Ras says you made a kill with General Shryne’s lightsaber,” one of the commandos who had accompanied Bol Chatak said to Climber while all four members of Ion Team were slaving thermal detonators to the shield generator’s control panels.

“That’s right. And knowing that you’d want to see it, I had my helmet cam snap a holo.”

Climber’s sarcasm was lost on the small-arms expert, a spec-two who went by the name Trace.

“How’d it handle?”

Climber sat still for a moment. “More like a tool than a weapon.”

“Good tool for opening up mercenaries,” Ras said from nearby.

Climber nodded. “No argument. But give me a seventeen any day.”

“Shryne’s all right,” Trace said after they had gone back to placing the charges.

“I’ll take him over Salvo in a firefight,” Climber said, “but not on a battlefield. Shryne’s too concerned about collateral damage.”

Completing his task, he walked with purpose through the control room, assessing everyone’s work. Ion Team’s comlink specialist hurried over while Climber was adjusting the placement of one of the detonators.

“Has Commander Salvo been updated?” Climber asked.

“The commander is on the freq now,” the spec-one said. “Wants to speak to you personally.”

Climber distanced himself from the rest of the team and chinned the helmet comlink stud to an encrypted frequency. “Spec-zero Climber secure, Commander.”

“Are the Jedi with you?” Salvo said abruptly.

“No, sir. They’re sweeping the rest of the building in case we overlooked anyone.”

“What’s your situation, squad leader?”

“We’re out of here as soon as the rest of the thermals are set. T-five, at most.”

“Retain a couple of those thermals. Your team is to rejoin us soonest. We have a revised priority.”

“Revised, how?”

“The Jedi are to be killed.”

Climber fell silent for a long moment. “Say again, Commander.”

“We’re taking out the Jedi.”

“On whose orders?”

“Are you questioning my authority?”

“No, sir. Just doing my job.”

“Your job is to obey your superiors.”

Climber recalled Shryne’s actions in the generator room; his speed and accuracy, his skill with the lightsaber.

“Yes, sir. I’m just not too keen about going up against three Jedi.”

“None of us is, Climber. That’s why we need your team here. I want to set up an ambush short of the rally point.”

“Understood, Commander. Will comply. Out.”

Climber rejoined his three teammates, all of whom were watching him closely.

“What was all that about?” Trace asked.

Climber sat on his haunches. “We’ve been ordered to spring an ambush on the Jedi.”

Ras grunted. “Odd time for a live-fire exercise, isn’t it?”

Climber turned to him. “It’s not an exercise.”

Ras didn’t move a muscle. “I thought the Jedi were on our side.”

Climber nodded. “So did I.”

“So what’d they do?” Trace asked.

Climber shook his head. “Salvo didn’t say. And it’s not a question we’re supposed to ask, are we clear on that?”

The three specs regarded one another.

“How do you want to handle it?” Ras said finally.

“The commander wants us to blow an ambush,” Climber said in a determined voice. “I say we give him what he wants.”