"Very much against something like this happening naturally, Jacen," she said. "But that doesn't mean it couldn't happen."
"I know," he replied easily. "But it didn't."
R2-D2 whistled cheerfully, as though backing him up.
"We should at least check it out," Mara said.
"We will," Luke agreed. "After all, it's the best lead we've had so far."
"If there's anything we can do to assist you," Soontir Fel said, "consider it done." He hesitated for barely a second before adding, "Within reason, of course."
Those weren't empty words. The Chiss had already provided detailed tactical maps of the Unknown Regions, revealing several torturous trade lanes through areas that previously had been thought impassible. More sinis-terly, the data showed that the Yuuzhan Vong had been more active in the area than Galactic Alliance intelligence had known. As far back as the first attacks on New Republic systems, a Yuuzhan Vong task force had made an end run around Chiss space and made it into the Unknown Regions. That it had never been heard of sinceor that no other task force had made it past the Chisswas
no cause for complacency. Further Chiss assistance might well prove welcome at some point.
Luke smiled genially. "Thank you," he said. "And I promise not to mention a treaty with the Galactic Alliance until the next time we pass through here."
"If there is a next time," Mara said.
Jacen nodded, thinking of the attack on the Imperial Remnant, the Krizlaws on Munlali Mafir, and Chief Navigator Aabe; and then, of course, the Yuuzhan Vong themselves, whose incursions into Chiss space were becoming more frequent every day.
It's been hard enough getting this far, he thought. / doubt it's going to get any easier.
He felt Danni's support and confidence nearby, and was warmed by it. At least, he added, there was no shortage of supportfor him and the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. All they had to do was follow their hearts, letting the Force guide their decisions, and eventually, he was sure, they'd get there.
What they would find when they arrived, however, remained to be seen . . .
Star Wars - New Jedi Order - Force Heretic II - Refugee - Book 18 Page 37