Vision of the future

'Fine,' she said, and Luke could feel her grudging acceptance. 'But he's not Child Of Winds anymore. After what he's been through, he deserves to have a name of his own.' Really, Hunter Of Winds said, giving her a long, thoughtful look. And what name do you suggest for him?

'The one he's earned,' she said softly. ' 'Friend Of Jedi.' ' Hunter Of Winds ruffled his wings again. I will consider it. But now, let us depart. The night grows old, and you will wish to be gone before the sunrise.

* * *

'I'll look forward to it,' Flim was saying as Karrde rounded the archway onto the Relentless's bridge.

'Yes,' Pellaeon said. 'So will I.'

The Admiral turned as Karrde stepped up beside him. 'You're late,' Pellaeon said mildly.

'I was watching the turbolift,' Karrde explained. 'I thought Flim and his associates might try to bring a squad of stormtroopers in on their side of the dispute.'

'They might have, at that,' Pellaeon said. 'Thank you.'

'No problem,' Karrde assured him, looking around the bridge. The Major Tierce clone was lying unmoving on the deck, Shada was across with the other two Mistryl, the con man Flim was waiting with studied unconcern just back of the command walkway, and Moff Disra was a little off to one side, standing as aloof and cold and dignified as a man facing his own destruction could manage.

'Besides, it doesn't look like my presence was really needed.'

'Not for this part, no,' Pellaeon agreed. 'Your friend Shada is quite impressive. I don't suppose she'd be interested in a job.'

'Well, she is looking for a higher cause to serve,' Karrde told him. 'However, to be perfectly honest, I don't think the Empire is it.'

Pellaeon nodded. 'Perhaps we can change that.'

'Admiral Pellaeon?' a voice called from the crew pits. 'I have General Bel Iblis for you now.'

'Thank you.' Pellaeon looked to Karrde. 'Don't run off—I'll want to speak with you later.'

'Certainly.'

The Admiral headed down the command walkway, passing Flim without a second glance. Throwing one last look at Disra, Karrde crossed to where Shada and the other young Mistryl were helping the older woman to a sitting position. 'How is she?' he asked.

'Not as bad as we thought,' Shada said, probing gingerly into the scorched tunic. 'She was able to twist almost out of the way of the shot.'

'Well-honed reflexes.' Karrde nodded. 'Once a Mistryl, always a Mistryl, I suppose.' The older woman eyed him balefully. 'You're very well informed,' she growled.

'About a great many things,' Karrde agreed calmly. 'Among them the fact that Shada seems to have earned your displeasure somehow.'

'And what, you think this makes up for it?' the woman snapped contemptuously.

'Doesn't it?' Karrde countered. 'If she hadn't stopped Tierce when she did, you two would have been the next to die after Pellaeon. You were the most immediate threats to him.' She snorted. 'I'm a Mistryl, Talon Karrde. My life is gladly given in the service of my people.'

'Really.' Karrde looked at the younger woman. 'Do you also consider your life not worth a little gratitude?'

'Leave Karoly out of this,' the older woman bit out. 'She has nothing to say on the matter.'

'Ah,' Karrde said. 'Soldiers with no voice or opinion. Remarkably similar to the philosophy of the Imperial stormtroopers.'

'Karoly allowed Shada to escape once before,' the woman said, glowering at her. 'She's fortunate she wasn't punished herself for that.'