Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [120]
“Don’t you think I know what I like?” he asked querulously. “I don’t need a droid telling me what I like to drink!”
“Of course not, Senator. What would you like instead?”
Bramsin blinked, confused. What would he like?
His comm beeped. He clicked it at once. “Senator Bramsin.”
“Fost, my dear!” It was Haydnat. “I hope I’m not disturbing you. I was wondering if I might invite myself over for a nightcap.”
Bramsin brightened. His problem had been solved. “Of course, of course! What would you like to drink? I’ll have it ready.”
SOLO SAFE HOUSE, CORUSCANT
Leia opened her eyes. She sat up in bed, her mind surprisingly clear, and strained to listen for what had woken her. Then she knew.
This was going to be so hard on Han.
“Honey,” she said gently, “we need to get up.”
He, too, had had many years of needing to wake up alert. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing yet, but someone’s coming. Get dressed, then go get Allana. I bet she’s not asleep, either.”
Ten minutes later, the three of them were in the kitchen. Leia had some caf brewing and set out four mugs. Han carried Allana, who, as Leia had predicted, had been awake when her grandfather entered her room. She was, honestly, too big to be carried, but nobody, not even his wife, was going to tell that to Han Solo.
“Care to enlighten me, Princess?” he asked. “I don’t think Allana and Anji are going to be drinking caf. Anji’s keyed up enough as it is.” The nexu had been greatly agitated, and knowing at least something of what was coming, Leia had told Allana to close up her pet in her room for now.
Leia turned to him, and she knew by his reaction that she was wearing the Stoic Face.
“Oh, bloah,” Han said. “What’s going on, Leia?”
“Don’t swear in front of All—Amelia,” she said. “Han, honey … if I’m right, I think I’m going to have to go away for a little bit. But everything’s going to be just fine.”
There came a knock on the door. Han’s face went ashen, and his eyes went angry.
“You’re kidding. That is not who I think it is.”
Standing up at her full diminutive height, Leia Organa Solo went to the door and opened it, smiling. “Good evening,” she said to the two beings who stood there wearing GAS uniforms. “Won’t you come in and have a cup of caf?”
ABOARD THE JADE SHADOW
“They took Leia,” Han said without preamble.
Luke stared at him. Han was contacting him via hologram, and he stood there in miniature, holding an Allana who was actually considerably calmer than her grandfather.
“What? Who took her?”
By now Ben, copiloting, and Vestara, engrossed in reading a datapad Natua had prepared for her, were paying attention.
“The GAS. Those sleemos took her away on a whole slew of trumped-up charges. You know about the anti-Jedi legislation that’s being enacted? And the whole news slant?”
“I’ve heard some,” Luke said. “But this is ridiculous. What were the charges?”
“Conspiracy to overthrow the rightfully elected government,” Han snarled. “Espionage. And get this. Spice smuggling.”
“Wow,” said Ben. “They’re getting desperate. Aunt Leia a spice dealer?”
“And you simply let them take her?” asked Vestara.
Han shot her a furious look. She drew back a little, despite the fact that Han was only a third of a meter high. “I would have preferred to have blasted them into the next sector,” Han said, “but Leia wouldn’t let me. She told me I have this one to worry about. So she went quietly. I think the two guys sent to take her in were embarrassed.”
“They should be,” said Natua, who had overheard and poked her head in. “Leia Organa Solo? A traitor dealing in spice?” Luke felt himself growing angry, and calmed himself in the Force. He knew it for what it was—Natua’s pheromones affecting his own feelings.
“She’s a public figure,” Luke said, “and a well-loved one. Padnel Ovin is your friend. Someone on that subcommittee just wants to make a big gesture, that’s all. It’ll backfire and Leia will be released.”
“Yes,” said Han grimly, “she will. One way or another.”
“I bet Padnel is already working on it,” Luke said. “What time is it there?