ti ? Hura ti !
The young ca pta i n ca me runni ng a nd s a l uted. Si r?
I thi nk we fa ce a two-pronged a tta ck. There a re two s qua ds , a nd I fi nd i t unl i kel y to i ma gi ne tha t they woul d not ha ve one s qua d a tta ck the
vi l l a , whi l e the other ma de a n a ttempt on the mos t obvi ous ta rget. Di vi de the droi d pl a toons between the l oca ti ons .
Tha ts wha t you woul d do wi th two s qua ds , s i r? Not concentra te your forces ?
Yes , i f I werent s ure my objecti ves were cons ol i da ted i n one pl a ce. They ca nt know who a nd wha t i s i n whi ch bui l di ng. And theyl l a tta ck a t
ni ght, beca us e whi l e theyre bol d, theyre not s tupi d. He s hook hi s hea d, s uddenl y i nterrupted by hi s own preoccupa ti on. Who woul d ha ve
thought cl ones coul d ca rry out thi s s ort of opera ti on? Utha n s a i d they were no more tha n ca nnon fodder.
Comma nded by Jedi , s i r. Perha ps our ta cti ci a n i s the woma n.
It wa s a n i nteres ti ng i dea . Hoka n cons i dered i t for a moment, then rea l i zed tha t Guta -Na y wa s wa i ti ng expecta ntl y, oddl y upri ght a nd
a ppa rentl y una fra i d.
Wel l ? Hoka n s a i d.
I tel l you s tuff. You l et me l i ve?
Hoka n a cti va ted the l i ghts a ber a ga i n a nd hel d i t out to hi s s i de, jus t a bove the l evel of hi s ri ght s houl der.
Of cours e not, he s a i d, a nd s wung the bl a de. It woul d be ba d for mora l e.

15

So how do we justify what we are doing now? Breeding men without choice, and without freedom, to fight and die for us? When do the means cease to
justify the end? Where is our society heading? Where are our ideals, and what are we without them? If we give in to expedience in this way, where do we
draw the line between ourselves and those we find unacceptably evil? I have no answer, Masters. Do you?
Jedi Pa da wa n Ba rda n Jus i k, a ddres s i ng the Jedi Counci l

Eta i n jerked i nvol unta ri l y, a s i f fa l l i ng i n a drea m. She opened her eyes a nd s ta red s tra i ght a hea d.
Hes dea d, s he s a i d.
Who i s ? Da rma n ha d been wa tchi ng her medi ta te, worryi ng wha t mi ght ha ppen to her i n the comi ng ba ttl e, a fra i d both for her a nd
beca us e of her. She coul d be ei ther a l i a bi l i ty or a n uni ma gi na bl e a s s et. Wha ts wrong, Eta i n?
Ni ner ca ught hi s eye wi th a l ook tha t s ugges ted he thought Da rma n wa s bei ng too fa mi l i a r wi th a n offi cer, wha tever s he ha d ordered. Then
he went ba ck to checki ng hi s da ta pa d.
Guta -Na y. She rubbed her forehea d a nd l ooked defea ted. I fel t i t i n the Force.
Fi l ooked a bout to s a y s omethi ng, a nd Ati n s i l enced hi m wi th a frown. Da rma n ga ve both of them a shut-up l ook. There wa s a wa y of s a yi ng
unpa l a ta bl e thi ngs to peopl e, a nd Da rma n thought i t woul d be better comi ng from hi m tha n from hi s comra des .
Hoka n woul d ha ve found hi m s ooner or l a ter, he s a i d. If the Weequa ys ma na ged to mi s l ea d hi m a bout our true ta rget, hes a t l ea s t
redeemed hi ms el f a l i ttl e.
Da r, s he s a i d. It wa s s hocki ngl y fa mi l i a r, the s qua d ni ckna me for hi m. I ki l l ed hi m a s s urel y a s i f Id cut hi m down.
You tol d us yours el f tha t he wa s a ra pi s t, Fi s a i d, s oundi ng i rri ta ted. The worl d wont mi s s hi m.
Shut up, Fi . Da rma n tri ed a ga i n. Itl l s a ve l i ves i n the end.
Yea h, ours , Fi s a i d.
Da rma n twi s ted a round, a ngry. I s a i d s hut up, di dnt I?
Ni ner s tepped i n. You ca n both s hut i t, he s a i d. Were a l l ti red a nd were a l l tes ty. Sa ve i t for the enemy.
Da rma n s wa l l owed a s udden a nd unexpected des i re to tel l Fi to l a y off Eta i n, a nd i n no uncerta i n terms . Fi knew nothi ng a bout her, nothing.
Da rma n wa s a mbus hed by a s pl i t s econd of protecti venes s a nd wa s i mmedi a tel y emba rra s s ed by i t.
He turned ba ck to her. Hes ri ght. Its one l i fe for ma ny.
Mea ns jus ti fy the end, ri ght? Eta i n s tood up from her cros s -l egged pos i ti on i n one movement. And wha t a bout you? Wha t ha ppens i f I
s end you or Fi or a ny of you i nto a s i tua ti on where youre goi ng to di e?
She wa s genui nel y ups et. He coul d s ee i t i n her fa ce, a nd i n the wa y s he hel d one thi n, s cra tched, bony ha nd cl enched ti ghtl y i nto a fi s t. He
s tood up a s wel l , wa l ki ng a fter her a s s he hea ded for the edge of the coppi ce.
We were a l l ma de for thi s , Da rma n s a i d. It wa s true, wa s nt i t? He woul dnt exi s t a t a l l i f i t ha dnt been tha t s omeone needed s ol di ers ,
utterl y rel i a bl e s ol di ers . But i t di dnt feel tha t wa y ri ght then. Her rea cti on tol d hi m he wa s wrong, a nd s uddenl y he s a w Ka l Ski ra ta , i n tea rs , a
dri nk i n hi s ha nd. You poor boys. What sort of life is this? Eta i n, we a l l do wha t we ha ve to. One da y you rea l l y will ha ve to gi ve a n order tha ts
goi ng to get s ome of us ki l l ed.
Us ?
Sol di ers , troopers . Wha tever.
Perha ps , but the da y I ca n a ccept tha t wi thout bei ng di mi ni s hed by i t i s the da y Im not fi t to be a Jedi .
Oka y, he s a i d. I unders ta nd tha t.
How do you feel when you ki l l ?
I never ha d ti me to thi nk a bout i t. On Geonos i s , they ki l l ed my brothers a nd they were tryi ng to ki l l me. They werent l i ke us .
So wha t i f i t wa s s omeone you knew?
But you di dnt know Guta -Na y, a nd he i s nt l i ke you. Or me, come to tha t. Da rma n ha dnt a cl ue wha t s he wa s goi ng on a bout. She wa s new
to ki l l i ng. It wa s i nevi ta bl e tha t s hed ha ve a few probl ems dea l i ng wi th i t. Eta i n, thi s s qua d needs you to be s orted a nd a l ert. Thi nk a bout
tha t.
He turned a nd wa l ked ba ck to where Ni ner a nd the others were s i tti ng. It s eemed too obvi ous to repl a ce thei r hel mets a nd di s cus s pri va tel y
whether the comma nder wa s goi ng fl a ky on them. She wa s nt gi vi ng orders a nywa y. But a s i mpl e gl a nce coul d convey a grea t dea l . Da rma n
hoped Fi unders tood tha t hi s fi xed s ta re mea nt Lay off.
Appa rentl y, he di d. Fi ma de a qui ck pa l ms -out movement wi th hi s ha nds a s i f i n s ubmi s s i on. The s ubject wa s dropped.
Ni ner wa s ri ght. They were a l l fra yed by the l a s t few da ys , hoveri ng on s hort fus es . They bus i ed thems el ves checki ng a nd rechecki ng
wea pons .
Weve never fought as a squad before.
They were proba bl y a l l thi nki ng the s a me thi ng. Da rma n took the hydra ul i c ra m a pa rt a nd rea s s embl ed i t, then checked the ha nd pump for
pres s ure. It ca me wi th a n a s s ortment of cl a ws , a nd a t l ea s t ha vi ng the ori gi na l pl a ns a nd s pecs of both bui l di ngs mea nt he knew whi ch ones
to l ea ve behi nd. It coul d exert ei ght metri c tons , s o i f the cha rges di dnt get them through the door, the ra m woul d. The ha nd-opera ted ra m wa s
l i ghter to ca rry, but pa cked l es s tha n ha l f the punch.
Hed ha ve l i ked cutti ng equi pment, too, but hed opened s teel bl a s t doors on Geonos i s wi th therma l ta pe cha rges , a nd the ri bbon vers i on
wa s even more powerful . Expl os i ve moved a t ei ght thous a nd meters a s econd, enough to s l i ce through s teel : ra pi d entry di dnt get much more
ra pi d tha n tha t.
Thi s wa s nt a s i l ent job. It wa s a n a ppl i ca ti on of force a ga i ns t a n enemy who knew they were comi ng.
Whoa , recei vi ng, Ni ner s a i d. He s hoved hi s hel met ba ck on hi s hea d i n a hurry. Da rma n coul d hea r the blip of the a l a rm from where he wa s

s i tti ng. Ji na rts got the remote ca ms i n pl a ce. He wa s l ooki ng a t s omethi ng onl y he coul d s ee, a nd judgi ng by hi s qui ck hea d movements , i t
wa s i nteres ti ng. Da rma n a nd the others fol l owed s ui t.
Wha t a re they doi ng? A pl a toon of ti nni es wa s ma rchi ng down the tra ck from the vi l l a a nd i nto the fa ci l i ty. There a ppea red to be s ome
urgency i n thei r pa ce. It l ooks l i ke theyre goi ng ba ck to the l a bora tory.
The remote wa s l ooki ng down on the s ca tter of s ma l l s tructures a round the former fa rmhous e. It di dnt ha ve a compl ete vi ew of a l l the
a pproa ches to the bui l di ng, but i t di d l ook out on both the front pa th a nd the l a nd to the rea r. It ha d no vi ew of the rea r s l ope of the roof or the
l a nd i mmedi a tel y a t the ba ck.
There wa s a ma n i n a rmor very s i mi l a r to thei r own, s ta ndi ng wi th a fa mi l i a r hel met tucked under one a rm. He wa s mi ddl e-a ged a nd hi s
ha rd fa ce a nd confi dent a tti tude s a i d cl ea rl y tha t he wa s a Ma nda l ori a n. It ha d to be Ghez Hoka n.
Da rma n hea rd the col l ecti ve hol di ng of brea th i n hi s hel met coml i nk. Hoka n wa s ta l ki ng to a Tra ndos ha n mercena ry, ma ki ng s hort s ta bbi ng
ges tures wi th a fi nger poi nted a t nothi ng i n pa rti cul a r. He wa s a gi ta ted but i n control . He wa s ma rs ha l i ng troops .
Yea h, Da r, I thi nk tha ts exactly wha t theyre doi ng. Looks l i ke hes ma ki ng s ome l a s t-mi nute cha nges .
Why woul d they be doi ng tha t? Da rma n s a i d, but he ha d a n unpl ea s a nt feel i ng tha t he knew.
Beca us e weve been too cl ever by ha l f, Ni ner s a i d. Fierfek. Guta -Na y di d hi s job, a l l ri ght. Too wel l . Wha t woul d you do i f you thought you
were rea l l y fa ci ng two s qua ds ?
As s ume two s epa ra te a tta cks were rea l l y pos s i bl e.
Ati n ma de a noi s e tha t s ounded l i ke a control l ed exha l a ti on. Oh wel l . We were goi ng to meet the whol e ti nni e fa mi l y s ooner or l a ter. Pl a n
C, a nyone?
They wa i ted, s ta ndi ng i n a n a wkwa rd group. Wi thi n ha l f a n hour they woul d know i f Ji na rt ha d ma na ged to get a remote ca m cl os e to the
Nei moi di a n vi l l a a s wel l .
Da rma n fel t a ha rd ra p on hi s ba ck pl a te a nd jerked a round to s ee Eta i n s ta ndi ng wi th her ha nds on her hi ps , l ooki ng a nxi ous . Wha ts got
everyone ups et? s he a s ked. Come on, I fel t i t. Wha ts gone wrong?
Da rma n took off hi s hel met. Guta -Na y di d a pretty good job of convi nci ng Hoka n we were ta rgeti ng the vi l l a . But we overpl a yed our ha nd by
hi nti ng tha t we ha d a nother s qua d.
Why?
It l ooks a s i f Hoka n thi nks one s qua d wi l l be goi ng a fter ea ch ta rget. So our cha nces of getti ng mos t of the droi ds i n one l oca ti on ha ve
ta ken a bi t of a tumbl e.
Eta i n ra ked her fi ngers through her ha i r a nd s hut her eyes . Ti me for a rethi nk, then.
Da rma n repl a ced hi s hel met to wa tch the feed from the remote. Then the s econd ca m ca me onl i ne. There wa s a s ha ky but cl ea r vi ew of the
Nei moi di a n vi l l a a nd i ts outbui l di ngs , s een from the bra nches of a s wa yi ng tree. A wi de pa th s tretched a wa y out of s hot from the front of the
hous e.
At l ea s t they coul d now s ee the s i ze of the probl em fa ci ng them. If Hoka n tri ed to move Utha n, they ha d a hi gh cha nce of s potti ng her.
But whi chever remote vi ew Da rma n s wi tched to, there were a n a wful l ot of droi ds .
Oka y, Ni ner s a i d. Fi , you ta ke the fi rs t wa tch on the remotes . Im goi ng to s ee i f we ca n get s ome ba ckup. Majestic s houl d be on s ta ti on by
now.
We were ordered to keep comm s i l ence unti l we needed extra cti on, Da rma n s a i d, l ooki ng a t Eta i n.
Comma nder? Ni ner s a i d. Weve ta ken out the comm s ta ti on. They ca nt i ntercept our s i gna l .
Eta i n di dnt even pa us e. Sergea nt, you go ri ght a hea d a nd ca l l up Majestic, s he s a i d. As k for wha tever hel p you thi nk we need.
Fi hel d up one ha nd. Hey, we mi ght ha ve a brea k here. Check out the remote a t the vi l l a .
Da rma n s wi tched cha nnel s wi th a doubl e bl i nk. The di s pl a y i n hi s HUD s howed hi m a s hot of a young boy i n a s cruffy s mock wa l ki ng a round
to a s i de door a t the vi l l a , a frui t-l a den ba s ket cl utched i n both a rms . He knocked, a nd the door wa s opened by a droi d. The youngs ter went i n.
There wa s s omethi ng fa mi l i a r a bout hi m, even though Da rma n ha d never s een hi m before.
He ha d a very cha ra cteri s ti c wa l k.
Ti nni es woul dnt ha ve s ent out for frui t, woul d they? Fi s a i d.
The ki ds ga i t remi nded Da rma n of a n ol d woma n hed recentl y s l a mmed up a ga i ns t a ba rn wa l l .
Youve got to ha nd i t to Ji na rt, he s a i d. Shes certa i nl y got guts .
Lets hope s he ma na ges to get tha t frui t i nto the cel l a rs .
Lets hope s he comes ba ck out, Eta i n s a i d.
Dr. Utha n a ppea red to ha ve forgotten tha t Hoka n ha d ha ul ed her a cros s a des k by her col l a r, a t l ea s t for the ti me bei ng. She s a t i n one of the
bei ge broca de cha i rs tha t rea l l y di dnt ma tch her uti l i ta ri a n offi ce, l i s teni ng to hi m wi th a ppa rent pa ti ence.
Thi s i s a n unprecedented opportuni ty, s he s a i d a t l a s t.
Hoka n a greed compl etel y. I rea l i ze tha t you ha vent ma na ged to crea te a del i very s ys tem for the na novi rus yet, but I thi nk we mi ght be a bl e
to hel p wi th tha t. Inha l a ti on wi l l work, yes ? Coul d we i ntroduce i t i nto a s ea l ed room? He ha d i dea s for a mbus h a nd entra pment. Ca n tha t be
done?
Its one of s evera l vectors , s he s a i d. And s ki n conta ct, too. But tha t i s nt qui te wha t I ha d i n mi nd.
Whi ch wa s ?
A l i ve s ubject. I woul d l i ke you to ta ke one of the cl ones a l i ve.
Tha t wa s nt qui te wha t I ha d i n mi nd. I tend to ha ve probl ems wi th the alive bi t. Not my forte.
You ca nt s i mpl y s pra y thi s a gent a round, Ma jor. I tol d you we ha vent i roned out the genome s peci fi ci ty.
I ha ve droi d troops . Whi l e rus t mi ght be a hea l th i s s ue for them, I s us pect tha t vi rus es a rent.
Ha vi ng a l i ve tes t s ubject woul d a l mos t certa i nl y ena bl e us to a chi eve wea poni za ti on fa s ter.

If you a l l ow me a cces s to the na novi rus , Il l do wha t I ca n to s a ve one for you.

Utha n s hook her hea d. Her vi vi d red-a nd-bl a ck-s trea ked ha i r wa s s cra ped up i n a ti ght bun on the top of her hea d, gi vi ng her a n even more
s evere a ppea ra nce. Not a wi s p of ha i r es ca ped the topknot. I ca nt do tha t. Whi l e you mi ght be a n expert i n comba t, youre not a
mi crobi ol ogi s t, nor us ed to ha ndl i ng ha za rdous s ubs ta nces . Thi s i s fa r too da ngerous a pa thogen for you to us e a t thi s s ta ge of i ts
devel opment. Im a l s o not prepa red to expend wha t l i mi ted s a mpl es we ha ve on a ri s ky countera s s a ul t.
Hoka n knew he coul d ha ve ta ken i t by force. But i t woul d ha ve been poi ntl es s . She wa s ri ght; i f the vi rus wa s nt i n a s ta te tha t coul d be
wea poni zed, i t wa s a l ong s hot compa red to the proven wea pons he ha d a t hi s di s pos a l .
Pi ty, he s a i d. Il l endea vor to l ea rn more a bout thi s technol ogy a fter weve dea l t wi th the current di ffi cul ty.
So wha t ha ppens now?
Si t ti ght. Sta y i n thi s s ui te of rooms wi th your s ta ff unti l further noti ce.
Wha t do we do i f s hooti ng s ta rts ?
The s a me.
Wha t i f they get through your defens es ?
They wont, but i f i t ma kes you feel s a fer, Il l provi de you wi th ha nd wea pons for your pers ona l protecti on.
Utha n ga ve hi m a rega l nod of the hea d a nd rea ched for a pi l e of notes . Then s he went on rea di ng, pa us i ng occa s i ona l l y to wri te s omethi ng
i n the ma rgi ns of the pa pers . Des pi te the bri ef s howdown ea rl i er, s he di dnt s eem a fra i d of hi m i n the l ea s t: perha ps worki ng wi th dea dl y
orga ni s ms on a da i l y ba s i s ga ve her a di fferent pers pecti ve on threa ts .
Somethi ng hi ghl y effecti ve, pl ea s e, s he s a i d a s he turned to l ea ve.
Comma ndi ng Offi cer Majestic, the voi ce s a i d. Tha t wa s fa s t. Pos i ti on?
Ni ner coul dnt get a vi deo i ma ge on hi s HUD, but the s ound wa s crys ta l cl ea r. Tha ts a nega ti ve on the extra cti on for the ti me bei ng, Majestic.
Reques ti ng gunnery s upport.
Sa y a ga i n?
Wel l be needi ng gunnery s upport. It mi ght get a bi t hecti c down here. A hundred droi ds .
There wa s a s econd or two of s i l ence. Omega Squa d, be a wa re tha t i t mi ght get bus y up here, too. We ha ve a Techno Uni on ves s el s ta ndi ng
off our port bow.
Is tha t a nega ti ve, Majestic?
No. If we cea s e fi ri ng, though, i t ma y be beca us e were repel l i ng a n a tta ck ours el ves .
Unders tood. Coordi na tes upl oa di ng now. On recei pt of code Greenwood, di rect ca nnon a t this l oca ti on. On recei pt of code Boffi n, this
l oca ti on. Enemy now ha s no comm a pa rt from droi d networks , repea t comm di s a bl ed. Knock yours el ves out.
Recei ved. My, youve been bus y boys . Sta ndi ng by, Omega .
Ni ner s hut hi s eyes a nd fel t the rel i ef fl ood through hi s s toma ch. He wa s nt exa ctl y s ure how they were goi ng to depl oy Majestics ma s s i ve
fi repower, but a t l ea s t they ha d i t to fa l l ba ck on.
Are you ma ki ng thi s up a s you go a l ong, Sa rge? Fi a s ked.
You got a better i dea ?
I mea nt the code na mes .
Yes .
Cl a s s y.
And I mea nt i t a bout the better i dea .
Fi drummed hi s fi ngers on the thi gh pl a te of hi s a rmor. I wi s h Ski ra ta wa s a round. Wha t wa s i t he a l wa ys s a i d? Turn the problem upside down.
See i t from the enemy pers pecti ve.
Eta i n gl a nced up, now a s ure s i gn tha t Ji na rt wa s a pproa chi ng. They s eemed to s ha re a ki nd of ra da r. The Gurl a ni n s l unk i nto the l a yi ng-up
poi nt a nd s wung her hea d a round. Da rma n a nd Fi ga ve her a mute round of a ppl a us e a nd a s how of thumbs up.
Ni ce job, ma a m, Da rma n s a i d. Ama zi ng decepti on.
Tha nk you, gentl emen, s he s a i d. Utha n i s defi ni tel y not i n the vi l l a . And your devi ce i s now s i tti ng i n Ankki ts wi ne cel l a rs , between a
ca s e of vi nta ge Na boo ta rul wi ne a nd a cra te of therma l detona tors . When youre rea dy, you ca n gi ve Qi i l ura i ts own a s teroi d bel t.
Tha tl l ma ke thei r eyes wa ter, Fi s a i d.
And ours i f were too cl os e, Ni ner s a i d.
So wha t now?
Lets do wha t Ski ra ta ta ught us . Turn i t ups i de down.
The hol ocha rt pl a ns of the fa ci l i ty once a ga i n hung i n mi da i r a s the s qua d, Eta i n, a nd Ji na rt s a t a round i t, s eeki ng i ns pi ra ti on.
Is thi s how you pl a n opera ti ons ? Eta i n a s ked.
Its not mea nt to be l i ke thi s , no. You ga ther i ntel a nd then you pl a n a nd execute. Thi s i s wha t Ski ra ta ca l l ed a self-adjusting screwup. When
the probl em a ctua l l y provi des the s ol uti on to a nother probl em. Its there. Al l we ha ve to do i s work i t out. Ni ner di dnt mi nd a dmi tti ng i t wa s
more gues s work tha n a nyone s houl d ha ve i ndul ged i n. But then hed been on two rea l mi s s i ons now, a nd theyd both been the s a me. They
ha dnt known wha t they were goi ng i nto unti l i t wa s too l a te. Intel. It wa s a l l a bout ha vi ng rel i a bl e i ntel l i gence. Theres three thi ngs you
s houl d never bel i evewea ther foreca s ts , the ca nteen menu, a nd i ntel .
Ski ra ta s a i d s ol di ers a l wa ys compl a i ned. Ni ner wa s not gi ven to compl a i ni ng, but he wa s defi ni tel y not s a ti s fi ed wi th the s i tua ti on. Thi s
wa s nt wha t s peci a l forces were bes t des i gned to do. They s houl d ha ve been there to ga ther i ntel thems el ves , i denti fy the ta rget, ca l l i n a i r
s tri kes , a nd ma ybe recover hos ta ges or da ta . They mi ght even ca rry out a s s a s s i na ti ons . They werent mea nt to be a rti l l ery a nd i nfa ntry a s wel l .
If the Republ i c ha dnt wa nted Utha n a l i ve, they neednt ha ve been here a t a l l . Majestic coul d ha ve ta rgeted the fa ci l i ty from orbi t, a nd
everyone woul d ha ve been home i n ti me for s upper. Nobody woul d ha ve needed to get thei r ba cks i de s hot a t, or s pend da ys ha ul i ng forty-fi veki l o pa cks a cros s fa rml a nd.

