Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 07_ Shards of Alderaan - Kevin J. Anderson [17]
Jaina studied the design of the craft approaching them. They look vaguely Hapan, but not a design rm familiar with."
Jacen groaned. "This isn't one of those diplomatic visits, is it? No offense, Tenel Ka, but if you're expecting one of your grandmother's associates, I think I'd prefer to clean the kitchens for a while. I hope Ambassador Yfra isn't out of prison already!" 'If this were one of my grandmother's diplomatic associates,' Tenel Ka answered wryly, "perhaps I would join you at the cleaning chores. But I am expecting a gift."
Jaina had met Tenel Ka's parents, the rulers of the Hapes Cluster, when she and the other young Jedi Knights had gone there after Tenel Ka's lightsaber accident.
Although Isolder and Teneniel Djo were as protective of their daughter as any parents, they had strongly supported Tenel Ka's wish to become a Jedi Knight.
'At first I refused to consider their offer of such an extravagant gift,"
the warrior girl went on, "but they were concerned for my safety after our battle with the Shadow Academy. In the end I agreed; only my pride had caused me to resist in the first place." She quirked an eyebrow. "My grandmother is now hoping I will reconsider accepting a prosthetic arm."
The repulsoijets of the two approaching craft set up cross breezes that sent everyone's hair flying wildly about their faces.
"I told no one about this gift except Master Skywalker," Tenel Ka said.
"I had hoped to surprise you. Especially Jaina."
Jaina tried to push her wind-blown brown hair away from her face, but it was no use.
"Well, okay," she said. "Surprise me."
Tenel Ka blinked her cool gray eyes.
Then she raised her arm and pointed at one of the midsized Hapan ships that had just settled on the landing field.
"My parents have sent me the Rock Dragon. It is a ship of my own."
Jaina's mouth dropped open and she found herself at a loss for words.
'Hey, that's great, Tenel Ka,' her brother said, rushing forward to look over the new ship. Lowie bellowed in delight and ran after him.
Jaina stood motionless, still thunderstruck. For years she had wanted her own ship; she had even tried to fix up the crashed TIE fighter they'd found in the jungle. On their last visit home, she had presented a list of carefully reasoned arguments to her mother. After all, if she and Jacen were old enough to fight with lightsabers, couldn't they be trusted with a small shuttle? Leia had promised to consider the idea, but preferred that the twins wait until they turned at least sixteen to have their own interstellar craft.
Her father had merely shrugged. "I know better than to argue with your mom when it comes to protecting you kids." He had flashed one of his lopsided grins and spread his arms in an expressive gesture. "Hey, if it were up to me Each time Han came to see his children, though, he brought some sort of machinery for Jaina to work on-an old hyperdrive unit, a field flux stabilizer, a refurbished antenna dish, a mode variance inhibitor.
She figured it was her father's version of a compromise-or maybe an apology.
Tenel Ka must have sensed some of Jaina's conflicting emotions. The warrior girl frowned. 'You are not... angry? Angry that I have my own ship?" Her gray eyes looked into Jaina's. "I had hoped to ask you for a favor."
Jaina's gaze dropped, and she bit her lower lip. Was she angry? Lowie had his T-23, and now Tenel Ka had a ship for her personal use. But the warrior girl was one of her best friends, and she couldn't begrudge Tenel Ka this piece of good fortune.
Feeling guilty over her own pettiness, Jaina shook her head. "Just a bit jealous, I guess."
'In that case, perhaps the favor is not fair to you. I had no great wish to own a ship, though for my parents' sake it was right to accept it. I had hoped that-should the need arise-Jacen and I could provide communications, weaponry, and navigational support, if you and @wbacca would consent to serve as pilot and copilot...?
And chief