To Luke's right was the Wookiee Senator Triebakk, large and hairy and snarling with vigor. To the right of Triebakk sat the Jedi healer Cilghal, her protuberant Mon Calamari eyes able to scan the entire room.

At the end of the table was Intelligence Director Dif Scaur, whose thin human frame withstood the crowding at the table better than most.

To Scaur's right sat Kenth Hamner, a human Jedi retired from the military, who sat rigidly upright and wore his well-tailored civilian suit as if it were a uniform. To Hamner's right was the soft-spoken Ta'laam Ranth, the Gotal Senator whose support had given Cal his majority in the Senate, and who had demanded a seat on the council as a reward for his loyalty.

To Ta'laam's right was Cal, and to Cal's right was Kyp Durron. At the moment Kyp looked uncomfortable: he and his squadron had been ordered to Mon Calamari on very short notice, and no sooner had he arrived than he'd been told he'd become a council member and taken to the first meeting. He had been on the planet for less than three hours, and his disorientation showed.

To Kyp's right was the golden-furred Minister of State, Releqy A'Kla, daughter of the late Elegos A'Kla, the Caamasi Senator who had been ritually sacrificed by the Yuuzhan Vong on Dubrillion. Releqy had absorbed many of her father's memories through the Caamasi memnii and possessed the knowledge, demeanor, and political skill of someone years older than her chronological age.

To Releqy's right, at the cramped far end of the table, sat the erect figure of Saba Sebatyne, who regarded the others with bright, intent reptilian eyes. She was used to hunting Yuuzhan Vong with packs of other Barabels, and Luke hoped she would come to regard the Jedi Council as a pack of a different order.

To Saba's right was Sien Sow, the Supreme Commander, and between Sow and Luke bulked the wrinkled gray frame of the Chev Jedi Knight Tresina Lobi, whose long snout was partly unrolled on the surface of the table.

To these was added C-3PO, whom Luke had borrowed from Leia in order to act as secretary, transcriber of the minutes, and (if necessary) translator. The droid stood out of the way in the corner and regarded the meeting with his glowing gold eyes.

Luke looked at the datapad and the notes he'd made to himself about the meeting. "I'd like to start the meeting by finding out if any committee members have anything to bring before the council."

Cal Omas cleared his throat. "This is a momentous occasion, Master Skywalker, And you're not going to make a speech?"

"I hadn't been planning one," Luke said. "But if I know Jedi, I think I can promise you speeches in plenty as the meeting goes on." And then he looked at Cal and said, "Would you like to make a speech?"

"My throat's a bit tired from the speeches I have been making," Cal said. "But I can give you some of the applause lines from my acceptance speech-some of them were real corkers."

"I think we all heard that speech the first time." Luke smiled.

"I'd like to think so," Cal said. He waved a hand. "Never mind, then-sorry for the interruption."

Luke looked at the others. "Does anyone wish to offer a report?"

"Master Skywalker." Kyp raised a hand.

"Master Durron?"

Kyp's discomfort showed plainly on his face. "Can you explain to me why I'm here?"

Saba Sebatyne gave a brief hiss of amus.e.m.e.nt.

"What do you mean?" Luke replied.

Kyp twisted in his seat. "I'm not sure that I belong on the council. Not really. I've been a lot of trouble to you, and I hardly think I've earned a place here."

"While that may be true," Luke said, "that doesn't mean you haven't earned a seat. You're one of our most experienced Jedi, particularly in fighting the Yuuzhan Vong. No one questions your dedication or your talent or your mastery of the Force. You've always supported the formation of a Jedi Council."

"I surrendered pride on Ithor," Kyp said. "And while I haven't always lived up to that vow, I've tried my best. I disbanded the Dozen and placed myself under Jaina Solo's command, and though I ended up reforming the Dozen at Admiral Kre'fey's request, I've been trying to keep my head down and do my job and keep out of the kind of trouble I seem to get into. And now-" He struggled for words. "-now you've put me on the governing body of the Jedi. That's a temptation to the pride I've renounced. I think I might be happier flying at the head of my squadron."

"The happiness of one iz not the issue," Saba hissed. "The issue iz where one may best zerve."

"I think your voice on the council is necessary, and welcome," Luke told Kyp. "Though I won't keep you here if you insist on resigning."

Kyp was exasperated. "I don't want to go against your wishes yet again, Master Skywalker."

"In that case, stay."

"Besides," Cal Omas said, "if you're worried about your overweening pride, I think everyone here can work out ways to keep you humble."

Even Kyp laughed at this. He waved a hand. "As you wish, Master Skywalker. Rut I hope I won't make you regret this."

So do we all, Luke thought.

"Since you asked for news," Kyp went on, "I have information from Kashyyyk, from Lowbacca and the team of Wookiees who arc investigating Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology."

"Go ahead," Luke said, and was aware of Triebakk, on his right, leaning forward with great interest.