Im gl a d youre not jus t a ccepti ng thi s , Eta i n s a i d.

Fi s hrugged. If you ca nt ta ke a joke, you s houl dnt ha ve joi ned.
I didnt joi n, Ati n s a i d.
At l ea s t they a l l ma na ged to l a ugh. It wa s the fi rs t ti me tha t a nyone ha d found a ny humor i n the s i tua ti on, a pa rt from Fi , of cours e.
Wha t do we norma l l y do? Da rma n s a i d s uddenl y. How do we norma l l y ta ke a ta rget? Brea k i t down.
Ni ner concentra ted. We i s ol a te a ta rget, go i n, a nd neutra l i ze i t.
Oka y, s a y we dont fi ght our wa y i n.
Not wi th you.
Were expected to pul l off a ra pi d entry a nd fi ght our wa y in. Wha t i f we fought our wa y out? Da rma n prodded hi s fi nger i nto the hol ogra m.
Ca n we get i n under the fa ci l i ty to thi s centra l room?
Thi s pl a n onl y s hows dra i ns . The bores too na rrow to get a ma n down there, a nd thi s rea l l y i s nt a job for Ji na rt.
The Gurl a ni n twi tched vi s i bl y. I wa s nt offeri ng, but i f there wa s a nythi ng I mi ght do
Youve done more tha n enough a l rea dy. Da rma n ti l ted hi s hea d thi s wa y a nd tha t, s tudyi ng the pl a ns . The ma i n dra i n cha mber i s nea rl y a
hundred centi meters wi de here, though. It onl y ta pers to thi rty centi meters a t the wa l l . Is there a ny other wa y of getti ng i nto tha t ma i n?
Short of wa l ki ng up to the wa l l a nd di ggi ng under i t l i ke a gda n, i n ful l vi ew of the droi ds , no.
Ji na rt s a t upri ght. Gda n wa rrens .
They tunnel , dont they?
Everywhere. They even ca us e s ubs i dence.
Are there tunnel s a round there? Coul d we l oca te them? Woul d they be wi de enough?
Yes , there a re wa rrens , beca us e i t wa s once a fa rm s i te a nd gda ns l i ke ea ti ng merl i es . The tunnel s ca n be qui te wi de. And I ca n certa i nl y
l oca te them for you. In fa ct, I wi l l l ea d you through the wa rrens . You mi ght ha ve to exca va te s ome of the wa y, though.
Ba s i c s a pper procedure, Da rma n s a i d. Except we dont ha ve proper equi pment, s o wel l be di ggi ng wi th thes e. He took a fol di ng s ha rpedged trowel from hi s bel t. Entrenchi ng tool . Al s o us ed for fres hers . Apt.
Wha t i s i t between you a nd the gda ns ? Eta i n a s ked. Why do they a voi d you a nd your s cent?
Oh, we ea t them, Ji na rt s a i d ca s ua l l y. But onl y i f they try to a pproa ch our young.
Tha ts i t, then, Da rma n s a i d. Get me i nto tha t centra l cha mber from bel ow, a nd Il l work my wa y out through the fa ci l i ty.
Ta ke Ati n wi th you, Ni ner s a i d. He di dnt wa nt to s a y in case you get killed, but he wa nted a nother techni ca l l y mi nded ma n i n there to l a y
cha rges a nd bl ow doors . Fi a nd I ca n l a y down fi re out front a nd dea l wi th a ny droi ds we s ee. When you bri ng Utha n out, Eta i n ca n hel p us get
her cl ea r a nd then you bl ow the pl a ce. Then we do a runner for the extra cti on poi nt.
Gets my vote, Ati n s a i d. You oka y wi th tha t, ma a m?
Eta i n nodded rel ucta ntl y. If tha ts pl a n C, i t s ounds a s i mpos s i bl e a s pl a ns A a nd B. She pa tted Da rma ns a rm, not qui te focus i ng, a s i f s he
wa s l os t i n thought a bout s omethi ng. But I dont ha ve a better s ugges ti on.
Oka y, Ni ner s a i d. Everyone ta ke a s ti m now. Be rea dy to move out a t ni ghtfa l l . Weve got four hours to prep for thi s . Il l noti fy Majestic.
Wha t i f thi s fa i l s ? Eta i n a s ked.
Theyl l s end i n a nother s qua d.
And l os e more men? She s hook her hea d. If i ts down to me, Il l ha ppi l y gi ve the order for Majestic to pound thi s fa ci l i ty to dus t, wi th Utha n
i ns i de or not.
Do you thi nk were goi ng to fa i l ?
Eta i n s mi l ed. There wa s s omethi ng mi l dl y unnervi ng a bout the wa y s he wa s s mi l i ng. No. I dont. Youre goi ng to pul l thi s off, bel i eve me.
Ni ner kept a ti ght gri p on hi s brea thi ng. If he ga ve the s l i ghtes t hi nt of a s i gh of doubt, theyd pi ck i t up. It wa s cra zy. But, a s Ski ra ta s a i d, they
went where others woul dnt, a nd di d wha t nobody el s e coul d.
And fi ghti ng your wa y out from the hea rt of a n a l l oy-pl a ted, hea vi l y gua rded fa ci l i ty des i gned to be i mpregna bl e to a ny l i fe-form certa i nl y
l i ved up to tha t boa s t. For s ome rea s on he fel t fi ne a bout i t a l l .
Youre going to pull this off, believe me.
He wondered i f hi s thoughts were a ctua l l y hi s own. If Eta i n wa s i nfl uenci ng hi s mi nd to i mprove hi s confi dence, tha t wa s oka y by hi m.
Offi cers were s uppos ed to i ns pi re you. Ri ght then he di dnt much ca re how s he di d i t.

16

What do I think about it? I dont know, really. Nobodys ever asked me for my opinion before.
Cl one Trooper RC-5093, reti red, a t CF VetCenter,
Corus ca nt. Chronol ogi ca l a ge: twenty-three.
Bi ol ogi ca l a ge: s i xty.

An a utumna l mi s t ha d s ettl ed over the countrys i de. It wa s nt dens e enough to provi de cover, but i t di d gi ve Da rma n a s ens e of protecti on. He
ta bbed behi nd Ati n a s Ji na rt l ed the wa y.
He wa s a wa l ki ng bomb fa ctory. Why wa s he even worri ed a bout bei ng s potted? The ra m a nd i ts a tta chments cl unked a ga i ns t hi s a rmor a nd
he a djus ted them, fea ri ng di s covery. Ati n wa l ked a hea d, Deece hel d i n both ha nds wi th hi s fi nger i ns i de the tri gger gua rd, a s ma l l but
s i gni fi ca nt expres s i on of hi s a nxi ety l evel .
Ma tte-bl a ck a rmor, Da rma n s a i d. Fi rs t thi ng we ought to s l a p i n for when we get ba ck. I feel l i ke a homi ng bea con.
Does i t ma tter?
Does to me.
Da r, i ts one thi ng for the enemy to s pot us comi ng. Its a nother thi ng enti rel y for them to do a nythi ng a bout i t. Ati n wa s s ti l l checki ng a l l
a round hi m, though. I wa s knocked fl a t by a round a nd i t di dnt penetra te the pl a tes .
Ati n ha d a poi nt. The a rmor mi ght ha ve been cons pi cuous , but i t worked. Da rma n ha d ta ken a di rect hi t, too. Ma ybe i n the future the s i ght of
tha t a rmor a l one woul d deter enemi es , a touch of wha t Ski ra ta ca l l ed assertive public relations. Myth, he s a i d, won a l mos t a s ma ny enga gements
a s rea l i ty.
Da rma n wa s a l l for a l i ttl e hel p from the myth depa rtment.
They were four hundred meters s outhea s t of the fa ci l i ty. Ji na rt s topped i n front of a gentl e s l ope a nd thrus t her hea d through a brea k i n the
fol i a ge. Her s ni ffi ng wa s a udi bl e.
We enter here, s he s a i d.
There di dnt even a ppea r to be a hol e. How do you know wha ts i n there?
I ca n detect s ol i d s urfa ces , movement, everythi ng. I dont need to s ee. She s ni ffed a ga i n, or a t l ea s t Da rma n a s s umed s he wa s s ni ffi ng; i t
occurred to hi m tha t s he mi ght ha ve been echol oca ti ng. Do you wa nt to s ta nd here a nd pres ent a ta rget a l l ni ght?
No ma a m, Da rma n s a i d, a nd got down on a l l fours .
Ji na rt mi ght not ha ve needed to s ee, but he di d. He coul d ha ve rel i ed on the ni ght-vi s i on vi s or, but he fel t the need for rea l , hones t l i ght. He
s wi tched on hi s ta cti ca l s pot-l a mp. He s wi tched i t off a ga i n, fa s t.
Uh
Wha ts wrong? Ati n a s ked.
Nothi ng, Da rma n s a i d. It wa s na tura l not to l i ke confi ned s pa ces , he tol d hi ms el f. Wi th the l i ght projected forwa rd, he coul d s ee jus t how
s uffoca ti ngl y s ma l l a s pa ce he wa s i n. Wi th hi s ni ght vi s i on i n pl a ce, he wa s s i mpl y l ooki ng down a na rrow fi el d of vi ew, s a fe i ns i de hi s a rmor,
cocooned from the worl d i n a wa y he wa s not onl y us ed to, but a ctua l l y needed.
Get a grip.
He coul d hea r the s ound of s curryi ng fa rther a hea d, but i t wa s movi ng a wa y from hi m. Hi s pa ck ca ught the roof of the tunnel , occa s i ona l l y
s cra pi ng l oos e s oi l a nd s tones . The wa rren ha d been exca va ted by thous a nds of s ma l l pa ws , ci rcul a r i n s ecti on beca us e gda ns obvi ous l y
di dnt need a s much fl oor s pa ce a s a ta l l huma n ma l e. Da rma n a l mos t fel t tha t hi s ha nds a nd knees were a ga i ns t the s i des of the tunnel
beca us e of the curva ture of the fl oor, l i ke negoti a ti ng a chi mney when rock cl i mbi ng. At ti mes he fel t he wa s l os i ng hi s ori enta ti on a nd ha d to
s hut hi s eyes a nd s ha ke hi s hea d ha rd to rega i n a ccura te propri ocepti on.
You oka y, Da r? Ati n a s ked. Da rma n coul d hea r l a bored brea thi ng i n hi s hel met a nd he thought i t wa s hi s own, but i t wa s Ati ns .
Bi t di s ori ented.
Let your hea d drop a nd l ook a t the fl oor. The pres s ure on the ba ck of your neck i s goi ng to ma ke you feel gi ddy a nywa y.
You, too, eh?
Yea h, thi s i s wei rd. Wha tever we i nheri ted from Ja ngo, i t wa s nt a l ove of ca vi ng.
Da rma n l et hi s hea d ha ng forwa rd a nd concentra ted on putti ng one ha nd i n front of the other. He s wi tched to voi ce projecti on. Ji na rt, why
do s uch s ma l l a ni ma l s di g s uch bi g tunnel s ?
Ha ve you tri ed dra ggi ng a whol e merl i e or vhek home for di nner? Gda ns work a s a tea m. Tha ts wha t ena bl es them to ta ke prey tha ts ma ny
ti mes thei r s i ze. A poi nt, I thi nk, tha t woul d not be l os t on men s uch a s yours el ves .
On the other ha nd, Ati n s a i d ca uti ous l y, you coul d s a y tha t s heer numbers overwhel m s trength.
Tha nk you for tha t pos i ti ve vi ew, Pri va te Ati n. I s ugges t you s el ect the i nterpreta ti on tha t i ns pi res you mos t.
They di dnt ta l k much a fter tha t. As Da rma n progres s ed, s wea ti ng wi th the effort, he wa s a wa re of a pa rti cul a r s cent. It wa s getti ng s tronger.
It wa s s i ckl y a t fi rs t, l i ke rotti ng mea t, a nd then more bi tter a nd s ul furous . It remi nded hi m of Geonos i s . Ba ttl efi el ds s mel l ed a wful . The
fi l tra ti on ma s k wa s a cti ve a ga i ns t chemi ca l a nd bi ol ogi ca l wea pons , but i t di d nothi ng to s top s mel l s . Sha ttered bodi es a nd bowel s ha d a
di s ti ncti ve a nd terri fyi ng s tench.
He coul d s mel l i t now. He fought down na us ea .
Fi erfek, Ati n s a i d. Tha ts turned me off my di nner for a s ta rt.
Were nea r the fa ci l i ty, Ji na rt s a i d.
How nea r? Da rma n s a i d.
Tha t odor i s s eepa ge from the dra i na ge s ys tem. The pi pe work i s l oca l ungl a zed cl a y.

Is tha t a l l we ca n s mel l ? s a i d Da rma n.

Oh, I i ma gi ne i ts a l s o the gda ns . Or ra ther thei r recent ki l l s they ha ve cha mbers where they a ma s s thei r s urpl us . Yes , i ts a n unpl ea s a nt
s tench i f youre not a ccus tomed to i t. She s topped unexpectedl y, a nd Da rma n bumped i nto her ba cks i de. She fel t s urpri s i ngl y hea vy for her
s i ze. Tha ts good news , beca us e i t mea ns were nea r a much l a rger cha mber.
Da rma n a l mos t fel t rel i ef tha t i t wa s s i mpl y rotti ng mea t, a l though tha t wa s ba d enough. It wa s nt his mea t. He cra wl ed fa rther, encoura ged
by the promi s e of a bi gger s pa ce a hea d, a nd then hi s gl ove s a nk i nto s omethi ng s oft.
He di dnt need to a s k wha t i t wa s . He l ooked down des pi te hi ms el f. In the wa y of men expos ed to memory tri ggers , he wa s i mmedi a tel y
ba ck i n tra i ni ng, cra wl i ng through a di tch fi l l ed wi th nerf entra i l s , Ski ra ta runni ng a l ongs i de a nd yel l i ng a t hi m to keep goi ng beca us e thi s wa s
nothing, nothing compared to what youll have to do for real, son.
They ca l l ed i t the Si ckener. They werent wrong.
Fa ti gue ma de na us ea i nevi ta bl e. He a l mos t vomi ted, a nd tha t wa s nt s omethi ng he wa nted to do i n a s ea l ed s ui t. He fought i t, pa nti ng,
eyes s hut. He bi t the i ns i de of hi s l i p a s ha rd a s he coul d, a nd ta s ted bl ood.
Im oka y, he s a i d. Im oka y.
Ati ns brea thi ng wa s ra gged. He ha d to be feel i ng i t, too. They were phys i ol ogi ca l l y i denti ca l .
You ca n s tra i ghten up now, Ji na rt s a i d.
Da rma n fl i cked on hi s s pot-l a mp to fi nd hi ms el f i n a cha mber tha t wa s nt jus t l a rger; i t wa s bi g enough to s ta nd up i n. The wa l l s were l i ned
wi th wha t l ooked l i ke ti ny terra ces s pi ra l i ng up a round the cha mber from the fl oor. There were s cores of twenty-centi meter tunnel s l ea di ng off
them.
Thi s i s where the gda ns retrea t i f ra i n fl oods the wa rren, Ji na rt s a i d. Theyre not fool i s h.
Il l tha nk them one da y, Ati n s a i d. How cl os e a re we to the dra i n? Ca n you l oca te i t?
Ji na rt put a pa w a ga i ns t the wa l l where there were no ti ny es ca pe tunnel s . The gda ns know theres a s ol i d s tructure behi nd thi s . She
pa us ed. Yes , theres wa ter tri ckl i ng ba ck there. The s oi l feel s a meter thi ck, perha ps a l i ttl e more.
Da rma n woul d ha ve removed hi s hel met, but thought better of i t, a nd s ettl ed for l etti ng hi s pa ck drop off hi s s houl ders . He took out hi s
entrenchi ng tool a nd ma de a n expl ora tory s ta b a t the cha mber wa l l . It wa s a bout the cons i s tency of cha l k.
Oka y, I do fi ve mi nutes , then you do fi ve, he s a i d to Ati n.
And me, Ji na rt s a i d, but Da rma n hel d up hi s ha nd to s top her.
No ma a m. Youd better go ba ck to Ni ner. Were on our own now, a nd i f thi s a l l goes wrong hel l need your a s s i s ta nce even more.
Ji na rt hes i ta ted for a moment, then ra ced ba ck up the tunnel wi thout a ba ckwa rd gl a nce. Da rma n wondered i f he s houl d ha ve s a i d good-bye,
but good-bye wa s too fi na l . He pl a nned on comi ng out tha t front door wi th Ati n a nd Utha n.
He s cra ped out a gui de ci rcl e wi th the ti p of the tool a nd ha cked i nto the ha rd-pa cked s oi l . It fel t l i ke s l ow goi ng a nd he wa s s urpri s ed when
Ati n ta pped hi m on the s houl der a nd took over. A ma n-s i zed hol e bega n to emerge.
Shoul d we s hore thi s up? Da rma n s a i d, wonderi ng wha t he mi ght ha ve to s a cri fi ce a s a pi t prop.
We s houl d onl y be goi ng through i t once. If i t col l a ps es a fter tha t, i ts too ba d.
If we ha ve to bl a s t our wa y i n, i t mi ght col l a ps e. Al terna ti ve exi t?
You wa nt to be purs ued through thos e tunnel s ? Theyd fry us . One fl a methrower vol l ey a nd wed be cha rcoa l .
Ati n wa s s l owi ng. Da rma n took the other s i de of the openi ng a nd they worked together, removi ng progres s i vel y da mper a nd da rker s oi l ,
fl a tteni ng out the s i des of the exca va ti on s o tha t they ha d a cces s to dri l l through wi thout ha vi ng to l ea n through a s hort tunnel . It wa s
wea keni ng the i ntegri ty of the s oi l wa l l : Da rma n wi l l ed i t to hol d together unti l they were through.
Ma ybe he s houl d ha ve brought Eta i n. She coul d ha ve hel d the wa l l wi th tha t Jedi power of hers . Suddenl y he rea l i zed tha t he mi s s ed her. It
wa s a ma zi ng how fa s t you coul d form a bond wi th s omeone when you were under fi re.
Ati ns tool hi t s omethi ng tha t ma de a di s ti ncti ve chink noi s e.
Dra i n, he s a i d. Dri l l ti me.
A few qui ck rounds from the Deece woul d ha ve bl own a good-s i zed hol e i n the thi ckes t cl a y pi pe. It woul d a l s o ha ve brought down the
cha mber roof, Da rma n s us pected, a nd s ummoned a l ot of droi ds . It wa s ti me for the s l ow, qui et route. A ha nd dri l l wa s pa rt of thei r ba s i c ra pi d
entry ki t, a nd they ea ch took ha l f the rough ci rcl e, dri l l i ng a t fi ve-centi meter i nterva l s a round the ci rcumference, s ta rti ng from the top. It wa s nt
unti l they got down to the bottom tha t the ooze s ta rted a ppea ri ng from the hol es .
It ha d ta ken them a n hour to exca va te a nd dri l l . Da rma n coul dnt s ta nd the s wea t tri ckl i ng down hi s fa ce a ny l onger a nd took off hi s hel met.
The s tench rea l l y wa s wors e tha n ever. He s hut hi s mi nd to i t.
Ati n took a s wi g from hi s wa ter bottl e a nd hel d i t out to Da rma n. Hydra ti on, he s a i d. Fi ve percent fl ui d l os s s tops you thi nki ng s tra i ght.
Yea h, I know. And a bove fi fteen percent ki l l s you. Da rma n dra nk ha l f the bottl e, wi ped the s wea t a wa y, a nd s cra tched hi s s ca l p vi gorous l y.
Another thi ng to tel l Rotha na s geeks when we get ba ckup the tempera ture condi ti oni ng i n thes e s ui ts .
He l i fted the ra m a nd took a s i de-on s ta nce to the di s c of cl a y pi pe vi s i bl e through the s oi l . He gri pped ha rd, fi ngers ti ght a round ea ch
ha ndl e. He ha d to s wi ng ca reful l y thi s ti me or he mi ght col l a ps e the pi pe. Rea dy?
Rea dy.
One, two
Three, Da rma n grunted. The ra m hi t wi th a coupl e of metri c tons of force a nd the perfora ted s ecti on fel l i nwa rd a s a wa terfa l l of s ti nki ng
da rk s l i me s hot out a nd s pl a s hed a cros s Da rma ns l egs a nd boots .
Oh, tha ts jus t grea t, he s i ghed. Defi ni tel y ma tte bl a ck next ti me, oka y?
Ati n took hi s hel met off a nd Da rma n rea l i zed he wa s s truggl i ng not to l a ugh. Now tha t the dra i n wa s open to the a i r, i t wa s a perfect condui t
for s ound to the bui l di ng a bove. Ati n put hi s ha nd to hi s mouth, bent over s l i ghtl y, a nd a ppea red to be bi ti ng down ha rd on the knuckl e pl a te.
He wa s a ctua l l y s ha ki ng. When he s tra i ghtened up, tea rs were s trea mi ng down hi s fa ce. He wi ped them a wa y a nd gul ped, then bent over
a ga i n.
Da rma n ha d never even s een the ma n s mi l e. Now he wa s i n hys teri cs beca us e Da rma n wa s s pa ttered wi th the a ccumul a ted wa s te of tota l

s tra ngers . It wa s nt funny.

