Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 09_ Edge of Victory 02_ Rebirth - J. Gregory Keyes [48]
“If I wanted to tell you, I would, wouldn’t I?”
“Not if you thought it might upset me,” Luke said.
“You’ve got me. I hate that shirt. In fact, I think you’re a crummy dresser, period.”
“You bought me this shirt,” Luke reminded her. “Mara, are you sick again? Have you come out of remission?”
Mara studied her fingernails. “Cilghal’s keeping tabs on that,” she said, still with that underlying air of defiance.
“And?”
Mara’s face pinched tight. “The disease isn’t present in our child.”
“Is it active in you again?” Luke demanded.
Mara watched the starfield for several long minutes. “Maybe,” she admitted. “Maybe.”
* * *
As predicted, they found the Errant Venture about one standard day later. The Star Destroyer opened a berth for them, and he navigated the Jade Shadow in without incident.
A small crowd awaited Luke, Mara, and Cilghal. Booster Terrik, captain and owner of the Errant Venture, stood in front, a great gundark of a human with an impressive, well-tended beard and curling mustachios. Just behind him and to the side were three more humans, two in Jedi robes. Luke recognized Kam Solusar by his sure stance, haunted features, and receding blond hair. His wife, Tionne, was as unmistakable; her hair was a silver river cascading down her shoulders. The third human was another woman, clad in a dun jumpsuit, her black-glass hair cut in a bob: Mirax Terrik Horn, Booster’s daughter and sometimes business partner. She was married to Corran Horn, who was conspicuous by his absence.
Behind them were some thirty-odd youngsters of at least seven species. This was what remained of the academy on Yavin 4, the praxeum that had trained almost a hundred Jedi. Now Yavin 4 was occupied by the Yuuzhan Vong, the temple that had housed his students destroyed. With half the galaxy hunting for Jedi gifts to present to the Yuuzhan Vong warmaster, the only safe place for the moment was no place. For months, Booster had been jumping randomly about the galaxy to keep the students hidden.
Two others were missing as well, Luke noticed. Anakin Solo and Tahiri Veila. Knowing Anakin, that was a bad sign. Luke made a mental note to ask after him as soon as the pleasantries were over.
“Look there,” Booster growled, as Luke and Mara descended the landing ramp. “There’s the man who made the once mighty and terribly feared Booster Terrik into a glorified baby-sitter. I ought to space you right now, Jedi.”
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am,” Luke said. Though he knew Booster meant well, he didn’t have the energy or inclination for banter at the moment.
“You ought to be. Jedi brats.” He mussed the hair of a young boy with brown hair, then the girl next to him. “With some notable exceptions, of course,” he amended.
“You’re funny, Grandpa,” the boy said. Then he turned his brown eyes toward the Jade Shadow and Luke and Mara. “Hello, Masters.”
“Hello, Valin,” Luke replied. “I hope you’ve been staying out of trouble and concentrating on your lessons.”
“I have, Master Skywalker. I promise.”
“And the rest of you?” Luke directed his gaze over the assembled students.
In return he got a chorus of assents and barely bridled enthusiasm.
“Well, that’s good, then. Kam, Tionne, Mirax. Good to see you.”
There was a round of clasping and hugs, and then a moment of awkward silence.
“I guess we need to talk,” Luke said at last. “I need to fill you all in on a few things.”
“That’s all very well,” Mirax said, “but Mara looks tired.”
“I’m okay,” Mara disagreed.
Mirax shook her head. “I’ve had two kids. I know that look. Let me take you someplace where you can freshen up, and let the rest of them have their conference. Luke doesn’t need you for that, does he?”
“I guess not.” She shot Luke a look, and he knew what it meant. My health concerns are private. You will not speak of them.
He nodded to let her know he understood.
Out loud, what he said was, “If you’re tired, go with Mirax. If I leave