Zekk cast a worried glance back at Jaina and Raynar, assessing their injuries.
Lusa shook her head. “I’m not sure the jungle moon is a good idea. We’re going to need some full-fledged bacta tanks, I think.”
“Where we’re going, they’ve got some of the best,” Master Skywalker said. He leaned forward and spoke into the comm again. “Negative, Lowie. Sirra, Em Teedee, set your course for Coruscant. We’ll meet you on the private landing pad at the Imperial Palace.”
The reunion of the young Jedi Knights on Coruscant was joyous. But Jacen sensed that for Lowie, the triumph of their escape was bittersweet—since Raaba had remained with the Diversity Alliance.
Han, Leia, and Anakin Solo welcomed family and friends with a mixture of horror, relief, and reproach. They had a great many concerns, and Leia vowed to bring the full resources of the New Republic into play.
Lowie, Sirra, and Lusa spent a good deal of time in deep conversation with Master Skywalker, Chewbacca, Hah, and Leia, sharing what they had learned from the Diversity Alliance.
Jaina and Raynar, Jacen and Tenel Ka were hustled off to the medical center adjacent to the Imperial Palace. Now that the urgency of escape was behind them, healing the wounded took priority.
The young Jedi Knights finally had a chance to feel the full force of the damage their bodies had sustained. Zekk rarely left Jaina’s side.
Despite their various injuries, all of the young friends were reminded several times by their Jedi Master and the leader of the New Republic that their actions, though brave, had also been very foolish.
When Tenel Ka’s grandmother arrived unexpectedly, however, she did not reproach her granddaughter.
No one had sent the former queen word of Tenel Ka’s injuries or that she was being taken to Coruscant. Yet somehow she had known, and Jacen sensed that Ta’a Chume was secretly quite proud of what Tenel Ka had done.
Han and Leia, though proud of their children, still chided them hours after Jacen and Jaina’s return. Finally, Jaina had had enough of her parents’ censure. “But if we hadn’t gone to Ryloth,” she blurted out, “we’d never have learned that the Diversity Alliance was secretly plotting to wipe out all humans!”
Seeing the stricken look on his mother’s face, Jacen had the grace to feel ashamed for the turmoil they had put her through. He could well imagine how worried she must have been. “We’re sorry we didn’t trust you enough to tell you what we were doing, Mom,” he said as gently as he could. “But now we’ve told you everything we know, and there’s no one we trust more to decide where we go from here.”
His mother gave Jacen a grateful smile. “The Twi’lek you brought back with you—Kur—has been very helpful,” she said. “We’ve also learned a few things about the Diversity Alliance.”
“From the Bothan who tried to kill me?” Lusa said.
The Chief of State nodded. “I think the next step is to present what we’ve found out in a meeting of the New Republic Senate. So concentrate on getting well. Into the bacta tanks with all of you. I’m going to need your help when you’re a little stronger.”
Jacen looked around at his sister, Tenel Ka, Zekk, Raynar, and Lowie, who had Em Teedee clipped to his belt and Sirra close beside him.
“We’re already stronger,” he said. “Now that we’re together again.”
Lowie roared his support.
“Uncle Luke has always said we’re stronger together,” Jaina agreed.
“This is a fact,” Tenel Ka said.