Yes , i t wa s , a ctua l l y. It wa s hilarious. Da rma n fel t hi s s toma ch begi n to s ha ke i n a compl etel y i nvol unta ry refl ex. Then he wa s nt certa i n tha t i t
was funny, but he s ti l l coul dnt s top. He s hook i n pa i nful l y s i l ent l a ughter unti l hi s a bdomi na l mus cl es a ched. Eventua l l y, i t s ubs i ded. He
s tra i ghtened up, i nexpl i ca bl y exha us ted.
Sha l l I l et Ni ner know were through? he s a i d, a nd they both ma na ged to s ta y compl etel y ca l m for a count of three before the hys teri a
overtook them a ga i n.
Once you knew wha t l a ughter rea l l y wa s , a nd wha t pri mi ti ve refl ex tri ggered i t, i t wa s nt funny a t a l l . It wa s the rel i ef of da nger pa s s ed. It
wa s a pri meva l all-clear s i gna l .
And tha t wa s nt the rea l i ty of thei r s i tua ti on a t a l l . The rea l da nger wa s jus t s ta rti ng.
Da rma n, s uddenl y hi s us ua l s el f a ga i n, repl a ced hi s hel met a nd opened the coml i nk.
Sa rge, Da rma n here, he s a i d qui etl y. Were i nto the dra i n. Rea dy when you a re.
Ni ner a nd Fi s et up the E-Web repea ti ng bl a s ter ha l f a ki l ometer from the front of the fa ci l i ty. Tha t wa s pretty cl os e. If a nyone ha d s potted
them, they werent rea cti ng.
Copy tha t, Da r. Ni ner checked the chrono on the forea rm of hi s l eft ga untl et. Ca n you s ee the dra i na ge cover yet?
The coml i nk cra ckl ed. Ni ner wa s yet a ga i n fa i ntl y pl ea s ed wi th hi ms el f tha t hed deci ded to ta ke tha t tri p to Tekl et. Theyd never ha ve s tood
a cha nce of pul l i ng thi s off i n comm s i l ence. There were too ma ny unknowns to do i t by op order a nd chronos ynch.
I jus t fol l owed the tra i l of crud a nd there i t wa s , Da rma n s a i d. Wa nt a l ook?
Ni ners HUD fl a s hed up a gra i ny green i ma ge of huge dri ppi ng tubes tha t coul d ha ve been a kl i ck wi de or jus t a centi meter. Come to tha t, i t
coul d ha ve been a n endos copi c vi ew of s omeones guts . It di dnt l ook l i ke fun, ei ther wa y.
Wha ts a bove you?
Di rty s qua re pl a te a nd i ts not a dra i n. The wa ters feedi ng down here from other pi pes . The i ma ge jerked a s Da rma ns hea d l owered to
l ook a t hi s da ta pa d. It threw up eeri e ghos t i ma ges of the bui l di ng. If they s tuck to the bl uepri nts , then thi s i s a ha zma t fi l ter a nd the
ma xi mum conta i nment cha mbers a re a bove i t. There wa s a s cra pi ng noi s e. Yea h, the s eri a l numbers ma tch the s chema ti c. If they ha d to hos e
down a fter a mi s ha p i n there, thi s i s where the s creened wa ter or s ol vent woul d come out.
Are you goi ng to need to bl ow i t?
Wel l , i t does nt l ook a s i f I ca n uns crew i t wi th a ha i rpi n. Its perma creted i n pl a ce. Its not the s ort of thi ng you wa nt comi ng l oos e, I
s uppos e.
Good ti mi ng for a s pot of pyro a t the vi l l a , then. Lets s ync tha t up.
Oka y. Gi ve me a coupl e of mi nutes to s et the cha rges .
Two mi nutes wa s a l ong ti me. Ni ner counted i t down i n s econds . He wa s a wa re of Eta i n pa ci ng up a nd down behi nd hi mbut you di dnt tel l
a comma nder to pa ck i t i n a nd s top fi dgeti ng. He focus ed on Fi , who wa s kneel i ng behi nd the E-Web tri pod, checki ng the s i ghts , utterl y
rel a xed. Ni ner envi ed hi m tha t a bi l i ty. Hi s own s toma ch wa s churni ng. It a l wa ys di d on exerci s e: i t wa s much wors e now. Hi s pul s e wa s
poundi ng i n hi s ea rs a nd di s tra cti ng hi m.
Da rma n res ponded el even s econds l a te. Al l done. Il l count you down. Were movi ng ba ck out of the dra i n now. If we bri ng the outer
cha mber down, then we mi ght ta ke a l i ttl e ti me to work our wa y ba ck i n.
Wha ts a little time i n your book?
Ma ybe forever. It mi ght ki l l us .
Lets a voi d, tha t, s ha l l we?
Lets .
Eta i n wa s hoveri ng a t Ni ners s houl der. He gl a nced a t her, hopi ng s hed ta ke the hi nt.
Youve never worked a s a compl ete tea m before, ha ve you? s he s a i d unhel pful l y.
No, Ni ner hi s s ed, a nd wi thhel d the maam.
Youre goi ng to do fi ne, s he s a i d. Youre the bes t-tra i ned, mos t competent troops i n the ga l a xy a nd youre confi dent of s ucces s .
Ni ner wa s cl os e to res pondi ng wi th a few words of pi thy Huttes e, but he s uddenl y s a w her poi nt. Hi s s toma ch s ettl ed i nto a pea ceful
equi l i bri um a ga i n. He coul d hea r Da rma n cl ea rl y. Hi s drummi ng pul s e ha d fa ded. He wa s perfectl y content not to thi nk how s he ha d a chi eved
tha t rea s s ura nce.
In ten, Da rma n s a i d. He s ti l l ha d hi s forwa rd hel met ca m pa tched through to Ni ners HUD. He wa s s cra mbl i ng through a tunnel . Ni ner ha d a
s ens a ti on of rus hi ng down a fl ume a nd ha l f expected to s pl a s h i nto a deep pool a t the other end.
Fi ve It went da rk. Da rma n ha d hi s hea d tucked i nto hi s ches t. Three Ni ner fel t for the remote detona tor. Two go go go.
Ni ner s queezed the remote.
For a fra cti on of a s econd the l a nds ca pe wa s pi cked out i n bri l l i a nt, gol d, s i l ent l i ght. Ni ners a nti bl a s t vi s or ki cked i n. Then the ground
s hook, a nd even a t two kl i cks the roa r wa s dea feni ng. It s eemed to go on for s evera l s econds . Then he rea l i zed he wa s hea ri ng two bl a s ts
one a t the vi l l a a nd one bel ow the fa ci l i ty.
As the fi re bl a zed a nd cl ouds of a mber-l i t s moke roi l ed i nto the a i r, the droi ds on wa tch outs i de the fa ci l i ty s ta rted rea cti ng.
Hol d, Fi . Ni ner s wa l l owed to cl ea r hi s ea rs . Da r, Ati n, res pond.
Wa s tha t us or you?
Both. You oka y, Da r?
Teeth a re a bi t l oos e, but were fi ne.
Ni ce job wi th the cus tom ordna nce, you two. I thi nk the vi l l a s got a new i ndoor s wi mmi ng pool .
The cha mbers hol di ng down here, jus t a bout. Goi ng i n.
Si l ence ha d fa l l en on the countrys i de. It wa s a s i f everyone wa s wa i ti ng for the next move. Fi moved the fi ve-pa ck of energy cel l cl i ps a l i ttl e
cl os er to hi m. Ni ner a i med hi s Deece to get a better vi ew of the front of the vi l l a , a nd s a w droi ds mi l l i ng a round a nd a n Umba ra n offi cer wi th

bi nocs s ca nni ng l eft to ri ght a cros s the fi el ds .

Rea dy, Sa rge.
Wa i t one.
A few more droi ds ca me out of the fa rmhous e door. If Ni ner ha dnt s een the pl a ns , he woul d never ha ve bel i eved wha t wa s concea l ed
i ns i de a nd benea th the convi nci ngl y s ha bby wooden s i di ng. Eta i n s tood to one s i de of hi m.
Ma a m, you mi ght wa nt to duck a nd cover.
Im a l l ri ght, s he s a i d. She l ooked l ongi ngl y a t the Tra ndos ha n concus s i on ri fl e. Let me know when Im needed.
Da rma ns voi ce cut i n on the coml i nk. Were a bout to enter the dra i n cover, he s a i d. Ti me for di s tra cti on, Sa rge.
Got i t. He knel t bes i de Fi a nd touched hi m on the s houl der. Put a coupl e down a l i ttl e s hort of tha t ba rn. Jus t to s a y hel l o. Then fi re a t
wi l l .
Fi ha rdl y moved. The cha ra cteri s ti c whoomp of the energy cel l wa s fol l owed by a ba l l of fi re a nd a founta i n of s pl i ntered wood. The ba rn
ra i ned ba ck down, burni ng a s i t fel l .
Oops , Fi s a i d.
It got the droi ds a ttenti on, a l l ri ght. Si x formed a l i ne a nd bega n ma rchi ng down the fi el d.
Fi opened up. Ni ner coul d feel the roa r of noi s e i n hi s ches t a s droi d s hra pnel ra i ned down on them a nd i ncomi ng fi re whi s ked over thei r
hea ds . A l a rge chunk of meta l fl ew i n a n a rc: Ni ner hea rd i t fi zzi ng i n the a i r a s i t cool ed whi l e i t fel l . He di dnt s ee where i t l a nded, but i t wa s
cl os e. Hi s ni ght vi s i on s a w the s pra ys of s hra pnel a s bri l l i a nt whi te i rregul a r ra i ndrops . A few ti nni es were getti ng through. Ni ner pi cked off
two wi th the grena des .
The next ra nk of droi ds a dva nced. Fi wa s fi ri ng i n s hort burs ts ; Ni ner pi cked off wha tever wa s s ti l l s ta ndi ng. Hot meta l s hra pnel conti nued to
ra i n down on them. At the E-Webs ra te of fi re he wa s goi ng to run out i f he s i mpl y hos ed them, a nd they were onl y mi nutes i nto the
enga gement. Theyd dropped a round twenty droi ds . Tha t mea nt twenty more i ns i de the fa ci l i ty, a t l ea s t. Then the ti nni es s topped comi ng.
The fi el d fel l s i l ent, a nd i t ra ng i n Ni ners ea rs a s l oudl y a s the ca cophony of ba ttl e.
I ha te i t when they work out wha ts ha ppeni ng, Fi s a i d. He wa s pa nti ng from the effort.
Theyl l s i t ti ght.
If i ts jus t twenty or s o i n there, I s a y we go i n now.
Lets ma ke s ure we ha vent got gues ts a rri vi ng. Ni ner opened the l ong-ra nge coml i nk. Majestic, Omega here, over. Majestic
Recei vi ng you, Omega . Tha t wa s s ome fi reworks di s pl a y. Got tra de for us ?
Majestic, extra ta rget for you. Ha ve you got a vi s ua l between ta rgets Greenwood a nd Boffi n?
If youve got a remote you ca n pa tch us i nto.
Ni ner s l i pped off hi s pa ck a nd took out a remote, rel ea s i ng i t i nto the a i r. Droi ds , es ti ma ted s trength no more tha n fi fty. If theyre hea di ng
towa rd us , do me a fa vor a nd s poi l thei r da y, wi l l you?
Copy tha t, Omega . Si trep?
Weve brea ched the fa ci l i ty a nd weve got twenty or thi rty droi ds a nd a n unknown number of wets hol ed up i n there.
Sa y a ga i n?
Two of our s qua d a re i ns i de. Ingres s vi a the dra i na ge s ys tem.
You guys a re off your repul s ors .
The thought di d cros s our mi nds .
Oka y, s ome fi reworks comi ng your wa y, Omega . Be a dvi s ed we s ti l l ha ve a Techno Uni on ves s el s ta ndi ng off, a nd were expecti ng a
res pons e when we tra i n the l a s ers .
Wa tch how you go, Ni ner s a i d. Omega out.
Apa rt from the ti cki ng of cool i ng meta l , i t wa s s i l ent. Even the cha tter a nd whi s tl i ng of Qi i l ura s nocturna l s peci es ha d s topped. Smoke wa s
bi l l owi ng a cros s the fi el d from the wrecked ba rn.
You oka y, ma a m? Fi s a i d.
Ni ner gl a nced a round a nd expected to s ee Eta i n i n s ome s ta te of di s tres s , but s he wa s nt. She wa s kneel i ng i n the gra s s , a l ert, a s i f
l i s teni ng to s omethi ng. Then a nother huge expl os i on s hook the ground to thei r north.
She cl os ed her eyes .
Ma a m?
She ga ve a l i ttl e s ha ke of her hea d a s i f l oos eni ng s ti ff neck mus cl es .
Its fi ne, s he s a i d. It jus t took more out of me tha n I i ma gi ned.
Wha t di d?
Di verti ng a l l thi s debri s . Droi ds ma ke a terri bl e mes s when they expl ode.
Ni ner ha dnt a cl ue wha t s he wa s ta l ki ng a bout. It wa s onl y when he turned a round tha t he s a w the meter-l ong ja gged s heet of meta l ri ght
behi nd hi m. It ha d a l mos t gi ven hi m a n unwa nted ha i rcut. Eta i n ma na ged a gri n.
Ca n you open doors a s wel l , ma a m? Ni ner a s ked.
Da rma n a nd Ati n l ooked a round the pl a s toi d-l i ned cha mber a nd deci ded not to remove thei r hel mets .
Thi s i s one wa y to fi nd out i f a na novi rus ca n brea ch our fi l tra ti on ma s ks , Ati n s a i d.
Da rma n checked the cupboa rds , l ooki ng for booby tra ps a nd other s urpri s es . I dont feel dea d yet. Anywa y, they dont l ea ve thi s s tuff l yi ng
a round. Itl l proba bl y be s ea l ed i n s omethi ng.
He checked the room. It wa s exa ctl y l i ke a medi cs s ta ti on on Ka mi no, except i t wa s compl etel y cons tructed from pl a s toi d cera mi c. Some of
the cupboa rds ha d tra ns pa rent fronts ; he coul d s ee ra cks of vi a l s i n them. In the mi ddl e of the room there wa s a s epa ra te s ea l ed booth,

runni ng fl oor-to-cei l i ng, wi th a gl ove box i n i t. It wa s empty. There wa s a l s o a refri gera ted ca bi net ful l of fl a s ks a nd s ma l l boxes . He ha d no
i dea wha t mi ght be l i ve vi rus a nd wha t mi ght be the l a b techni ci a ns l unch, a nd he wa s nt goi ng to open everythi ng to fi nd out. Thi s wa s
a nother ca s e of us i ng P for pl enty.
Seei ng a s theyre not hel pful enough to l a bel thi s s tuff wi th a s kul l a nd cros s bones , Im goi ng to s et a n i mpl os i on devi ce i n every room, to
be on the s a fe s i de. He ra n hi s ha nds over the wa l l s , tes ti ng for s i gns of meta l s ubs tructures tha t mi ght bl ock hi s s i gna l . The HUD s howed
zero from hi s gl ove s ens ors . He checked hi s coml i nk to be s ure tha t he coul d get a s i gna l outs i de. Da rma n here. Anyone recei vi ng, over?
Fi here.
The i nner cha mbers cl ea r. Im s etti ng cha rges a nd then were goi ng to move out i nto the res t of the bui l di ng.
Were a pproa chi ng the front. Its gone qui et out here a nd we thi nk youve s ti l l got up to thi rty ti nni es for compa ny.
Is tha t you s ha ki ng the ground?
Majestic.
Good to know the na vys here.
Lea vi ng the hel met coml i nk cha nnel , by the wa y. Ma ke s ure you l ea ve us your vi s ua l feed.
Wel l l et you know i f i t s poi l s our concentra ti on. Da rma n out.
He ga ve Ati n a dubi ous thumbs -up a nd took the i mpl os i on cha rges out of hi s pa ck. He coul d i mprovi s e mos t devi ces , but thes e were s peci a l ,
gua ra nteed to crea te s uch a hi gh-tempera ture fi reba l l a nd s hock wa ve tha t they woul d des troy not onl y everythi ng s ta ndi ng i n a ha l f-kl i ck
ra di us , but a l s o every mi croorga ni s m a nd vi rus a s wel l . They were di s a ppoi nti ngl y s ma l l for s uch ma s s i vel y des tructi ve power, a l i ttl e s ma l l er
tha n the a vera ge remote.
Da rma n s ti l l ha d two. It wa s overki l l , a nd overki l l ma de hi m feel s a fer. He pi cked up the l i dded boxes i n the refri gera ti on uni t a nd tes ted
ea ch for wei ghtvery ca reful l ybefore fi ndi ng a l i ghter one tha t s ugges ted i t wa s ha l f empty. He s et i t on the ta bl e, hel d hi s brea th, a nd
ea s ed the l i d off.
It hel d a few meta l tubes wi th s ea l ed ca ps , a nd enough s pa ce for one of the devi ces . He pl a ced the therma l ca reful l y i ns i de a nd repl a ced
the conta i ner.
Go ca reful , Ati n s a i d, i ndi ca ti ng the boxes .
I wi l l . He found a nother l i ghtwei ght box a nd peered i ns i de. There. And i f they get to s ea rchi ng, they mi ght even s top a fter they fi nd one
devi ce. He cl os ed the refri gera tor door.
Tha t wont reduce the bl a s t a ny, wi l l i t? Ati n a s ked.
Not s o youd noti ce, bel i eve me.
Ti me for the tour of the bui l di ng, then.
There were s ta tus pa nel s to the ri ght of the door, s et to wa rn s ome moni tori ng s ys tem i f the cha mber wa s opened, a nd a ha nd-s i zed button
ma rked EMERGENCY CLOSE, a s ma rt preca uti on i f you were ha ndl i ng dea dl y vi rus es . Openi ng the door woul d a dverti s e the fa ct tha t they ha d ga i ned
entry to the bui l di ng. Ati n moved i n a nd ca reful l y uncl i pped the control pl a te. He took out a di s rupti ve devi ce a bout the s i ze of a s tyl us a nd
hel d i t jus t cl ea r of the expos ed ci rcui ts . It wa s much the s a me technol ogy a s a mi ni EMP, onl y wi th a l es s powerful el ectroma gneti c pul s e.
Nobody wa nted a ful l -s trength EMP goi ng off a few centi meters from thei r HUD, ha rdened or not.
Next bi g ba ng, Ati n s a i d. Then they mi ght thi nk theyve jus t ta ken a hi t.
The ground s hook a ga i n, a nd Ati n touched the mi ni EMP a ga i ns t the control pa nel . Sta tus l i ghts wi nked out; the door ga ve a s i gh a s i t l os t i ts
s a fety va cuum s ea l . A thi n verti ca l ga p opened i n the s mooth cera mi c. Sound now fi l tered i n from outs i de: expl os i ons , s houts from offi cers , the
occa s i ona l monotone res pons es of ti nni es . He s tood ba ck a nd ges tured to Da rma n.
The ga p wa s bi g enough to a dmi t a fl a t endos cope, a s wel l a s the cl a ws of the ra m. He s l i d the probe ca uti ous l y through a nd checked the
i ma ge i t wa s recei vi ng. The corri dor l i ghts were fl i ckeri ng. There wa s no movement.
Il l force the doors a nd you s ta nd by. Il l be rea dy to l ob i n a n EMP grena de a nd a fl a s h-ba ng.
Both? Ati n s a i d.
Yea h, I dont wa nt to wa s te a ny, ei ther, but weve got wets and ti nni es out there s omewhere.
Da rma n wedged the ra ms cl a ws i nto the ga p a nd l ocked the ba rs i n pl a ce. It wa s more a wkwa rd to confi gure i t a s a s prea der tha n a s a
s i mpl e ra m, but he di dnt wa nt to bl ow i t open. He pumped the ra tchet ha ndl e furi ous l y. An ei ght-metri c-ton force s l owl y pus hed the doors
a pa rt.
Ati n checked outs i de wi th the endos cope a ga i n, then s tepped through the openi ng wi th hi s Deece ra i s ed. Cl ea r.
Da rma n di s ma ntl ed the ra m a nd hurri edl y hooked i t ba ck i nto hi s webbi ng. Room by room, then. Ki l l i ng Hous e ti me.
Tha t wa s s omethi ng theyd done ma ny, ma ny ti mes before. Ea ch ti me they entered the Ki l l i ng Hous e on Ka mi no for a n exerci s e, the wa l l s
a nd doors ha d been reconfi gured. Someti mes they knew wha t they were goi ng to fi nd, a nd s ometi mes i t wa s l i ke a rea l hous e cl ea ra nce, a
s equence of na s ty s urpri s es tha t they ha d to ta ke a s they ca me.
But there wa s a l ot more a t s ta ke now tha n thei r i ndi vi dua l l i ves .
Ati n ges tured l eft. The i nner corri dor wa s a ri ng wi th doors l ea di ng off i t a nd a s i ngl e pa s s a ge to the front entra nce. At l ea s t there were no
s ta i rs or turbol i fts to cover. They moved a l mos t ba ck-to-ba ck, pa us i ng a t the corner to s l i de the endos copi c probe out fa r enough to check.
Oh boy, Ati n s a i d, jus t a s the fi rs t droi d s wung a round a nd bl a s ted. Da rma n hea rd the cl a tter of meta l feet from exa ctl y the oppos i te
di recti on, a nd for a frozen moment he found hi ms el f s ta ri ng down hi s s cope a t a very s urpri s ed Umba ra n offi cer.
Da rma n fi red. So di d Ati n. They both kept fi ri ng down thei r res pecti ve ends of the corri dor.
Oka y, pl a n D, Ati n s a i d. Ni ner, were pi nned down here, over.
Were concentra ti ng fi re on the front. Ni ners voi ce cut ba ck i n wi th a ba ckground of expl os i ons both nea r a nd fa rther a wa y. Tha t wa s why
Da rma n di dnt l i ke a ha vi ng a four-wa y open coml i nk duri ng a n enga gement. The noi s e a nd cha tter were overwhel mi ng. Theyve pul l ed ba ck
i ns i de. But nobodys comi ng out.
We ha vent l oca ted Utha n yet.
Ca n you hol d the pos i ti on?

