Out of the Shadows 33

Coruscant

Wedge took note of the new ship in the hangar as he returned later the following morning to collect his X–wing and move it to Rogue Squadron headquarters. One had to have top-level security clearance to park anything in this hangar seeing as so many of the top military and political personnel resided close by. It probably explained Han’s presence so late at night. Han was a New Republic general after all. He was curious as to the vessel’s occupants – the markings on it were certainly not military. It was large, ungainly and reminded him of a smuggler’s transport. It was obviously there for a reason.

Wedge took another couple of steps towards his own ship and then stopped. There was a lone figure staring at the X-wings – a lone, familiar figure dressed in black, the set of his shoulders indicating that the man was experiencing something approaching regret. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heartbeat. It couldn’t be who he thought it was – could it?

“Hello, Wedge,” the figure said without turning round.

“Luke,” he managed to utter quietly. Who else would know who he was without even having to glance at him? And suddenly Han’s peculiar behaviour the previous evening fell into place. He wasn’t performing a task for the New Republic at all. Han had known that Luke was coming home – he’d been waiting for him.

Luke spun around to face the Corellian pilot, his face lit up with a huge grin. “I thought it was your ship,” he said wryly. “The Corellian colours plus the two Death Star symbols kinda makes it obvious. There’s not many pilots out there who survived both.”

“No, we’re a rare breed,” he acknowledged. “Some of the newer boys prefer the A-wings.” He shook his head at their obvious foolishness. “Still can’t beat the old X-wing snub fighters in my opinion.”

“I agree with you there. We lasted against those Death Stars in them. I’m still not entirely sure how. Force, we were naïve.”

“You were naïve,” Wedge muttered. “I’ve never met anyone who was as green as you were back then.”

“You have a point.” Suddenly Luke laughed and the tension they hadn’t realised was there vanished.

Moving forwards they hugged each other warmly with a few good slaps on the back for good measure. “It’s good to see you finally home, Luke,” Wedge muttered. “You’ve been away too long, Boss.”

“You’re the ‘boss’ of Rogue Squadron now,” Luke said, with a wry smile at the familiar honorific. “Han tells me you’ve done a superb job. I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”

“I was lucky – I had a good commander to learn from.” Wedge looked at the freighter. “You came in this?”

Luke exhaled resignedly. “Yeah. My X-wing finally gave up on me a few weeks back. Dagobah’s climate didn’t agree with it in the end – that and the lack of a decent overhaul. It couldn’t be fixed where it was and we didn’t have the space to haul it back here.”

“Dagobah – is that where you were?”

“Yes.”

Wedge shrugged. “Never heard of it.”

“That’s one of the reasons I was there - because most people haven’t heard of it. I can’t say that Dagobah is noted for its beauty or its mild climate and the animal life….” Luke shuddered. “…could be dangerous. Ask Artoo. Something nearly ate him once but spat him out when it realised that my droid wasn’t organic.”

Wedge’s eyebrows rose. “I’m glad Artoo isn’t digestible. He still holds a lot of valuable data.” He glanced around him. “Where is he?”

“I suspect he’s still visiting with Threepio as they have a lot to catch up on but then Artoo pleases himself much of the time.”

“Droids!”

“Saved my life a few times.”

“Mine too,” Wedge agreed, chuckling.  Sobering, he asked, “But why Dagobah?”

“Why not?” returned Luke lightly. “Dagobah had its uses if not many creature comforts. It wasn’t liable to be visited too often and my Jedi Master was still alive at that time.” A flicker of pain crossed his face.

“Yoda?” Wedge recalled.

“Yes.”

“I take it that Yoda isn’t alive now.” Wedge remembered Luke talking about Yoda. Like most people, he’d thought the old Jedi Master had been dead since just after Hoth. Apparently he’d been wrong.

