Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 14_ Crisis at Crystal Reef - Kevin J. Anderson [53]
"I'll be in the comm center if you need me." Then she swept out of the room.
That evening, while Leia made strategic arrangements, more visitors poured into the Jedi academy-friends, family, dignitaries, and the occasional HoloNet news reporter. During this time, Anja found a moment to draw Han Solo aside and speak with him.
Han looked decidedly uncomfortable as they sat opposite each other on wooden benches in a small alcove. A narrow window slit in the stone wall let in moonlight that splashed on the floor like a dividing line painted between them.
Anja took a deep breath, knowing that there was much she had to say.
She hardly knew where to begin. "I-I never thanked you," she stammered at last.
Obviously surprised, Han Solo sat up straighter. This wasn't what he had expected at all. "For what?" he asked with a hint of suspicion.
"For taking me in. For going to my planet and helping to stop the civil war there. For keeping Lilmit from supplying more weapons to my people.
For putting in a good word with Master Skywalker for me, even though I obviously despised you......
Anja's voice caught in her throat, and she swallowed back a sob of emotion. She remembered how Jacen often tried to lighten the mood when things got tense. "And thanks for not throwing me out the Millennium Falcon's airlock when you had the chance."
Han Solo seemed to relax a bit. "Hey, no one's perfect. I'm glad I was able to help."
"Your children helped me too."
"They're great kids, Jacen and Jaina," Han said with no small amount of fatherly pride.
"Did you know I tried to turn them against you?"
"It worked a little," Han admitted. "At least with Jacen. But the truth is stronger than hatred."
"I got close to your kids because I wanted to hurt you, because I believed you murdered my father and ruined my life. But once I got to know Jacen and Jaina, I started to understand that if anyone had ruined my life, it was me. I chose the wrong person to trust. I was always looking for someone to blame. I believed Czethros and his lies about you, because I wanted my problems to be somebody else's fault."
"And now?" Han asked.
"I don't want to hurt you anymore," Anja said. "My father was responsible for his own life-and probably for his own death-just like I'm responsible for my life and the way I've decided to live it so far.
I judged you before I ever got to know you. Can you... forgive me?"
Han nodded. "I had my scoundrel days, too, you know. Did plenty of things I'm not proud of Even though I didn't kill your father, I have a lot of other things I could feel guilty about. But that's long in my past now-put it all behind me and made a new life. It's possible, you know."
"Yes, I know. Even so, if my friends hadn't trusted me, I wouldn't have believed in myself." Anja felt a sense of relief But where did she go from here? "I'll have to find a job, I guess. A legal one, that is. I know I'm not cut out to be a Jedi Knight," Anja admitted.
"I never used to believe in all that Force mumbo jumbo, but I see now that it's real. It's just not me. I can't stay here at the Jedi academy.
Know anyone who needs a good pilot?"
Han put a hand to his chin and thought for a moment. "I just might have a few ideas, at that."
Over the next two days, preparations continued for the great ceremony to honor the young Jedi Knights. Arrivals continued on the jungle moon as well, until nearly everyone at the Jedi academy had welcomed some visitor or other.
Zekk spent considerable time with old Peckhum, who had returned in the Thunderbolt. Tenel Ka's parents-Teneniel Djo and Isoldercame to see her, followed by Ta'a Chume, Tenel Ka's grandmother from Hapes, and Augwynne Djo, her great-grandmother from Dathomir.
In addition to Chewbacca, Lowie was surprised when his entire family showed up on Yavin 4. His parents, Mahraccor and Kallabow, had taken a brief leave from their jobs at the computer fabrication