Ca n you s ee where we a re? Wes t s i de corri dor, l eft of the entra nce.
Ati n empti ed a cl i p i nto two droi ds tha t ca me a round the corner. Then there wa s no noi s e except for thei r res pecti ve pa nti ng.
Da r?
Sti l l here, Ni ner. Ba ck-to-ba ck wi th Ati n, he wa i ted a nd s ta red down the pol i s hed ha l l wa y twenty meters a hea d. There were two doors on
the ri ght, unconventi ona l hi nged doors . He gl a nced up a t the cei l i ng to l oca te the emergency bul khea ds : one wa s on the other s i de of Ati n, a nd
the next wa s between them a nd the i nner cha mber. If thos e were a cti va ted, theyd be cut off on both s i des , boxed i n a nd wa i ti ng to be pi cked
off. And then a nyone coul d ea s i l y enter the bi oha z cha mber a nd defus e the i mpl os i on devi ce.
It s eemed tha t s omeone ha d the s a me i dea a t the s a me ti me, beca us e there wa s a n uh-whump noi s e a nd then the qui et whi ne of a s ma l l
motor.
The bul khea ds were des cendi ng from thei r hous i ng.
Ati n, cha mber, now! Da rma n yel l ed, even though he di dnt need to, a nd they both s pri nted ba ck towa rd the cha mber. The bul khea d wa s
down to wa i s t l evel when they rea ched i t a nd s ki dded under on thei r knees .
It s ea l ed wi th a clunk behi nd them. It wa s s uddenl y s o s i l ent tha t Da rma n knew a nother bul khea d ha d cl os ed s omewhere a l ong the ri ng,
s ea l i ng them i n. There wa s the s ound of a door unl ocki ng ma nua l l y, a rea l clunk-click noi s e, a nd then nothi ng.
Sta rt a ga i n, Da rma n s i ghed. Lets s ee wha ts a round there.
Ati n moved forwa rd a nd edged out the s cope. He pa us ed. He s a t ba ck on hi s heel s a nd s hook hi s hea d.
Show me, Da rma n s a i d, a nd s wi tched hi s HUD to the s cope vi ew, expecti ng di s a s ter.
I thi nk i ts ca l l ed i rony.
Da rma n cra wl ed up to hi m a nd pa tched the endos cope i nto hi s own hel met.
Yes , irony wa s a good word for i t. He a l mos t l a ughed. Between the corner a nd the next bul khea d, he coul d s ee two doors , one cl os ed a nd one
pa rtl y open. Someones omeone huma noi dwa s peeri ng a round the edge of i t.
Women dont ha l f l ook di fferent, dont they? Ati n s a i d. Tha ts the mos t a ma zi ng ha i r Ive ever s een.
Da rma n a greed. They ha dnt s een a l ot of fema l es i n thei r l i ves , but thi s one woul d ha ve been memora bl e even i f they ha d s een mi l l i ons .
Her bl ue-bl a ck ha i r wa s s trea ked wi th bri l l i a nt red s tri pes . They were tra pped wi th Dr. Ovol ot Qa i l Utha n.
And s he wa s cl utchi ng a Verpi ne s ha tter gun.

17

CO Majestic to Corus ca nt Comma nd

Techno Uni on ves s el i s now dri fti ng. Da ma ge a s s es s ment i s i ncompl ete but i t i s no l onger returni ng fi re. Vengeance i s s ta ndi ng by to
di s pa tch a boa rdi ng pa rty. Wi l l conti nue to provi de turbol a s er gunnery s upport to Omega Squa d.

Who a cti va ted the emergency s ys tems ? Whi ch dikut hi t the button? Tel l me! Ghez Hoka n found hi ms el f s houti ng. He ha d a ba ndoned di gni ty.
Open thi s dikutla bul khea d!
Ca pta i n Hura ti s voi ce wa s s tra i ned. They were both on the wrong s i de of the fi rs t s a fety bul khea d, i n a s i ngl e unforgi vi ng corri dor tha t l ed to
the entra nce, a nd the ma i n doors were ja mmed s hut. It wa s a very s ecure bui l di ng: a nd, a s Utha n ha d s a i d, i t wa s des i gned to s top a nythi ng
from getti ng out i f thi ngs went wrong. It wa s doi ng tha t wel l .
Weve been i nfi l tra ted, s i r.
I worked tha t out for mys el f, dikut. He wa s i nterrupted by a grena de expl odi ng a ga i ns t the front wa l l . How i n the na me of
I dont know yet, s i r, but the bul khea ds a cti va ted beca us e the conta i nment cha mber doors werent regi s teri ng on the s ys tem a s cl os ed, a nd
i t tri ggered the emergency s ys tems .
Stuck open, i n other words .
Yes .
Hoka n s wung a round on the nea res t droi d. Anyone up on the s urfa ce s ee s i gns of entry?
A pa us e. Nega ti ve.
Oh, how he l onged for decent communi ca ti ons a ga i n. He coul d gues s from the s trength a nd di recti on of s ome of the expl os i ons tha t the a rea
wa s comi ng under l a s er ca nnon fi re, whi ch mea nt the Republ i c a s s a ul t s hi p ha d fi na l l y s howed i ts ha nd. It coul d even be l a ndi ng more troops .
But tha t wa s nt hi s i mmedi a te concern. The ba d news wa s tha t s omebody ha d a l rea dy ma na ged to get i n, a nd not through the front door.
They coul dnt ha ve come i n through the dra i ns . They shouldnt ha ve been there. But there wa s fi ri ng, a nd droi ds were reporti ng ca s ua l ti es .
There were Republ i c comma ndos i ns i de the fa ci l i ty.
Hoka n ha d never thought hi ms el f i nfa l l i bl e, but he ha d a t l ea s t i ma gi ned he wa s excepti ona l l y competent. Hed l ocked down the fa ci l i ty
a nd theyd s ti l l found a wa y i n. Hi s fi rs t thought wa s tha t Utha n ha d wa nted a l i ve s ubject s o ba dl y tha t s he wa s prepa red to l ure them i n a nd
tra p one, but tha t wa s l udi crous : s he ha dnt the mea ns or the opportuni ty to bypa s s s ecuri ty.
The na novi rus wa s out of Hoka ns rea ch behi nd bul khea ds tha t woul dnt yi el d. Droi ds pa ti entl y fi red bl a s ters i nto the fa ce of the a l l oy. But,
a s i n hi s ea rl i er tes t, they were ma ki ng no i mpres s i on beyond hea ti ng the s ea l ed corri dor to tropi ca l tempera tures .
Do we know i f a l l the bul khea ds a re down? he a s ked the droi d. Its coml i nk wi th i ts peers ma de i t s uddenl y a l ot more us eful tha n Hura ti .
Al l of them? Hoka n wa s tryi ng to work out i f he ha d a ny wa y of getti ng to Utha n or the na novi rus . The control boa rd i n the offi ce off the ma i n
corri dor wa s s howi ng red throughout, but he di dnt know whether to bel i eve i t or not.
Al l of them. Droi ds tra pped i n s ecti ons four, fi ve, s even, a nd twel ve.
It fel t l i ke bei ng i n the mi ddl e of a bra wl a nd then fi ndi ng yours el f dra gged off your opponent. The enemy coul dnt get a t hi m, but now he
coul dnt get a t them, ei ther. And i f the bi oha za rd cha mber doors were open, then both the na novi rus a nd Utha n were on the comma ndos s i de
of the ba rri er. If they ha d ma na ged to get i n, they coul d proba bl y get out the s a me wa y.
The front wa l l s huddered.
Even i f a ny droi ds ha d s urvi ved the a s s a ul t on the vi l l a , how woul d rei nforcements hel p hi m now?
Hoka n turned to Hura ti . Ca n you get i nto the s ys tem a nd overri de the s a fety control s ?
Il l do my bes t, s i r. Hura ti s fa ce s a i d tha t he doubted i t, but hed di e tryi ng. He retrea ted to the offi ce wi th Hoka n, a nd they rumma ged
through the ca bi nets a nd dra wers l ooki ng for opera ti ng i ns tructi ons , tool s , a nythi ng tha t mi ght be us ed to rel ea s e the bul khea ds . In one
ca bi net Hoka n found a crowba r. But i ts edges were too thi ck to get a ny purcha s e i n the fl i ms i pl a s t-thi n ga p between the two s ecti ons of the
front door or the l ower edge of the bul khea d. He fl ung i t to the fl oor i n frus tra ti on, a nd i t cl a ttered a cros s the ti l es .
The doors needed a bl a s t of s ome ma gni tude. And he di dnt ha ve the ordna nce.
Hura ti removed the cover from the a l a rm pa nel a nd bega n poki ng the ti p of hi s kni fe experi menta l l y i nto the ma ze of ci rcui ts a nd s wi tches .
Hoka n took out the l i ghts a ber a nd took a s wi pe a t the bul khea d, more out of frus tra ti on tha n a ny expecta ti on of s ucces s .
Vzzzmmm.
The a i r took on a n oddl y ozoni c s mel l , a l mos t i rri ta ti ng i n i ts i ntens i ty. He s ta red a t the bul khea ds previ ous l y s mooth s urfa ce. There wa s a
defi ni te depres s i on.
He ma de a nother pa s s wi th the bl a de, more s l owl y a nd control l ed thi s ti me. He pres s ed hi s fa ce cl os e to the cool i ng meta l a t one edge a nd
s qui nted a cros s the fl a t s urfa ce, one eye cl os ed. Yes , i t wa s defi ni tel y wa rpi ng the a l l oy.
But a t thi s ra te i t woul d ta ke hi m hours to cut through. He s us pected ti me wa s a l uxury he coul dnt a fford.
Somethi ng thudded i nto the wa l l of the corri dor.
Da rma n di dnt even hea r the s ha tter gun fi re. The Verpi ne projecti l e wa s never i n da nger of hi tti ng a nyone, but he s us pected theyd ha ve
known a l l a bout i t i f i t ha d.
Wow, tha ts s ome dent, Ati n s a i d. I dont thi nk the good doctor i s goi ng to come qui etl y, though.
Ni ner, a re you pi cki ng thi s up? Da rma n s a i d. Found her. Jus t l i ke tha t.
There wa s a fa i nt s ound of movement i n hi s ea rpi ece. Hed s wi tched off the vi deo feed. Ni ner s ounded a l mos t rel a xed. Tha ts the fi rs t bi t of
l uck weve ha d.
Yea h, but s hes got a Verpi ne on her.
Theyre fra gi l e wea pons a nd they dont bounce. Gi ve her a fri ght.

Ive got a few fri ghteners rea dy.

If you need a ha nd, were goi ng to ha ve troubl e getti ng i n. I reckon all the emergency doors ha ve s hut ti ght.
Al l qui et out there?
Apa rt from Majestic getti ng too on-ta rget for comfort, yes . We dont wa nt to ta ke the whol e bui l di ng out wi th you s ti l l i ns i de.
Ca n you go ba ck for the other ra m a nd try to force the front doors ?
Do you need us to?
Wel l try getti ng Utha n out vi a the dra i ns . If we ca nt, i ts pl a n D.
Cheer up, s ti l l got E through Z pl a ns , Fi s voi ce s a i d.
One da y, Fi , Im goi ng to gi ve you a good s l a p. Da rma n s a i d.
Ati n hel d up hi s ha nd for s i l ence. Da rma n hea rd the fa i nt s i bi l a nce of whi s pered convers a ti on, a nd then the door s l a mmed a nd the l ock
cl unked. So i t wa s nt a n a utoma ti c s a fety door. Utha n ha d compa ny.
She rea l l y does nt know me, does s he? Da rma n s a i d, a nd peel ed off a few centi meters of therma l ta pe. He checked a round the corner wi th
the probe, l oa th to tes t hi s a rmor a ga i ns t a Verpi ne. Its goi ng to ta ke more tha n a l ock to keep me out, s weethea rt.
He hugged the wa l l . He wa s nea rl y a t the door when i t opened a nd he found hi ms el f fa ce-to-fa ce wi th two Tra ndos ha ns who s eemed pretty
s urpri s ed to s ee hi m. Ma ybe i t wa s the a rmor. It s eemed to ha ve tha t effect.
There wa s nowhere to run.
There were ti mes when you coul d pul l your ri fl e a nd ti mes when you coul dnt, a nd Deeces werent much good a t poi ntbl a nk ra nge unl es s
you us ed them a s a cl ub. Da rma n a i med a n i ns ti ncti ve punch before he thought a bout wha t he woul d do wi th the expl os i ves i n hi s ha nd. Even
wi th a n a rmored ga untl et, i t wa s l i ke hi tti ng a s tone bl ock i n the fa ce. The Tra ndos ha n fel l ba ck two pa ces . Then hi s comra de ca me a t Da rma n
wi th a bl a de. There wa s a frozen s econd or two of bewi l derment a s the Tra nni e l ooked a t hi s kni fe, a nd then a t Da rma ns a rmor.
Ati n, wa nt to gi ve me a ha nd here? Da rma n s a i d qui etl y, ta ki ng one s tep ba ck wi th vi brobl a de extended.
Wha t dooh.
Yea h. Oh.
The ni ce thi ng a bout a fi xed vi brobl a de wa s tha t nobody coul d knock i t out of your ha nd, not unl es s they took your a rm off wi th i t. The
Tra nni e s eemed to be cons i deri ng tha t a s a n opti on before ta ki ng a huge l unge, the bl a de of hi s wea pon s ki ddi ng off Da rma ns a rm pl a te.
Da rma n ra n a t the Tra nni e hea dfi rs t a nd ca nnoned i nto hi m, throwi ng hi m a ga i ns t the wa l l a nd pi nni ng hi m there whi l e he tri ed to dri ve the
vi brobl a de i nto s oft ti s s ue. He tri ed for the throa tbi g bl ood ves s el s , qui ck effectbut the Tra nni e ha d hi s wri s t cl a mped ti ght. It wa s ta ki ng
Da rma n a l l hi s s trength to keep the enemys bl a de from hi s own throa t. It s eemed l i ke dea dl ock.
The bodys ui t wa s s ta bproof. Wa s nt i t? He coul dnt s ee Ati n. He ha d to concentra te on hi s own predi ca ment, a nd he wa s nt getti ng a nywhere
fa s t wi th the Tra nni e. It wa s ti me for one of thos e ba r-bra wl ta cti cs tha t Ski ra ta ma de s ure they a l l l ea rned. Da rma n s cra ped hi s boot a l ong the
Tra nni es s hi n a nd brought i t down ha rd on hi s i ns tep. It ga ve hi m the s pl i t s econd of l oos ened gri p he needed, a nd he pl unged the
vi brobl a de i n up to i ts hi l t, over a nd over, not s ure wha t he wa s hi tti ng, but noti ng tha t the Tra nni e wa s s hri eki ng a nd tha t the s hri eks were
gra dua l l y getti ng fa i nter.
Ski ra ta wa s ri ght. Sta bbi ng s omeone wa s a s l ow wa y to ki l l them. He pres s ed hi s forea rm a ga i ns t the Tra nni es neck a nd hel d hi m pi nned
whi l e he s l i d down the wa l l . Da rma n fol l owed hi m a l l the wa y down a nd fi na l l y knel t on hi s ches t to ma ke s ure he di dnt move whi l e he
ja mmed the bl a de up under hi s ja w a nd a cros s hi s tra chea .
He wa i ted for hi m to s top movi ng, then s cra mbl ed to hi s feet to s ee Ati n s ta ndi ng over the other Tra ndos ha n, s ti l l curs i ng. There wa s a l ot of
bl ood, a nd i t di dnt l ook l i ke Ati ns .
I coul d ha ve done wi thout tha t i nterrupti on, Da rma n s a i d.
Rui ns your concentra ti on, Ati n s a i d. Where were we?
About to us e my uni vers a l key. Da rma n retri eved the ri bbon cha rge from the fl oor, wi ped i t on hi s s l eeve, a nd s et i t wi th i ts detona tor
a ga i ns t the l ock. They moved qui ckl y to the hi nge s i de, a nd Ati n drew the Tra ndos ha n a rra y bl a s ter hed been s o unwi l l i ng to a ba ndon.
Ati n, i ts capture alive, remember?
Shes got compa ny.
You ma ke s ure you need to us e i t, then. If theyd wa nted her di s i ntegra ted theyd ha ve s a i d. Da rma n took out the s tun grena de a nd the
mi ni EMP: s he mi ght ha ve droi ds i n there, too. He juggl ed both s pheres i n one ha nd. Oka y, I bl ow the l ock, a nd i n thes e go. Theyre down for
fi ve s econds . I ta ke Utha n a nd you s hoot a nythi ng el s e s ti l l movi ng.
Got i t.
Cover.
Whump. The door expl oded, s howeri ng kuva ra s pl i nters , a nd Da rma n l ea ned forwa rd a nd threw i n the s urpri s es . A bl i ndi ng three-hundredthous a nd-ca ndl epower whi te l i ght a nd 160 deci bel s of ra w noi s e fl ooded the room for two s econds , a nd Da rma n wa s i ns i de before he
rea l i zed i t, pi nni ng Utha n fl a t to the fl oor a s Ati n pumped the a rra y bl a s ter a cros s the room.
The dus t a nd s moke s ettl ed. Da rma n ha d cuffed Utha n. He di dnt a ctua l l y reca l l doi ng i t, but tha t wa s a drena l i ne worki ng. For s ome rea s on
he ha d expected a fi ght, but s he wa s s i mpl y ma ki ng a n odd i ncoherent groa n. Hed become us ed to Eta i ns res i l i ence. Utha n wa s a regul a r
huma n, untra i ned, unfi t, a nda pa rt from her i ntel l ectnothi ng s peci a l .
Da rma n pi cked up the Verpi ne a nd a i med i t a t a wa l l . It ma de the fa i ntes t of whi rri ng noi s es , then ja mmed. Ni ner wa s ri ght. Verpi nes di dnt
bounce, or ma ybe the mi ni EMP ha d tempora ri l y fri ed i ts el ectroni cs .
Da rma n here. We ha ve Utha n, repea t, we ha ve Utha n.
Fi s whoop hurt hi s ea rs . Ni ner cut i n. Are we done here?
Lets check we ha vent mi s s ed a nythi ng. Ati n? He gl a nced over hi s s houl der. Ati n wa s cra dl i ng the a rra y bl a s ter, s ta ri ng down a t four
bodi es on the fl oor. It wa s a l l a bi t of a mes s , a s Fi woul d s a y.
Three of the dea d were Tra ndos ha ns , a nd the fourth wa s a young red-ha i red woma n who wa s nt pretty a ny l onger, or even recogni za bl e.
Da rma n wondered i f the gi rl wa s Utha ns da ughter. Then he ha d a nother thought.

