Star Wars: The New Jedi Order 16: Destiny's Way by Walter Jon Williams

Author:Walter Jon Williams
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction.Star Wars
ISBN: 9780345428745
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2003-07-29T07:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-ONE

“Technically speaking,” Jacen said, “I’m still on vacation.”

“For how long?” Zekk asked.

“For as long as Master Skywalker tells me I’m on vacation.”

Zekk shrugged. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”

“I plan to. I just feel a little … odd, seeing the rest of you shipping out to Kashyyyk while I’m getting bronzed out on the reef.”

“You’ve earned your leave,” Zekk said. “You earned your leave in ways I don’t even want to think about. Don’t worry about it.”

Jacen, Zekk, and the other newly made Jedi Knights were at the reception thrown in their honor by Cal Omas. The room was huge and marble-lined and featured a pair of tinkling fountains ornamented by frolicking bronze fish. The freshly minted Jedi Knights still wore their Jedi robes, and lightsabers, and carried drinks in their hands. Older Jedi and politicians and military stood about and made polite conversation.

Zekk looked around the gathering. “This is really strange,” he said. “What are all these people doing here?”

Jacen smiled. “I was the son of the Chief of State,” he said. “For me, this is an ordinary night at home.”

Zekk shook his head. “Diplomacy wasn’t something the Shadow Academy cared much about.”

“I guess not.”

Han loomed up at Jacen’s shoulder, a broad grin spread across his face. He put an arm around Jacen’s shoulders. “Now let me tell you about my graduation night …” he began.

“It was lovely,” Leia said. “I had tears in my eyes.”

“The ceremony was mostly Cal’s work,” Luke said. “He’s got a flair for dramatics that I didn’t know existed.”

“My children,” Leia sighed. “All grown up. And the Jedi have them now.”

Luke looked at her. “Does that bother you?”

“A little. Sometimes I wish they’d grown up to be something other than Jedi. Something safe. But—” She sighed again. “—that’s not going to happen in our family, is it?”

Luke tried to picture Ben grown up, sitting at a desk cluttered with actuarial tables. “I guess not.”

Leia looked at him narrowly. “What happened when you talked to Jaina? I could feel it in the Force, but I don’t know what it was I felt.”

Luke hesitated. “I’d rather not say. It’s for Jaina to tell you.”

“Hm.” Leia looked at him suspiciously, then decided not to pursue it. She gave a sidelong glance toward Lando Calrissian, who stood nearby chatting with Triebakk. She leaned close to Luke and lowered her voice. “How did Lando and Talon Karrde get Cal elected?” she asked. “Do you know?”

“I don’t. But we can make a highly educated guess.”

Leia bit her lip. “I hate to just ask. But we should know. We’re going to have to try to protect Cal when it all comes out.”

“You think it’ll become public knowledge?”

“I know it will.” Her eyes hardened. “Right now we’ve got smugglers controlling a swing vote in the Senate. That’s not a good thing, and the New Republic is going to pay for it.”

Luke looked at Lando appraisingly. “We should have a talk with Captain Calrissian.”

Leia nodded. “Yes. And soon.”

Jacen patiently listened to his father’s reminiscences

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