Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 09_ Edge of Victory 02_ Rebirth - J. Gregory Keyes [5]
Mara stopped walking, and her face reflected a sudden profound astonishment. “You’re afraid,” she said.
He nodded. “I guess I am. I guess I don’t think it’s ‘just a name,’ not when it comes to people like us. Look at Anakin. Leia named him after our father, a gesture to the person who became Darth Vader, as a recognition that he overcame the dark side and died a good man. It was her reconciliation with him, and a sign to the galaxy that the scars of war could heal. That we could forgive and move on. But for Anakin, it’s been a trial. When he was little, he always feared he would walk the same dark path his grandfather did. It was just a name, but it was a real burden to place on his shoulders. It may be years before we learn the full consequences of that decision.”
“For all that I admire your sister, she is a politician, and she thinks like one. That’s been good for the galaxy, not so good for her children.”
“Exactly,” Luke said reluctantly. “And whether I like it or not, Mara, because of who we are, our child will inherit part of our burden. I’m just afraid of placing an extra one on his shoulders. Suppose I named him Obi-Wan, as a salute to my old Master? Would he think that means I want him to grow up to be a Jedi? Would he think he had to live up to Ben’s reputation? Would he feel his choices in life constrained?”
“I see you’ve thought a lot about this.”
“I guess I have.”
“Notice how quickly this takes us back to the things you said we weren’t supposed to talk about?”
“Oh. Right.”
“Luke, this is who we are,” Mara said, stroking his shoulder lightly. “We can’t deny it, even alone on an island.” She dipped her foot in the wavelets lapping onto the beach. Luke closed his eyes and felt the wind on his face.
“Maybe not,” he admitted.
“And so what?” Mara said, playfully kicking a little water on the cuff of his pants. But then her face grew serious again. “There is one very important thing I want to say, now, before another second passes,” she informed him.
“What’s that?”
“I’m really hungry. Really, really hungry. If I don’t eat right away, I’m going to salt you in seawater and gobble you up.”
“You’d be disappointed,” Luke said. “It’s fresh water. Come on. The pavilion isn’t far. There should be food waiting.”
Luke and Mara ate outside at a table of polished yellow Selonian marble while the blossoms around them chimed a quiet music and released fragrances to complement each course. Luke felt ridiculously pampered and a little guilty, but managed to relax somewhat into the mood.
But the mood was broken during the intermezzo, when the pavilion’s protocol droid interrupted them.
“Master Skywalker,” it said, “an aircar is approaching and requesting admittance through the security perimeter.”
“You have the signal?”
“Most assuredly.”
“Transfer to the holostation on the table.”
“As you wish, sir.”
A hologram of a man’s face appeared above the remains of their meal. It was human, very long, with aristocratic features.
“Kenth Hamner,” Luke said, a sense of foreboding pricking up his scalp. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
The retired colonel smiled briefly. “Nothing important. Just a visit from an old friend. May I come aboard?”
That’s what his words said. His expression, somehow, conveyed something altogether different.
“Of course. Link to the ship’s computer, and it will land you somewhere appropriate. I hope you like grilled nylog.”
“One of my favorites. I’ll see you soon.”
A few moments later, Hamner appeared from one of the several trails leading to the pavilion, accompanied by the droid.
“You two make me wish I was young again,” Hamner said, smiling, looking them over.
“We’re not so young, and you’re not so old,” Mara replied.
Hamner offered her a short bow from the waist. “Mara, you’re looking lovely as ever. And my deepest congratulations on your upcoming event.”
“Thank you, Kenth,” Mara returned graciously.
“Have a seat,