[Legacy Of The Force] - 02(63)

She brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes in a way that suggested she was buying a few seconds of thinking time. Even Mara’s wary of my reading her emotions.

“I think it’s hard to accept that my little boy’s turned into a soldier overnight, but that’s something I should have seen coming when we wanted him to be trained as a Jedi.”

Jacen still felt a flutter of hesitation around her. “I know you’re still troubled by all this.”

“Okay, let me ask you a question.”

“Go ahead.”

Mara’s eyes were fixed on his now. “Is there someone in your life who’s causing you some pain?”

“I don’t understand.” He really didn’t.

“A woman. Jacen, I’m not prying. I just need to know if you’re having a difficult time.”

He thought of Tenel Ka and Allana. He hardly dared do that these days, in case Lumiya sensed his secret and they were put in danger-more danger than they were already in.

“Yes.” It was so true that it hurt. “There’s someone I would like to be with that I can’t.”

Mara exuded pure relief. The frown lines between her eyebrows vanished and she almost smiled. “That’s all I needed to know, Jacen. I’m sorry you’re having problems. I won’t mention it again, but if I can do anything, you let me know, okay?”

Jacen nodded. He couldn’t imagine anything that Mara could do, but it was comforting to know she was willing.

“Thanks, Mara,” he said. “You’re probably about my only friend these days.”

She shrugged and waved discreetly to Ben before disappearing through the doors. Jacen could guess what was happening in the council chamber without using his Force-senses to listen. He’d let the side down. Jedi didn’t raid people’s homes with black-clad shock troopers.

A Jedi’s job is to solve a problem without taking lives. I think I did that today. Sitting back and not getting involved while people get killed in an endless cycle of wars doesn’t count as not having blood on your hands.

Jacen was jerked out of his thoughts by a cup of caf being thrust in front of him. “I don’t think things are quite that bad, sir.”

It was Corporal Lekauf: young, sandy-haired, and solidly optimistic. Jacen accepted the caf and they both stood watching the HNE coverage of the raids again, the outraged reaction from the Corellian ambassador and Senators, and the imminent threat of severing diplomatic relations.

“I’m never sure if all this is aimed at Coruscant or the Alliance,” said Lekauf.

“Separating the two is a real political conjuring trick.”

“I’d rather see more unity than separation, sir.”

“Me, too.” Jacen found he enjoyed the company of 967. They all had the corporal’s general optimism. “How long have you been in the army?”

“Since I graduated, sir. Four years.”

“What made you sign up?”

Lekauf smiled, almost embarrassed. “My grandfather served under your grandfather in the Imperial Army, sir. He always talked about how Lord Vader put himself in the front line. Meant a lot to him, that did.”

Jacen patted Lekauf’s shoulder. It was humbling to see how loyalty could last generations. Whatever sins Anakin Skywalker had committed as Vader, there were still those who recognized his qualities as an inspirational commander. Jacen decided it might be safe to walk back in time and watch him again.

He wasn’t repeating his mistakes. He was simply building on Anakin Skywalker’s missed opportunities.

“Let’s make our grandfathers proud, then.”

DUR GEJJEN’S HOUSE, CORONET, CORELLIA.

That Gejjen kid didn’t seem quite so pleased to see Han this time.

“You going to invite us in?” Han filled his doorway, blaster held at his side, and Gejjen stared at it, wide-eyed. “We’re feeling kind of unwelcome out here.”

Gejjen stood back, eyes still on the blaster as Han and Leia slipped into his hallway. Han flicked on the safety.

“Where have you been?” asked Gejjen.

“We ran into a well-wisher and had to make a run for it,” said Leia. “And before you ask, yes, we know what’s happening on Coruscant.”

“Sal-Solo is having a field day with it.” Two small children emerged behind Gejjen, and he shooed them back into the room. “The Solos’ son imprisoning innocent Corellians. Inspiring headlines.”

Han snorted. “I’m glad I don’t shock easy. Does this mean he’s changed the contract on me to read extra dead?”

“Us,” Leia muttered.

Gejjen ushered them into his front room, and Han noted that the blinds were drawn.