How ma ny s ta ff do you ha ve here, ma a m? He took hi s hel met off a nd rol l ed her over s o they were fa ce-to-fa ce. How ma ny?
Utha n s eemed to be rega i ni ng her compos ure. You murdered my a s s i s ta nt.
She ha d a bl a s ter, Ati n s a i d, a l mos t to hi ms el f.
Da rma n s hook her. Ma a m, Im goi ng to detona te a n a wful l ot of ordna nce under thi s bui l di ng very s oon, a nd your s ta ff, i f you ha ve a ny, wi l l
be dea d a nywa y.
She wa s s ta ri ng up i nto hi s fa ce, s eemi ng tota l l y di s tra cted by hi m. Are you rea l l y a cl one?
Id l i ke to s a y the one a nd onl y, but you know Im not.
Ama zi ng, s he s a i d.
Sta ff?
Four more. Theyre jus t s ci enti s ts . Theyre ci vi l i a ns .
Da rma n opened hi s mouth, a nd Ka l Ski ra ta s voi ce emerged unbi dden a ga i n. Not a l l s ol di ers wea r uni forms , ma a m. Hi gh ti me thos e
s ci enti s ts took res pons i bi l i ty for thei r rol e i n the wa r effort.
Yes , i t wa s pers ona l . Wa r di dnt get much more pers ona l tha n a vi rus a i med s peci fi ca l l y a t you a nd your brothers . Da rma n here. Sa rge,
Utha ns s ta ff members a re s omewhere i n the bui l di ng, too. Wha t do you wa nt to do? Retri eve them a s wel l ?
Il l check wi th Majestic. Wa i t one. Ni ners l i nk went dea d for a few moments a nd then cra ckl ed i nto l i fe a ga i n. No, not requi red. Get her
cl ea r a nd l et us know when youre goi ng to detona te.
They were jus t fol l owi ng orders , Utha n s a i d.
So a m I, Da rma n s a i d, a nd trus s ed, ga gged, a nd hooded her wi th s a l va ged pa ra s a i l cord a nd a s ecti on of s heeti ng. He repl a ced hi s hel met
a nd hea ved her over hi s s houl der. It wa s goi ng to be a tough job getti ng her down thos e tunnel s . Ati n fol l owed.
They s l i pped ba ck down the dra i n. Da rma n hoped tha t they coul d fi nd thei r wa y ba ck to the s urfa ce wi thout Ji na rt a s thei r gui de.
Hoka n coul d feel the s wea t s ti ngi ng hi s eyes . He wi thdrew the l i ghts a ber a nd exa mi ned the s ubs ta nti a l dent i n the bul khea d.
It wa s nt deep enough or fa s t enough, a nd he knew i t. Thi s wa s di s pl a cement a cti vi ty. He wa s l i ttl e hel p to Hura ti , s o he vented hi s
frus tra ti on on the a l l oy a nd a l l he s eemed to s ucceed i n wa s ma ki ng the s ta l e a tmos phere even hotter a nd more s uffoca ti ng.
Then he hea rd a hi s s of a i r, a nd he wondered i f i t wa s the s ea l brea chi ng: but i t wa s nt.
It wa s Hura ti .
Hoka n ra n the few s teps a l ong the corri dor to the offi ce. He fea red tha t the young ca pta i n ha d el ectrocuted hi ms el f, a nd whether he wa nted
to a dmi t i t or not, he a ctua l l y ca red wha t ha ppened to hi m. But Hura ti wa s i nta ct. He wa s l ea ni ng over the des k, both ha nds bra ced on the
s urfa ce, hea d down, s houl ders s ha ki ng. Then he l ooked up, a nd hi s fa ce wa s a bi g, s wea ty gri n. A bea d of pers pi ra ti on ra n down hi s nos e a nd
hung there for a moment before he ba tted i t a wa y wi th hi s fi nger.
Check the s ta tus boa rd, s i r.
Hoka n s wung a round a nd l ooked for the boa rd. The uncha ngi ng pa ttern of red l i ghts ha d now become a pa ttern of red a nd green.
Bul khea ds two, s i x, a nd ni ne, s i r, he s a i d. Now I ca n cl ea r the res t. I ha d to try every s equence. Tha ts a l ot of permuta ti ons . He s hook hi s
hea d a nd went ba ck to ca reful l y proddi ng a pi ece of ci rcui t boa rd wi th the ti p of hi s kni fe. Theyl l be ja mmed open, though.
Better tha n ja mmed s hut.
As Hoka n wa tched, the l i ghts cha nged from red to green, one by one, a nd a cool dra ft hi t hi s fa ce.
The front doors ha d opened.
Hoka n expected a mi s s i l e or bl a s ter vol l ey to punch through them, but a l l tha t entered wa s the s i l ent, refres hi ng, fi re-s cented ni ght a i r.
Hura ti , Hoka n s a i d, Ri ght now, I coul dnt l ove you more i f you were my own s on. Remi nd me I s a i d tha t one da y. He drew hi s bl a s ter a nd
ra ced down the corri dor, pa s t droi ds , s tumbl i ng over s ha ttered meta l pl a tes a nd the body of a n Umba ra n, a nd i nto the room where he ha d l eft
Utha n wi th her Tra ndos ha n gua rds .
He ha d ha l f expected to s ee her l yi ng dea d on the fl oor wi th them. In a wa y he ha d hoped for i t, beca us e i t woul d mea n the Republ i c ha dnt
s tol en her experti s e. But s he wa s gone. He pi cked up the Verpi ne a nd tes ted i t for cha rge: i t ma de a fa i nt whi r a nd then ti cked. Ei ther Utha n
ha dnt ma na ged to get a s hot off or theyd us ed a n EMP grena de.
Hoka n worked hi s wa y down the pa s s a ge to the bi oha za rd cha mber, pa us i ng on the wa y to check i ns i de prep rooms a nd s tora ge cupboa rds ,
wa ry of booby tra ps . As he opened one door, he hea rd whi mperi ng i n the da rknes s . He s wi tched on the l i ght.
The rema i ni ng four members of Utha ns res ea rch tea mthree young men a nd a n ol der woma nwere huddl ed i n the corner. One of the men
hel d a bl a s ter, but i ts muzzl e wa s poi nted a t the fl oor. They bl i nked a t Hoka n, frozen.
Sta y here, he s a i d. You mi ght be a l l tha ts l eft of the vi rus progra m. Dont move. There s eemed l i ttl e cha nce tha t they woul d.
When Hoka n rea ched the centra l cha mber, the onl y s i gn tha t a nythi ng untowa rd ha d ta ken pl a ce wa s tha t the concea l ed dra i n i n the center
of the fl oor wa s now a cha rred, ga pi ng s pa ce.
He l ooked a round the wa l l s , s hel ves , a nd cupboa rds . A mistake. Hed ma de a mi s ta ke, a terri bl e overs i ght. He ha dnt ta ken the ti me to check
wha t the vi rus conta i ners l ooked l i ke, or how ma ny there ha d been. He coul d s ee ga ps on s hel ves through the tra ns pa rent doors ; he pul l ed on
the ha ndl es , but they were s ti l l l ocked.
He ra n ba ck up the corri dor a nd gra bbed one of the young men from Utha ns tea m. Do you know wha t the na novi rus l ooks l i ke?
The boy bl i nked. It ha s a s tructure ba s ed on
Idi ot. Hoka n ja bbed fi ercel y towa rd hi s own eye, i ndi ca ti ng look. Wha t does the container l ook l i ke? How ma ny? Come on. Thi nk.
He ha ul ed the s ci enti s t to hi s feet a nd dra gged hi m down the corri dor to the bi oha za rd cha mber.
Show me.
The boy poi nted to a pl a i n-fronted ca bi net. Fourteen a l l oy vi a l s i n there, i ns i de thei r own va cuum-s ea l ed ca s e.
Open i t a nd check.
I ca nt. Utha n ha s a l l the s ecuri ty codes a nd keys .

Is i t concei va bl e tha t the enemy coul d ha ve opened i t a nd s i mpl y s hut i t a ga i n?

Norma l l y Id s a y tha t wa s i mpos s i bl e, but I a l s o remember thi nki ng tha t i t wa s i mpos s i bl e for a nyone to brea ch thi s bui l di ng.
The hol e where the dra i n ha d been wa s now a ja gged fri nge of s corched, broken ti l i ng a nd twi s ted meta l fra me. Hoka n l ooked down i nto the
voi d a nd s a w debri s .
For a moment he wondered i f he wa s a ctua l l y dea l i ng wi th huma n bei ngs a nd not s ome bi za rre, unknown l i fe-form. He knew where theyd
gone. Now he ha d to hunt them down a nd s top them from ta ki ng Utha n off the pl a net wi th wha tever wa s l eft of the na novi rus project.
If thi s wa s wha t a ha ndful of cl one s ol di ers coul d a chi eve, he wa s a l mos t a fra i d to thi nk wha t mi l l i ons mi ght do.

18

You never have perfect knowledge in combat, gentlemen. Its what we call the fog of war. You can either sit around worrying whats real and whats not,
or you can realize the enemy hasnt got a clue either and fire off a few rounds of psychology. A truly great army is one that only has to rattle its saber to win a
war.
Sergea nt Ka l Ski ra ta

Omega to Majestic. Check check check. Cea s e fi ri ng.

Ni ner wa i ted s evera l mi nutes before movi ng. There ha d been trees to the northwes t of the fa ci l i ty tha t werent there a nymore. You coul dnt
s ta ke your l i fe on the a ccura cy of gunnery s upport. He edged forwa rd on hi s s toma ch a nd propped hi ms el f on hi s el bows to check the a rea , fi rs t
wi th hi s bi noc vi s or a nd then through the s cope of the DC-17.
Nothi ng wa s movi ng, a l though nothi ng wi th a ny s ens e woul d pres ent i ts el f i n a bri ght-l i t doorwa y a nywa y.
The fa ci l i ty wa s now s tri pped compl etel y of i ts wooden fa rmhous e s hel l , a nd i ts a l l oy doors were wi de open. For a few s econds , Ni ner
a l mos t expected to s ee Da rma n a nd Ati n wa l k out i nto the ya rd, a nd for Ka l Ski ra ta to s hout Endex, endex, endexend of exerci s e. But there were
no more exerci s es , a nd thi s ni ght wa s nt over, not by a l ong s hot.
Behi nd hi m, Fi s wi tched to hi s Deece a nd tra i ned the s ni per a tta chment on the entra nce, wa i ti ng to pi ck off a nythi ng i ns a ne enough to wa l k
out. Ni ner wa s nt s ure i f Fi woul d pa us e for thought i f a nyone di d come out, even wi th ra i s ed ha nds .
Da r, Ati n, ca n you confi rm your pos i ti on?
Ni ner wa i ted.
Somewhere pi tch bl a ck a nd s mel l y, a nd dra ggi ng a s emi cons ci ous woma n behi nd me, Ati n s a i d.
Sounds l i ke ha ppy hour a t the Outl a nder, Ni ner s a i d, a l though he ha d no i dea wha t a ni ghtcl ub wa s rea l l y l i ke, a nd proba bl y never woul d.
The comment s pra ng from hi s s ubcons ci ous . Is Utha n i njured?
Da r got fed up wi th her s truggl i ng a nd s eda ted her.
How l ong before you ca n detona te?
Muffl ed noi s es fi l l ed Ni ners hel met. It s ounded a s i f Ati n wa s conferri ng wi th Da rma n wi thout the coml i nk. Ma ybe hed removed hi s hel met
to s i p s ome wa ter. A woma n wa s ma ki ng i ncoherent noi s es , a nd Ni ner hea rd Da rma ns voi ce cl ea rl y: Shut up, wi l l you? He di dnt need a
medi c to check Da rs s tres s l evel s .
Ati n wa s ba ck on the l i nk. At thi s ra te, ha l f a n hour.
Fi , how fa s t coul d you cover one kl i ck ri ght now?
Unl a den a nd s ui ta bl y moti va ted? Bout three mi nutes .
Now i t wa s the ti mi ng tha t wa s gi vi ng them gri ef. They needed to keep whoever wa s i n the fa ci l i ty ri ght where they were unti l Da rma n wa s i n
pos i ti on to detona te the i mpl os i on devi ce. Ni ner wondered how l ong Majestic coul d wa i t, a nd how l ong i t woul d be before they ha d more
compa ny. He deci ded to a s k.
Omega here, Ma jes ti c. Wha ts tha t Techno wa rs hi p doi ng?
Li s ti ng to port a nd s moki ng a bi t, Omega .
Youve been bus y.
If we get bus i er, wel l l et you know. Were di s pa tchi ng the guns hi p now. Itl l be wa i ti ng when you rea ch the extra cti on poi nt.
Ni ner cra wl ed ba ck to Fi s pos i ti on a nd nudged hi m. You mi ght a s wel l ma ke a move for the EP now wi th Eta i n. I ca n hol d thi s pos i ti on.
No.
Ca n I gi ve you a n order?
I mi ght ca l l you Sa rge, but ri ght now Im i gnori ng you.
Eta i n a ppea red on the other s i de of Fi , wi th Ji na rt. Wha ts ha ppeni ng?
The guns hi ps on i ts wa y. I s ugges t you a nd Fi hea d out a nd meet i t.
Wheres Da rma n?
About fi fty meters down the tunnel . Its hea vy goi ng.
Its s ti l l the qui ckes t pa th through the wa rren, Ji na rt s a i d. Short of di ggi ng them out.
Di ggi ng through fi ve meters of s oi l wi thout power tool s or expl os i ves i s goi ng to ta ke a l ong ti me. Ni ner turned to Eta i n. Is there a nythi ng
you ca n do, ma a m?
Eta i n pus hed her ta ngl ed ha i r ba ck from her fa ce. If Ji na rt ca n fi nd the s ha l l owes t poi nt of the tunnel , I ca n try to pa rt the s oi l . If you expl a i n
to me wha t needs to ha ppen, I ca n pi cture i t. The more a ccura tel y I ca n pi cture i t, the better my cha nces of bri ngi ng the Force to bea r. I ha ve to
see wha ts ha ppeni ng i n my mi nd.
I ca n fi nd thei r pos i ti on, Ji na rt s a i d.
By a l l mea ns bri ng your l i ghts a ber, ma a m, Fi s a i d. But onl y us e i t i f you mi s s wi th thi s . He ha nded her hi s bl a s ter.
Eta i n s hoved i t i n her bel t. You pers ua ded me.
Ji na rt wa s fa s t. Eta i n ha d troubl e keepi ng up wi th her when s he wa s runni ng on a l l fours , her s nout to the ground. The Gurl a ni ns rhythmi c
s ni ffs were i n counterpoi nt to Eta i ns ga s pi ng brea th.
They were movi ng i n a s qua re s ea rch pa ttern a cros s the fi el d to the ea s t of the fa ci l i ty, tryi ng to l oca te the exa ct s ecti on of tunnel tha t
Da rma n a nd Fi ha d ta ken. Eta i n coul d s ens e Da rma n now. They were cl os e.
Are you fol l owi ng s cent? Eta i n pa nted.

No, Im l i s teni ng for echoes .

Wi th your nos e?
Where I keep my ea rs i s my own bus i nes s . Ji na rt s topped dea d a nd pres s ed her s nout i nto the s oi l wi th a few s hort, s trong s norts . Here.
Di g here.
I hope they know were ri ght a bove them.
We a rent. Theyre a bout ten meters ba ck up the tunnel . If you exca va ted where they a re you coul d bury them compl etel y.
Eta i n wa s nt s ure i f Ji na rt wa s ma ki ng a genera l poi nt a bout res cue procedure, or commenti ng on her competence. She di dnt ca re. Da rma n
wa s down there a nd he needed her hel p. Ati n wa s down there, too, but the thought of Da rma n focus ed her beca us e beca us e he wa s a friend.
She coul d a l mos t i ma gi ne hi m a dvi s i ng her tha t s enti menta l i ty wa s a l uxury tha t a comma nder coul d never a fford.
Here we go, s he s a i d, more to hers el f tha n to Ji na rt.
Eta i n knel t to one s i de of the l i ne of the tunnel a nd pl a ced her ha nds fl a t on the ground. When s he cl os ed her eyes , s he vi s ua l i zed the
wa rren, s eei ng i ts uneven wa l l s wi th tree roots emergi ng from them l i ke knotted rope. She s a w s ma l l s tones a nd s ea ms of a mber cl a y.
Then her focus beca me more i ntens e. She s a w s ma l l er roots , a nd then the i ndi vi dua l gra i ns of mi nera l a nd vei ns of orga ni c ma teri a l . She
fel t her brea thi ng s l owi ng, cha ngi ng, a s i f her l ungs werent movi ng wi thi n her but ra ther the a i r outs i de her body wa s pres s i ng a nd rel a xi ng,
pres s i ng a nd rel a xi ng, s l owl y a nd rhythmi ca l l y.
And s he fi na l l y s a w the s pa ce a round ea ch mi cros copi c gra i n. It wa s nt empty. It wa s i nvi s i bl e, but i t wa s not a voi d. Eta i n fel t i t. She ha d
control of i t a t a funda menta l , s uba tomi c l evel . She coul d feel the pres s ure throughout her body.
Now a l l s he ha d to do wa s s ha pe i t.
At the s i des of the tunnel , s he pi ctured the s pa ce thi nni ng a nd reduci ng, compa cti ng the wa l l s , s trengtheni ng them a ga i ns t col l a ps e.
Overhea da nd s he now fel t l i ke s he wa s l yi ng fl a t on her ba ck l ooki ng up a t the va ul t a bove hers he s a w the s pa ce expa nd.
The gra i ns moved fa rther a pa rt. The s pa ce fl owed i n to di s pl a ce them. The s pa ce fl owed upwa rd to l i ft them. And then the s pa ce wa s
s uddenl y a l l there wa s .
Eta i n wa s a wa re of s omethi ng col d a nd s l i ghtl y da mp a cros s the ba cks of her ha nds a nd opened her eyes . She wa s kneel i ng i n fi ne, fri a bl e
s oi l . It l ooked a s i f a pa ti ent ga rdener ha d s i eved i t to prepa re for pl a nti ng s eeds .
She wa s l ooki ng down i nto a n open trench. There wa s a domed l i ne of s oi l a l ong both s i des , a s nea t a nd regul a r a s i f a n exca va tor ha d
done the job.
Tha t, s a i d Ji na rts voi ce bes i de her, wa s qui te extra ordi na ry. The Gurl a ni ns tone wa s a l mos t reverent. Quite extra ordi na ry.
Eta i n knel t ba ck on her heel s . Ins tea d of the exha us ti on s he norma l l y fel t a fter us i ng the Force to s hi ft objects , s he fel t refres hed. Ji na rt
s l i pped down i nto the trench a nd di s a ppea red. A few moments l a ter, a fa mi l i a r bl ue-l i t, T-s ha ped vi s or popped up from the da rknes s bel ow,
a nd i t di dnt a l a rm her a t a l l .
Theres a l wa ys a ca reer for you i n the cons tructi on i ndus try, Comma nder, Da rma n s a i d.
He s cra mbl ed out of the trench, a nd Eta i n threw her a rms a round hi m wi thout thi nki ng. Her bl a s ter cl unked a ga i ns t hi s a rmor pl a tes . It wa s
odd to hug s omethi ng tha t fel t l i ke a droi d, but s he wa s overwhel med by rel i ef tha t hed ma de i t. She l et go a nd s tepped ba ck, s uddenl y
emba rra s s ed.
Yea h, Ive been i n a s ewer, he s a i d, a l l gui l t. Sorry.
Ati ns voi ce ca rri ed from the trench. Da r, a re you goi ng to s ta nd there a l l ni ght pos i ng for the comma nder, or a re you goi ng to hel p me l i ft
thi s ?
As i f I coul d forget, Da rma n s a i d.
After s ome grunti ng a nd curs i ng, the two comma ndos ma na ged to l i ft a thoroughl y trus s ed body onto the edge of the trench. Eta i n pul l ed off
the hood a nd s ta red i nto the ha l f-cl os ed eyes of Dr. Utha n. She wa s dri fti ng i n a nd out of cons ci ous nes s .
How much di d you gi ve her? Eta i n a s ked.
Enough to s hut her up, Da rma n s a i d.
Eta i n hoped the woma n di dnt vomi t a nd choke to dea th. It wa s a l wa ys a ri s k wi th hea vy s eda ti ves . They ha dnt come thi s fa r to l os e her.
Ati n l ea ned forwa rd, a nd Da rma n hea ved Utha n onto hi s ba ck.
Ten-mi nute s hi fts , Ati n s a i d. And Il l be counti ng.
I hope s hes worth the effort, Eta i n s a i d.
So do I, Ji na rt s a i d. You mus t ma ke your own wa y now. Ive done a l l I ca n. Remember us , Jedi . Remember wha t we ha ve done for you, a nd
tha t we expect your hel p i n recl a i mi ng our worl d. Honor tha t promi s e.
Ji na rt l ooked the Pa da wa n up a nd down a s i f mea s uri ng her, a nd then the Gurl a ni n l os t her outl i ne a nd beca me bl a ck fl ui d a ga i n, va ni s hi ng
i nto the undergrowth.
To thi nk I nea rl y s hot her, Da rma n s a i d, s ha ki ng hi s hea d. They moved off towa rd the extra cti on poi nt a cros s country rema rka bl y empty of
gda ns .
Ghez Hoka n l i ned up the young s ci enti s ts on the other s i de of the door. He ges tured to Hura ti .
On my ma rk, he s a i d. Ki l l the l i ghts .
Si r, i f the s peeders ha ve been des troyed, wha t a re we goi ng to do?
Hoka n thought i t a n unus ua l l y s tupi d ques ti on for s uch a fi ne offi cer, but perha ps he wa s thi nki ng a bout jus t how fa r untra i ned ci vi l i a ns
mi ght get on foot before fa l l i ng to the enemy.
Run, he s a i d. Jus t run.
He turned to the four bi ol ogi s ts , hopi ng terror woul d s peed them up, a s i t often di d. Wha ts your na me? he a s ked the woma n.
Cheva , s he s a i d.
Wel l , Cheva , when the l i ghts go out, ha ng on to me a nd run l i ke cra zy, unders ta nd?
Yes .

