"It's that, or the plant stays in Separatist hands," Roshton pointed out.

"Who's side are you on here, anyway?"

"Don't be insulting," Doriana said coldly. "You want to keep the enemy busy while the Whipsaw tries to take out the control ship, go right ahead. But keep away from Spaarti."

"Trust us, Master Doriana," Roshton said. "Or rather, trust in the Jedi."

Doriana grimaced. "Well, when you put it that way... all right." Roshton looked at Tories. "Master Tories?"

"Let's see first if I can get through the droids upstairs," Tories said, getting to his feet.

"Let's see if we can get through them," Roshton corrected, standing up to join him. "Like I said, I need to be with my men." "You're both insane,"

Doriana declared. "But if everyone else is going, I might as well, too."

Roshton shook his head. "Sorry. No offense, but I don't want any bureaucrats getting in the way."

"None taken," Doriana assured him. "But as the Supreme Chancellor's representative here, I not only have the right to come with you, but I'm more or less required to do so." Roshton grimaced. "Fine-have it your own way. Then if we're ready...?" Corf took a breath - "No," Tories said firmly before the boy could speak. "You and your father are staying right here." "But-"

"Corf," Binalie said warningly.

The boy subsided. "Right," Roshton said, clicking on his comlink. "Let's get this off the launch pad."

Doriana never did learn how many droids the Neimoidians had left inside the Binalie mansion. All he knew was that there were eight of them between the three humans and the outside door. Tories dealt with all eight swiftly, efficiently, and amazingly quietly.

There were a few others on patrol outside, strutting around in the gathering dusk as if they owned the place. The Jedi dealt with those, too.

It was over five kilometers to the staging area Roshton and his lieutenant had settled on during their brief comlink communication.