I had nothing to hide anymore, nothing Iwantedto hide.
Far above us, the only home I’d ever known pulled out of hyperspace, materializing in the sky like magic. My heart hurt in my chest as I looked up at the metal bird, feeling equal parts homesickness and dread. I stood and took a deep breath. The powder on my skin smelled sharp and sweet like the flower itself.
All this for a lightsaber.
Behind me, Vee told her partner, “You were the greatest pain in my ass, Entoo. If we don’t survive this, I will miss you. And our holochess matches. And our sabacc games.”
“Bleep-bleep-bloop.”
“I’m sorry. You cheatedhow many times?”
With a deep and calming breath, I said, “I guess I should radio up to them. It’s time to get off this planet.”
N2-0 tilted their cylindrical body forward with a dismayed chirp, and I couldn’t agree more. Ireallyhoped the Force was with us, too.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The Last Chance
TheStarfarerlanded on the indigo soil with a sigh.
I had told the droids to duck into the research facility and behind cover in case anything happened. If bad came to worse, they could send out a distress call from the communication console.
I hoped Lady Sosha had gotten my message.
I hoped, if she’d gotten it, she wasn’t too late.
The gangway to theStarfarerlowered and settled on the ground with a hard thunk. I hoped to see Dad on the ramp, arms wide, telling me how worried he’d been, how I should never get separated again—a scolding I would have killed to hear.
Instead, it was my brother framed in the open cargo hull. Behind him, the Civil War Buffs stood like good little soldiers. Of course they did. Val raised his blaster at me—the one he’d sold the droids for.
I didn’t even need to feign hurt and confusion, because my brother had never pointed a blaster at mebefore, and even after everything, I could have sworn he never would. But there he was in the doorway, dressed in a crisp dark uniform, a matching hat with the First Order insignia pulled low on his brow.
“What’s this?” I asked, my voice wavering.
His disappointed gaze turned cold as he moved down the gangway, flanked by Spectacles and all his friends. And to think, I’d actually thought they were just guests. They sure fooled me. Had they boarded the ship because of Val? It seemed like it, the way they fell in line behind him. They were each dressed in a similar dark uniform.
The sight of them sent my stomach turning.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked as he came down the ramp. “Where’s the crew? The guests?”
“They’re alive—safe, for the most part,” he added, and with his free hand dug into his uniform pocket and produced my master key. “I locked everyone in their rooms. Well, with the exception of a few people. Dad just can’t seem to take orders, you know?”
I tensed. “What did you do?”
He replaced the master key in his pocket. “What I’m asked to. Where’re the others, Arie?”
“Others?” I echoed.
He motioned to the facility. “Check in there,” he instructed his troops, who of course found the droids and forced them out at blaster point.
Veebee muttered, “Compensating much?” as she shuffled out with N2-0.
Val’s face pinched. “I sold them.”
“They’re worth a little more than a blaster,” I replied, eyeing the other weapons. “Or afewblasters, apparently. So I got a refund—ow!” I hissed as he grabbed me by the arm so tightly I’d bruise and dragged me in close.
“This isn’t agame, Arie.” I searched his face for any sign of the brother I’d known. He was in there somewhere, beneath this awful uniform. “There are powerful people who want powerful things.”