And i f the ca pta i n or I s hout drop, you drop down fl a t. Got tha t?
I ca n a s s ure you I ha ve.
Hura ti , you ta ke the rea r. Dont l os e a ny of them.
Hoka n wa s expecti ng more l a s er bomba rdment. It wa s qui et outs i de, but he fel t tha t i t woul d begi n a ga i n a s s oon a s they emerged. He
coul dnt defend a fa ci l i ty wi th i ts doors ja mmed open. There wa s a t l ea s t one s qua d of enemy comma ndos s ti l l out there. Hi s l a s t cha nce wa s
to ma ke a run for i t wi th the remna nts of Utha ns tea m a nd hi de them s omewhere. Then he woul d l ook for Utha n.
One wa y or a nother, he woul d s a l va ge wha t he coul d of the na novi rus progra m. Beyond tha t, he ha dnt ma de pl a ns .
Rea dy, Hura ti ?
Rea dy, s i r.
Hoka n s l i d on hi s Ma nda l ori a n hel met, a s much for comfort a s protecti on.
Lights!

19

CO Majestic to Corus ca nt Comma nd

Sta ndi ng by to retri eve LAAT/i from Qi i l ura . Be a wa re we ha ve detected two Tra de Federa ti on wa rs hi ps a pproa chi ng from the Ti ngel Arm
to rei nforce Qi i l ura . Vengeance i s movi ng to protect our fl a nk.

Were a l mos t a t the one-kl i ck l i ne, Da rma ns voi ce s a i d. Rea dy when you a re.
Ni ner cl a pped hi s gl ove to the l eft s i de of hi s hel met. He fea red i t wa s becomi ng a nervous ti c. Good. See you a t the EP.
Gi ve me a few mi nutes .
Fi ma de a ca s ua l thumbs -up ges ture a nd a djus ted hi s s houl der pl a te. Fi ve mi nutes fel t l i ke forever ri ght then.
Whoa , wha ts ha ppeni ng here? Ni ner s a i d. Da r, hol d off. Wa i t one.
The l i ght from the front doors ha d di ed, a nd hi s ni ght-vi s i on vi s or ki cked i n.
He thought he s a w Da rma n or Ati n, a nother odd fl a s hba ck now tha t the s ti ms were wea ri ng off, but then he rea l i zed the T-s l i t vi s or comi ng
out the door wa s Hoka ns . He opened fi re. The hes i ta ti on ha d cos t hi m ha l f a s econd, a n eterni ty, a nd he di dnt s ee a nyone fa l l .
Fi l a i d down a burs t of pl a s ma bol t rounds , a nd they wa i ted. Nothi ng. Then there wa s a nother fl urry of movement a nd s omeone yel l ed
Drop! but the three s ha pes di dnt, a t l ea s t not unti l the pl a s ma rounds hi t them.
It wa s s i l ent a ga i n. Ni ner pa us ed. As he a nd Fi bega n edgi ng forwa rd to check, s omeone got up from the bl a s t-cra tered ground a nd s pri nted
a round the fa r s i de of the bui l di ng.
Ni ner a nd Fi s pra yed more rounds a nd pa us ed a ga i n. But there wa s no more movement.
If theres more i ns i de tha t l obby, Sa rge, ca n I put a bi t of a nti -a rmor i n there? I dont fa ncy runni ng wi th droi ds behi nd us .
Sta nda rd grena des woul dnt tri gger the therma l detona tor. Lob i n s i x, he s a i d. And then s et the E-Web to s el f-des truct.
Fi l i ned up the bl a s ter, ea s i ng i t a l i ttl e on i ts tri pod. Ni ner hea rd a hi gh-pi tched noi s e l i ke a repul s orl i ft dri ve s ta rti ng up, but then i t wa s
drowned out by the whump-whump-whump of the fi rs t three grena des l a unchi ng a nd expl odi ng.
The doorwa y of the fa ci l i ty bel ched bl a ck, rol l i ng fl a mes a nd s moke.
Now tha ts endex, Ni ner s a i d, a nd they ra n. They ra n over rutted fi el ds a nd cra s hed through two hedges a nd were i nto the trees before
Ni ner ma na ged to open hi s coml i nk a nd ga s p out the take-take-take comma nd to Da rma n.
The whi te fl a s h i l l umi na ted the tra ck before them a s econd or two before the s hock wa ve s ma cked Ni ner ha rd i n the ba ck. It threw hi m
forwa rd. Hi s mouth s ma s hed a ga i ns t the i nteri or of the vi s or a nd he ta s ted bl ood. When he turned hi s hea d a nd tri ed to get up, Fi wa s a l s o
fl a t on hi s ches t, a rms out i n front, hea d turned towa rd hi m.
No, Sa rge, Fi s a i d, s ti l l s eemi ng tota l l y pl ea s ed wi th l i fe. That wa s endex.
Ghez Hoka n found hi ms el f on the ground wi th hi s s peeder bi ke upended, i ts dri ve s ti l l runni ng. The bl a s t wa s ri ngi ng i n hi s ea rs . He froze,
hea d covered, wa i ti ng for i ncomi ng ca nnon fi re. But onl y s i l ence fol l owed.
He s truggl ed to hi s feet a nd ma na ged to hea ve the s peeder upri ght a ga i n. A s teeri ng va ne wa s s l i ghtl y bent, but i t wa s s ervi cea bl e. He
dus ted hi ms el f down a nd then s wung ba ck i nto the ri ders s ea t.
He coul d s ee hi s ha nds gri ppi ng the ba rs . The ta n gl ove on hi s l eft ha nd l ooked bl a ck; i t wa s s ti l l wet. Cheva ha d hung on to hi m. Shed run,
a s hed tol d her. Her bl ood ha d s pra yed over hi m when s he wa s hi t. It wa s the cl os es t he ha d come to feel i ng pi ty i n ma ny yea rs .
Enough of this. Youre going soft, man. Concentrate.
Si r. It wa s ha rd to i denti fy the voi ce from a s i ngl e s hout. Hoka n turned to check, but there wa s rea l l y onl y one ma n who woul d ha ve
s truggl ed to s ta y wi th hi m. Si r!
Hura ti rode up from behi nd a nd s topped hi s s peeder l evel wi th hi s . He ha d no s econd ri der. Hoka n di dnt need to a s k.
Im s orry, s i r, Hura ti s a i d. They froze when the s hooti ng s ta rted. They di dnt even drop.
Ci vi l i a ns tend to do tha t, Hoka n s a i d wea ri l y.
Tha t bl a s t wa s the fa ci l i ty. Judgi ng by the col or, tha t wa s a hi gh-tempera ture i mpl os i on. Not l a s er ca nnon.
Does i t ma tter?
Nothi ng coul d ha ve s urvi ved tha t, even i n a bl a s tproof conta i ner. If there were a ny s a mpl es of the na novi rus , theyre gone now.
So there wa s now no na novi rus i n Sepa ra ti s t ha nds , a nd no s ci enti s ts wi th a ny degree of experti s e i n the progra m, ei ther. Tha t ma de i t
i mpera ti ve to retri eve Utha n.
Gi ven the bl a s t a rea of a n i mpl os i on devi ce, they were us i ng s ens i ti ve remote detona tors . Hoka n wa s rel i eved tha t he ha d s ome EMP
grena des i n hi s ca rgo pa nni er.
Fi nd them, Hoka n s a i d.
He coul dnt even tra ce thei r route from the dra i na ge s ys tem now. Where woul d he s ta rt? The enemy woul d need to l ea ve Qi i l ura . They woul d
ha ve a ves s el s omewhere. If i ntel l i gence from Geonos i s wa s a ny gui de, they woul d ha ve guns hi ps to extra ct them a nd eva cua te wounded.
It wa s a qui et, ba ckwa rd, rura l pl a net. You coul d hea r motors a nd dri ves for ki l ometers , es peci a l l y a t ni ght.
Hoka n powered down the s peeder a nd wa i ted, l i s teni ng.
Eta i n coul d feel i t l ong before s he s a w or hea rd i t.
She ha dnt been a bl e to detect droi ds , or s o s he thought, but s he coul d feel s omethi ng big di s turbi ng the Force, a nd i t wa s getti ng nea rer.
She wa s nt s ure i f i t wa s mecha ni ca l or orga ni c. And i t di dnt communi ca te a ny s ens e of threa t beyond a mi l d a nxi ety.
Then s he hea rd the rus hi ng a i r a nd s tea dy drone of a ves s el s propul s i on dri ve. She s topped a nd cra ned her neck. Ati n a nd Da rma n s topped,
too.

Oh, I l ove tha t s ound, Da rma n s a i d.

Wha t i s i t?
The s ound of us getti ng out of thi s ces s pi t i n one pi ece. A larty. A guns hi p.
The s ound wa s pra cti ca l l y ri ght overhea d. As Eta i n s ca nned the ni ght s ky s he pi cked out a s i l houette a ga i ns t the s ta rs . The ves s el wa s nt
s howi ng a ny na vi ga ti on l i ghts . It di pped s l i ghtl y, i ts dri ve cha ngi ng pi tch, a nd Da rma n rea cted a s i f s omeone were ta l ki ng to hi m. He ges tured
a nd nodded. Then he wa ved. The guns hi p pi cked up s peed a nd l i fted hi gher before s hooti ng a wa y.
They tra cked us by our coml i nk tra ns ponder, Da rma n s a i d. Good ol d Ni ner. Bl es s hi m for knocki ng out Tekl et.
Ati n jerked hi s s houl ders to hea ve Utha n a l i ttl e hi gher on hi s ba ck. Your ca rri a ge, pri nces s , he s a i d to her, fa r more cheerful tha n Eta i n
ha d i ma gi ned hi m ca pa bl e of bei ng. Hi s pres ence fel t a l mos t hea l ed, but not enti rel y. Wa nt to s i t up front?
Utha n ha d recovered from the s eda ti on enough to s qui rm. Eta i n rea l i zed tha t the s ci enti s t wa s the onl y pers on s he ha d ever s een who coul d
convey s uch ra ge jus t by wri thi ng. She di dnt envy the s ol di er who ha d to unti e her.
Your turn, Da r, Ati n s a i d.
Oka y. He s eemed el a ted a s wel l a s edgy. Eta i n coul d feel i t. It wa s nea rl y over: theyd pul l ed i t off. She wa nted to a s k hi m wha t he wa s
goi ng to do when he got ba ck to ba s e, but s he coul d gues s tha t i t i nvol ved a l ot of s l eep, a hot s hower, a nd food. Hi s drea ms were modes t. She
thought tha t wa s a fi ne exa mpl e to s et, even for a Pa da wa n.
She jus t hoped tha t s he coul d become a competent offi cer. She wa nted Da rma ns res pect.
Come on, Da r, Ati n s a i d i rri ta bl y. Utha ns s ta rti ng to wei gh a ton. Your turn.
Try thi s , Eta i n s a i d, a nd lifted wi th the Force. Ati n ha l f turned to check wha t wa s rel i evi ng the wei ght on hi s ba ck. Da rma n ha d a l mos t
ca ught up wi th hi m.
Crack. Ati n pi tched forwa rd.
Eta i n thought he ha d merel y tri pped, but Da rma n wa s now down on the ground, a nd s he fol l owed s ui t. He wa s s pra wl ed a cros s Ati n wi th hi s
ri fl e ra i s ed. Ati n wa s nt s crea mi ng, but he wa s ma ki ng a rhythmi c ah-ah-ah noi s e a s i f he wa s tryi ng to gul p a i r. Utha n wa s l yi ng i n a hea p on
the gra s s .
Ma n down, Da rma n s a i d, unna tura l l y ca l m. Eta i n hea rd hi m cl ea rl y: he s ti l l ha d the voi ce uni t open. Sa rge, Ati ns hi t.
Wha tever Ni ners res pons e wa s , Eta i n di dnt hea r i t. Da rma n fi red ra pi dl y a nd s he s a w the bri l l i a nt rounds fl y over her hea d.
Why ha dnt s he fel t a nyone behi nd her? Beca us e s hed been di s tra cted. This was her fault. If Ati n di ed, s he woul d ha ve hi m on her cons ci ence
for the res t of her l i fe.
The fi ri ng s topped. It wa s over i ns i de thi rty s econds . The worl d ha d s omehow gone ba ck to the wa y i t wa s before, except for Ati n.
Da rma n coul d obvi ous l y s ee s omethi ng through hi s ri fl e s i ght tha t Eta i n coul d not. She wa tched hi m get up, run forwa rd, a nd a i m a t a n
object on the ground. He s wi tched on hi s hel met l a mp.
One of Hoka ns offi cers , Da rma n s a i d. A ca pta i n.
Is he dea d?
A s i ngl e s hot. He i s now, Da rma n s a i d.
Thi s ti me Eta i n wa s nt qui te a s a ppa l l ed a s s he ha d been when Da rma n ha d di s pa tched the wounded Umba ra n. She wa s wra pped up i n
concern for Ati n. Her pers pecti ve ha d s hi fted ra di ca l l y.
Ati n wa s now worryi ngl y qui et. When Da rma n turned hi m ca reful l y onto hi s s i de, there wa s a s ha ttered hol e i n hi s a rmor pl a te a bout twenty
centi meters bel ow hi s ri ght a rmpi t tha t wa s l ea ki ng bl ood. Da rma n took a s ma l l , gra y obl ong conta i ner wi th rounded edges from hi s bel t a nd
empti ed the contents on the ground. He s hoved wha t l ooked l i ke a fi el d dres s i ng i n the ga pi ng hol e a nd ta ped i t to the a rmor.
Get on, Ati n s a i d. Hi s voi ce wa s s ha ki ng. Go on. Lea ve me.
Dont go a l l heroi c on me or Il l s ma ck you one.
I mea n i t. Get Utha n out of here.
Ati n, s hut up, wi l l you? Im not l ea vi ng a nyone a nywhere. Da rma n wa s worki ng wi th a l l the preci s i on of s omeone whod been dri l l ed
repea tedl y i n comba t fi rs t a i d. He nodded a t Eta i n. She gra s ped Ati ns ha nd a nd s queezed i t ha rd. Tha ts wha t a Verpi ne projecti l e ca n do to
Ka ta rn a rmor ea s y, brother. Ive got you. He removed one of Ati ns thi gh pl a tes , peel ed ba ck the s ecti on of bodys ui t, a nd expos ed the s ki n.
He hel d two s hort s i ngl e-us e s yri nges i n hi s ha nd. Its goi ng to hurt a bi t, oka y? Stea dy.
Da rma n s ta bbed both needl es i nto Ati ns thi gh i n qui ck s ucces s i on. Then he s cra wl ed s omethi ng on Ati ns hel met wi th a ma rker a nd
repl a ced the thi gh pl a te.
Eta i n s ta red a t the l etters P a nd z now wri tten on the forehea d of the hel met.
P for pa i nki l l er, Da rma n s a i d. He l a i d Ati n fl a t on hi s ba ck. And Z for bl ood-l os s control a gent, beca us e B l ooks too much l i ke P when
youre i n a hurry. Its for the medi cs , jus t i n ca s e they dont s ca n hi m, s o they know wha t Ive dos ed hi m wi th. Now, thi s i s goi ng to l ook rea l l y
odd, but trus t me
Ati n wa s fl a t on hi s ba ck, brea thi ng hea vi l y. Da rma n s l i d on top of hi m, ba ck-to-ches t, then s l i pped hi s a rms through Ati ns webbi ng a nd
rol l ed both of them over s o he wa s l yi ng undernea th. Ra i s i ng hi ms el f on hi s a rms , he drew hi s l egs to a kneel i ng pos i ti on a nd then s tood up
wi th Ati n s ecure a cros s hi s ba ck. He tottered s l i ghtl y. But he di dnt fa l l .
Ea s i es t wa y to l i ft a nd ca rry a hea vy ma n, Da rma n s a i d, hi s voi ce s oundi ng a l i ttl e s tra i ned.
I coul d ha ve done tha t for you, Eta i n s a i d.
Yea h, but hes my brother. Bes i des , youre goi ng to ca rry Doctor Utha n.
Eta i n fel t momenta ry gui l t for not checki ng on her. But the s ci enti s t wa s s ti l l l yi ng there trus s ed, qui te s i l ent, a nd no doubt bewi l dered. Eta i n
l ea ned over her.
Come on, Doctor, s he s a i d. She went to l i ft her, but her ha nds touched s omethi ng col d a nd wet. There wa s a ja gged s l i ver of pa l e gra y
pl a s toi d a l l oy protrudi ng from jus t under her ri bs . It wa s s hra pnel from Ati ns a rmor. The doctor wa s bl eedi ng hea vi l y.
Oh no. Not thi s . Look. Da rma n, look.
Fierfek. After a l l thi s rotten

No, s hes a l i ve.

