Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 21_ The Unifying Force - James Luceno [158]
“Well, she’s not the Falcon,” Han said, “but I’m sure she’ll do until the next living ship comes along.”
Kyp took his gaze from the ship long enough to glance at Han and laugh. “Wish I could tell you to take it for a spin.”
Han nodded. “Yeah, I wish you could, too.”
Distracted, Han wasn’t aware of Leia’s approach until she slipped her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder. He turned slightly, expecting to see her smiling as broadly as he was. Instead, she was anything but joyful.
“What’s wrong?”
“Luke just heard from Booster. A Yuuzhan Vong battle group is headed here.”
Han stared at her. “I thought—”
It was all he got out before Luke, Mara, Jaina, Danni, Kenth, and some of the other Jedi arrived at the landing platform. The last to show up were Magister Jabitha, Jacen, and Harrar. The pilots hurried from their Sekotan ships to join the circle that quickly took shape around Luke.
“We were hoping for more time, but that’s not going to happen,” Luke began. “The Yuuzhan Vong are on the way, which means you’re going to have to get your ships airborne and give yourselves a crash course in piloting them.” He swung to face Tesar Sebatyne. “The shuttle will take you and the rest of the Wild Knights to your blastboat and fighters.”
Saba nodded to her son. “Good hunting, Tesar.”
“Now do I get to fly my X-wing?” Jaina asked.
Mara shot her a cautionary look. “We’ve been through this.”
“But—”
“May I say something?” Harrar said.
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
“Assuming some of you are going to Coruscant, your war party will benefit by having both Jaina Solo and Jacen Solo as comrades. Our warriors are very superstitious, and the sight of the celebrated Jedi twins—united—could demoralize them. The capture of one such as Jaina Solo would count for more than her death.” The priest paused to glance around. “Our forces failed at Borleias because Supreme Commander Czulkang Lah was fixated on capturing the Jedi who had come to be associated with Yun-Harla. It was my personal failing that I supported Czulkang Lah’s actions.”
Tahiri looked at Jaina. “At Borleias I told you not to accompany Luke and Mara to Coruscant, because I was afraid that your presence would endanger them. Now I agree with Harrar that you should go.”
Jaina folded her arms across her chest. “Nice to see that everyone is so comfortable with deciding my destiny.”
Jabitha stepped forward before anyone could respond. “Sekot has requested that Cilghal, Tekli, and Danni Quee remain on Zonama.”
Danni looked at Luke in stark confusion. “I thought I’d be going with you and Mara to Coruscant.”
Luke shook his head. “Sekot obviously feels that you’re needed here.”
“If I can accept not flying, then you can accept staying here,” Jaina said.
Han and Leia traded uneasy looks.
Luke took his lightsaber from his belt, ignited the blade, and held it over his head. Wordlessly, the other Jedi began to follow suit. Taking note of Leia’s hesitation, Han nodded in encouragement.
“Go,” he said quietly, “you’re as much a Jedi as any of them.”
The Jedi tightened up around Luke, angling their light-sabers slightly so that the tips pointed toward his, and in the end creating a stand of colorful blades that thrummed ominously in the crisp air.
“This day has been years in the making. What we do from this moment forward will test our fealty to the Force in a way that the Jedi haven’t been tested in more than a generation. Be mindful that we are not the purveyors of conflict and inequity, but the guardians of peace and justice. Above all, we want what the Force wants, no matter where that leads us. If some of us are not seen again today, that does not mean