Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 05_ Allies - Christie Golden [11]
Lando glanced at him curiously. “A group?”
“I have a few … associates accompanying me.”
Even via holographic communication, Lando knew how to read people. His bright eyes narrowed as he regarded Luke.
“Associates, eh? What kind of associates? Not swindlers and scoundrels keeping the noble Luke Skywalker company, surely.”
Luke debated demurring, but decided not to. He had known Lando for a long time, and certainly the former space pirate could not sit in judgment on Luke, considering the company he once kept—and, probably, still did keep.
“Er … They’re um … well, they’re Sith, actually.”
Lando’s expression of shock was almost comical. His mouth dropped open and his eyebrows shot up, and the carefully cultivated “I’ve seen it all” image went right out the airlock.
“S-Sith?” He could barely get the word out.
“Sith,” Luke confirmed. “Quite a few of them. It’s … a long story.”
“No kidding. I’ll want that story in addition to my fee, Skywalker.”
There would be no fee, of course, and Luke didn’t bat an eyelash. “As soon as I can share it, I will,” he replied, grinning. “So, I take it you’ll surrender the Rockhound for a bit?”
“Bring her back home safe and sound, and yourselves, too, if possible, and she’s yours,” Lando said. “But I have to warn you. You’ll have to cultivate that Jedi patience. She’s been out of service for a while, and it’s going to take some time to bring her up to speed. I’ve made a few … adjustments.”
Luke couldn’t help but smile. Lando, just like Han, was always tinkering with his ships. It was as if the two simply couldn’t stand the notion of flying a ship the way it came out of the factory. While it amused him, Luke was certainly not one to dismiss the pair’s inclination to improve—the Jade Shadow was testimony to what a customized vessel could do.
“I’m sure it will do everything but make me a cup of caf and deliver it to me in bed,” Luke said.
“You know … that’s a great idea, Luke. I’ll get right on it,” Lando said with a straight face, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“How long do you think it will take?”
Lando considered. “Hm … the old boat’s been sitting in dock for a while. A week? Maybe two?”
Disappointment knifed through Luke. “That long?” He did not regret his decision to ally with the Sith. He’d thought it over carefully and knew that it was the right one. He also knew that the longer one spent hanging around with garbage, the greater the chance a dianoga would show up. He wanted to confront Abeloth as soon as possible and be rid of the promises he had made before the Sith decided to turn on him, which was as inevitable as Ben getting hungry every few hours.
Lando spread his hands in a don’t-look-at-me gesture. “Hey, you’re the one who wants a specialized vessel to go chasing Big Bads in the Maw, not me. I’ll do my best to make it a week. But seriously, Luke, I do have to warn you, this thing is old. And so is her droid crew. You gotta be gentle with her, understand?”
“She’s not going to break down on me in the middle of the Maw?”
“Hey, hey, did I say that?” Lando looked wounded, but it was just over the top enough for Luke to know his friend wasn’t serious. “That’s what I need the time for, to make sure that doesn’t happen. I’m just letting you know that she will need a little extra love, that’s all.”
Luke sighed. He needed every advantage he could in going after Abeloth—that much had been made excruciatingly clear. If Lando said one to two weeks, then he would have to wait one to two weeks, and hope the Sith didn’t chafe at the delay too much. The tug could make all the difference.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the loan. It’s appreciated, Lando. We’ll lay in a course for Kessel and—”
“Oh, no, no, no, you’re not bringing Sith into orbit around my planet,” Lando said at once. “That would be bad for business if word gets out.”
Luke thought it would be bad for