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Han set the Falcon down on the rocking plasteel debris, locked down the stabilizers, then broke open the door seals. As he clambered down the exit ramp, he scanned the rescuers to see if he could find Leia. He hadn’t held her in his arms in so long.

As usual, when they were forced apart, he thought of all sorts of things he wanted to say to her, the promises and sweet nothings she deserved, though he usually didn’t manage to force them through his gruff exterior.

Lando followed him, and they both stared at the wounded who had been dragged onto the floating wreckage of the Calamarian city. Although waves sloshed over the metal edges, for now they had been designated infirmary areas, relatively stable platforms on which the medics could tend the injured.

The smell of blood and salt filled the air, mixed with the chemical stench of laser burns, molten metal quenched in the sea, and smoke from fires that continued to burn.

Tentacle-faced Quarren bobbed up from the waves. Water trickled down their heads as they brought up important components from Reef Home’s computer core or personal items rescued from breached living quarters. The Quarren would no doubt claim salvage rights for the entire hulk, and they would sell personal belongings back to the Calamarians.

Han stood with his legs spread wide for greater balance on a drifting fragment. The choppy sea made the platform lurch in slow motion, rocking up and down. He finally noticed a wavespeeder skimming toward the wreckage. Leia piloted it, accompanied by Ackbar and a female Calamarian.

Han waved frantically, and the wavespeeder veered toward him, coming alongside. Leia leaped off the vehicle as Ackbar lashed it to a ragged stump of torn metal. She walked confidently, then ran, keeping her balance as she flung herself into Han’s arms. He hugged her against his chest as he kissed her again and again. “I’m so glad you’re safe!”

She looked at him. “I know.”

“Stop that,” Han said. “I’m serious. Daala did this, didn’t she?”

“We think so, but we have no proof yet.”

He cut her off. “No question in my mind about it. Daala has no political motives—she just wants to destroy things.”

The female Calamarian climbed out of the wavespeeder and went to the triage area, glancing at the bleeding Calamarians as far too few medics attempted to tend them. She walked among the injured, making quick pronouncements, as if she could somehow determine their chances for survival.

Two medics worked desperately to resuscitate a Quarren whose arm had been amputated and his chest crushed. She took one glance and said, “He won’t survive, and you can do nothing more to make him survive.” The two Calamarian healers looked at her and, seeing the absolute conviction on her face, moved to another patient and let the Quarren die.

Like an angel of life and death, she walked among them, staring down, tilting her head and swiveling her round Calamarian eyes from side to side.

Han watched her as she moved. “Who is that?”

“Her name is Cilghal. She’s the Calamarian ambassador,” Leia said, then lowered her voice. “I think she has Jedi powers. She doesn’t know it yet. I’m going to make sure she goes to see Luke.” Leia hugged her husband again. “I’m so glad you came.”

“I was on my way the moment I heard,” Han answered. He cocked an eyebrow as he looked at Lando. “By the way, we played another little game of sabacc en route. This time I won.” He offered an arm to his wife. “Would you like a ride home in my ship, Leia?”

“The Falcon’s yours again?” she said with delight, then slipped her arm through his. Still grinning, she looked at Lando. “Sorry to hear that, Lando.”

He shrugged. “It was one way to get him off my back.”

Ackbar climbed out of the skimmer and stood on the rocking wreckage. He raised one broad hand to shield his lumpy brow as he looked over the scattered debris of Reef Home City. Han had never been good at telling expressions on the Calamarian admiral’s face, but Ackbar seemed devastated.

He went to where Ackbar stood all alone. “Admiral,” Han