Luke nodded. “He died a couple of months ago. Dagobah was his home. He lived there throughout the dark times and it kept him safe from the Empire. In fact, I would suspect that his life force was tied to the planet. It was a good place to go to be trained as a Jedi. It had security, secrecy and anonymity – all the things a Jedi in training needs.”

“And no distractions,” Wedge chipped in with a chuckle.

“Uh…yes. No distractions.” Luke’s mouth curved into a smile. Yes, he hadn’t had many real distractions until a stunning redhead with a desire to kill him had landed her ship in his swamp.

“So how did you get home if no one knew where you were and your X-wing was no more?” Wedge asked.

“Leia had a general idea of my whereabouts, if not an actual set of co-ordinates. Dagobah isn’t on any of the current star charts. She knew the name of the planet but not where it was. Nevertheless, ever resourceful, Leia made the acquaintance of someone who potentially had access to such things and asked them to find me. By the time I was found, I was ready to come home.” Luke jerked his thumb at the freighter sitting in the middle of the hangar. “I hitched a ride home with Mara Jade.”

“Mara Jade? Who’s Mara Jade?”

“She works for Talon Karrde.”

“Another smuggler,” Wedge said thoughtfully. “We do attract them to our side, don’t we?”

“Oh, Mara’s not on our side,” Luke said cheerfully.

Wedge raised his eyebrows. “Talon Karrde’s group like to sit on the fence, don’t they? She considers herself neutral?”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Luke murmured, a wry grin crossing his features. “She’s certainly…different.”

“She must be.” Wedge had long ceased to be surprised about the loyalties of the beings that flew the shipping lanes in search of a living but a smuggler who had known where Luke Skywalker had hidden himself when the rest of the galaxy had absolutely no idea was one to take notice of. Then again, Talon Karrde was well known to many for his ability to stay on good terms with everyone.

“Actually, Antilles,” a cool voice said behind him. “I prefer to think of myself as a trader of unusual and exotic goods rather than a smuggler. Most of my work is legal.”

Wedge dropped his hand towards his blaster and swivelled rapidly on his heels until he was facing the owner of the voice. Mara Jade smirked maliciously at him. Wedge’s jaw dropped at the sight of the slender, redheaded woman. This was Mara Jade? Not what he was expecting at all but she was certainly a woman to command attention.

Mara wandered casually across to Skywalker and positioned herself beside him. All Wedge could do was take an inventory of this woman’s…assets. The combination of coldly intelligent green eyes, flawless creamy skin and her vibrant hair added up to a stunningly beautiful woman. Wedge met her gaze and came to his senses instantly. Beautiful she may be but he had no doubt by the state of the hardware strapped against her shapely thighs and the quiet confidence she seemed to exude, that she was well trained and quite lethal with it.

“Hi there, Mara,” Luke said, his face lighting up at the sight of her. “Mara, this is Wedge Antilles. Wedge…Mara Jade.”

“I’ve heard all about you,” she murmured.

Wedge didn’t know whether he or she considered that to be good or bad. He had the feeling that she’d summed him up in an instant and then found him wanting. “Pleased to meet you,” he replied, inclining his head politely.

Luke beamed. “Did you manage to contact Karrde?” he asked Mara eagerly.

“I did.”

“And…”

“He has a couple of places not too far from here.”

Luke’s smile grew broader. “So I would be close to Han and Leia.”

“Yes.” Her voice was clipped.

“Wonderful.” Luke’s smile widened. “That will please them.”

“Close to Han and Leia,” Wedge repeated.

“I’m looking for an apartment,” Luke explained.

“You’re staying with Han and Leia?” Of course, Luke would be staying with his two best friends. They were closer than many families were. They were the only family that each of them had.

“Yes, for the moment I am. But I can’t impose on them forever whether they want me to or not. I need somewhere of my own and they need their own space. So I asked Mara for her help.”

Wedge felt slightly at a loss at this comment. Surely Leia and Han, as one of the most powerful couples on Coruscant, could find somewhere for Luke to stay. There had to be hundreds of spare apartments at the government’s disposal.

