Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order_ Rebel Dreams_ Enemy Lines I - Aaron Allston [61]
Kyp made a sour face. “I don’t think Hapes can ever be sorted out.” Then he looked thoughtful and added, “On the other hand, I’m the last one who ought to be offering that kind of opinion.”
“We’re lucky things turned out as well as they did there,” Luke said. “Ta’a Chume could still be in charge, could still be making things harder for all of us.” He turned to Jaina. “Seriously, you understand that I wasn’t questioning your decision. I wasn’t hinting that you should throw yourself on the thermal detonator that a marriage to Isolder would represent.”
Jaina offered him an unperturbed smile. “I know what you meant, Uncle Luke. I made the right choice.”
Han leaned rightward so he could whisper to Leia. “She’s changed. Just in the days since we left Hapes.”
Leia nodded, imperceptible to all but him. “She’s settled something in her mind. I think she’s come through one of the conflicts that was eating at her.” She sagged just a little. “But whatever she settled, it wasn’t about me. She didn’t quite relax when I was holding her out there.”
“She’ll find the right course through what she’s dealing with. Give her time.”
Wedge, focused on Jaina, asked, “So, what are your plans now? You’re still on Rogue Squadron’s reserve roster, but your situation is unique, so I’m not going to call you up for duty if you and Luke feel you’ll be more useful elsewhere. I can put you in touch with one of the fleet groups if that’s what you want … but we could really use your piloting skills on Borleias.”
Jaina looked around. Han saw her gaze click to a stop, ever so briefly, on him, Leia, and, curiously, Kyp and Jag. “I’d like to stay,” she said. “But I want to do something. I want to form a new starfighter squadron, if I can put together enough pilots and matériel, and practice some tactics involving the Force. Force-based coordination.”
Luke’s eyebrows rose. “Sort of like what Joruus C’baoth did for Thrawn.”
Jaina shrugged. “I’m not talking about ancient history, I’m talking about now.” She glanced around at the winces and dark looks she received from everyone present who was over the age of thirty. She offered up a calm smile. “No, I didn’t mean it that way. I meant, I’m not talking about something on the scale that C’baoth used. Just within a fighter squadron. The Yuuzhan Vong think that I’m associated somehow with Yun-Harla, their goddess of trickery. I’d like to play on that … and this means coming up with methods of trickery. Or what seems like trickery to them. That means the Force to me. The Force, and maybe the best advice from the best pilots, like Uncle Luke and General Antilles.”
Wedge considered. “I’ve heard a little about this Trickster goddess thing. I think it has real potential for psychological warfare. So I’m inclined to move on this idea. But, Jaina, if we’re going to have the Yuuzhan Vong believe you’re tied to this Yun-Harla, we’re going to have to treat you like a goddess.”
Jaina turned her smile on him. “That sounds terrible.”
“I’m not joking. I suspect it means special treatment to the point of isolation. You’d have to be seen getting benefits and considerations that you haven’t earned, which will cause bad feelings among pilots who have earned them. You’d only be able to talk freely with people who were in on the secret, and only in areas that Intelligence has certified are free of listeners. It’s going to distance you from people.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
Luke leaned forward. “I also think this is something that ought to be done. Anything new we can do to keep the Yuuzhan Vong off balance is worth exploring. And since I have another mission priority now, why don’t I just hand command of Twin Suns Squadron over to her? With your approval, Wedge.”
Jaina’s head turned as though it had been snapped around by a Wookiee wrestler. “You mean that?”
“I do. And I don’t think the symbolism will be lost on the Yuuzhan Vong. Luke Skywalker gives up his personal squadron—”
“A squadron