Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [65]
Leia appreciated Mon Mothma’s confidence in her, when the former Chief of State had passed the torch of rulership—but Leia did not relish the work of being president, though she considered it her duty.
Jacen and Jaina sat down and began to play with their food, and she was relieved that they had chosen something that wouldn’t try too hard to run away. The twins loved colored cubes of fizzing protein gelatin, though Leia couldn’t stand the stuff. Han had chosen a greasy Corellian dish, while Leia contented herself with hydroponic greens sprinkled with intense flavor crystals.
She closed her eyes as she sank into her chair. “It’s so nice just to be together with the family, if only for a few minutes.” Chewbacca agreed with a loud rumble.
A tall, offensively efficient waitdroid came up with a gleaming empty platter affixed to one metal arm. “May I provide further assistance, honored customers?” the waitdroid said. “I am proud to offer my services while you dine in our fine establishment. May I take orders for drinks or additional items? Condiments perhaps? The pleasure of my existence is to serve you faithfully.”
Threepio grew indignant at the overblown expressions of hospitality. “I am their personal protocol droid, you pretentious pile of scrap, and I am perfectly capable of taking care of their needs. Now if you don’t mind, this is a family outing, and we would much prefer to be left alone. Good day.”
The waitdroid sniffed, spun its torso 180 degrees, and trundled off.
Han placed his hand over Leia’s and gave a crooked smile. “Bad day?”
“Exhausting,” Leia answered, her eyes still shut. “Every meeting seems like I’m running uphill on a high-gravity planet. Nothing gets accomplished easily. I find myself wishing for the ‘good old days’ when we would just blast in, do our jobs, and leave: mission accomplished. Now I have to go through so many different steps, so many interminable committees, get agreement from an unconscionable number of opposing parties so nobody in the galaxy is offended by the smallest piece of legislation … it’s impossible sometimes.”
She opened her eyes and looked at her husband. Jacen and Jaina began throwing gelatin cubes at each other. “In a case like this, it’s so perfectly plain. Why is there any discussion? We still can’t come to an agreement.”
“The stuff about the Hutts?” Han asked.
She bit her lower lip and nodded. “It’s obvious the Hutts are pulling a fast one. We know what you and Luke found in Jabba’s palace, we’ve got the message from Mara Jade, and we know that Durga’s own Taurill stole the Death Star plans. We can’t just ignore it.”
She took a mouthful of leaves and crunched, thinking as she chewed. Han ate one of his grayish green sausages and smacked his lips, relishing the meal. “There are other ways to find out,” he said.
Leia smiled. “I know.” She felt her face grow warm, fixing her attention on the challenge. She squeezed Han’s hand in both of hers. “Okay, we’ve had closed Senate meetings, and I’ve heard enough discussion to make a statue fall asleep. So what are we really going to do?”
Chewbacca ventured a loud opinion. “Yeah, I was thinking that, Chewie,” Han said and turned to Leia. “The Hutts probably know we suspect something. We’ve heard news from too many different sources to hope that those slimy worms don’t have an inkling yet. They’ll be watching your official channels very closely. They’ve probably got spies scattered throughout the Imperial palace. We have to be careful.”
Leia nodded. “So, since they know we’re hunting for clues, let’s create a diversion. We’ll use a flashy show, carry a big stick in one hand and a delicate probe in the other.”
Han’s forehead creased as he thought. “What do you mean?”
“We’ll take Durga up on his offer.”
Han looked at her blankly.