Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 06_ Balance Point - Kathy Tyers [87]
Han must’ve overheard. “They didn’t have to. They just stood back and watched the locals burn it to a cinder. And look how far he’s gotten with the Duros.”
C-3PO bent over his console, silent—as ordered. He’d recited the odds of annihilation until she finally threatened to shut him down.
“Going to talk to the Duros High House?” Han asked.
“Soon as I can get a clear transmission to Coruscant. And after I make sure our people down here haven’t been talked into murdering each other. Last night I had three reports of Ryn out skulking.”
“What kind of reports?”
“Conflicting. I put out that they’re probably just rumors, somebody trying to start trouble.” She hesitated. “Where is Droma, anyway?”
“He’s around.”
Skulking, Leia concluded, and this time she was glad. “Han, we do need contingency plans for evacuation. We’re warehousing half a dozen ships that SELCORE didn’t want to risk taking up again. I don’t think Jaina finished checking them out. Tell Droma—”
“If SELCORE mothballed ships here, they’re ours now.”
C-3PO’s head swiveled. He pantomimed frantically with both hands.
“It’s all right,” Leia told him sternly. “Good, Han. We’re down to saving as many lives as possible … already. Start putting people on board. Especially the Vors.”
“And all the droids we can find,” he said. “If the Vong get here, they’re scrap. That includes Goldenrod. Get him over here. In pieces, if you have to.”
Leia turned down the comlink. “Go on, Threepio,” she said gently. “Get shipboard before the Yuuzhan Vong show up. We need you.”
He was already shuffling out the door.
“So Admiral Wuht has a soft spot for injured military personnel?” Mara asked softly.
“Seems to.”
Jaina sounded fully awake again, lying on one of the hostel’s other cots. The moment Luke and Anakin had gone out on their reconnoiter, Jaina had fallen instantly and blissfully asleep. Fighter pilot’s habit.
Mara got up off her cot, feeling considerably less chipper, thinking about things she should’ve done before she rested. At that rate, of course, she never would lie down.
“Artoo, get me a link to Admiral Wuht’s office.”
R2-D2 whistled a smart salute. Shortly, an aide’s image appeared over the in-room holoboard.
“You have a situation developing, Major.” Mara sketched out a warning.
The military aide answered gruffly. “You may think our people are guilty of complicity with the Peace Brigade,” he said. “That is not true. We disliked being told to open our doors to refugees, but we would never conspire to sell their lives. We will call for a prompt investigation of CorDuro Shipping.”
“There might not be time for that,” Mara said. “Get your battle group on alert.”
Luke and Anakin returned shortly with the bad news about Thrynni Vae, and the quickly changing mood of Bburru City.
And dinner. Mara dug in. “Then we’d better get Jacen and go for Anakin’s X-wing.”
“Good.” Anakin said, half a nutrient bar muffling the word.
Mara eyed Luke over a half-eaten kroyie drumstick. “Jaina and I can fire up the Shadow while you and Anakin spring Jacen.”
Luke shook his head slowly. “They’re watching for me now, but they don’t know Jaina and Anakin quite so well.”
Mara frowned. “What are you saying?”
“You and I can create a diversion. There’ve been demonstrators outside Brarun’s home, down at the plaza. We’ll go talk with them … openly. While we do, Jaina and Anakin can slip in and pick up Jacen. We’ll rendezvous at the dock.”
R2-D2 bleeped.
“Okay,” Luke said, “we won’t leave you alone. You’re with Mara and me. Whatever happens,” he added softly, “no Duros are to be hurt unless it’s life and death for us. Anakin, Jaina—understand? You’ll follow about ten minutes behind us”
They nodded.
After washing up, Luke and Mara descended the lift.
“How’s Jacen’s mental state?” Mara murmured. “Have you contacted him, since …” She