• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 1344 0

even sure I came here to persuade you to stay with us. I just wanted to try to explain why your father is acting the way he is. Jacen, your dad is always proud of you even when he doesn’t understand you, which is most of the time. He’s always tried to be supportive of your decision to become a Jedi Knight, even though the farther you step into that world the farther you go from him. You’re more a part of Luke’s universe than you are of his, and his biggest fear is that you’re ashamed of him, or somehow think him less because of what he is, because he can never be or even fully understand what you’re becoming. Deep down he knows he’s losing you a little more each day, and that soon enough you’ll be strangers. This little spat of yours has only served to confirm that for him.”

“He told you all of this?”

“Of course not. Han doesn’t talk about things like that. But I know him, Jacen.”

“You’re right, then.”

Leia frowned, a little confused by this sudden turnabout. “About what?”

“You’re right—I hadn’t quite seen things from that vector. Thanks. Thanks for telling me.”

She reached to embrace him, and to her relief, he folded willingly into her arms.

“How could he ever think I was ashamed of him?” Jacen whispered.

They parted, and Jacen looked at her through tear-sparkled eyes. “This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” he said.

Leia’s heart felt like neutronium. “You’re still going?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I decided to stay with you guys two days ago.”

“What?”

“Dad was right. Or part of what he said was right. I made a commitment when I came out here with you. I’m holding to that commitment. And with me along, we’re more likely to be able to hijack these ships without hurting anyone. I’ll be able to tell if there are captives on board. Turning my back on this whole thing feels worse than being a part of it. I still don’t like it, but I’ll do it. I won’t fight Dad anymore.”

“Then why have you been working on the E-wing?”

Jacen shrugged. “It was something to do other than sit around waiting to get into another fight. Somebody can use it. That’s why we took it, right?”

“Right,” Leia assented.

“So when do we head back out?”

“Soon. The captain of the freighter gave up some interesting information. They came via Wayland, which is where they picked up the weapons, but most of the cargo originated on Kuat.”

“Kuat?”

“Yes,” Leia said. “Of course, we don’t know exactly who sent the supplies—the company name they gave was a shell, and we haven’t worked back to who’s really the source of the funds, but we will.”

“Jaina thought there was something rotten about the senator from Kuat, Viqi Shesh, when they met back on Duro. You don’t think …?”

“I don’t trust Viqi Shesh as far as an Ewok could throw her,” Leia said. “But it’s still too early to make accusations.” She paused. “By the way, there’s something else you should know—there’s news from Coruscant. Chief Fey’lya ordered Luke’s arrest.”

“You’re kidding. He really made good on that threat?”

“Maybe, or maybe it was just a more elaborate bluff. Luke and Mara didn’t take any chances, though. They left before the arrest could be made and joined up with Booster.” Her voice softened. “So you see, there are other things you could be doing.”

“Now you’re trying to change my mind again?”

“No,” Leia said firmly.

“Fine,” Jacen answered. “What else did you learn from the captain?”

“That there will be another ship along in a few days—a freighter full of captives.”

Jacen tried on a little smile. “Well, I’d better finish up with this E-wing today, then, if the Princess of Blood is going to be there to meet it.”

“Don’t you start that nonsense, too. Just because you’re going with us doesn’t mean you have to indulge every stupid thing your father comes up with, you know,” Leia said.

“No, you’re right to the core, Mom. We Solo men have to stick together. And I kinda like the name. I’ve been thinking about something to paint on the side—”

“This conversation is now over,” Leia said, as seriously as she could. But she felt she could breathe freely again for the