Ylesia Read Online Free Page B

would be on the HoloNet for
weeks
. Anyone thinking of switching sides would have to think twice, and any collaborators would be shaking in their boots.”
    â€œNot only that,” Jacen said, “but a team could be landed in Peace City to become our permanent intelligence presence in the enemy capital, and perhaps to organize the underground there.”
    Kre’fey’s long head turned from Jacen to Kyp and back again. He tugged at his white-furred chin in thought. “This requires a more elaborate mission—perhaps you do not realize
how
much more elaborate. With the original plan there’s very little that can go wrong. We transit to the system, engage, win our victory, and leave. If the enemy are too strong, we run without a fight. But with Jacen’s idea we’d need transports, drop ships, ground forces. If things go wrong on the ground, we’ll take a lot of casualties just getting our people away. If things go wrong above the planet, the forces on the ground may be stranded there.”
    â€œSir,” Jaina said, “I volunteer to lead the ground forces.”
    The Sword of the Jedi,
Jacen thought,
thrusting straight to the heart.
    Kyp turned to Jaina, his voice hesitant. “I, uh—“ For once in his life Jacen was privileged to watch Kyp Durron embarrassed. “I really don’t think that would be a good idea, Sticks.”
    Jaina’s eyes flashed, but her voice was very controlled. “You don’t have to be so protective of me, Master Durron,” she said.
    Surprise rose in Jacen. He sensed history here, something between Jaina and Kyp that he hadn’t known existed.
    Now
that’s
interesting
.
    â€œAh, that’s not it,” Kyp said hastily. “It’s just that—“ He looked at his datapad. “The latest news from Ylesia indicates that you have a personal relationship with, ah, one of our potential captives.” And, as Jaina’s indignation increased, Kyp turned to Jacen as his embarrassment deepened. “And Jacen, too, of course.”
    â€œJacen, too?”
Jaina demanded, outraged.
    Kyp looked at the datapad again and shrugged. “The Peace Brigade just announced their new President. He’s, ah, your cousin Thrackan.”
    Confusion swept Jaina’s face. “That doesn’t make any sense,” Jacen said immediately.
    â€œSorry,” Kyp said, “I know he’s a member of your family, but—“
    â€œNo,” Jacen said, “that’s not it. I’m not going to defend Thrackan Sal-Solo because he’s a distant
cousin
—“
    â€œA cousin who’s vicious as a slashrat and slippery as an Umgullian blob,” Jaina added.
    Jacen took a breath and continued, intent on making his point. “I was only going to point out,” he said, “that it doesn’t make any sense because Thrackan is a human chauvinist. He’s always wanted to run Corellia so he could throw the other species
out
. He’d never make a deal if that meant he’d have to collaborate with an alien species.”
    Kyp looked dubious. “I suppose the story could be false,” he said, “but it’s all over the HoloNet, complete with pictures of your cousin taking his oath of office in front of the Peace Brigade Senate.”
    Jacen saw Jaina’s face harden. “Right,” she said, “now I’ve
got
to be with the ground party.”
    â€œMe, too, I guess,” Jacen said. “It’ll be . . . enlightening . . . to see cousin Thrackan again.”
    Traest Kre’fey looked from Jaina to Jacen and back again.
    â€œI must say,” he said, “that the two of you belong to the most
interesting
family.”

    Admiral Kre’fey continued his show of reluctance, but eventually he set his staff to “exploring” the possibility of a landing to capture the Peace Brigade leadership. By the time Jaina entered the shuttle that would