“Talon Karrde owns a couple of blocks close to the heart of Imperial Centre,” Mara explained. “And Jedi boy here, wondered if there might be some apartments to rent.”

“Galactic City,” Luke said.

“Imperial Centre,” Mara returned coldly.

“Sure,” the Jedi replied casually, but there was a glint in his blue eyes. “Whatever. These name changes. I can never remember which of them is the correct version. I guess it depends on who’s in power.”

Mara sent him one of her patented glares and Wedge could only glance bewildered at them both. There were the makings of an argument but no real heat in their words. There was an ease between the couple as if they’d known one another for a long time but Wedge knew that wasn’t so.

Luke continued unperturbed. “I want a measure of independence or I would have asked Leia to find me somewhere to stay. I don’t want the New Republic to own everything I do.”

Wedge dipped his head in acknowledgement of Luke’s reasoning. The Jedi had a point. He had already learned that being part of a legitimate government was quite different from being part of a rebellion. “You’re fully trained?” he asked his friend.

“Yes, although I will never stop learning.” Luke turned to Mara. “Coruscant is still the heart of the Core worlds and therefore the most important place in the galaxy for most beings. I will need to have a home here until I find a place for the Jedi. You’ve been here many times before, Mara, and know the whole place like the proverbial back of your hand. In fact, you lived here for years whereas, I’ve only visited Coruscant once before. You’re sure that Karrde has agreed to let me rent one?”

Mara folded her arms across her chest. “Yes, he’s got the contract all written out including the vast amount of credits you’ll need to afford it. For some peculiar reason he likes you. It could be, of course, that he’s never met you.”

“I can afford it,” Luke said quietly, a strange expression flickering in his eyes. “I’m not destitute. I think your boss and I can come to an agreement.”

“You live as if you have no credits,” she commented.

“I haven’t needed the credits,” Luke returned. One of the first things Leia had told him had disturbed him greatly. Darth Vader…no, not Darth Vader. Anakin…his father Anakin, he told himself firmly, had made him his heir. Luke supposed that when Vader made that decision, he assumed that Luke would turn to the dark side and become Palpatine’s servant like his father had before him. He now had more wealth than even Han could imagine. He had it and he didn’t want it but perhaps one day, the Jedi might need it. It would give them the independence they needed. He guessed that it would be a warm day on Hoth before Leia would agree to share the inheritance. She’d refused to take any part of it and he could understand why she felt that way. “Ostentatious living has never appealed to me,” he said quietly. “I’m not used to it.”

Wedge got the feeling they were talking about something he didn’t understand, there was a hidden subtext there somewhere but not for him. He shifted awkwardly.

Luke shrugged and glanced at Wedge, sensing the other man’s awkwardness with the situation. Mara wasn’t exactly being at her most friendly and she’d never been effusive in the few months that he’d known her. He had hoped that Mara would have liked Wedge but maybe it was still too early for that to happen. She probably still had him down on a data card somewhere marked ‘Rebel’ next to Luke’s. “I’ll probably be here for quite a while and even when I find a permanent base off world I’ll still need somewhere on Coruscant close to my family and friends.”

“Family?”

“Leia, Han, Chewie…you.”

“Oh,” Wedge murmured, totally understanding. They’d all lost their original families and had made new ones with colleagues and friends. As for Luke staying around Coruscant, Wedge couldn’t see it happening and Luke had already hinted at this scenario. He was serious about setting up somewhere on his own. “This isn’t a permanent move, then? I had thought that you might stay on Coruscant and fly with the Rogues again when you were free.”

“I can’t stay indefinitely. My time as ‘Rogue leader’ is over. You know that, Wedge.”

“I suppose I do. I’d just hoped you’d stick around for longer.”

