Star Wars - 154 - The Jedi Academy 02 - Dark Apprentice - Kevin J. Anderson by Star Wars

Author:Star Wars
Format: mobi
Published: 2009-08-04T04:00:00+00:00

Later they sat finishing bowls of simple but delicious fish stew. Leia chewed on the tender meat, swallowed another mouthful, and licked her lips to

taste the burning sweet tingle of Calamarian spices.

She had spent the meal trying to work up her courage, but Ackbar finally addressed the question himself. "Leia, you have not yet said why you are here.

"

Leia drew a deep breath, then sat up straight. "To speak with you, Admira--ah--Ackbar. And to ask you the same question. Why are you here?" Ackbar seemed to deliberately misunderstand her. "This is my home." Frustrated, Leia was not ready to give up yet. "I know this is your homeworld, but there are many others who need you. The New Republic--was Ackbar stood and turned away, gathering the empty stew bowls. "My own people also need me. There has been much destruction. Many deaths..." Leia wondered if he referred to the Imperial attacks on Calamari, or his own crash

at the Cathedral of Winds.

"Mon Mothma is dying," Leia said abruptly before she could change her mind. Cilghal sat up in the most sudden reaction Leia had yet seen from the calm ambassador.

Ackbar heaved his weary eyes to look at her. He set the stew bowls down.

"How can you be certain of this?"

"It's a wasting disease that's tearing her apart," Leia answered. "The medical droids and the experts can't find anything wrong with her. She looks bad. You saw her before you left us. Mon Mothma was covering the worst with extensive makeup to hide how ill she really is.

"We need you back, Admiral." Leia used his rank on purpose. She leaned on Ackbar's small table and stared at him, her dark eyes pleading.

"I'm sorry, Leia," Ackbar said, shaking his head. He indicated the newly refurbished workroom and his equipment. "I have important work to do here. My

planet was badly damaged during the Imperial attacks, and there have been many

tectonic disturbances. I've taken it upon myself to find out if our planet's crust has become unstable. I need to gather more data. My people could be in danger. No more lives will be lost because of me."

Cilghal turned her head from side to side, watching the debate but saying nothing.

"Admiral, you can't just let the New Republic fall apart because of your guilty conscience," Leia said. "Many lives across the galaxy are at stake." But Ackbar moved about uneasily, as if trying to shut out Leia's words.

"There is so much work to do, I cannot delay another moment. I was just preparing to set some new seismic sensors." He shuffled toward a shelf filled

with packaged electronic equipment. "Please, leave me in peace." Leia stood up quickly. "We'll help you set out your sensors, Admiral." Ackbar hesitated, as if lonely but afraid to have their company. He turned to meet Leia's eyes, then Cilghal's. "Yes, I would be honored to have your assistance. My submersible can carry the three of us." He blinked his large, sad eyes. "I enjoy your company--even though your requests are most difficult.

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