Chapters 10-13 Summary

The biggest names in smuggling gather at Whistler's Whirlpool tapcafe on Trogan. Lookouts report no activity at the Imperial garrison, which is odd but not alarming. Karrde fails to convince colleagues to forgo Imperial business or to court its wrath. The unwanted Ferrier enters late and tells convincingly of how Thrawn has dealt ill with him. No one is happy about the new clones but they see this as the New Republic's problem. Whichever side pays best deserves the smugglers' business. As the meeting closes, the back wall blows in and Imperial forces advance. A black shadow—Ferrier's wraith, Defel, launches a surprising attack on the Imperials, allowing the smugglers to rally, as they have prepared. The mêlée ends as quickly as it begins. The survivors enlist in Karrde's program, with Ellor and Mazzic planning actively to avenge...