"They've been working with the dovin basals from the captured frigate Trickster," Kyp said. "They're now able to use our own interdiction technology to duplicate the effects of dovin basal s.p.a.ce mines. Since the war began, the Vong have used their mines to yank our ships out of hypers.p.a.ce and ambush them with fighter craft, and now it looks as if we'll be able to do the same to them."

"Wonderful!" C-3PO said, translating for Triebakk. "Well done!"

Sien Sow was pleased. "Splendid. That will fit in well with Admiral Ackbar's plan."

"Perhaps Admiral Sow should explain Ackbar's plan for those of us who haven't heard it," Cal said.

"Perhaps only the/impart," Dif Scaur cautioned. "The plan's. . .

ultimate objective ... is perhaps beyond the scope of this meeting."

In other words, Luke thought, let's not tell too many people that Ackbar hopes to lure the Yuuzhan Vong into a trap. If only a few people knew, maybe the Vong could actually be surprised.

Luke had been watching Dif Scaur with care, through the Force as well as visually. He still wasn't certain how much he trusted Scaur. In this case, however, he sensed only a genuine concern for keeping Ackbar's ultimate goals secret.

Sow obliged Scaur by explaining Ackbar's plan to season the Republic's raw recruits through a series of skirmishes and small engagements rather than risking a large battle. "Admiral Kre'fey," he finished, "has requested as many Jedi pilots as possible. He hopes to merge many elements of his fleet into what he calls the 'Jedi meld,' so that all may maneuver together as one. He reports that he's had limited success with this tactic at Obroa-skai, but needs more Jedi to make it more effective."

"I've also received a message from Kre'fey requesting Jedi," Luke said. "I have no objection to sending any who wish to go. "

"I hope the council can see its way to helping Kre'fey," Cal said.

"The military's reeling and needs all the help we can give.

They're on their heels with one defeat after another, they rightly blame the political leadership, and some are on the verge of mutiny. I'd really hate to have to give an order to Garm Bel Iblis right now-who knows what kind of answer I'd get? If the Defense Forces don't think we're going to stand behind them, I'd hate to think what might happen."

Kyp cleared his throat and half-heartedly raised a hand. "Yes?"

Luke said.

"I'm sorry to have to say this after everything the president has just said, but we may have a potential problem with Admiral Kre'fey. He's a good commander, I guess. But the Bothan clans have-well, they've declared genocide against the Vong, and Kre'fey's taken it to heart. It's called ar'krai. I don't think I want the council to declare its support for ma.s.s murder, even the ma.s.s murder of Yuuzhan Vong."

Luke turned to Cal Omas. "Cal, have you heard of this?"

Cal shook his head. "If the Bothan government has made any such declaration, they certainly haven't informed me."

"Speak to Admiral Kre'fey," Kyp said. "He's a happy warrior these days-Fin sure he'd be glad to explain it to you."

Dif Scaur's pale, skeletal fingers fingered his jaw. Cold intelligence worked behind his deep-set eyes, and Luke sensed that he found this development highly intriguing. "Bothans are rather secretive,"

he said. "It's possible that they consider this a private decision."

"A private decision with galactic consequences," Cal said. He seemed unsettled and angry. "It's not the Bothans' decision, anyway, blast it."

"What do we do with Admiral Kre'fey's request?" Kenth Hamner asked.

"He already has Jedi serving under him," Tresina Lobi said.

"Including Master Durron. What is his opinion?"

Kyp hesitated, then shrugged. "He's an effective commander-not a genius like Ackbar or a master of tactics like Wedge Antilles, but a problem solver and dedicated to victory. Ar'krai is a new policy. I don't know what he plans to do, but I know that I'm worried."

From the Gotal Senator Ta'laam Ranth, Luke sensed a wave of wry amus.e.m.e.nt. Gotals were thought unemotional and hyperlogical by those who could not detect the emotions radiating from the twin cones on their heads. Though Luke wasn't as good at reading Ta'laam as another Gotal would be, he nevertheless received an indication of the Senator's disposition through the Force.

"Kre'fey may wish to eliminate the Vong," Ta'laam said. "I may wish to eliminate the Vong. Most of the people in this galaxy doubtless wish to eliminate the Vong. But may I remind the council that neither Kre'fey nor anyone else can do it. We are losing the war. The issue isn't whether we destroy the Yuuzhan Vong, the issue is whether they destroy us." His scarlet eyes glimmered in their deep sockets. "Moral conundrums make an entertaining mental exercise, but I suggest we keep this discussion within the realm of the possible."

"I agree," Scaur said. He had been watching Ta'laam narrowly, and Luke sensed that he was agreeing, not because he cared about the Senator's position, but for secret reasons of his own.

Luke wished he knew what these reasons were.

Releqy nodded her golden head in agreement with Scaur and Ta'laam.

"Perhaps that is best," she said.

"Very well," Luke said. "The issue is whether we should send Jedi to Admiral Kre'fey."

