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“I will miss you, and Coruscant, but my heart is easy with this choice. Farewell—and may the Force be with you.”

* * *

The good-byes, Jag thought, were getting easier. Not because he and Jaina missed each other any less when they were apart, but the new bond that had been forged between them connected them even when they were separated by distance. They did not live in hope that all would be well between them; they lived in certainty of it.

But neither had to actually like saying good-bye.

They had had a more intimate farewell in Jag’s quarters an hour earlier. Now Jag stood with Jaina and her parents in the Temple hangar. The place was alive with calm, controlled activity, but even Jag—utterly non-Force-sensitive—could feel the excitement in the air, the mingled joy and regret that the Jedi felt upon their imminent departure.

Jaina hugged her mother tightly. “You’ll come join us soon?”

“As soon as we can, I promise,” Leia reassured her. “Dorvan has asked me to stay, and I can’t deny him what help and advice I can.”

“I know. But I think you’ll be the last Jedi on the planet.”

Leia chuckled. “There’s still the Barabels. But I probably will be the last to leave.”

Han held out his arms and his daughter went into them, snuggling up to him. Han squeezed her so hard Jag feared Jaina would have difficulty breathing. “Save a little bit of Abeloth for your mother,” Han said. “You know how grumpy she gets when she misses the action.”

“That’s you, Dad.”

“So it is.” He grinned and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Allana clung tightly to her aunt. “I want to go, too,” she said.

“From what I understand, you’ve had plenty of adventure already, young lady,” Jaina said, tweaking her nose.

“Dealing with Squibs isn’t an adventure,” Allana protested.

“Oh, yes it is,” said Han.

“An adventure I will shortly undertake,” Jag said. “Amelia has offered to introduce me.”

“Lucky you,” said Jaina, slipping into his arms for a final, sweet kiss. For his ears only, she whispered, “Don’t you dare let Daala get the jump on you.”

“I won’t,” he whispered back. “I have you to come home to, don’t I?”

“Darn right you do,” she said, pulling back. “Well, time to go. I’ll be in touch.”

With a final wave and a grin, Jaina strode off to her StealthX. She didn’t look back.

They watched the hatch close on the StealthX. Jag felt a small hand steal into his. He looked down to see Amelia looking up at him earnestly and tugging on him.

“They’re waiting in the Falcon,” she said.

“Is that safe?” asked Jag.

“As safe as I could make it,” Han said. “Don’t have anywhere else to put them. Threepio and Artoo stayed aboard to see that they don’t get into too much trouble. Personally I’d have drop-kicked them into the next solar system, but you said you wanted to see them.”

“Your patience is commendable,” Jag said. “By all means, lead on, Amelia.”

Smiling happily, she did. They strode up the ramp, and a golden form hastened into view as fast as its servos could carry it.

“Mistress Leia, Master Han—thank goodness you’ve come to liberate us!” exclaimed 3PO. R2 rolled into view, and even his normally cheerful toodles and tweets had an anxious edge to them.

“See?” said Han.

Three blue heads poked out from the side, and six long, tufted ears swiveled forward. Their eyes were bright with curiosity.

“So this is our boss?” said one.

“About time,” said another.

“How exciting to meet the Head of State!” said the third.

Jag strode up the ramp, putting on his best diplomatic demeanor. “So these are the Squibs who have been so helpful to me and the Empire. You must be Emala,” he said to the smallest one, bending over and extending his hand. Emala closed long fingers about it and rubbed it on her cheek. Jag took no offense; he was familiar with the habits of this species.

“I’m Grees,” said one of the males, emulating Emala.

“And I’m Sligh,” said the third.

“I understand you’ve known the Solo family for quite some time,” Jag continued.

“We’re old friends,” said Sligh.