Free Halt's Peril by John Flanagan Page B

exceptionally powerful Jedi." Jaina pausea for a brief, humorless smile. "He'd have to be. The only reason hes still alive is that people who mattered believed that his talent overbalanced his past crimes."

    Tenel Ka lifted one red-gold brow. "It is not like you to be cynical."

    "Practical," Jaina corrected. "Kyp Durron knows things I don't. I could learn from him."

    "Fact. Thats what concerns me."

    Jaina blew out a frustrated sigh and put down her best card - - an endorsement powerful enough to clinch arguments and bring conversations to a dead stop. "Master Luke trusts him."

    "Do you?' Tenel Ka shot back. "Can you. after what he did at Sernpiaal?"

    The blunt reminder hit Jaina like a punch to the gut. Not long ago, Kyp had used the Force to convince Jaina that enemy shipyards hidden among the fragments of the dead world Sernpidal were building super weapons. Kyp had manipulated her, using the Solo name and Jainas personal reputation as a Rogue Squadron pilot to convince New Republic forces to join ui the attack. That deception still stung, as did the knowledge that Rogue Squadron, largely at her instigation, had attacked a civilian target.

    She tried to dismiss all this with an impatient shrug. "The mission was a success. The destruction of the Vong's new worldship strengthened the Republic position."

    "Perhaps," Tenel Ka allowed. "Yet I wonder if your willingness to attack Sernpidal had as much to do with vengeance as tactics."

    A Wookiee howl of protest preempted Jaina's retort. Lowbacca stepped up to Jaina's side, his long arms folded over his chest and his black eyes narrowed. He whuffed out a few curt, indignant phrases. Some of the nuances of the Wookiee language might have escaped Tenel Ka, but his meaning was clear enough to bring a faint flush to her cheeks.

    She inclined her head. "I apologize, my friend. I meant no disrespect to your uncle Chewbacca's honor, or to the life debt you assumed in his name. His sacrifice on Sernpidal would indeed be diminished by vengeance." The look she sent at Jaina was pointed, but not as sharp as it might otherwise have been.

    Kyp strode over to the trio. His gaze slid over them, lingering on Lowbaccas defensive stance. "What did I miss?"

    "We're just getting ready to split up," Jaina said, mindful of the possible double meaning her words held-- and certain that Kyp would pick up on the nuance. "Tenel Ka has some sort of diplomatic meeting to attend, and Lowie and I will go to the research center."

    "I see. I'll stay with the ship and keep an eye on things."

    "That should not be necessary," Tenel Ka observed. "Dimitor is a lawful city."

    "All the more reason I should stay here," Kyp said in a dry tone. A glint entered his eyes and he turned his most charming smile on Tenel Ka.
    "Or perhaps I misunderstood. Were you inviting me to join you?"

    The warriors eyes widened, and for a moment her formidable composure faltered.

    Before she could formulate a suitably tactful refusal, Kyp sent her a mocking wink and then strode off toward their ship.

    Jaina lifted a hand to her lips to conceal a smirk. Of course the Jedi Master had sensed the discord between the two young women, and he'd enacted this small, teasing vengeance on Jaina's behalf. His support amused and warmed her, even though she recognized the manipulation that prompted it. For whatever reason, Kyp wanted to take over her training.

    She intended to see just how far he'd go to meet this particular objective.

    She waited until Tenel Ka left with a pair of city officials, then she turned grateful eyes to her genuine supporter. Lowbacca acted as a buffer between Jaina and her other friends.

    Tenel Ka was not the only young Jedi who followed Jaina but did not entirely trust her. No one questioned the Wookiee's integrity, however, and his continued support of Jaina helped mitigate their concerns.

    "I don't know what I'd do without you," she said sincerely.

    Lowbacca's brief, disgruntled response brought a grin