Star Wars_ Legacy of the Force 04_ Exile - Aaron Allston [17]
Lando cleared his throat to gain a moment to think and clear away the good-natured, mocking vocal mannerism he had intended to employ. Then he said, “I’m glad to see you. I have caf and food in the lounge.”
While Han and Leia ate—slowly, barely tasting their food—they told Lando what had happened. Jacen was the central figure in almost every element of the story.
Jacen supporting laws to concentrate and imprison Corellians on Coruscant. Jacen interrogating a prisoner until she died—the daughter of Boba Fett. Jacen believing that Han and Leia would conspire against Tenel Ka, and punitively firing on the Falcon…when his own parents, sister, and cousin were aboard. Cakhmaim and Meewalh, Leia’s Noghri bodyguards, killed in that attack—not just killed, but incinerated, instantly obliterated so that there was nothing left to bury.
As their account of the events ran down, Lando shook his head, almost unwilling to believe what he was hearing. “I’m sorry. I’ve been up on the holonews; I knew about his promotion to head of the Galactic Alliance Guard, but all this…I don’t know what to say.”
Finally Han looked up from his plate. “Can you help us fix the Falcon?”
Lando nodded. “Consider it done. This place is an old repair station I—we—picked up in a corporate merger. It’s not cost-efficient, so we’ve transferred most of the personnel to other locations and are going to be closing it down. I’ll keep this repair dock open long enough to make the Falcon shipshape. Better than new.” He winced again. “It’ll take some time, though.”
Han and Leia exchanged a look, and Leia said, “We’ll need a fast transport for the interim, too. Something that can get us through the Corellian exclusion zone if we need to. And something that doesn’t scream The Solos are back whenever it’s noticed.”
“I’ve got you covered.”
They were silent for several moments. Then Leia asked, “And how are you doing, Lando?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
That got the attention of both Han and Leia. “Why?” Han asked.
“Because it’s all good.”
Leia managed a little smile. “I appreciate you not wanting to make us feel worse by gloating. We know that’s not what you’re going to do. We could use some good news. Really.”
“Oh. Well, then.” Lando heaved a sigh. “I’d have to say that all my wishes from when I was a young man have pretty much come true. I’m rich. I can travel wherever I want and do whatever I want. I’m married to a smart, beautiful woman who doesn’t worry about where I am every second of the year. I can visit a gambling den and lose a fortune and not catch any heat; Tendra knows that at some point I’ll win another fortune or a patent or a planet and make up the loss. Tendrando Arms isn’t as big as it was during and right after the Yuuzhan Vong war, but it’s doing very well selling to security forces in the private sector, and we’ve diversified. We’re very healthy.”
Leia frowned. “You almost sound…sad.”
Lando paused, groping for the right words. “No…but there’s no risk in my life. The years aren’t going to make me old, but sitting around being successful, popular, and responsible is.” He scowled. “Do you know how long it’s been since a bounty hunter came after me?”
Leia offered him a wan smile. “For us, not so long.”
Lando heaved himself to his feet. “I’m going to show you to your quarters. You get some rest. I’ll arrange for a suitable transport to be brought up here.”
CORELLIAN EXCLUSION ZONE ANAKIN SOLO
Jacen sat cross-legged in his cabin, floating a meter above the floor, tranquil.
For once, he was fully open to the Force, letting it flow through him, sustain him, support him in the air. He let the Force do as it wished, showing him pictures, flicking little traces of thought and emotion through him…and all the while he searched, peering as if the entirety of the Force were an ocean and he wanted