As the investigation begins, they learn about a shuttle that entered and departed just before the attack. It is traced back to Tawaler who they find dead in the airlock. Apparently a mysterious woman left him in there to die. Jacen can sense the female presence that was there, but cannot pinpoint who it was. Han believes that Thrackan is behind it. Jaina produces a strange tassel that was left behind, but no one can identify what it is. Luke sends Ben and Jacen off to look for the mysterious woman that was with Tawaler. He and Mara will investigate the origins of the attacks, while Han and Leia will look into the diplomatic side of things. Jaina and Zekk are tasked with looking into the mysterious tassel. Jacen looks closer at the tassel and gets a sensation from it. He convinces the others to swap missions with him since they are not receiving anything from it.

On the surface of Corellia, Luke heads to a small building and meets with a disguised Corran Horn. Mara sneaks into Thrackan’s base with the help of a Jedi on the inside. Inside she learns there are several escape pods throughout the area.

Han and Leia meet with new Prime Minister Teppler. He tells them that he’s headed to a meeting that he hopes will help save the long term future of Corellia, but they are not allowed to communicate this information back to the GA. He knows they cannot continue to negotiate as long as the GA continues to occupy Tralus. He hopes to initiate an act of war that gets them out and thus peace talks will be able to resume.

Mara slices into the computer and discovers a message from someone who claims to be able to provide all the security information about GA/Corellia Summit. While it doesn’t prove Thrackan committed the attacks, it does show that he was aware something was going on.

From their hiding place, Han and Leia oversee a Corellian military meeting attended by Wedge. They discuss their upcoming attack on the GA base on Tralus and detail how they plan to use GA ships in the attack so any civilian deaths will be blamed on the GA. Wedge is clearly dismayed by this and has another plan that won’t have as many civilian casualties. Thrackan’s voice is heard and he goes against Wedge’s plan. Wedge explains he surgical strike on the center lead by some older pilots. Same result with few deaths.

Elsewhere, Jacen learns from a Twi’lek that one of the strange knots on the tassel can be interpreted as “He will strengthen himself through pain.” The other knots are also forms of writing and he recommends a location that may be able to help him decode them. Jacen and Ben are now off to Lorrd to learn more.

As Han and Leia discuss whether Han should volunteer for Wedge’s mission, Thrackan orders Wedge to endorse a message that he’ll be giving to Wedge’s daughter, but Wedge refuses.

Inside the GA base, Lysa is approached by a Corellian who asks to speak with her. Later, she finds herself being interrogated by GA troops about the Corellian’s death, and they learn that she is Wedge’s daughter, Syal Antilles. She says that he threatened her family if she wouldn’t help the Corellians so she killed him. Syal’s squadron leader wants her kicked out, but instead she is transferred to another squad.

Jacen and Ben land on Lorrd and meet with Nelani Dinn, the Jedi assigned there. She takes them to Dr. Rotham who is able to translate another tassel that says “He will ruin those that deny justice.” They leave the tassel with doctor for further study.

Luke again meets with the GA Council and reports the information that Thrackan knew something was going on. Omas doesn’t think it is enough proof. Luke suggests arresting him anyway because it would probably help the peace process. He says that justice isn’t always the best answer; sometimes just getting the job done should be the goal.