Chapters 19-20 Summary

Karrde watches Etherway's return, three days late. Before she can tell about her capture, Imperial attack and arrest Karrde, Mara sees his chagrin at being fooled. Facing Thrawn, Mara lunges for his throat, but Rukh restrains her. With the Force she tries to choke Thrawn, but is too weak. Mara vows to behave lest she be turned over to mad C'baoth. Karrde will be confined until he reveals the fleet's location; whether he is tortured is up to him. As feeling abandoned motivates prisoners talking, Mara may not see him. Warning Mara against mixed loyalties, Thrawn dismisses her for a flight to the surface. This act of betrayal convinces Mara that her Empire is dead.

Unable to bear letting Karrde think she has betrayed him, Mara risks breaking into the computer system using the Emperor's back-door password. She finds the prisoner...