Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 21_ The Unifying Force - James Luceno [238]
R2-D2’s response was a surprisingly cheery burst of squeaks and peeps.
“Do you really believe that life will remain as unpredictable as ever and that our adventures will continue? I hope so, my little friend, even if they don’t quite measure up to adventures we’ve had, and even if they are lacking a dash of the old enchantment.”
R2-D2 made a razzing sound.
“What do you mean, I used to say that all the time? Just what are you going on about?” C-3PO paused, then said. “I don’t mind at all that it’s a long story. After all, Artoo, we have nothing but time …”
FORTY-FIVE
Jagged Fel had been assigned to the starfighter team that escorted the Yuuzhan Vong transports from Coruscant to Zonama Sekot. Inside two Star Destroyers were the weaponless yorik-trema that would shuttle the tens of thousands to their new home in the planet’s southern hemisphere. The trackless forests were severely scarred as a result of the blight the Yuuzhan Vong warriors had delivered to the surface fifty years earlier, but the first groups to arrive were already settled in the warmest valleys, and their minshals, damuteks, grashals, and crèches appeared to have taken well to their new circumstances—from what could be seen at an altitude of twenty kilometers, at any rate. Though Alliance personnel were prohibited from landing, Jag had received special permission from General Farlander to pay a brief visit to the Middle Distance, ostensibly to speak with the Solos, but in fact to one Solo in particular.
He hadn’t spoken to Jaina since parting company with the Millennium Falcon following the pursuit of the Supreme Overlord’s escape vessel. Circumstances had made for a rushed and confused conversation. Jag had returned to Coruscant to regroup with Twin Suns Squadron, and the Falcon—with the Solos and Skywalkers safely aboard—had jumped for Zonama Sekot. In the long weeks that followed, he had been unsuccessful at contacting Zonama Sekot through either the Millennium Falcon or Jade Shadow. When at last he had gotten through to Errant Venture, he’d learned that Jaina was still on the living world.
Talon Karrde had promised to carry Jag’s message to her.
She was waiting for Jag on the canyon-rim landing field when he set his clawcraft down among a throng of peculiar vessels and climbed out into the cold air. Fat flakes of snow were falling, but those only made him feel more at home, for he was no stranger to frigid climates.
Jaina was wearing some sort of natural-fiber poncho and a cap of similar weave, with flaps that covered her ears. After an awkward moment of staring at each other, she grinned and hurried into his arms, hugging him tightly, then kissing him on both cheeks and once on the lips. If she hadn’t let go, he might have gone on holding her right through Zonama Sekot’s return jump to the Unknown Regions.
“Twin Suns Leader,” she said, stepping back to appraise him.
He straightened his shoulders. “Jealous?”
“Maybe a little.”
Jag gazed at the strange, triple-lobed ships that surrounded the solitary X-wing. “Are these the Sekotan fighters?”
Jaina followed his gaze. “Yep.”
“I don’t suppose—”
“Don’t even ask,” she cut him off. “They’re not for sale.”
She grabbed his hand and led him to a shelter that stood at the border of the field. On the way they waved to Luke and Mara, who were loading supplies into Jade Shadow’s cargo hold, young Ben toddling beside them.
Jaina was still holding his hand when she said, “Thank you for everything you did at Coruscant—flying support for the Falcon and all. Mara told me she had to stop you from searching the Citadel for me.”
“I might have