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“Please,” Leia said. “I hope it was all right for Desha to show me into your office.”

“Perfectly,” Dorvan said, pouring a cup for each of them. “My door is always open to you. In fact, my position is open to you, if you’d take it.” He lifted an eyebrow in mock hopefulness as he gave her the cup.

Leia smiled, accepting the caf and giving Pocket one last pat. “No, no, I’ve had my stint. That’s … actually what I came to discuss with you. I hope that I’ve been of some help with the transition of government. I might be of more … but in a different capacity.”

Dorvan sat and sipped his caf, eyes regarding her thoughtfully. “Go on.”

“As I know you know, Han and I have … connections … in various places,” she began.

Dorvan raised a hand. “Please,” he said, “remember plausible deniability.”

She smiled a little at that. “Of course,” she said. “But because of those connections, we now have a lead on where Daala might be.”

His eyebrows lifted slightly—an indication of great surprise. “Is that lead something you can share?”

“Not until it’s verified,” Leia said.

“Ah. So you’re trying to decide where you could help the most,” Dorvan said.

Leia nodded. “This political jumble that you’re having to deal with now—I understand it. I’m in a unique position, and I can help you through it. I can help all of us through it.”

“You can, and you are unique,” he agreed. “You’re a Jedi, so they trust you to represent them fairly. But we both know that beneath those brown and cream robes beats the heart of a born diplomat. Even Daala knew that.”

She gave a small, self-deprecating smile. “Guilty as charged,” she said. “Which is what makes this so difficult.”

“Do you trust these sources? I’m sure there are plenty of beings out there who would love to lead you both on a wild caranak chase.”

“I do,” Leia replied. “They’re sound.”

He was silent for a moment, then spoke thoughtfully. “To be able to put Daala on trial, fairly and publicly, would eliminate any lingering doubt as to the legitimacy of the current administration. I can’t think of any other single action that would do more to heal the GA and get things back on track so that it could become an effective institution. No offense to your skills, Jedi Solo, but even the best you could bring to the table would pale in comparison.”

“None taken, which is why this is something I feel I need to do,” Leia said.

“Then do so.” He smiled slightly, and it reached his eyes, turning them warm for a moment. “And I say this as earnestly as is possible … may the Force be with you.”

Leia thought about whom they were trusting to deliver the “information” on Daala’s whereabouts and gave him a wry smile.

“Believe me,” she said, “We’re going to need it.”

MOFF DRIKL LECERSEN’S ESTATE, CORUSCANT

“Sir, there is someone outside who wishes to meet with you.” Eethree’s voice sounded offended on behalf of his master. Clearly, beings of good manners who understood protocol and etiquette did not show up unannounced on the doorsteps of important personages without appointments, as far as Eethree was concerned. That unspoken but vocally implied censure was also, Lecersen was certain, directed in large part at him. After all, he was the one who instructed the protocol droid to keep an eye out for such things.

“What species?” he asked, setting aside the datapad he had been perusing. The hour was late, and the Moff was alone in his sitting room. Busts of various late heroes of the Empire occupied positions of honor in the room, as did antiques and souvenirs Lecersen had collected over the years. Save for these objets d’art, the room was spare and austere, lacking the enveloping quality of the dining room with its heavy furnishings and thick fur rugs. Surrounded by evidence of the glories of the Empire—the Empire he was now moving steadily toward ruling—this was Lecersen’s favorite place to retire, think, plot, and plan. The only concessions to comfort were the artificial fireplace and two large chairs, so that he might pursue such endeavors more easily.