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. As long as I need to be, I suppose.” Luke placed his hand on the Corellian pilot’s arm. “I would still like to fly with the boys…and the girls again. If you are doing any manoeuvres let me know. See if I’ve still got it.”

Wedge’s dark eyes flickered to Mara and back to Luke. His friend was not the brash young man who had fired the shot that destroyed the first Death Star or even the man who had left the Alliance Battle group after the Bakuran treaty had been signed. This was a fully trained Jedi Knight masquerading as his friend Luke. Or was it his friend Luke accepting the mantle of a trained Jedi Knight? All the masquerading was over.

“I haven’t changed,” Luke insisted quietly. “Just grown in another direction. Rogue Squadron is yours to command, Wedge, and has been for years. I just hope that you’ll let me fly with you sometimes so that I don’t get too out of the loop.” He grinned at Mara. “I could do with borrowing an X-wing if there are any lying about…spare.”

“He wants a new one, Antilles,” Mara said sardonically. “I don’t know if he deserves one. He ruined the last one he had.”

“It was an accident,” Luke insisted. “It wasn’t my fault.”

“I’ve heard that excuse before,” muttered Wedge to Mara. He shook his head ruefully at his friend. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“And you’ll let me come and fly?”

Wedge laughed. “Hell, Luke, you can be in charge of the training run.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Mara asked coolly.

“Absolutely,” Wedge said fervently. “Have you seen this man fly?”

“Once or twice.” Mara was noncommittal.

“In combat?”

She shook her head. She’d seen some grainy holofootage once but that didn’t really count in her opinion. There was a possibility that it wasn’t Skywalker who’d been doing the flying.

“Or for the sheer joy of having wings and flying?” Wedge asked.

Mara shook her head again. “No.”

“Then you’ve missed one of the natural wonders of the galaxy.”

Luke placed his gloved right hand across his mouth to stifle his embarrassment. He still wasn’t used to being praised so extravagantly. “Wedge,” he muttered, his face beginning to colour. “If you’re trying to impress the lady on my behalf it won’t work.”

“You must be a romantic, Antilles,” Mara said almost enjoying Luke’s discomfiture.

“No, not really. I see myself as a pragmatist.”

“You joined the Rebellion - that’s where all the romantics ended up.”

Wedge narrowed his dark eyes. This woman was trying to goad him into saying something he shouldn’t. These tricks might work on some people but Wedge found the best way to deal with it was to keep his focus and not react. “Then I’m a romantic and glad to be so,” he agreed mildly and was pleased to notice the brief flash of disappointment in the redhead’s green eyes. “But we won; for that reason alone I must have thought our prospects were realistic.”

Luke grinned. “You’ve just proved yourself to be the pragmatist, Wedge, by not rising to Mara’s bait. She likes to keep people off-balance.”

“I like to keep alert in any situation,” Wedge said dryly. “I don’t know you, Mistress Jade; therefore, I like to keep my options open.”

“Around me, Skywalker, don’t you think it’s better to be alert?” Mara’s glance at Luke was sly.

The Jedi shook his head wearily. “Oh, the ‘still trying to kill Luke Skywalker’ fixation. Mara, I don’t believe you will do such a thing but if you eventually decide on that course you have to take your best shot. I will, of course, try to survive.”

Mara chuckled. “Fair enough.”

Wedge no longer wondered if he was missing something. He knew he was. The ‘still trying to kill Luke Skywalker’ fixation? This woman wanted to kill Luke? He didn’t appear to be too worried about it. There were definite messages passing between the Jedi and the trader. He’d never heard of this woman before but Luke appeared to know her very well. Again, it crossed his mind that this woman had known where Luke Skywalker had hidden himself. It was something he would think about later but for the present all he said was, “So, do you want me to set up a day for you to come flying with the Rogues again?”

“Definitely,” Luke said.

Mara tilted her head to one side and gave Luke an assessing stare. “Perhaps I could also be included in the exercise. I have done many hours in the simulator and have flown an X-wing…but not in combat.”