Saba Sebatyne put an elegant, scaled hand onto the table. "I and my kindred are highly experienced in the kind of Force-melding that Admiral Kre'fey desirez for hiz Jedi. Perhaps I should point out something that otherz may not have realized. If Kre'fey succeedz in building this meld in his forcez, it will not be Kre'fey who commands his fleet, it will be ussss."

The last sibilant hiss floated down the table to Saba's startled audience. Triebakk, vastly amused, gave an untranslatable roar.

"The fleet will be conditioned to obey the orderz of the Jedi,"

Saba went on. "They will fight at our direction and under our leadership.

Should Kre'fey attempt any sort of-shall we call them illegal actionz?-he will need both our permission and cooperation. It would be within our power to withhold them."

The others watched the Barabel for a long, silent moment. Then Luke said, "I think we should send Jedi."

Kyp raised a hand in halfhearted protest, then dropped it. "Very well. But they should be warned about the Bothans' declaring ar'krai."

"Agreed. And while training with this meld, they should consider what to do if the meld is ever misused."

"Master Skywalker," Cilghal said. "You have throughout the war warned us of the dangers of aggression. But now you send Jedi to war under a commander who will use them aggressively. Have you changed your mind?"

Cilghal had been watching him with those bulging eyes, Luke thought, and had sensed his mind within the Force. She was never less than acute. "I have changed my policy, yes," he answered.

At once he had Kyp Durron's full attention. "How?" Kyp asked.

"I'm willing to give my blessing to those Jedi who wish to act offensively against the Yuuzhan Vong, provided that they confine their objectives to military ones."

Kyp's eyes flashed. "You could have saved us both a lot of grief if you'd told us that a couple of years ago!" He waved his arms. "For years you've been warning me about aggression leading to the dark side! I didn't listen, and over and over and over again reality whacked me on the side of the head! Finally I decided you were right! I watched someone else go to the dark and it was worse than I could have imagined!" He pointed a finger at Luke. "You finally convinced me! I've been a good little Jedi for-for months now! I've been telling everyone who would listen that Master Skywalker's been right all along! And now you tell me that you've changed your mind'?'"

Now this was the Kyp that Luke knew.

"How dare you?" Kyp demanded. "How da-re you?"

It was all Luke could do to keep from laughing out loud.

"At the beginning of the war I didn't have the same information that I have now," Luke said. "Perhaps you did, however."

"What information?" Kyp crossed his arms and glared at Luke with grudging patience.

"At the beginning I was deeply disturbed by the fact the Yuuzhan Vong couldn't be found in the Force. It seemed to me that they might be a mocker)' of the Force, a deliberate profanation of life, and that I would be destined to lead a dark crusade against them." He looked along the table, meeting every pair of eyes. "It would have been a dreadful thing,"

he said. "So many Jedi would have turned against the light in a war like that. I might not have been able to resist the darkness myself."

"What changed your mind?" Kyp's gaze was wary.

"New information." Luke looked up. "From Jacen Solo, and from Vergere. It's now possible to understand that the Yuuzhan Vong aren't some exception to the rules of creation. If we can't see them in the Force, it's our fault, not theirs. We can fight them without wanting to wipe them from existence. We can fight them without hate, and without darkness."

Luke looked across the table at Kyp. "If you knew this two years ago, I apologize for doubting you. But in the meantime I'm not sorry that I was cautious."

"I couldn't have known any of that," Kyp said. "You know I couldn't have known it."

"There was so much at stake. I didn't want anyone to turn to the dark side because I misread the situation."

"You . . ." Kyp accused, pointing. "You . . ." He banged his hand on the table in frustration and looked at the others. "Am I the only one here who simply wants to punch Master Skywalker in the nose?"

Again Luke concealed laughter, and he sensed that he wasn't the only one. Cal Omas looked from Luke to Kyp and grinned. "I won't throw any punches," he said, "but I'm willing to be entertained."

Kyp threw up his hands in frustration. "I think Skywalker does this for his own entertainment!"

"If you want the practical argument, Kyp," Luke said, "the Chief of State has now given us his full support and made a place for the Jedi in the government. It seems only polite to support the government that is supporting us."

"That's all very well," Kyp said. "But your warnings about aggression weren't without foundation. It's still possible for the darkness to take our people. I know. I've been there." He looked at Luke, pain in his eyes. "And very recently I've watched it happen to someone else."

Now you know what it's like, Luke thought. He had watched Kyp fall into darkness without being able to stop him. Now Kyp understood, when Jaina let the dark take her, what it was to feel that helplessness.

"The Jedi Code is made confusing by the fact that aggression is never defined," Luke said. "So I'm going to define it right now.

Aggression is making an unprovoked attack, or taking something that doesn't belong to you, or aiding someone else in doing one of these things."

Kyp nodded thoughtfully. "That definition could have prevented a lot of misunderstanding between the two of us."

"It could have," Luke said. "I'm sorry for that."