Jus t get her to the extra cti on poi nt. They better ha ve a medi c on boa rd.
The di s a ppoi ntment wa s s udden a nd crus hi ng. Eta i n fel t i t. It a l mos t ma de her s top i n her tra cks , too overwhel med by the unfa i rnes s of i t
a l l to move, but i t di dnt s top Da rma n, a nd s o s he wa s determi ned to go on. Hi s a bs ol ute di s ci pl i ne wa s ta ngi bl e. In a few da ys s he ha d
l ea rned more from hi m tha n s he ha d ever been a bl e to l ea rn from Ful i er. Bei ng s econds from dea th s o ma ny ti mes drove the l es s ons home
tha t much ha rder.
Eta i n a l s o knew i t ha d forged a bond tha t woul d ca us e her enormous pa i n i n yea rs to come. It wa s wors e tha n fa l l i ng i n l ove. It wa s a tota l l y
di fferent l evel of a tta chment: i t wa s s ha red tra uma . Ma s ter Ful i er s a i d you coul d fa l l out of l ove, but Eta i n knew you coul d never fa l l out of this,
beca us e hi s tory coul d never cha nge.
She l i fted Utha n a cros s her ba ck by her own a rm a nd jerked her forwa rd unti l s he wa s comforta bl y a cros s her s houl ders .
Lets move i t, Da rma n, s he s a i d, a nd ha rdl y recogni zed her own voi ce. For a moment, s he di dnt s ound l i ke a Jedi a t a l l .
Hoka n wa s s ti l l on the l oos e. Ni ner knew i t. Hed s een hi mor a t l ea s t s omeone i n hi s a rmorcome out of the fa ci l i ty. The offi cer whom
Da rma n ha d s hot ha d jus t been a young ca pta i n. And Hoka n wa s proba bl y doi ng wha t the dea d ca pta i n s eemed to ha ve done, a nd tra cked
them by the guns hi p. Thei r s a l va ti on mi ght a l s o prove to be thei r undoi ng.
About one more kl i ck, Fi s a i d. Any word on Ati n?
Ha vent you got your l ong-ra nge s wi tched through?
No. Its one more di s tra cti on I ca nt fa ce ri ght now.
Ni ner wa s begi nni ng to unders ta nd how Fi coped: the ma n jus t s wi tched off, s ometi mes l i tera l l y. He wondered who or wha t ha d ta ught hi m
to do tha t, beca us e i t wa s nt Ski ra ta . Ka l Ski ra ta felt, a l l too vi s i bl y s ometi mes .
I hope we get a n urba n depl oyment a fter thi s , Ni ner s a i d. Stay positive. Look ahead. A ni ce, noi s y, confus i ng ci ty wi th pl a ces to hi de a nd l ots
of runni ng wa ter. Survei l l a nce. Da ta extra cti on. Ea s y Street.
Na h, jungl e.
Youre s i ck.
Jungl es l i ke a ci ty. Lots goi ng on.
Youre worri ed a bout Ati n.
Shut up, Sa rge. Im jus t worri ed a bout me, oka y?
Of cours e you a re.
Why di dnt we jus t pound thi s whol e regi on from s pa ce?
No i ntel . Vi rus coul d ha ve been a t s evera l l oca ti ons . We mi ght not ha ve hi t them a l l a nd wed never ha ve known unti l i t wa s too l a te.
Jus t when we were ma ki ng a good tea m.
Hes s ti l l a l i ve, Fi . Ni ner bega n wa l ki ng ba ckwa rd, pl a yi ng the ta i l rol e. Hes s ti l l a l i ve. Jedi ca n hea l . Da rma ns done a l l the ri ght fi rs t a i d

Ni ner never di d l i ke bei ng ta i l on pa trol , es peci a l l y a t ni ght. He l i ked i t even l es s when the poi nt ma n s houted, Down!
He dropped fl a t i n the gra s s a nd l ooked where Fi wa s a i mi ng hi s Deece.
Speeder, Fi s a i d. Gues s who. Cros s i ng ri ght-to-l eft a hea d. Its got to be Hoka n.
Ca n you ta ke hi m?
Cl ea r s hot when he pa s s es the trees .
Dont ha ng a bout, then.
Ni ner counted the s econds , fol l owi ng the s peeder bi ke wi th hi s ri fl e s cope. The s peeders movement behi nd the a venue of kuva ra crea ted a
s trobe effect. A fl a re of energy l i t up hi s ni ght vi s i on a nd the ri der wa s thrown off the vehi cl e i n a cl oud of va por.
Tha ts the wa y to do i t, Ni ner s a i d.
They wa i ted the ma nda tory few s econds to check tha t Hoka n wa s trul y down. There wa s no movement a t a l l . Ni ner coul d s ee the gl i nt of
gda ns eyes i n the gra s s , a s i gn tha t a t l ea s t s omeone thought the fi ghti ng wa s over a nd tha t i t wa s s a fe to come out a ga i n.
Ni ner wa s on hi s feet a nd Fi wa s up on one knee when Hoka n ros e from the gra s s l i ke a s pecter. He s ta ggered a few s teps a nd ra i s ed hi s
wea pon.
Ni ner di dnt hea r hi m fi re. But he hea rd a projecti l e whi s tl e pa s s hi m a nd hi t s omethi ng wi th a l oud crack. Verpi ne s ha tter guns were s i l ent,
a nd they were a ccura te. If Hoka n ha dnt been wi nded by Fi s round, then Ni ner woul d ha ve ha d the s a me hol e bl own i n hi m a s Ati n. Sa rge,
when I ki l l hi m, ca n I ha ve hi s a rmor? Fi a s ked.
You get to ta ke i t off hi m pers ona l l y.
I needed tha t moti va ti on. Tha nks .
Sti l l s ee hi m?
No
A bl a s ter round hi t the gra s s a meter i n front of Fi a nd s ent s pa rks s wi rl i ng. Thei r enemy wa s nt a mi ndl es s ti nni e or a s tupi d Weequa y. He
wa s a Ma nda l ori a n, a na tura l -born fi ghter, da ngerous even when wounded.
He wa s very much l i ke them.
You thi nk tha t guns hi ps goi ng to wa i t? Fi a s ked.
Not once they ha ve Utha n.
Fi erfek. Fi s na pped on the grena de a tta chment a nd a i med. Ma ybe we s houl dnt ha ve di tched the E-Web. The ni ght l i t up wi th the
expl os i on. Fi ra i s ed hi s hea d a l i ttl e a nd bl a s terfi re fl owed ba ck, a meter fa rther off ta rget tha n before. You go ri ght of hi m whi l e I keep hi m
bus y.
Ni ner edged forwa rd on hi s el bows a nd knees , Deece crooked i n hi s a rms . Hed moved a bout ten meters when the a i r a bove hi m ma de a

fryi ng noi s e a nd a bl a s ter bol t took the s eed hea ds off the gra s s a bove hi m.
If i t ha dnt been for tha t Verpi ne, thi ngs woul d ha ve been a l ot s i mpl er.
Majestic woul dnt wa i t much l onger. The s ti ms ha d worn off ful l y now, a nd Ni ner wa s feel i ng the i mpa ct of da ys of ha rd ta bbi ng, l i ttl e s l eep,
a nd too much noi s e. He ma de hi ms el f a promi s e there a nd then. If he a nd Fi werent getti ng off Qi i l ura , then nei ther wa s Ghez Hoka n.
But Ma nda l ori a n or not, Hoka n wa s jus t one ma n, a nd he wa s fa ci ng two men who were a t l ea s t hi s ma tch. Ni ner di dnt underes ti ma te hi m,
but the end res ul t wa s a l mos t certa i n: s ooner or l a ter he woul d depl ete the power cel l s . Sti l l , ti me wa s nt on thei r s i de ri ght then.
Not good a t a l l , Ni ner s a i d. Da rma n, Ni ner here. Wha ts your pos i ti on?
He s ounded out of brea th. Sl ow goi ng, Sa rge. About ten mi nutes from the EP.
As k them i f theyl l keep the meter runni ng, wi l l you? Jus t s a yi ng good-bye to Ghez Hoka n.
Il l drop Ati n off a nd
Nega ti ve, Da r. We ca n ha ndl e thi s once we cra ck hi s a rmor. Sta nd by.
Fi wa s edgi ng forwa rd l ooki ng for a cl ea r s hot. Ni ner, runni ng out of pa ti ence, l ooked a bout for s ome cover he coul d us e to get a pos i ti on to
the s i de of Hoka n. The fl a s h of a wea pon di s cha rge ca ught hi s eye but he di dnt hea r a nythi ng except Fi begi nni ng to s a y s omethi ng over the
coml i nk a nd then a very bri ef s ea ri ng pea k of hi gh-pi tched noi s e.
Then everythi ng went s i l ent a nd bl a ck.
For a moment Ni ner thought hed been hi t. He coul dnt hea r Fi a nd he coul dnt s ee the da ta from hi s HUD. There wa s no green i ma ge of the
fi el d a nd the trees behi nd i t i n hi s ni ght-vi s i on vi s or. But he coul d feel hi s el bows s qua rel y bra ced i n the s oi l a nd he coul d feel hi s Deece s ti l l
i n hi s ha nds . No pa i nbut i f you were hurt ba dl y enough you s ometi mes di dnt feel a thi ng.
It took hi m s evera l s l ow s econds to rea l i ze hi s hel mets s ys tems were tota l l y dea d. Hi s fa ce fel t hot. He wa s nt getti ng a i r.
He pul l ed off the hel met a nd s qui nted through the s cope of hi s DC-17. The ni ght-vi s i on s cope pi cked up hi s i ma ge; Fi ha d ta ken hi s hel met
off, too, a nd ha d hi s ha nd i ns i de i t, pres s i ng control s fra nti ca l l y.
EMP grenade, Ni ner thought. Hokans droided us.
You us ed el ectroma gneti c pul s e cha rges a ga i ns t droi ds . But they were equa l l y effecti ve a ga i ns t del i ca te el ectroni cs a tta ched to wets . The
enha nced Ka ta rn hel mets , three ti mes the pri ce of a n ordi na ry troopers vers i on, were pa cked wi th s ophi s ti ca ted prototype s ys tems , vulnerable
s ys tems .
Ni ner cra wl ed s l owl y a nd ca reful l y towa rd Fi . A coupl e of bl a s ter bol ts went wi de. He l a y fl a t, hea d-to-hea d wi th hi m.
Hes fri ed our hel mets , Fi whi s pered. Dont they tes t thes e thi ngs properl y?
I bet s ome ci vvy thought nobody woul d us e EMPs a ga i ns t wets .
Yea h, I mi ght l ook hi m up when we get ba ck.
They s houl d res et.
How l ong?
No i dea . Deece s ti l l works , though.
As l ong a s he puts hi s hea d up.
I coul d do wi th one of Da rs fl a s h-ba ngs .
Does nt fi t the Deece a nywa y.
Ca n you s ee hi m a t a l l ?
No no, wa i t. There he i s .
Ni ner ha d to tra ck ba ck a nd forth a coupl e of ti mes before he s potted Hoka n through the s cope. Got a ny of the IEDs i n ea s y rea ch?
Si x.
How fa r ca n you throw?
Fa r enough.
Wi de a s you ca n. Sca tter them a cros s hi m.
Ni ner l a i d down s uppres s i ng fi re whi l e Fi bounced up a nd down, l obbi ng the l i ttl e ma kes hi ft bombs a nd droppi ng fl a t a ga i n. Ni ner took the
detona tor control .
When I hi t thi s , you go wi de tha t wa y a nd try to get s i de-on to hi m.
Fi rol l ed s l i ghtl y to one s i de, bra ci ng on hi s ri ght a rm for a qui ck s ta rt. Ni ner hi t the det. Fi bobbed up.
Nothi ng ha ppened. A bl a s ter round s ea red the gra s s between them, a nd Fi threw hi ms el f down a ga i n.
We rea l l y mus t ta l k to procurement a bout ha rdeni ng our el ectroni cs , Fi s a i d mi l dl y.
I fea r we mi ght be ba ck to ol d-fa s hi oned s ol di eri ng.
Im fres h out of ba yonets .
Sergea nt Ka l woul d ha ve a n i dea .
You got hi s number on you?
Im goi ng to s crea m.
Wha t?
Dont l a ugh. Thi s ma ns a nut. If he thi nks Im down a nd ba dl y i njured, he wont be a bl e to res i s t comi ng over a nd s l i tti ng my throa t.
And then I gi ve hi m a s urpri s e pa rty?
Anythi ng tha t res ol ves thi s fast.
Oka y, ki d. Off you go.

Ni ner s uddenl y rea l i zed he di dnt a ctua l l y know how to s crea m. But hed hea rd enough terri bl y wounded men to ma ke a fa i r s ta b a t i t.
He threw ba ck hi s hea d a nd l et go.

20

I dont know who the good guys are anymore. But I do know what the enemy is. Its the compromise of principles. You lose the war when you lose your
principles. And the first principle is to look out for your comrades.
Ka l Ski ra ta

The guns hi p wa s the mos t bea uti ful cra ft Da rma n ha d ever s een.
It ca me i nto vi ew a s he s ta ggered through the l i ne of bus hes a nd i nto the newl y pl owed fi el d. Its cockpi t bubbl es gl ea med l i ke a hol o of
Cl oud Ci ty, a nd i ts ca nnon turrets ha d the s ymmetry of the fi nes t Na boo a rchi tecture. He even l oved i ts rus t a nd the dents i n i ts wi ngs .
Look a t tha t, Ati n, he s a i d. Sheer a rt Ati n?
yea h.
Nea rl y there.
uh.
Whi te trooper a rmor ca me runni ng towa rd hi m wi th a Gra n i n a medi cs uni form jus t behi nd them. Ati ns wei ght l i fted from hi s ba ck, a nd he
s truggl ed to pul l hi s a rms free of the webbi ng. He fol l owed the s tretcher, tryi ng to ta l k to the medi c.
Verpi ne projecti l e, ri ght s i de of hi s ches t, he s a i d. Pa i nki l l er, fi ve ccs of
I ca n s ee, the Gra n s a i d. Nea t job, Pri va te. Now get i n tha t s hi p.
When he l ooked a round, troopers ha d ta ken Utha n from Eta i n a nd s he wa s wa l ki ng towa rd the guns hi p, s toppi ng to l ook over her s houl der
every few s teps . Genera l Arl i ga n Zey s tepped down from the troop ca bi n a nd bowed hi s hea d very s l i ghtl y i n her di recti on. She s l owed down
a nd s topped to return i t.
It s truck Da rma n a s a rema rka bl y forma l greeti ng under the ci rcums ta nces . Behi nd thi s ta bl ea u of Jedi eti quette wa s a s cene from a
ni ghtma re, wi th medi cs worki ng on both Ati n a nd Utha n, removi ng a rmor, cutti ng ga rments , hooki ng up tra ns fus i on l i nes , ca l l i ng for more
dres s i ngs . It wa s l i ke wa tchi ng two pa ra l l el worl ds , ea ch whol l y obl i vi ous to the other.
Zey di dnt l ook a t Da rma n a t a l l , but the ARC trooper who jumped down bes i de the genera l took off hi s hel met a nd s i mpl y s ta red a t hi m i n
s i l ence. Somethi ng bl a ck moved i n the s ha dows of the s hi p a nd then emerged s l owl y to s ni ff the a i r wi th a l ong gl os s y s nout.
It wa s Va l a qi l . He ha d come home. Da rma n coul d ha rdl y s a y tha t he recogni zed the Gurl a ni n, beca us e thi s one l ooked i ndi s ti ngui s ha bl e
from Ji na rt. But he coul d gues s .
Pri va te Ati n i s s ti l l col l ecti ng s ca rs , I s ee, Va l a qi l s a i d. And my cons ort i s i mpa ti ent a nd wa i ti ng for me. I ha ve to go.
Ji na rt? Da rma n s hrugged, emba rra s s ed. Shes been a n extra ordi na ry hel p to us , s i r. A fi ftha s i xth member of the s qua d, i n fa ct.
Im s ure s he wi l l tel l me a l l the deta i l s of wha t ha s ma de her s o very exci ted for the pa s t few da ys .
And then he wa s gone, l opi ng a cros s the fi el d a nd i nto the bus hes . Da rma n hoped the Republ i c woul dnt di s a ppoi nt the Gurl a ni ns . Theyd
s erved a s wel l a s a ny s ol di er.
Youve done rema rka bl y wel l , Pa da wa n, Zey s a i d. Es peci a l l y wi thout the gui da nce of a Ma s ter. Qui te excepti ona l , i n fa ct. I thi nk tha t thi s
ma y ha s ten your progres s towa rd your tri a l s a s fa r a s the Counci l i s concerned. Wi th the s upervi s i on of a Ma s ter, of cours e.
Da rma n expected del i ght or emba rra s s ment or s omethi ng equa l l y pos i ti ve to s often Eta i ns expres s i on. He knew s he bel i eved s he wa s unfi t
to be a Jedi Kni ght, or even a Pa da wa n a t ti mes . He knew i t wa s the one thi ng s he l i ved for.
But the el eva ti on di dnt a ppea r to move her a t a l l . She di dnt even a ppea r to hea r wha t Zey ha d s a i d.
Ma s ter, where a re Ni ner a nd Fi ? Eta i n a s ked.
Zey l ooked bemus ed. Who?
Sorry, Ma s ter. The two other men from Omega Squa d.
Da rma n fel t the s cruti ny of the ARC even more keenl y now. Hed onl y s een ARCs a coupl e of ti mes before, a nd they ca me a s cl os e to s ca ri ng
hi m a s a nyone s uppos edl y on hi s s i de ever coul d. Zey s hook hi s hea d. Youre the fi rs t to ma ke i t here.
Theyl l be here, s i r, Da rma n s a i d. He fl i cked open hi s hel met-to-hel met coml i nk. If the ARC wa s l i s teni ng i n, i t wa s too ba d. Sa rge? Fi ?
Ti me to get a move on.
There wa s no s ound a t a l l i n hi s ea r, not even s ta ti c. He s wi tched to the a l terna ti ve frequency, a nd s ti l l there wa s nothi ng. Ni ner, Fi , a re you
recei vi ng? He checked the di a gnos ti cs mode of hi s HUD: hi s hel met wa s ful l y functi ona l . He coul d s ee the creva s s e on Geonos i s a ga i n,
s ta ndi ng behi nd the cool i ng, ti cki ng E-Web, tryi ng to ra i s e Ta l er, Vi n, a nd Ja y. He coul dnt s ee the bi ometri c da ta from thei r s ui ts on hi s HUD.
No, not again. Not again, please
Ma a m, Im not getti ng a ny res pons e.
Wha t does tha t mea n?
He coul d ha rdl y bea r to s a y i t. Thei r hel mets a re offl i ne. I dont thi nk they ma de i t.
Theyre dea d? Zey a s ked.
Theyre not dead, Eta i n s a i d fi rml y.
Ma a m, I ca nt ra i s e them a t a l l .
No, I dont ca re, theyre a l i ve. I know they a re.
You ha ve to go, Zey s a i d. If you dont go now, you coul d be fl yi ng s tra i ght i nto a ba ttl e wi th Tra de Federa ti on ves s el s . Weve a ttra cted a l ot
of a ttenti on. The genera l turned ba ck to the two medi cs worki ng on Utha n. Is s he goi ng to s urvi ve?
Shes i n a very ba d wa y, s i r. We need to move her.
Keep her a l i ve a ny wa y you ca n. Prepa re to l i ft off. Eta i n

Ma s ter, there a re two men s ti l l out there.

Theyre dea d.
No, I ca n feel them. I know them, s i r, I know where they a re. Theyre not even hurt. We must wa i t for them.
We mus t a l s o s a ve Utha n a nd get you two out of here.
Theyve des troyed the vi rus . Is nt tha t wha t ma tters ? You ca nt a ba ndon them now.
Da rma n coul d s ee s he wa s a t tha t poi nt where s he woul d ei ther col l a ps e or do s omethi ng extreme. Her fa ce wa s dra wn ti ght, a nd her pupi l s
were di l a ted. It wa s a n expres s i on tha t s ca red hi m. Hed s een i t a few ti mes i n the l a s t few da ys .
The guns hi ps dri ves were throbbi ng now. Eta i n s ti l l ha d one boot on the pl a tform a nd the other fi rml y on Qi i l ura n s oi l .
Eta i n s wa l l owed ha rd. Oh, Da rma n thought. Just bite your tongue, maam. Dont react. But he fel t wha t s he wa s feel i ng. Al l tha t s wea t a nd terror
a nd pa i n for nothi ng. Al l tha t, when they coul d ha ve bombed the fa ci l i ty a nd gone home. Al l tha ta nd Ati n fi ghti ng for hi s l i fe, a nd Ni ner a nd
Fi ei ther dea d or ma rooned here.
I wi l l not l ea ve wi thout them, Eta i n s a i d. I regret di s obeyi ng you, Ma s ter, but I mus t.
Zey regi s tered vi s i bl e a nnoya nce. You wi l l do a s I order, he s a i d qui etl y. Youre compromi s i ng the mi s s i on.
We need thes e men. They a re not expenda bl e.
We a re all expenda bl e.
Then, s i r, Im expenda bl e, too. She l owered her hea d s l i ghtl y, l ooki ng up a t Zey, more cha l l engi ng tha n coy. An offi cers duty i s the wel fa re
of her men.
I s ee tha t Ma s ter Ful i er ta ught you l i ttl e a bout obedi ence but a grea t dea l a bout s enti menta l i ty
Da rma n da red to i nterrupt. He coul dnt s ta nd s eei ng Jedi Ma s ters a rgui ng. It wa s pa i nful l y emba rra s s i ng. Look, Il l s ta y, ma a m, he s a i d.
Go wi th Ati n. See hes oka y.
Des pi te Ski ra ta s frequent a s s ura nces tha t thei r l i ves ha d mea ni ng, Da rma n ha d a ccepted the hi era rchy of expenda bi l i ty: i t wa s not onl y
na tura l i n the Gra nd Army, but a l s o neces s a ry a nd i nevi ta bl e. Hi s l i fe wa s a more va l ua bl e defens e a s s et tha n a cl one troopers ; the ARCs l i fe
wa s more va l ua bl e tha n hi s . But the mi rror tha t Eta i ns l oya l ty a nd ca re hel d up i n front of hi m ha d ma de hi m s ee hi ms el f a s a ma n. Yes , Ni ner
a nd Fi des erved better. They a l l di d.
Zey i gnored Da rma n. You mus t go. More Sepa ra ti s t ves s el s a re hea di ng thi s wa y, a nd I know how thi s pa i ns you, but
Eta i n bounced off her ba ck heel i nto the troop ca bi n i n one move. For a moment Da rma n thought s he ha d cha nged her mi nd, but tha t wa s nt
Eta i n a t a l l . She took out her l i ghts a ber a nd hel d the gl owi ng s ha ft a ha nds pa n a wa y from the power condui t runni ng a l ong the s pi ne of the
a i rfra me. She coul d ground them wi th one move. Zeys ja w wa s s et. Nobody el s e moved except for the Gra n medi c worki ng on Ati n, who s eemed
obl i vi ous to the dra ma , a qua l i ty Da rma n s us pected wa s honed by worki ng under fi re.
Ma s ter, Eta i n s a i d, ei ther all of Omega Squa d l ea ves Qi i l ura or nobody does .
Thi s i s a fool i s h a ct, Eta i n. Hi s tone wa s very ca l m. You mus t s ee the neces s i ty of thi s .
No, Ma s ter. I dont.
Hes going to do some of that Jedi stuff on her, Da rma n thought. No, no, please He coul dnt s ee the ARCs expres s i on but he coul d gues s i t wa s
one of a s toni s hment.
Eta i n, thi s i s preci s el y why you mus t res i s t a tta chment.
Oh, he doesnt know her at all, Da rma n thought. If only hed
Her l i ghts a ber wa s s ti l l rea dy to s l i ce through the condui t. As Jedi we s a y we revere a l l l i fe. Are we prepa red to live tha t bel i ef? Are thes e
s ol di ers l i ves worth a ny l es s tha n ours beca us e we ha d them crea ted? Beca us e we ca n buy more of them i f thes e a re des troyed?
They a re soldiers, Eta i n. Sol di ers di e.
No, Ma s ter, theyre men. And theyve fought wel l , a nd theyre my res pons i bi l i ty, a nd I woul d ra ther di e tha n l i ve wi th the knowl edge tha t I
a ba ndoned them.
It wa s s o s i l ent tha t ti me s eemed to ha ve frozen. Zey a nd Eta i n were l ocked i n a wordl es s a rgument. Then Zey s hut hi s eyes .
I feel your certa i nty ha s i ts roots i n the Force, he s a i d. There wa s a s i gh i n hi s voi ce. Wha ts your na meDarman? So you ha ve na mes , do
you? Da rma n, go where s he di rects you. She va l ues your l i ves more tha n s he va l ues becomi ng a Jedi Kni ght.
Eta i n ma de a s i f to fol l ow hi m. You s ta y, ma a m. Pl ea s e.
No, s he s a i d. I wont l ea ve you, any of you. She wa s hol di ng her l i ghts a ber a s i f s he were pa rt of i t now, not l i ke s omethi ng s he fea red
woul d bi te her. I rea l i ze thi s i s gros s di s obedi ence, Ma s ter Zey, but I rea l l y dont thi nk Im rea dy to become a Jedi Kni ght yet.
Youre compl etel y ri ght, Zey s a i d ca l ml y. And we do need thes e men.
Da rma n fol l owed her, l ooki ng ba ck for a s econd a t the genera l .
He l ooked a s i f he wa s s mi l i ng. Da rma n coul d ha ve s worn he s eemed a l mos t proud.
Ghez Hoka n ha d expended a l mos t every round he ha d. He wa s down to hi s vi brobl a de, the l i ghts a ber, a nd the l a s t two projecti l es i n hi s
Verpi ne now. He pres s ed hi s gl ove ha rd i nto hi s thi gh a nd checked a ga i n to s ee i f the wound wa s weepi ng fl ui d.
He coul dnt feel a ny pa i n. Hi s gl ove ca me a wa y wet: the bl a s ter burn ha d gone deep through s ki n, nerves , a nd fa t, ca uteri zi ng bl ood ves s el s
but expos i ng ra w ti s s ue tha t wept pl a s ma .
He wondered wha t ki nd of i njury wa s ma ki ng the comma ndo s crea m l i ke tha t, a hi gh-pi tched, i ncoherent, s obbi ng s crea m tha t tra i l ed off
a nd then s ta rted up a ga i n.
Hoka n coul dnt s ee the ma ns comra de. He knew he ha d one beca us e he ha d been hi t from two s epa ra te pos i ti ons . Ma ybe the other wa s
dea d. He l i s tened a l i ttl e l onger. Hed hea rd ma ny men di e. Wha tever thei r s peci es , wha tever thei r a ge, they a l mos t a l wa ys s crea med for thei r
mothers .
Cl one s ol di ers di dnt ha ve mothers a s fa r a s he knew. So thi s one wa s s crea mi ng for hi s s ergea nt. The s ergea nt wa s ca l l ed Ka l or s omethi ng
l i ke i t. It wa s ha rd to tel l .
For s ome rea s on tha t ma de i t unbea ra bl e. For once, Hoka n coul d not des pi s e wea knes s . Wha tever he thought of the Republ i c a nd the

