[Last Of The Jedi] - 05(7)

Thank stars and planets, Trever thought, for Dexter Jettster. He had turned out to be a crucial ally for them. He was a member of the Erased on Coruscant, one of those who had completely wiped their identities in order to hide from Imperial security. Dex now lived in the Orange District on Coruscant, with access to the best identity thieves the planet had to offer … and that was saying something.

It had taken Dex less than an hour to pull together what they needed. He’d given them text does and credits and a wardrobe — everything they needed to pose as a group traveling to Bellassa for its renowned spa treatments. Solace would be a wealthy woman, Trever her son, and Oryon their bodyguard.

To Trever’s surprise, the no-nonsense Solace had agreed with the ruse, readily donning the fur-trimmed cloak and aurodium-colored boots of a wealthy woman. “Sometimes it’s better not to sneak when you’re breaking in,” Solace said. “Make as much noise as you can, and nobody gives you a second thought.”

Now Solace stood at the top of the ramp of the chromium-hulled starship that Dex had borrowed for them from a wealthy friend. She was resplendent in her rich ruby chaughaine robe. The black fur collar fanned out around her angular face. Instead of the scruffy warrior they were used to, she looked striking and regal. Trever wore a close-fitting cap made of some expensive material that itched.

He couldn’t suppress a tremor of nerves as they waited to be checked in by Bellassan security. After all, he was wanted on this planet. He’d stolen a gravsled and pretended to be a laundry worker so he could break Ferus out of an Imperial prison. His image had been captured on a vidscreen. They could get touchy about things like that.

Dex had made sure he was well disguised. He was wearing a cap, and a large visor covered his eyes and most of his nose, a fashion among the young wealthy Coruscanti.

Solace created a stir around her, ordering security officers to hurry, and even hailing a corporal to carry her bag. Quickly she established herself as a presence to be placated. Security officers rushed to clear them, hurrying them to the front of the line and then quickly checking their ID does against their list of those wanted by the Empire. Trever tried to appear bored, as if he were used to being coddled and swept through security.

The official looked over their does with a skeptical eye. “You’re here for the spa treatments? Haven’t you heard about the unrest?”

“I came here for rest, not unrest,” Solace said haughtily. “And I intend to find it. I’m not going to let some rabble-rousers come between me and my lasersalt rub treatments.”

The official returned the dots. “Just don’t go out alone.”

“That’s what I have my bodyguard for,” she snapped.

They were cleared.

Trever’s heart was tripping in his chest. It wasn’t just about the fear of getting caught. It was about being on Bellassa again.

When he’d left his homeworld, he’d never wanted to come back. Stowing away on Ferus’s ship was a way to escape a place that held only bad memories. His mother, father, and brother had all died here.

When they’d been a family, they’d always been together, going to concerts at the Ussa halls and outdoor venues, or playing laserball in the many parks. Almost any corner could suddenly blast him with a memory. He’d enjoyed being part of the black market, because it meant he could stay in a quadrant that was unfamiliar to him, rarely venturing into the neighborhoods he’d known.

But here was Bellassan air and Bellassan light, and they were as familiar to him as his own skin. Home. He fought against the concept, but here it was.

Another security officer rushed to hail them an air taxi. They entered, and Solace told the driver to take them to the Eclipse, the most exclusive hotel in Ussa. Trever had lived in Ussa all his life and had never been inside.

When they got to the hotel, the extraordinary service continued. Their luggage was whisked away, and checkin was accomplished in a matter of seconds. Soon they were stepping into a transparisteel turbolift that whisked them up to the two hundred and second floor.

Trever let out a disbelieving whoop as soon as the porters left them alone. He had a full view of Bellassa now. On this cloudless day, he could clearly see the seven lakes, the winding roads, and the pink and blue buildings in the soft, clear light.

“Can we stay here forever?” he asked. He was joking, of course. But deep inside he felt a connection to this world. It hadn’t been wrong to leave, but it felt wrong to stay away.

“Just a day,” Solace said. “Maybe less, if they figure out the account number I gave them was a phony. Dex said we have about eight hours until it comes up blank.”