[Black Fleet Crisis(40)

Instead, Luke was directed to land his E-wing on a military pad at Eastport. Even before he could climb out of the cockpit, a sizable crowd of ground crew and other port workers gathered at the pad. But it was different from the kind of crowds Han still drew. Everyone hung back, even after Luke jumped down from the cockpit to the tarmac.

It was as though they couldn’t pass up a chance to see Luke Skywalker but were too intimidated by his status to risk trying to shake his hand, clap him on the back, or even speak to him. He felt less a celebrity than a curiosity, more a dead legend than a living hero.

Luke wished they would all just go away. He had no interest in being celebrity or curiosity, legend or hero.

“Security Protocol One, Artee, ” he said. As the E-wing’s canopy and engine intake covers closed, Luke strode toward the airspeeder waiting for him just outside the landing circle. The crowd parted for him in silence.

But their excitement buffeted him, and their ambivalence tore at him.

He heard them whispering to each other, read their faces, and he filled in the rest.

Children-you’ll never guess who I saw at the port tonight—He’s here?

What did he say? How did he seem?

Where did he go? I wonder what it means.

The airspeeder was a standard government model, with a speed governor, an altitude limiter, and a pilot droid at the controls. To Luke, it was as welcome a sight as an escape pod on a doomed ship.

“President’s residence, north entrance, ” Luke said. He seemed so serious-So mysterious—He floated to the ground like a leaf-He was as close to me as I am to you-He smiled at me—

“I never thought I’d have a chance to meet him-You can tell just looking at him that he’s a Jedi—You can tell just looking at him what he’s been through—Luke closed his eyes in relief as the airspeeder took flight.

While they were waiting for Luke, Han had lingered in the front rooms, thinking that he might be able to get to his friend first and warn him what his sister was expecting. But when the signal from the north gatehouse finally came, Leia was past Han and out the door before he knew it.

“Let him in, ” Han told the gate guard resignedly, and hurried after his wife.

He caught up just as Leia and Luke met on the north garden trail.

“Leia, ” Luke said with a warm smile, and they embraced.

“I knew you’d come, ” Leia said, kissing him on the cheek and taking his arm. “I knew you’d change your mind. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. How long can you stay? “

“We have some work to do together, ” Luke said.

“I don’t know how long it will take. And then I have some things to tell you. Hello, Han. ” Luke clapped the taller man on the back with his free hand. “It’s good to see you again. “

“You don’t know the half of it, kid, ” Han said wryly.

“Come on-let’s go inside, ” Leia said. “Did they make you leave your bag at the gatehouse? That’s so foolish of them—”I didn’t bring a bag, ” Luke said. “I didn’t plan on staying. But if it’s too late for you, I can pass the night out here, and we can work in the morning. I’ve always liked these gardens. “

Leia stopped, turning toward Luke and frowning.

“I think I’ve missed something here, she said. “The children are sleeping-at last-so we couldn’t start work until morning anyway. But I’m sure it’s going to take days, more likely weeks, to make any progress. “

“Leia. I haven’t come to train the children. Didn’t Han tell you my feelings on that? “

“I told her, ” Han said.

“Han told me you said it was my problem, ” Leia said. “And that was so unlike you that I was sure he’d gotten it wrong. “

Luke shook his head. “It suffers a bit for being condensed, but I suppose the kernel is still there, ” he said. “Leia, there’s nothing I can do right now that won’t make your lives and theirs harder in the long run. I’ve meditated on this for a long time. I’m sure this is the right decision. “

“Then-you came here because you want something? Not because we need help? “

“I’m here because I may have some new information about our mother. “

Han was startled by Luke’s words, but, so far as he could see, Leia’s expression didn’t waver or soften in the slightest. “What new information? ” she asked. “Where does it come from? “

“I don’t want to tell you yet, ” Luke said. “I’m hoping that you’ll let me probe your mind again first. I have an idea what to look for now. “