So hewas an unknown alien, or at least one Uliar had never seen. More importantly, he didn't have the clothing or other trappings that would indicate he was some official from Coruscant. Uliar grimaced, a part of his hope dying within him.
But only a part. Whether he was a genuine military commander or just some pirate with an assumed title, Mitth'raw'nuruodo seemed determined to keep them from passing through his territory. If Uliar could persuade him to order them back to the Republic-or even if he and his gang were able to plunder enough of Outbound Flight's supplies that Pakmillu was forced to go back for replacements-they might still be able to get Palpatine to do something about C'baoth's growing stranglehold on the expedition.
At the very least, Uliar and the others would then have a chance to jump ship and find something else to do with their lives.
Jinzler and Mitth'raw'nuruodo were coming toward him.. and with the rest of the committee still absent, it was all up to him. Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth to speak.
Or rather, he tried to open it. To his horror, his mouth and tongue refused to work.
He tried again, and again, watching as Jinzler and Mitth'raw'nuruodo closed the gap, his throat and checks straining with his effort. But nothing worked.
And then they were there, right beside him. He tried to step in front of them, to at least keep them here until he could find a way to unfreeze his mouth. But his legs wouldn't work, either. Silently, he watched them pass him by, oblivious to his urgency and agony and helplessness.
"So you think to betray me, Uliar?" a quiet voice came in his ear.
Uliar's neck still worked, but there was no need to turn around. He knew that voice only too well. "Did you really think you could ride a swoop all the way from Dreadnaught-Four without my people in ComOps noticing and alerting me?" C'baoth went on. "So will treason always betray itself."
With a jolt like that of a suddenly released clamp, Uliar felt his mouth being freed from C'baoth's restraint. "It's not treason," he croaked. "We just want our mission back."
"Mymission, Uliar," C'baoth said darkly. "Mymission. Who else is in this pathetic little conspiracy?"
Uliar didn't answer. "Well, let's go see," C'baoth said. "Discreetly, of course, if you please."
As if Uliar had a choice. With C'baoth's hand riding loosely on his shoulder, the two men headed down the corridor after Jinzler and the blue-skinned alien. They reached the hangar just as the others arrived at Mitth'raw'nuruodo's ship. A few meters away was one of Outbound Flight's shuttles. .
Uliar felt his breath catch in his throat as he suddenly realized why the rest of the committee hadn't appeared. Rather than bringing everyone in along the corridors and turbolifts like an impromptu parade, Pressor had instead loaded them aboard one of D-4's shuttles and had Mosh fly them across.
Which meant there was still a chance. All Pressor had to do was pop the hatch, and before C'baoth realized what was happening they would be in front of Mitth'raw'nuruodo, ready to plead their cause. Surely even a Jedi Master couldn't strangle the words out of all of them at the same time.
But the hatch didn't open. With his tongue frozen again, Uliar watched helplessly as Mitth'raw'nuruodo spoke briefly with Jinzler, then went inside his shuttle and closed the hatch.
And with that, their last chance was gone.
C'baoth's hand prodded at Uliar's back, nudging him forward. "And now," the Jedi said with cold satisfaction, "all that remains is for me to decide what to do with all of you."
Jinzler turned around as they approached, her expression flickering with surprise at their presence. "Jedi Jinzler," C'baoth greeted her. "I have another job for you." He waved a hand casually at the silent shuttle
The hatch abruptly flew open, spilling Pressor and Mosh out. From the way they sprawled onto the deck, it was obvious they'd been shoving at the hatch with all their weight when C'baoth released his grip on it. "So theywere trying to open it," Uliar murmured.
"Of course they were," C'baoth said contemptuously. "If a swoop couldn't escape my notice, how did you expect an entire shuttle to do so?" He raised his voice. "You-all of you-come out. I want to see your faces."
"What's going on?" Jinzler asked, staring at the people as they began filing silently out onto the deck.
"This, Jedi Jinzler, is a conspiracy," C'baoth said, his voice as dark as Lorana had ever heard it. "These people apparently don't appreciate all the work and effort we've put into making Outbound Flight as rewarding a place as possible to work and live."
"Maybe we just don't wantyour ideas of what's rewarding," Uliar said. "Maybe we don't want to be treated like children who can't decide for ourselves what we're going to do with our lives."
"Do you have the Force?" C'baoth countered. "Can you tap into that which binds the universe together, and thus automatically defines what is best for us all?"
"I don't believe the Force wants to control every aspect of our lives," Uliar shot back. "And Isure don't believe you're the chosen spokesman for that control."
C'baoth's face darkened. "And who areyou to-?"
"Master C'baoth," a voice called.
Uliar turned. Standing at the entrance to the hangar, gazing at them with a face carved from stone, was Master Ma'Ning. "A word with you, if you please," he said. "Now."
"What are you doing here?" C'baoth called back, and Lorana could sense both surprise and suspicion radiating from him. "You should be at your duty station."
"A word with you, if you please," Ma'Ning repeated.
Snorting under his breath, C'baoth strode across the deck toward him. Lorana hesitated a moment, then followed.
"This had better be important," C'baoth warned as he reached the other Jedi Master. "We have work to do."
"It is," Ma'Ning assured him, his voice under careful control. "I've spent a great deal of time over the past few days considering and meditating on the situation aboard Outbound Flight. . and I've come to the conclusion that we've overstepped our proper place as guardians and advisers of these people."
"Walk warily, Master Ma'Ning," C'baoth warned, an edge of menace in his voice. "You're speaking to the rightful and duly appointed leader of this expedition."
"That you are," Ma'Ning acknowledged. "But even the most powerful and knowledgeable of Jedi may sometimes stumble. It's my opinion that in your zeal to guide, you've crossed the line into direct rule."