It seemed more likely that the GA’s premature action had been prompted by the reactivation of Centerpoint. Despite everything, all the vetting and counterspying that had taken place at that facility since the Galactic Alliance had reluctantly surrendered its control to Corellia, some word must have reached Coruscant of the facility’s status.
She said nothing of this. Instead, she asked, “And why are you telling me this?”
“Well, let’s just say it galls me,” Han said. “If Corellia wants to be independent, I’m all for it.”
“Would you be willing to say that publicly?” Saxan asked. “In speeches to the Corellian people?”
“Sure,” Han said. “If you resign as Prime Minister and Thrackan resigns as Corellian Chief of State.”
This time, Saxan couldn’t keep the surprise off her face, out of her voice. “I should resign? Why?”
“I don’t like the game you’re playing,” Han said. “Whining ‘independence’ out one corner of your mouth and ‘benefits’ out the other.”
“That’s just strategy,” Saxan assured him.
“No, it isn’t. Not when a lot of people are listening to you and agreeing. People who don’t have the time or energy or brains to think it through. People who trust you because your father was famous or because you’re good looking.” Han finally looked disappointed, perhaps even faintly disgusted. “You need to be showing Corellians the lives they’ll be living if they do become independent. Planetary pride is one thing, and I’m all for it. Planetary pride with an assumption that the economy’s going to thrive and everyone’s going to love us is another thing. It’s a lie.”
Saxan kept the anger and, yes, hurt she felt at Han’s rebuke from showing. She turned to Leia. “And what about you? You’re a Jedi Knight. The Jedi are sworn to defend the Galactic Alliance. In coming here, aren’t you committing treason?”
Leia blinked at her. “How’s that again?”
“Your husband wants me to commit to a politically dangerous position. And yet here you are, straddling two positions, too. I think perhaps you and your husband should stay here in Corellia and lend us your support. It would be safer for you. If Coruscant learned you’d come here on your errand, it could do irreversible damage to your reputation.”
Leia smiled, showing teeth. “I am a Jedi Knight. And I am sworn to defend the Galactic Alliance. Even from itself, sometimes. But coming here with my husband and listening to him speculate on the future of political relations isn’t treason. It’s just something you do when you’re married.”
“Speculate?”
Leia nodded. “Speculate.”
“Meaning that you won’t have any hard data to hand me supporting his speculations.”
Han smiled, the knee-weakening, cocky smile Saxan had seen so often on holonews and occasionally in person. “What data?”
“Of course.”
“And, by the way”-Han lost his smile-“it wouldn’t do for Coruscant to learn we’d been here speculating. We’d take it personally. You might think about going through the historical records and seeing what happens when we take things personally.”
Saxan didn’t ask whether that was a threat. Of course it was. And it was the sort of threat they’d proven again and again they could make good on.
Well, this meeting was still a success. She’d learned two important things: that the Galactic Alliance probably knew about developments at Centerpoint Station, and that Han Solo could be just as hard and ruthless as his cousin, Thrackan Sal-Solo.
Saxan let a gracious smile return to her face. “Never fear, Corellia knows who her friends are,” she said. “By the way, how long will you be staying insystem?”
Leia shrugged. “A few days.”
“Excellent. Perhaps you will do us the honor of paying us an official visit sometime. Whether it’s wartime or peacetime, your husband is one of Corellia’s favorite sons.”
“That would be most agreeable.” Recognizing Saxan’s words as a conclusion to the audience, Leia rose and pinned her veil back in place. Han followed his wife’s lead and began wrestling his sand-mask into place.
“Oh, Han …” Saxan smiled as she saw the tiniest of frowns mar Leia’s brow, reaction to her inappropriate use of Solo’s first name. “If I see Thrackan, do you have any message for him?”
Mask in place, Han pulled his hood up. “Sure. How about, ‘Look out!’ “
“I’ll pass that along.”
OUTER SPACE, CORELLIA TRADE SPINE, PASSING YAG’DHUL