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Luke saw the truth of it. “Even so, Han’s beyond doing anything rash.”

Leia pinched her lower lip between her teeth.

“When Han and I first met, he had me convinced that he was as reckless as he pretends to be,” Luke continued. “But Obi-Wan said something I’ll never forget. He said that there was more to Han than met the eye, and that he had real substance beneath his callous front.” He smiled in recollection and looked at Leia. “Obi-Wan also said that only a special person would have a Wookiee for a companion—and that not just any Wookiee would be found roving the galaxy in the company of someone like Han.”

Leia smiled sadly. “You don’t have to remind me that Han’s special. But that’s just the problem. He needs that kind of companionship. Chewie and Han, I don’t know, they seemed to steady each other. Chewie kept Han in check.” Forcing herself to brighten, she turned to Mara. “I’m sorry to unleash on you two. I haven’t even asked how you are.”

“I’m feeling a lot stronger,” Mara said, and let it go at that.

Leia smiled to herself, thinking about how deeply she cared for Mara. She asked herself how she could ever have distrusted her. “I thought you would have returned to Yavin 4 by now,” she said after a moment.

Luke and Mara traded secretive looks. “Have you been informed that a Yuuzhan Vong has defected?”

Leia gaped at him. “What? When?”

“Shortly before you left for Ord Mantell. She’s being brought to Coruscant for further debriefing.”

“That’s great news.” Leia’s eyes lit up briefly, then she trained them on Luke. “Does the defector have something to do with your still being here?”

“She’s asked to meet with some of us.”

“ ‘Us’ as in Jedi?” Leia straightened in her chair. “Don’t tell me you’ve agreed to it.”

“She claims to have information about an illness the Yuuzhan Vong brought to our galaxy,” Mara answered.

Leia brought one hand to her mouth. “But, Mara—”

A familiar shriek emanated from the adjoining room, and C-3PO hurried into view, jerky movements reflecting his inner agitation. Behind him rolled R2-D2, razzing and squeaking in what was clearly derision.

“Oh, please don’t deactivate me!” C-3PO whined. “It wasn’t my fault! I was only trying to help!”

R2-D2 zithered something scornful.

“Oh, switch off, you little … drink caddy.”

“Threepio, calm down,” Leia said. “What’s this all about?”

He swung to her. “It was just on the newsnet, Mistress Leia. The Queen of Empire has been set upon by raiders, Rimward of the Bilbringi system! A distress call was dispatched, but the ship is probably being boarded at this very moment!”

Luke showed Leia a quizzical look.

“A vessel transporting refugees from Ord Mantell to the Core,” she explained. “Threepio, access the newsnet and see if you can learn anything more. It may be pirates rather than Yuuzhan Vong.”

“But Master Solo!” C-3PO said.

Leia stared. “What about him?”

C-3PO threw his hands in the air. “He’s aboard the ship!”

Leia shook her head as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Threepio, I don’t understand—”

“Oh, I shouldn’t have listened to him. But when he repeated the very same words you had used earlier, I was certain that my decision was justified.”

“What words?”

“That sometimes it’s better not to know what others are thinking. That sometimes it’s less painful not to know the truth. You yourself said so, mistress.”

R2-D2 whistled in sarcasm.

“Be still!” C-3PO said, hopelessly flustered.

“But what does all that have to do with Han being aboard the Queen of Empire?” Leia asked.

“Master Han asked me to arrange for his passage, and I did so by impersonating you, Mistress Leia—your vocal patterns, at any rate. And as to why I never made mention of Master Han’s whereabouts, that was because you never once asked me directly if I had knowledge to that effect. Master Solo promised to arrange for my memories to be stored, in the event of my deactivation. That way I might be able to practice detachment—”

“Threepio!” Leia cut him off. “I’m certain you’re not fully to blame—not when it concerns Han. But be honest with me now,