Vision of the future

Or was it worse even than that? Was it some sort of trap?

'Councilor?' Sakhisakh repeated, stepping to her side, his large black eyes gazing with concern up at her. 'What disturbs you?'

Wordlessly, she handed the datapad to him. Because Pellaeon probably wasn't in charge of the Empire anymore. If Lando was to be believed—and if that wasn't some sort of trick itself—Grand Admiral Thrawn had returned.

And with Thrawn, nothing was ever what it seemed. Ever.

Sakhisakh spat something vicious-sounding in the Noghri language. 'You cannot believe this,' he growled, thrusting the datapad back at Ghent as if it were something unclean he was disgusted to even touch. 'The Empire is the embodiment of lies and treachery. It will never be otherwise.'

'It's often been that way, yes,' Leia agreed soberly. 'On the other hand—'

'There is no other hand!' Sakhisakh snarled. 'They betrayed and murdered my people. They betrayed and murdered your people.'

'I know,' Leia murmured, the old ache rising again like acid in her throat.

'And if Thrawn has indeed cheated death,' the Noghri went on, his voice turning to something deadly, 'then there is even more reason to reject anything the Empire might say.'

'Probably,' Leia said. And yet...

'May I see it?' Elegos asked.

Leia hesitated. Technically, this was highly confidential New Republic business... 'Yes, of course,' she said, handing the datapad to him, her Force-sensitized instincts overruling the strict legalities of the situation. Before the destruction of their world, the Caamasi had been among the greatest mediators and negotiators the Old Republic had ever known, their skills in such matters rivaling even those of the Jedi. Elegos might well have some insight that would help her sort it all out. For a long minute, the Caamasi studied the datapad in silence. Then, his blue- on-green eyes glittering with emotion, he lifted his gaze to her again. 'I see no alternative,' he said. 'Yes, it may be a trap, but that is not certain. And if there is even a small chance that Admiral Pellaeon is sincere, that chance must be explored.'

Sakhisakh regarded the other suspiciously. 'I have long admired the Caamasi, Trustant A'kla,' he said, his voice on the edge of challenging. 'But in this, you speak the words of an unweaned child. Do you truly suggest Bel Iblis walk openly into the Empire's hands?'

'You misunderstand, my friend,' Elegos said calmly. 'I offer no such course for General Bel Iblis. Indeed, as you have already pointed out, it would be impossible even to suggest it to him.'

'Why?' Leia asked.

'Because as Ghent has discovered, we have no means of communicating quickly with him,' Elegos said. 'And speed is vital, because this opportunity may even now be closing.' He touched the datapad. 'I do not know when the Morishim incident took place, but it is clear that forces opposing Admiral Pellaeon have already begun to gather against him. Even if all overt attacks have failed, he cannot wait forever for Coruscant's response.'

Sakhisakh threw a wary glance at Leia. 'Who then do you suggest be asked to walk into the Empire's hands?'

Elegos shook his head. 'There is no need to ask anyone,' he told the Noghri. 'The choice is apparent and obvious. I will go.'

Sakhisakh seemed taken aback. 'You?'

'Of course,' Elegos said. 'Councilor Organa Solo, I have an obligation to return Ghent to Coruscant. If you will accept that obligation upon yourself, I can leave for Pesitiin immediately.' Leia sighed. Now, at last, she understood why it had seemed right for her to let Han go to Bastion alone while she waited here. 'There's no need, Elegos,' she said. 'You can take him back yourself. I'll be the one going to Pesitiin.'

Sakhisakh made a noise in his throat. 'I cannot allow you to do that, Councilor Organa Solo,' he rumbled. 'To step into such danger—'

'I'm sorry, Sakhisakh,' Leia said gently. 'But as Elegos said, there's only one choice possible. I'm the only one here who has the authority to negotiate on behalf of the New Republic.'

'Then bring someone else in from Coruscant,' the Noghri demanded.

'As Elegos has also said, we don't have time,' Leia said. 'If Pellaeon is on schedule, he's been at Pesitiin for eleven days already. I have to go, and I have to go now.' She took a deep breath. 'If you can't handle dealing with Imperials, I'll certainly understand. I can take the Falcon and go alone.'