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“You’re sure?”

“Pretty sure,” Han said. “But it’s better for Cilghal to wait for you in the infirmary, so she can have everything ready to start the tests.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Allana said. “But she’d better be ready. Anji doesn’t like having a headache.”

As they approached the Senate Building, Han could see that there was indeed a crowd, made up of well-dressed politicians, brightly dressed holocasters surrounded by their crews, and uniformed security officers. They were all waiting around the perimeter of the Falcon’s designated landing zone. The fact didn’t improve his disposition. It was bad enough having to face crowds, any member of whom might be someone he owed money to—well, that was the old days. Now any member of a crowd might be an old enemy or a killer paid by an old enemy. Even when times were good and people cheered, he didn’t much like crowds. It was worse at times like these. Jeers, subpoenas … it always irked him. He smiled. It didn’t wear him down, of course. It just irritated him.

They came to a smooth landing at the designated spot, which was ringed with security speeders and journalist vehicles. Han and Leia went through a very abbreviated checklist and power-down, then mustered at the top of the loading ramp with the droids. After instructing Allana to wait aboard with Anji, Han hit the button to lower the ramp.

As it touched down, as the Solos and their droids began to move down its length, their greeting party stepped into the shadow of the Falcon’s hull and stopped a few meters down the ramp. In among a small group of Coruscant Security officers and troopers were Daala and her aide, Wynn Dorvan.

Han gave Leia a glance, a faint twitch of his eyebrows, acknowledgment that he hadn’t expected the Chief of State to be on hand personally for their arrival. Leia’s microscopic shrug said she hadn’t, either.

Allana, standing inside the hatch behind them, called, “Hey, Jaina!”

Han looked toward the back of the crowd and saw his daughter arriving, a somber and striking martial figure in traditional Jedi robes. He waved, but then broadened the gesture to include the crowd. There was a low cheer from onlookers not in government uniform and not otherwise occupied.

The Solos came to a stop at the bottom of the ramp. Half comically, Han put his wrists together and offered them, in turn, to the closest three security troops.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” Daala stepped forward. She extended her hand to shake Han’s, then Leia’s. “Yes, there is a warrant out for you, but it’s not being executed today.”

Once free of Daala’s grasp, Leia glanced at her hand, as if doing a quick count of her fingers, then returned her attention to the Chief of State. “Well, that’s promising … but if I may ask, why not?”

“Because some problems require complex solutions, and, sadly, arrests and convictions aren’t always complex.” Daala looked past their shoulders, up toward Allana. “And you must be Amelia Solo.”

Allana’s voice held no trace of awe or intimidation when she answered, “I’m supposed to wait here. I have a hurt nexu.”

“A … nexu?” Daala’s eyes widened and returned to the adult Solos. “Her pet?”

Han shrugged. “She’s good with animals.” He looked around, still trying to figure out what Daala’s game was, then said, “Well, thanks for coming out to meet us, but it’s been kind of a long trip. If you don’t mind, I think we’ll just—”

“After our meeting, if you don’t mind.” Daala wasn’t requesting. Her gaze drifted back up the ramp toward Allana. “Will Amelia and her nexu be joining us?”

Han glanced over at Leia, who merely shrugged and said, “No, her sister Jaina is here to collect her.”

Daala followed their gaze to where Jaina stood behind the Coruscant Security lines. “Ah. Well, I hope young Amelia has a good day with her sister.”

Dorvan waved at the security troopers nearest Jaina and indicated that they should let the Jedi approach. In moments, after a flurry of quick embraces, Jaina was boarding the Falcon to collect Allana and her nexu. Han and Leia were swept up in Daala’s retinue and headed for