Part 9 (2/2)
”Actually, Captain Solo the organic element slows things considerably,” C-3PO said. Hehad lasted only one day on the Jolly Man before Izal Waz had dropped him off on Balmorra and per sonally paid to s.h.i.+p him back to Coruscant. ”The computations themselves are done in milliseconds.”
Han reached behind the droid's head and tripped the main cir cuit breaker.
”Thank you,” Leia said.
For the first time in weeks, her legs did not ache or throb or burn, but she was barely aware of that fact. She was too interested in watching Borsk Fey'lia's face on the vidscreen, looking for a beard tug or brow twitch that would tell her which way the Appeas.e.m.e.nt Vote was going.
Leia's doctor, a distracted-looking human with a permanent squint and perpetually mussed hair, came into the room. If he noticed the Noghrl bodyguards flanking him, or was impressed by the sight of so many famous Jedi in one place, he hid it well-He simply began to prod, poke, and tickle Leia's legs, issuing quiet instructions to move this or wiggle that.
The nervesplicer said something about normal sensation and improving motor control. But Fey'lya raised his brow just then, and Leia missed whatever it was the doctor said next.
”Did you see that?” Han asked. ”He's surprised.”
”That can't be good,” Jaina said.
”It's hard to know.” Leia reached out and found Han's hand.
”n.o.body has been able to tell what Borsk thinks will happen.”
The doctor stepped into Leia's line of sight. ”Princess Leia, I have some news.”
”In a minute.”
Leia cast an appealiiig glance at her daughter, who quietly used the Force to slide the doctor out of the way.
Fey'lya was looking directly into the cam now, his fangs bared in a politican's meaningless smile.
”It is my duty to announce that the Peace Vote...or the Appeas.e.m.e.nt Vote, as it has become known in some circles...has failed by a two-to-one ratio.”
”Not even close!” Anakin cried-”How about that?”
The room...and much of the corridor outside...erupted into a chorus of cheering.
The nervesplicer stepped to Leia's side, his face twisted into a frown. ”Princess, are you listening? The repair was fully suceessful. You can start walking later today. Your legs are going to be fine.”
”I know, Doctor.” Leia pulled the nerve splicers face down to hers and kissed his cheek*she had no idea why ,other than because she was so happy*then said, ”Thank you.”
”Uh, my pleasure.”
The nervesplicer rubbed his check, then scowled and retreated. As he departed Leia sensed that not everyone in the room was completely at ease. She turned to see her brother staring out the transparisteel viewport, his brow furrowed and his jaw clenched, seeming older and wearier than she ever remembered seeing him.
Leia nudged her sister-in-law ”Is Luke seeing something?” Though Mara would not necessarily share in Luke's Force-vision.
????? if that was what was happening-the two of them were close enough that she could tell if it was anything to be concerned about.
”We can clear everyone out,” Han volunteered.
Mara shook her head. ”He's been doing this a lot, lately.” She took Luke's hand. ”I'm pretty sure he just falls into thinking and forgets where he is.”
”Yeah.” Han flashed a concerned look in Leia's direction.
”Happeris to me all the time.”
”Han, it's nothing to worry about.” Luke flashed a smile, then turned to Leia and the others. ”Jedi Masters don't crack up-they just get eccentric.”
”That's a comfort,” Han said.
Luke laughed, then said, ”Seriously, I was thinking about where the Jedi go from here. We know this situation has to get worse before; it gets better.”
Leia nodded. ”With Pomt gone, there's no way to make those charges stick,” she said.The chief of staff had been found dead with a recorded statement blaming himself for all of the troubles in Shesh's office. ”n.o.body believes she's innocent, but proving it's another matter.”
”There's Viqi-and too many like her,” Luke agreed. ”The Appeas.e.m.e.nt Vote failed by a two-to-one margin...”
”But that means a third of the Senate voted against us,” Mara finished. ”The next time, a corruption panel isn't going to save us.”
”That's right,” Luke said. ”The Jedi are going to need a quiet way to move around the galaxy, a great river that can cany them wherever they need to go.”
Leia saw where this was going. ”And you're thinking Han and I would be a good team to set up this great river?”
”You do have the skills,” Luke said. ”A smuggler and a diplomat.”
Han did not even hesitate. He simply took one glance at their children, got a hard look in his eye, then set his jaw and turned to Leia. ”What do you think, partner?” Want to wander around the galaxy together?”
”Sure.” Leia pulled him onto ths bed and twined her fingers into his. ”But I'm navigating.”
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