Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 14_ Crisis at Crystal Reef - Kevin J. Anderson [51]
As Jacen and Tenel Ka disembarked in the industrial-looking docking bay, Zekk looked up at Jacen and shrugged. "I've already apologized to Jaina for not coming to her rescue."
"Why?" Jacen said. "Because she was so bored?"
Lowie roared an objection. Jaina punched her brother on the arm.
"Bored? While you all were off on your little pleasure cruise," she said, a teasing look in her brandy-brown eyes, "we were busy trying to save half the major businesses in the galaxy from a hostile takeover by Black Sun."
Lowie gave a roar for emphasis. "Indeed," Em Teedee said. "You have absolutely no idea how much we have to tell you."
With the crisis finally over, the return trip from Kessel to the Jedi academy was uneventful. The companions-Zekk, Jaina, and Anja in the Lightning Rod, and Tenel Ka, Jacen, Lowie, and Em Teedee aboard the Rock Dragon-spent the time exchanging stories of their adventures.
When they all arrived at the landing field on Yavin 4, with its lush jungle surrounding the spectacular ancient pyramids, Master Skywalker himself was there to welcome them back.
Wearing a mock-stern expression on his face, the Jedi Master looked around at the young Jedi Knights and Anja and Em Teedee. "I just received an enlightening message from a former student of mine on Mon Calamari, Ambassador Cilghal. I'm not sure I understand why the administration at Crystal Reef wants me and Han and Leia to take an all-expense-paid vacation there."
Luke pursed his lips and gave a slow bemused shake of his head.
"And I got a glowing message a few minutes ago from Nien Nunb on Kessel.
He thanked me repeatedly for allowing you to stay long enough to help him fix his transmitter...?"
He shook his head again, as if he could hardly believe what he had heard.
"I thought I sent all of you out to find a friend who was in trouble-not to save the entire New Republic from a hostile financial takeover." The stern set of his lips softened into a proud smile. "I wonder if I'll ever stop being surprised by the things my students manage to accomplish when they work together."
The companions looked at each other, somewhat embarrassed.
"Anyway, now I have a surprise for you. The New Republic has decided to hold a celebration here in a few days-and it's about time, after all the work you've done. I think you're all going to receive some long-overdue appreciation, after defeating the Shadow Academy and thwarting the Diversity Alliance, and now Black Sun. Our first guests should be here by evening meal. But before they start arriving, I'd like the chance to speak with each of you alone. We have some important issues to discuss about your future. All of you. "
"Luke-Master Skywalker?" Anja spoke hesitantly. "If you wouldn't mind, sir, I'd like to be first."
The Jedi Master looked into her large eyes for a long moment and then nodded. "I see you've come a long way."
By twilight the entire Jedi academy was in a state of controlled pandemonium. Excitement and anticipation hung in the air like rich perfumes. Cooks and Jedi trainees and even New Republic security guards bustled back and forth in the kitchens, helping to serve the guests who were already beginning to fill the Great Temple.
With a minimum of the usual fanfare that accompanied the travels of the Chief of State, the Millennium Falcon showed up in time for evening meal, carrying Jacen and Jaina's parents, their younger brother Anakin, Chewbacca, and the golden protocol droid See-T'hreepio. Jacen made a point of sitting next to his father as the Solo family ate their first meal together in months. While Jaina was busy explaining how Czethros had schemed to trigger a revolution of sorts via transmitter, Jacen spoke quietly with Han.
"I know I've been kind of a jerk, halfway believing you murdered Anja's father because of how she told the story, and I'm sorry. I guess she was just so hurt and angry all the time, I figured there had to be a reason."
Han raised