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Unlike the tiny moon, which managed to still itself in the quiet hours before dawn, the New Republic 's central world stayed awake all the time.

Her brother Jacen blinked his bleary brown eyes as he joined her in the dining area the next morning. Tenel Ka and Lowbacca had risen early and, already at work on their morning meals, greeted the twins as they arrived. The golden protocol droid See-Threepio hurried about, making sure the guests had a fine eating experience.

Lowie ate steaming pieces of heated (but still raw) red meat from a gold-etched plate frilled with sculptured loops; Threepio had used the best diplomatic tableware and the choicest garnishes. The Wookiee youth, however, seemed to have trouble avoiding the decorative sprigs and delicate flowers that adorned the bloody meal. Tenel Ka, using a small dagger to poke at her plate, speared a piece of fruit.

"Ah, good morning, Mistress Jaina, Master Jacen," Threepio said. "Such a pleasure to have you home with us again."

Jaina glanced at the holographic window that stretched across the wall of the room - actually an image transmitted from one of the towers elsewhere in the great city. Because their mother was the important Chief of State, their family quarters were protected deep within the palace, without any real windows to the outside. Jaina knew that many other diplomats around the city were looking out their own false windows at the same projected image.

"Thanks, Threepio," Jacen said. "We've been looking forward to this vacation. Uncle Luke has been teaching us some terrific Jedi skills, but it can be exhausting."

The droid tapped his gold-plated hands together. "I am delighted to hear it, Master Jacen. Although I am naturally quite busy tutoring young Master Anakin, I have taken the liberty of setting up a fine curriculum of studies for you while you remain here on Coruscant. Your guests are more than welcome to attend classes as well. Oh, it will be just like old times!"

"Classes!" Jacen interrupted as he plopped down in a chair and began to shovel breakfast into his mouth. "You're joking, right?"

"Oh, no, Master Jacen," Threepio said sternly. "You mustn't neglect your studies."

"Sorry, Threepio," Jaina said, "but we have other plans today."

Before the droid could advance his argument any further, the twins'

mother came into the room. "Good morning, kids," Leia said.

Jaina smiled at her mother. Princess Leia looked as beautiful as in the old picture Jaina had seen from the Rebellion. Since that time, Leia had taken on extremely heavy political duties and devoted most of her waking hours - along with quite a few of those she should have spent sleeping -

to untangling knots in the threads of diplomacy.

"What are you doing today, Mom?" Jaina asked.

Leia sighed and rolled her dark brown eyes in an expression that Jaina often unconsciously imitated. "I have a meeting with the Howler Tree People of Bendone... they speak a very strange language and need a team of translators. It'll take me all morning long just to hold a conversation." She closed her eyes and rubbed her fingertips at her temples. "And their ultrasonic voices give me a headache!" Leia drew a deep breath and forced a smile. "But it's part of the job. We have to keep the New Republic strong. There are always threats from the outside."

"This is a fact," Tenel Ka said gruffly. "We have seen the threat of the Shadow Academy and the Second Imperium firsthand." Lowbacca growled, clearly remembering the dark and difficult time he and the twins had experienced aboard the cloaked Imperial training station.

"Hey, I've got something that'll cheer you up, Mom," Jacen said, reaching into his pocket. "A present I kept for you." He held out the glittering corusca gem he had snagged while using Lando Calrissian's gem-mining machinery deep in the stormy atmosphere of the gas-giant Yavin.

Leia looked down at it, blinking in amazement. "Jacen, that's a corusca gem! Is this the one you found at GemDiver Station?"

He shrugged and looked pleased. "Yeah - and I used it