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Gantoris nodded. “If these are representative pictures, this place Dantooine would be a perfect new home for my people.”

Leia felt a surge of relief. “I was thinking of putting Wedge … I mean General Antilles in charge of the relocation duties. He’s been supervising the reconstruction of the lower city levels for months, and frankly, I think that’s a waste of his talents.”

“I agree,” Mon Mothma said. Though buried under more diplomatic entanglements and bureaucratic decisions than Leia could imagine, Mon Mothma somehow maintained a calm energy. “Also, my calendar just reminded me that the Caridan ambassador will be arriving in two days. Are all the preparations going smoothly? Can I offer my assistance in any way?”

“Just plan to be there. That’s the most I can ask of you. I have decided to move the reception to the Skydome Botanical Gardens, rather than holding it here in the Imperial Palace. Since Ambassador Furgan seems hostile to our cause, I didn’t want to exacerbate his reactions by receiving him in the former seat of the Emperor’s government. In fact, the ambassador is trying to disguise his mission here as a mere pilgrimage to visit the site of various Imperial landmarks.”

Mon Mothma nodded slightly but gave a smile. “At least he’s coming. That’s the best signal of all.”

“I suppose.” Leia remained skeptical.

“By the way, I never received your report on Han’s mission to Kessel. That was a brilliant idea to send him instead of a formal ambassador. Han can speak to those people in their own language, and reopening the spice channels away from the black market might do wonders for the new economy. Did he have any success?”

Feeling awkward, Leia dropped her gaze to the floor. “He has been delayed, Mon Mothma, so I don’t have any information at the moment. I’ll give you a full report as soon as he gets back. Let’s hope his mission is a success.”

“Agreed.” Mon Mothma’s expression hinted that she suspected there was more to Leia’s story, but she asked no further questions. “I have to go debate with the Ugnaught representatives about salvage rights for the wrecked ships in orbit around Coruscant. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long afternoon, and I just wanted to greet you while I had the chance. Gantoris, it was a pleasure.”

Mon Mothma turned to go but flashed a glance back at Leia. “By the way, you’re doing a fine job, Leia. Too often in government we get inundated by so many dissatisfied interest groups, so many complaints, that we forget the things we’re doing right. You are doing a lot of things right.”

Leia couldn’t cover an embarrassed smile. If only she hadn’t lost her husband, she might have been a lot happier.

• • •

The twins began bawling in unison as soon as Winter stepped onto the ramp of her unmarked shuttle. Leia’s personal servant stopped, keeping her back turned to Jacen and Jaina, and then slowly faced them.

Leia gripped the shoulders of the two children, but they still treated their mother as a stranger, even after several days. She held on tightly, which she realized might not have been the best thing to do, but she felt suddenly possessive of the twins.

Winter’s face was cold and impassive beneath her white hair. “Children, stop crying this instant.”

Jacen snuffled. “We want you to stay, Winter.”

Winter thrust out one hand, pointing her finger like a spear at Leia. “That is your mother. I was only taking care of you. You are big children now, and it’s time for you to be at your own home. I have to go back and take care of your baby brother.”

Leia kept herself from trembling. She had known Winter a long time; the woman had total recall of anything she had ever seen or heard, and she rarely showed any sort of emotion. Now Leia thought she could detect a sadness in her, a sense of loss as she finally gave over care of her two wards.

Leia knelt beside the twins. “You’ll be staying with me now, both of you. And your daddy should be home soon. We’ll have lots of fun together.