Jedi Trial by David Sherman Page B

it.
    Nervously, he stood before the entrance to the Council Chamber, smoothing his hair and beard, composing himself. The palms of his hands were sweaty.
I’m reacting like a Padawan
. The thought made him smile. He straightened his cloak and entered the chamber.
    Eleven of the twelve members of the Jedi Council sat in a semicircle just as he remembered from the last time he had stood before them. The huge windows framed a vast panorama reaching all the way to the city, its skyline reduced to miniature size by the Council Tower’s soaring height and the distance. Myriad black specks, aircraft of all sorts engaged in the affairs of the vast metropolitan complex that was Coruscant, flitted over the horizon. It was a clear day, and the sun washedbrilliantly over the scene. To Halcyon this vista alone was worth a visit to the Council, no matter what message he was about to receive. He relaxed.
    “Welcome, Nejaa,” Mace Windu said.
    Halcyon bowed.
    Yoda smiled. “Since we last saw you, a long time it has been,” he said.
    “Yes, Master, too long.”
    “You have been well, Nejaa? You are rested?” Adi Gallia asked.
    Halcyon bowed again. “I am well.”
    “We have an assignment for you,” Mace Windu said. He gave Halcyon a searching look. “Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself recommended you for this mission.”
    Halcyon tried not to show his surprise. “I—I do not know the Chancellor personally, but I am honored he should have such confidence in me, Master. Why did he recommend me?” he stammered.
    “You don’t know why the Supreme Chancellor recommended you?” Master Windu asked.
    “No, I don’t.”
    Windu nodded as though Halcyon’s negative answer explained everything. “Are you familiar with Praesitlyn in the Sluis sector?” he asked abruptly.
    “Only that we have an important communications relay there, but I’ve never been there.”
    Briefly, Windu explained what had happened. Halcyon listened with growing wonder; this was indeed a major assignment, and it was an honor to be entrusted with it.
    “You will be interested in knowing who it is that isin command of the opposing force,” Windu said when he finished describing the situation and the mission.
    “Yes, indeed. Nobody but a Jedi Master would dare attempt a counterattack like that, not unless he had a severe death wish.” He racked his brain, trying to figure out which Jedi might be in a location from which he could launch such a mission.
    “A Jedi he is not,” Yoda said, chuckling lightly.
    “Not a Jedi?” Halcyon asked, taken aback.
    The Council members exchanged quick glances.
    “That man is Zozridor Slayke,” Master Windu stated. There was a moment of silence in the Jedi Council Chamber.
    Then Halcyon cleared his throat and nodded briskly. “Captain Slayke is a good soldier,” he said.
    Yoda smiled, and the other members of the Council visibly relaxed. “To hear you say that is good,” Yoda said. He nodded at Mace.
    Mace Windu spoke in rapid, clipped tones, as if reading a set of orders. “Nejaa Halcyon, you will take a relief force of twenty thousand clones to Praesitlyn. Once there you will effect a landing of your army, assume overall command of the combined force, and destroy the Techno Union army there. You are authorized to dispose your ground and naval forces according to the battle plan you and your staff will devise en route to accomplish this mission in the most expeditious and effective way possible.” He paused. “You may select your own staff and designate whomever you wish to be your second in command. Time is short. When you leave here you will repair to Centax One,where your fleet is preparing for departure. You will effect that departure with all possible haste.”
    “I am honored to accept this mission,” Halcyon said formally.
    “This Slayke, work with him you can? Toward him no animosity you feel still over his stealing of your ship?” Yoda asked.
    Halcyon bowed deeply. “No, Master Yoda. Slayke is