Star Wars the Truce at Bakura - Kathy Tyers [38]
Chewie fingered his bowcaster.
Leia hadn’t missed the senators’ whispers and sidelong glances at Luke. She guessed she’d seen how she would affect people if she were a trained Jedi. Luke had offered to teach her, but maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. This was Vader’s legacy: Even Luke’s talents, used honorably to support justice and freedom, made people afraid.
She must recapture their attention. She sidestepped toward the governor’s gilt repulsor chair. “Governor Nereus, don’t you see? You must accept Rebel assistance or risk your entire population. We are your only hope. Allow us to help you turn the Ssi-ruuk back. We are not a large force, but we are well coordinated and equipped with better striking ships than the Empire has allotted you.” Luke had shown her the BAC readouts.
Nereus pressed his effeminate lips flat, then said, “For the help you have given us, we will allow you to leave the Bakura system unmolested, and give you a head start back to Endor.”
One senator jeered from the upper table, “If the Alliance is eager to assist, why didn’t it send us more ships?”
Luke spread his hands. “We’re doing all that we can without—”
“You see,” Leia interrupted, anxious to smooth ruffled feathers, “our forces at Endor wish to return to their homes. Some may have already gone.” Nereus grasped the armrests of his chair, smirking at their exchange.
“We have sent to Endor, though. For reinforcements,” Luke insisted.
Leia didn’t like the way Governor Nereus’s frown firmed. “But our Endor troops are exhausted. Reinforcements could arrive within several days or not at all.” Don’t work against me, Luke.
Han extended one stiff hand. “The point is, we’re here to help you. Seems like you ought to take advantage of the offer while it’s open.”
“Would you clear data files for our use?” Leia asked hastily. “On the Ssi-ruuk, of course, and any on Bakura itself that wouldn’t compromise your security.”
Governor Nereus covered his mouth with one meaty hand. Feeling like a bug on a laser dish, Leia held onto her poise and tried mentally to nudge him into cooperating. If this interview dragged on without a promise of mutual assistance, they were sunk.
A tall, elderly man stood up at one of the lower tables. “Nereus,” he exclaimed, “take help where you can get it. Everyone on the planet knows why the Rebels are here. If you turn away their help, you’re going to provoke an uprising.”
“Thank you, Senator Belden.” Governor Nereus narrowed his heavy-lidded eyes. “All right, Princess Leia. You have your data files. They will be keyed into the communications center in your apartment. Do you have any other requests for the moment, before I have your guide show you to temporary quarters?”
“Are you leaving the truce issue unsettled?” She bit back frustration.
“You’ve said your piece. We’ll discuss it.”
“Very well. Prime Minister Captison—” Leia hustled down to the inner table and extended a hand, which the trim gentleman clasped momentarily. “I hope we speak again.” Leia led her party across the central rectangle, then up the steps on the other side.
“Move it, Goldenrod,” Han whispered as they passed Threepio. “And keep your voice box turned off.” He sprinted for the weapon locker. Chewbacca greeted him with a snarl and warned that the troopers had been eyeing their cache.
“Isn’t that too bad?” Han plunged in for his blaster.
Luke stepped sideways. He held his deactivated saber one-handed, low in an ambiguous stance, not quite attack ready. Han watched his eyes widen. “It’s all right,” he said. “That officer has them under control.”
“Who does?” Leia spun around. She stared hard at the conversing Imperials. “He’s from Alderaan,” she whispered low. “I can tell by the way he talks.”
“Huh.” That wasn’t particularly comforting. Han settled his boot knife and his pocket blaster. “What’s the chance he’s got an Alderaanian conscience inside his Imperial uniform?”
“Not much,” she said—but she said it to Luke.
Han straightened