l oa ths ome, s a ncti moni ous Jedi , thi s wa s a Ma nda l ori a n wa rri or out there, us ed a nd di s ca rded.
He woul d fi ni s h hi m. It wa s the decent thi ng to do. A wounded ma n coul d a l s o return fi re, s o he wa s nt goi ng s oft, not a t a l l . He wa s s i mpl y
endi ng the ba ttl e.
Hoka n knel t a nd l ooked a round. It wa s cl ea r. Even s o, he s truggl ed to cra wl wi th hi s hea d down towa rd the di recti on of the s crea ms .
They were qui eter now, a s eri es of gul pi ng s obs .
Sa rge dont l ea ve me Sa rgea nt Ka l ! Sarge! Uhhh i t hurts i t hurts i t hurts
How da re the Republ i c us e Ja ngo Fett to crea te thi s a bomi na ti on. How ha d Fett l et thi s ha ppen? Hoka n edged cl os er. He coul d s ee a body i n
the gra s s now. He coul d s ee l i ght-col ored, di rt-ca ked meta l l i c a rmor very s i mi l a r i n des i gn to hi s own, but bul ki er a nd more compl ex.
And now he wa s cl os e enough to s ee the fa ce wi th the mouth wi de open. The ma n ha d hi s a rms fol ded ti ght a cros s hi s ches t. He wa s
s obbi ng.
It wa s Ja ngo Fett, ma ny yea rs before.
Hoka n drew hi ms el f up on hi s knees a nd knel t a coupl e of meters from the wounded comma ndo, a bs ol utel y a s toni s hed.
Im s orry, my brother, he s a i d. The l i ghts a ber woul d ha ve been fa s t, but i t wa s a di s gra ce to us e a Jedi wea pon to ki l l a Ma nda l ori a n ma n.
It wa s too much l i ke reena cti ng Ja ngos fa te a t Geonos i s . Hoka n drew hi s vi brobl a de i ns tea d. Its not your fa ul t. They ma de you l i ke thi s .
The comma ndo opened hi s eyes a nd focus ed a t a poi nt jus t pa s t hi m, a s Hoka n ha d s een ma ny dyi ng men do. They a l l s eemed to s ee ghos ts
a t the fi na l moment.
It wa s onl y then tha t Hoka n hea rd the s ound of a l i ghts a ber. And i t wa s too l a te.
***
You cut tha t fi ne, Ni ner s a i d.
It wa s the onl y ti me Da rma n ha d ever s een hi m l ook s hocked. He wi ped hi s fa ce wi th the pa l m of hi s gl ove.
And where were you, Fi ? Tha nks a bunch. I coul d ha ve been fi l l eted. You were s uppos e to s l ot hi m.
Fi s ea rched through the deca pi ta ted Hoka ns ja cket. Ah, I coul d s ee Da r a nd Comma nder Eta i n behi nd hi m. I knew you were proba bl y oka y.
He pa us ed, a nd the ri fl i ng grew more vi gorous . Here you go, ma a m. I thi nk you ought to ha ve thi s . Fi ha nded a s hort cyl i nder ba ck to Eta i n. It
wa s Ma s ter Ka s t Ful i ers l i ghts a ber. It wa s a ma tter of honor to return i t. They do work wel l a ga i ns t Ma nda l ori a n a rmor, dont they?
Eta i n di dnt s eem remotel y tri umpha nt. She took the hi l t a nd turned i t over i n her ha nd before pl a ci ng i t i n her pocket. Da rma n wondered
how l ong i t woul d be before s he s hea thed her own l i ghts a ber. She wa s s ti l l cl utchi ng i t i n one ha nd, i ts bl ue bl a de hummi ng a nd s hi mmeri ng
a s s he trembl ed. She wa s nt focus i ng. Da rma n wi l l ed Fi not to ma ke the obvi ous comment tha t ki l l i ng s omeone wi th a l i ghts a ber wa s ni ce a nd
cl ea n, no guts , no mes s . For once he kept hi s ga l l ows humor to hi ms el f, a nd s i mpl y wa l ked a few pa ces a wa y to recover the genui ne
Ma nda l ori a n hel met he ha d deci ded to a ppropri a te.
You wa nt to put tha t a wa y now, ma a m? Da rma n s a i d gentl y. Were done here.
Ni ner got to hi s feet a nd s a l uted her i n bes t forma l pa ra de fa s hi on. Tha nk you, Comma nder. You dont mi nd me ca l l i ng you tha t now, do
you?
She s eemed to come ba ck to the here a nd now. The s ha ft of bl ue l i ght va ni s hed.
Its a n honor, s he s a i d.
Da rma n ca l l ed ba ck on the coml i nk: Genera l Zey ha d kept hi s word. The guns hi p wa s s ti l l wa i ti ng. They s et off i n col umn, pi cki ng up s peed
unti l they broke i nto a trot.
The guns hi p wa s s urrounded by a s ki rt of bi l l owi ng dus t. Its dri ve ha d been i dl i ng s o l ong tha t the hea t of the downdra ft ha d dri ed the top
l a yer of s oi l .
Eta i n di dnt ca re i f the s hi p ha d ta ken off. She ha dnt a ba ndoned her s qua d. Nothi ng el s e ma ttered a fter tha t. And a l though s he knew i t ha d
been a del i bera te decoy, the s ound of Ni ner s crea mi ng woul d ha unt her forever. He mus t ha ve hea rd tha t for rea l a t l ea s t once i n hi s l i fe to
ha ve mi mi cked i t s o horri bl y wel l . She fel t s i ck, a nd i t wa s not beca us e s he ha d ki l l ed Ghez Hoka n, a nd tha t fi l l ed her wi th s ha me.
She unders tood ful l y now why a tta chment wa s forbi dden to Jedi .
The ARC trooper wa s pa ci ng a s l ow, regul a r s qua re, ha nds cl a s ped behi nd hi s ba ck, hea d down, a nd Eta i n woul d no l onger ma ke the
a s s umpti on tha t he wa s l os t i n thought. He wa s proba bl y l i s teni ng to comm tra ffi c i n the pri va te worl d of hi s hel met.
Genera l Zey wa s s i tti ng pa ti entl y on the s hi ps pl a tform. Are you rea dy now?
She hel d out Ma s ter Ful i ers l i ghts a ber to hi m. Omega Squa d recovered i t. I fel t I s houl d return i t to you.
I know wha t youre goi ng through, Pa da wa n.
But tha ts no comfort, Ma s ter.
A concern for thos e under your comma nd i s es s enti a l . But i t ca rri es i ts own pa i n i f you i denti fy too much wi th your troops . Yes , i t di d s ound
a s i f Zey ha d known tha t di l emma . There a re a l wa ys ca s ua l ti es i n wa r.
I know. But I a l s o know them now a s i ndi vi dua l s , a nd I ca nt cha nge tha t. No cl one trooper, no comma ndo, not even a n ARC trooper wi l l ever
be a n a nonymous uni t to me now. Il l a l wa ys wonder whos behi nd tha t vi s or. How ca n I be a true Jedi a nd not res pect them a s bei ngs , wi th a l l
tha t enta i l s ?
Zey wa s s tudyi ng hi s ha nds a l i ttl e too ca reful l y. Every good comma nder i n hi s tory ha s ha d to fa ce tha t. And s o wi l l you.
If Im a comma nder, then ma y I a ccompa ny them on thei r next mi s s i on?
I s us pect tha t woul d not be for the bes t.
And wha t do I do now? How ca n I go ba ck to everyda y duti es a fter thi s ?
There are no everyda y duti es now were a t wa r. I wi l l not be l ea vi ng. I ha ve come to do wha t work I ca n here.
Work?
Wha t wi l l ha ppen to our a l l i es the Gurl a ni ns i f we a ba ndon them now, wi th enemy forces i n the a rea ? Im here to opera te wi th them,
a nd try a nd ma ke Qi i l ura a s i nhos pi ta bl e to Sepa ra ti s ts a s we ca n.

Im gl a d were honori ng our commi tment, Ma s ter.

You know thi s l a nd better tha n a nyone now. You woul d be a va l ua bl e a s s et here.
And when wi l l more troops joi n you?
Im a fra i d wel l ha ve to conti nue the covert work for the ti me bei ng. We woul d need to disappear.
We. Eta i n coul d thi nk of nothi ng wors e tha n s ta yi ng on Qi i l ura , wi th i ts terri bl e memori es a nd uncerta i n future. The nea res t s he ha d to
fri ends wa s a s qua d of comma ndos who woul d be depl oyed on a nother mi s s i on wi thi n da ys . She woul d be worki ng wi th a Ma s ter s he di dnt
know. She wa s a l one a ga i n a nd s ca red.
Eta i n, you ha ve duti es , Zey s a i d qui etl y. We a l l ha ve. We ta l k a bout duty when i ts ea s y, but l i vi ng i t i s ha rd. And he di dnt need to a dd
wha t s he knew he wa s thi nki ngtha t s he needed to be s epa ra ted from the object of her recent a nd des pera te wa rti me a tta chment. She
needed to l et her s qua d go.
It wa s no di fferent from wha t wa s a s ked of s ol di ers every da y.
II woul d l i ke to pl a y a us eful rol e i n the future of Qi i l ura , Ma s ter. She hoped Da rma n woul dnt thi nk s he wa s turni ng her ba ck on hi m
a nd tha t he wa s a fter a l l jus t a gl ori fi ed droi d to her, a n a s s et to be us ed i n ba ttl e a nd expended i f neces s a ry. But I woul d s ti l l fi nd i t a
comfort one da y to know how Omega Squa d i s fa ri ng.
I unders ta nd, Zey s a i d. The choi ce i s yours , though. You ca n go wi th Omega Squa d. Or you ca n s ta y. You mi ght even reques t tha t one of the
s qua d rema i n here.
One of the squad. Ma ybe he thought s he wa s jus t a gi rl whod become too a tta ched to a young ma n when nei ther of them woul d ever be a bl e
to ta ke the rel a ti ons hi p fa rther. He wa s tes ti ng her, cha l l engi ng her to ma ke the choi ce a proper Jedi Kni ght s houl d ma ke. Yes , s he ha d
become cl os e to Da rma n: hed been the ma ki ng of her. But s he ca red a t a n i nexpl i ca bl y funda menta l l evel a bout a l l of them.
I dont thi nk ca ri ng a bout your troops i s a wea knes s , s he s a i d. The da y we s top ca ri ng i s the da y we turn our ba ck on the Force.
She dug her na i l s i nto her pa l ms . Zey wa s ri ght, though. And i t wa s goi ng to hurt. She s a t on the pl a tform bes i de Zey i n s i l ence, eyes cl os ed,
compos i ng hers el f.
The ARC trooper s uddenl y jerked hi s hea d up. Genera l , s i r, we a bs ol utel y must go now.
Genera l Zey, Ni ner s a i d, a nd touched hi s gl ove to hi s templ e. Sorry we kept you. Are we rea dy to l i ft?
We dont ha ve ti me for a mi s s i on debri efi ng, but perha ps youd l i ke a moment wi th your comma nder, Zey s a i d, a nd beckoned the ARC
trooper to fol l ow hi m. It wa s a gra ci ous ges ture. Eta i n wa tched hi m wa l k to the rea r of the s hi p to offer her s ome pri va cy, a ppa rentl y
s upervi s i ng the offl oa di ng of equi pment. She wondered i f they ha d ma na ged to l a nd Zeys s ta rfi ghter s omewhere.
Shed worry a bout tha t l a ter. She beckoned the comma ndos to her.
Wha ts goi ng to ha ppen to you now? s he s a i d.
Next mi s s i on. Ha ve they a s s i gned us to you?
She wondered whether a l i e mi ght be i n order. She l ooked a t Da rma n. Not exa ctl y, s he s a i d. Im s ta yi ng here wi th Genera l Zey.
Da rma n a nd Ni ner both a verted thei r eyes , l ooki ng a t the ground, noddi ng a s i f i n a greement. Fi ra i s ed hi s eyebrows . Im rea l l y goi ng to
mi s s you, Comma nder. Jus t when we were s ha pi ng up. Typi ca l of the a rmy, eh? He ra pped hi s knuckl es on Ni ners ba ck pl a te, pus hi ng hi m a
fra cti on towa rd the guns hi p. Ma ke a move, then, Sa rge.
Hope to s erve wi th you a ga i n, Comma nder, Ni ner s a i d, a nd s a l uted her. And dont ever thi nk you di dnt ea rn tha t ra nk, wi l l you?
Eta i n wi s hed they ha dnt l eft her a l one wi th Da rma n. She wa nted a qui ck exi t wi th no ti me to thi nk a nd ma ke a s tupi d, emoti ona l comment.
I chos e to s ta y, s he s a i d. I rea l l y woul d ha ve l i ked to ha ve s ta yed pa rt of the tea m, but Im not the offi cer you need.
Da rma n s a i d nothi ng. Of cours e: how coul d he ever ha ve l ea rned how to ta ke hi s l ea ve of a fri end? Al l hi s bri ef l i fe ha d been s pent a mong
hi s own ki nd, i mmers ed i n wa rfa re rea l or vi rtua l . Thi s wa s where he beca me a ten-yea r-ol d chi l d a ga i n. Hi s emba rra s s ment a nd confus i on
were pa l pa bl e.
You coul d rema i n here wi th me a nd Genera l Zey, s he s a i d. And Id know you were safe. You ha ve tha t choi ce.
He rea l l y wa s a chi l d now. Hi s eyes were fi xed on the ground. He wa s fl i cki ng one of the s wi tches on hi s ri fl e, ba ck a nd forth, over a nd over.
Jus t me, ma a m?
She fel t s he wa s tes ti ng hi m now. Yes .
The guns hi ps dri ve ros e i n frequency, a hi gh whi ne: the pi l ot wa s more tha n i mpa ti ent to l ea ve.
Im s orry, Comma nder, Da rma n s a i d a t l a s t. For a moment, he rea l l y di d s eem to be cons i deri ng i t s eri ous l y. I ha ve a job to do.
I ca nt pretend I wont mi s s you, s he s a i d.
Da rma ns ga ze di dnt fl i cker. Ive got a bout ten yea rs l eft. But Il l be wi th my brothers , doi ng wha t I do bes t. Its a l l Ive ever knownl i ke
goi ng home, rea l l y. He bent hi s hea d a nd s na pped on hi s hel met, becomi ng one of the fa cel es s a ga i n. You ta ke ca re, Comma nder.
And you, s he s a i d, a nd wa tched hi m run to the pl a tform a nd gra s p Fi s outs tretched a rm to be ha ul ed i nboa rd.
The dri ve roa red i nto hi gher gea r, a nd the guns hi p s hook s l i ghtl y.
Eta i n turned a nd wa l ked a wa y i n a crouch to s tea dy hers el f a ga i ns t the downdra ft. She s peeded up i nto a hunched run unti l s he found a tree
a nd s a t down i n the l ee of i t wi th her ba ck to i ts trunk.
And s he l et the tea rs run down her fa ce.
Al l tha t s he wa s , a nd a l l tha t s he woul d be i n the future, wa s beca us e a cl one s ol di er ha d put s uch undes erved fa i th i n her tha t s he ha d
become tha t Jedi he i ma gi ned s he wa s . She coul d now ha rnes s the Force i n a wa y s he ha d never been a bl e to a t Ful i ers s i de.
She thought of tha t l ook of compl ete fa i th. She thought of hi s s toi c a ccepta nce of hi s duty a nd of the fa ct tha t hi s l i fe woul d be bri ef a nd
bri ght, wha tever ha ppened. He ha d never known a moment of s el f-pi ty. She ha d l ea rned the mos t i mporta nt l es s on of a l l from hi m.
She wi ped her eyes wi th the heel of her ha nd a nd hoped Zey wa s nt wa tchi ng.
Eta i n di dnt know i f s he woul d ever s ee Da rma n or Omega Squa d a ga i n. She di d know, though, tha t i n da ys to come, every cl one trooper or
comma ndo or ARC tha t s he mi ght ha ve to order i nto ba ttl e woul d be nei ther a nonymous , nor mea ni ngl es s , nor expenda bl e. Under tha t gri m
hel met wa s a ma n, s omeone jus t l i ke her, a huma n bei ng, but one wi thout the freedom or the l i fe s pa n a fforded to her.

Eta i n Tur-Muka n s tood up a nd wa l ked ba ck i nto the cl ea ri ng a t the edge of the fi el d to wa tch the guns hi p l i ft i nto the ea rl y-morni ng s ky.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Novel i s t, s creenwri ter, a nd comi cs wri ter KAREN TRAVISS i s the a uthor of fi ve Star Wars: Republ i c Comma ndo novel s , Hard Contact, Triple Zero, True
Colors, Order 66, a nd Imperial Commando: 501st; three Star Wars: Lega cy of the Force novel s , Bloodlines, Revelation, a nd Sacrifice; two Star Wars: The
Cl one Wa rs novel s , The Clone Wars a nd No Prisoners; two Gea rs of Wa r novel s , Aspho Fields a nd Jacintos Remnant; her a wa rd-nomi na ted Wes s ha r
Wa rs s eri es , City of Pearl, Crossing the Line, The World Before, Matriarch, Ally, a nd Judge; a nd a Ha l o novel l a , Human Weakness. Shes a l s o the l ea d
wri ter on the thi rd Gea rs of Wa r ga me. A former defens e corres pondent a nd TV a nd news pa per journa l i s t, Tra vi s s l i ves i n Wi l ts hi re, Engl a nd.