“Find out for me, ” said A’baht, nodding. “But let me be the one to give him the message. “
A smile cracked the deck officer’s mask of concern.
“Yes sir. “
The first that Han knew he had fallen asleep was when he was startled awake by a sharp noise. Sitting bolt upright, wild-eyed, he found a tall Dornean in a Fleet Command uniform looming over him. The age lines on the Dornean’s face showed that he was over a hundred years old. The bars on his jacket showed that he was General A’baht.
“General Solo” A’baht said. “There’s a rumor all over the ship that I’m out and you’re in. Want to tell me what that’s about? “
“I don’t know what that’s about, ” said Han, swinging his feet over the side of the bunk and grasping for his shirt. Still half addled by his nap, he needed three swipes to grab it away from the clip. “You’re the commander of the Fifth Fleet. Nothing’s changed. “
“You’re here, ” A’baht said, settling back against the vanity. “That’s a change. “
Han shrugged into his shirt and began struggling with the buttons.
“Tell me about it, ” he said. “Look, General, I know you don’t want me here, and the truth is I really don’t want to be here. Maybe if we give each other some breathing space on that understanding, this won’t be too bad for either of us. “
“I see I was prepared to give you too much credit on your reputation, ” said A’baht.
“What are you talking about? “
“Among the Dornean, a male is expected to know when it is time to put down his babies and take up his weapon. But to be shamed into that duty by his female-“
“Yeah, well, tell it to someone who cares, ” Han said, annoyed. “I’ve done my turn, and then some-and if it’s not enough to satisfy you, ask me if it’s gonna cost me any sleep. You’re not exactly diving on the Death Star in a snub fighter yourself, you know. “
A’baht laughed. “At least you have enough teeth left to bite back, ” he said. “Can I see your orders? “
“There wasn’t enough time for formalities, ” Han said, pushing the tail of his shirt down into his waistband. “Look, I’m no diplomat-ask anyone. Let’s try talking plainly and see where that gets us. I’m not here to replace you. I wouldn’t begin to know how to fight this task force, and I wasn’t planning on taking a crash course. “
“Very well. Why are you here, if not to replace me? “
“Now I’m giving you too much credit. I thought you could figure that one out on your own. “
“I do not enjoy the princess’s full confidence. “
“Right. But I do. So if I tell her everything’s fine, she’ll believe it. “
“No, there must be more, ” said A’baht. “I don’t enjoy the princess’s full confidence-but she couldn’t find a reason to justify replacing me. If you’re not here to replace me, are you here to find her that reason? “
“I’m here to help you not do anything stupid, ” said Han. “If it turns out you don’t need any help with that, that’s fine with me. I’ll sharpen up my barlaz game in your rec hall, find where your quartermaster keeps the medicinal dragonjuice, and catch up on my sleep. “
“She still fears an incident with the Yevetha. “
“You could say that. “
“Perhaps she should fear the Yevetha instead, ” said A’baht. “I’d like to hear your opinions concerning the Black Fleet. “
“Outside my jurisdiction, ” said Han.
“And you said you were no diplomat. “
Han grinned crookedly. “I guess Leia’s been more of a bad influence on me than I thought. “
“Is there enough of the soldier left in you-“
“I was never, ever a soldier, General, even when I was wearing one of these, “
Han said,
tugging at
the front
of his
shirt.
“Too independent-minded-taking orders was never my strength. I was a Rebel. “
“And now? “
“I’m-a patriot, I guess. If that’s what you call someone who thinks the New Republic has the old Empire beat all hollow. “
“Very well, ” said A’baht. “Then I ask the patriot in Han Solo to let me share with him a soldier’s view of why we are taking this ship to Hatawa and Farlax. “
“All right, ” Han said. “If it can wait until all of us are a little more awake. “
“It can wait, but not too long, ” said A’baht. “Have you eaten? “