Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [174]
“Now,” Dorvan said, a few hairs slightly out of place but otherwise looking as calm as ever, “this is where we part company. The door to the Jedi Temple gardens is four-one-A. It’s a bit tricky to get to, but just keep going down the way we came until you find it. I must return to the Senatorial debate.”
“Thank Padnel for us. That’s a long time to talk about whether or not to put a tax on exotic fruit.”
Dorvan sobered slightly. “His … speech is actually somewhat different than we had planned on. Senator Suldar has challenged his ability to continue in office. He’s nominated Roki Kem.”
“I’m surprised,” Han said. “I’d expect that sleemo to nominate another one of his hangers-on.”
“I did, too,” Dorvan said. “But either way, Ovin is talking to buy you time. Use it well.”
“Thanks, Wynn. I won’t forget this,” said Leia, squeezing his hand.
Han clapped him on the back. “Beneath that neatly pressed exterior, you’ve got the heart of a rogue and a pirate, Dorvan,” he said.
“Please, Captain Solo. There’s no call for insults.”
Han grinned, then the four of them headed toward freedom.
Dorvan watched them go. He’d done a good day’s work here. Tonight he would sleep better than he had in a long, long time. Padnel Ovin, Roki Kem—either of them was better than Daala. They’d start straightening things out.
He turned and began the task of navigating the multitude of corridors. Left, right, up stairs, left, up stairs, right, right, up one more flight. He glanced at his chrono: the entire thing had taken only fifty-four minutes. All would be well.
He reached the secret entrance to the Chief of State’s office and took a moment to compose himself. Calmly, he pushed open the door.
And stared at three extraordinarily handsome men and women, all carrying red lightsabers.
“How did Dorvan manage this without a datapad?” marveled Lando as they kept taking turn after turn.
“Man’s a bureaucrat,” Han said. “They like details like this.”
“He might be a Force-sensitive and not know it,” quipped Zekk. “Takes something extra not to get lost here. Speaking of which …” He slowed, frowning. “I don’t think this is the way we came. I think we should have gone left back there.”
“Numbers were wrong,” Han said. “It was this way.”
Zekk followed, but his frown deepened and Leia sensed he was not at all certain Han was right.
“Honey, are you sure?” she said to her husband. “It’s difficult not to get lost here.”
“Numbers are starting to go up,” Han said. “We’re on the right track.”
“Go up?” asked Lando, coming to a full halt. “Han, we were only looking for the forties.”
“No, no, Dorvan said four-one-eight,” Han said impatiently.
Leia looked at the numbers. They had been descending stairs at every opportunity, and the numbers had gone from the single digits to the three hundreds. Her stomach sank.
“Han,” she said, “Dorvan said four-one-A, not four-one-eight.”
“Nah, he didn’t.” Han paused. He stiffened, and turned around with an almost comical look of mixed hope and defiance. “Did he?”
“I’m afraid he did, pal,” Lando said wearily. “And I think I may be getting too old to climb up all those flights of stairs again.” Han closed his eyes miserably. Leia touched his arm gently.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Lando said, trying to sound bluff. “No one knows we’re even in here, and they sure won’t be able to find how to get in from the outside. Those doors just vanish. We can take our time, take a break, then—”
“No,” Leia said suddenly. Her eyes met Zekk’s and he nodded. “We can’t. Someone’s following us.”
“Bloah,” swore Han. “This is my fault.”
“That’s a first,” said Lando, but Leia waved him to silence.
“Hang on,” she said. She Force-leapt up the stairs the way they had come, unfastening her hair as she did so. Landing lightly, she chose a door at random, and dropped the barrette in front of it. Her hair would be in her face for a