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“Uh … no,” Ben said.

“So plot a course,” Luke said. “The sooner we’re done with Ship, the sooner we can head home.”

“You let my mom get captured by Sith?”

Luke remained unruffled. “I did,” he told Jaina. “And the Sith have no idea that we knowingly did so.” Calmly, he explained his plan to Jaina. She folded her arms and glared at him while he spoke, but she listened, and as he continued he saw her body posture ease.

“I am sorry Leia got caught in the middle of this,” he said. “But she knows how to handle herself, and I don’t think she’s in any current danger.”

Jaina sighed. “I know. If anyone can deal with this, it’s Mom. I just wished I’d known what kind of a risk she was taking.”

“She knew, and she agreed to stay behind,” Luke said. “There’s an extra benefit—having her as a quote-unquote prisoner is lulling the Sith into a false sense of security. That will work to our advantage.”

“I guess you’re right. How did Dad react when you told him?”

“I haven’t told him about the Sith yet,” Luke said. “You’re safely away from Coruscant. Your father isn’t. I’m sure the Sith are watching him constantly, and the instant Han knows—”

“They’ll know we’re on to them,” Jaina grumbled. “I hate it when you’re right about things like this, Uncle Luke. Did you know that?”

“Trust me, I hate it, too, sometimes,” Luke said.

“So when do we go back and kick some Sith off Coruscant and get Mom out of jail?”

“As soon as we deal with Ship. We have to be able to focus all our attention on each enemy and take them out one at a time. The last thing we need is Abeloth showing up to help the Sith once we begin the attack.”

“Did you not hear that part where I said I hate it when you’re right?”

Luke chuckled. “We won’t waste a moment, I promise. I don’t like the thought of Leia in prison any more than you or your father does. So let’s get to Upekzar and then get back home.”

“That’s the first thing you’ve said that I like,” said Jaina. “You’re improving.”

ABOARD THE MILLENNIUM FALCON

“THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR, LUKE,” SAID HAN. “WHAT I want to hear is, I’m bringing back my Jedi and we’re going to bust my sister out of jail.”

“Han, I wish I could say that, but I can’t right now,” said Luke, his holographic face sympathetic. “I know you’re worried about Leia. So am I. But the fact of the matter is, she’s in no immediate danger, and I need to find and stop the Sith and Abeloth. Talk to Wynn, he—”

“I have talked to Wynn!” Han shouted. He felt his hands ball into fists and forced them to relax. “And Padnel. They’re both terribly sorry, but nobody is going to lift a finger without going through committee meetings, debates, presentations, and forms filled out in triplicate!”

Luke spread his hands in a helpless, frustrated gesture. “Then you have to be patient. What do you think Leia would want you to do? This government is fragile and tentative as it is. Just—be patient. Let it find its way to justice at its own pace. You know Dorvan. He’s a stickler for doing the right thing. And Padnel is Leia’s friend.”

“I know,” Han muttered. “But it’s this Senator Suldar I don’t know, and don’t like, and whose head I would like to break open.”

“I understand how you must feel,” Luke said. “That’s what I’d want to do if it were Mara in there. But Leia is in no danger, and if I were you, I’d want to get Amelia to safety as soon as possible.”

Han flinched inwardly. Luke was right. Allana should have been his first priority. Sitting beside him in the copilot’s seat, her legs dangling, she said, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Which, of course, only emphasized the need for him to get her far away from Coruscant. Sleemos might come for her next.

“You’re right, Luke. I need to take care of my little girl.”

Luke smiled. “That’s the right call, Han. Let me know where the two of you end up, all right? And let me know the second you hear anything about Leia.”

“Will do,” Han said, and thumbed the OFF button. Behind him, the Squibs, who had kept silent on pain of extreme bodily harm,