Doriana thought it over. Thatwould probably work, he decided. "It still loses us a full attack wave," he reminded Kav. "Not to mention the element of surprise."

"What surprise?" Kav scoffed. "As soon as they see theDarkvenge they will know to prepare for droid starfighters."

Doriana pressed his fingertips together. Surely even a Neimoidian vicelord couldn't bethis dense. "I don't suppose it's occurred to you that Mitth'raw'nuruodo might have off-loaded the starfighters precisely because he doesn't intend to let Captain Pakmillu see theDarkvenge?" he suggested. "That, in fact, he doesn't intend for theDarkvenge to participate in the battle at all?"

Apparently, ithadn't occurred to Kav. "That is ridiculous," he protested, his eves widening. "No military commander would refuse to bring a battleship of our might into his fleet."

"Except maybe a commander who's already seen how easily they can be destroyed?" Doriana couldn't resist asking.

Kav's whole body stiffened. "I perceive that you have come under Mitthrawdo's spell, Commander," he said evenly. "But do not be swayed by his learned manner and cultured voice. He is still a primitive savage. . and no matter what the outcome, in the end he will have to die."

Doriana sighed. Unfortunately, he had already reached that same conclusion. Mitth'raw'nuruodo had come into contact with Car'das and his shipmates, and he might easily touch the edge of the Republic again. Until all the witnesses to Darth Sidious's betrayal of Outbound Flight had been silenced, the mission would not be complete. "Regardless, for the moment we still need him alive," he said. "How have you arranged for us to reach this second programming level?"

"I will have a relay control," Kav said. "Once Mitthrawdo's failure is apparent, I will bring the starfighters back under my control, and will complete our mission." He cocked his head. "Unless you have further objections?"

Doriana shook his head. "Though we'll have to make sure we're on his bridge when the battle begins."

"I leave that to you," Kav said. "He is a fool in other areas, as well. Did you know he has taken twenty of my starfighters and linked them together by twos with a spare fuel tank between them?"

"What good does that do?" Doriana asked, frowning. "Those starfighters run on solid-fuel slugs."

"I imagine he was inspired by Outbound Flight's design,"

Kav said contemptuously. "He is probably regretful that his tanks are too small to fit six starfighters around each."

"You're sure they'refuel tanks?"

"What else could they be?" Kav countered, getting to his feet. "A pleasant evening to you, Commander."

The Neimoidian walked away, and Doriana returned to his meal. Somehow, the food didn't taste as good as it had five minutes earlier.

"There," Captain Pakmillu said, pointing a flippered hand at the planet visible through D-1's bridge viewports. "Roxuli, our last stop in known space. From this point on, we enter territory never before seen throughout all the ages of Republic star travel."

"It's indeed a historic moment," Obi-Wan agreed. "With your permission, Captain, I'd like to send a signal to Coruscant through Roxuli's HoloNet connection."

"Certainly," Pakmillu said, gesturing aft. "The secure comm room will be at your disposal as soon as our guest is finished."

Obi-Wan frowned. Less than an hour since Outbound Flight had made orbit, and already they had a guest? "One of the local officials?"

"Hardly," Pakmillu said drily, his eyes swiveling toward the aft blast doors. "Ah."

Obi-Wan turned, and felt his mouth drop open. Local official, nothing. Their visitor was none other than Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself.

"Master Kenobi," Palpatine called as he crossed the bridge toward them. "Just the man I need."

"This is an unexpected honor, Chancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan said, scrambling to find his voice. "May I ask what brings you to this edge of the Republic?"

"The same thing that moves all of us across the stars these days," Palpatine replied with a wan smile. "Politics, of course. In this case, trouble between the Roxuli central government and the system's asteroid mining colonies."

"It must be serious if you had to come out personally," Obi-Wan commented.

"Actually, they don't want me at all," Palpatine said drily. "All they want from me is to obtain for them the services of the hero of the Barlok negotiations, Master Jorus C'baoth himself."

Obi-Wan looked at Pakmillu. "I'm not sure Master C'baoth will be interested in the job," he warned Palpatine.

"As a matter or fact, he isn't," the Supreme Chancellor confirmed. "I've already spoken with him, and he flatly refuses to leave Outbound Flight."

"We could delay our departure until his negotiations have finished," Pakmillu offered. "There's no reason we couldn't spend a few days here."

"No, I've already suggested that option," Palpatine said, shaking his head. "He will not change Outbound Flight's schedule. Or leave Outbound Flight at all, for that matter." He looked back at Obi-Wan. "But thereis another alternative. Perhapsyou would be willing to mediate in his place."

Obi-Wan blinked in surprise. "With all due respect, Chancellor Palpatine, I don't think that's a substitution that would satisfy them."

"On the contrary," Palpatine said. "I've just spoken with them, and they would be most gratified if you would lend your assistance." He smiled again. "After all, there were other heroes at Barlok besides Master C'baoth."

Obi-Wan grimaced. Under other circumstances, he would have been only too happy to help out. But with all that was happening aboard Outbound Flight, he'd decided to ask the Council for permission to extend his tour. Now, suddenly, that decision was being cut out from under him.

Because if C'baoth wasn't willing to postpone Outbound Flight's departure for himself, he certainly wouldn't do so for Obi-Wan. If he and Anakin left now, they wouldn't be getting back aboard. "How serious is this problem?" he asked.

"Serious enough," Palpatine said, the lines in his face deepening as his small attempt at levity faded away. "If violence erupts, vital ore shipments to half the systems in this sector will be cut off. Depending on how much damage the mines sustain, the scarcity could last for years."

"I'd have to consult the Council," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"With time becoming critical, I've already taken the liberty of doing so," Palpatine said. "Master Yoda has given his permission for you to leave Outbound Flight here instead of continuing on."