“I thought you were leaving Coruscant tomorrow.”

“I can extend my time here for a day or two longer. I’ll make the hours up in hyperspace. As long as I join Karrde’s group soon, he won’t mind.”

“That would be good, Mara. You could be my wingman.”

“Or you could be mine,” Mara shot back swiftly.

“Perhaps I could,” Luke returned smoothly.

“However, I suspect that Karrde will expect me to join the group as soon as I can.”

“Then our day will keep,” Luke promised, his eyes holding hers.

“I’ll see what I can arrange,” Wedge said helplessly. “Luke will let me know when you wish to fly with us.” What else could he do or say? This was a new side to his long-time friend. The two of them were almost…flirting…and he couldn’t recall Luke behaving quite in this fashion with a woman before. The Corellian pilot wondered what Leia Organa would think about this. She was happy with Han, he knew that, but there was a possessiveness about her where Luke was concerned and Wedge wondered if anyone would ever be good enough in Leia’s eyes for the Jedi.

Mara arched a slim red-gold eyebrow. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I have a ship to move.” She flipped open a small hand-held com. “Artoo, I suggest that you leave Skywalker’s stuff where it is. We’ve found him somewhere to keep all his Jedi rubbish.”

“Mara,” Luke said warningly.

“Don’t be so stuffy, Skywalker,” she retorted.

“I’m not stuffy and it’s not rubbish.” His eyes widened. “Artoo’s with you?”

Mara nodded. “Your astromech said that Threepio, or whatever your protocol droid is called, was making his circuits malfunction.”

“Threepio can do that to you,” Luke agreed. “Artoo likes Mara,” he told Wedge simply. “I cannot understand it myself. All she does is threaten him.”

“Listen, shortstuff…” Mara quietly snapped into the com and then blinked. “He cut me off!” she exclaimed.” “Your kriffing droid cut me off!”

“Well, you did threaten him. See Wedge, I told you.”

Mara’s brows drew together, irritation written on her face. “I do not threaten your droid. He talks too much for an astromech. You should have his memory wiped on a regular basis.”

Luke smiled and shrugged. “What more can I say? She knows I would never do that to Artoo.”

Wedge checked his chrono. “I’ll be in touch, Luke. We can arrange a flight time for you then and I’ll see if the New Republic can spring you a ship. Of course, you may have to do something for them in return,” he warned.

“Probably,” the Jedi concurred. “Life is a bargain as far as I’m concerned. But I’m not putting that life and the future of the Jedi on hold indefinitely for the New Republic. I’m sure we can work something out.”

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Luke showed Han and Leia around the apartment he’d chosen from what Karrde had available. His sister would have preferred her brother to be with her but this was, as Mara had told them, very close and it was exactly what Luke required with a large open living area leading out to a balcony and private landing pad. There were a couple of extra bedrooms on the lower floor which could be used to store Luke’s Jedi artefacts.

“There’s even enough space on the balcony so that I can do my workouts.”

“There is a perfectly adequate gym complex close by. Leia and I are both members,” Mara remarked.

“This will do me fine,” Luke murmured.

“It’s not big enough,” Leia had at first protested.

“I’m a Jedi Knight, not a New Republic Councillor. It’s bigger than anywhere I’ve ever stayed in my entire life. I only need so much space to live in. This will not be my permanent home and I’m not planning to entertain. Until I find somewhere permanent to rebuild the Jedi, this will do.”

“Luke…” Leia began.

“You know that, Leia. I cannot have a Jedi training school on Coruscant.”

His sister didn’t look surprised, yet she’d clung to the hope that he’d stay with her. “That is what you want – a Jedi training school? You are the head of the Jedi Order and could have it anywhere you want. The Senate would agree.”

“That is what I want,” he echoed firmly. “Coruscant is not the right place for the Jedi now. The people do not remember what they once were and could be again. They recall only the lies. And in case you’ve forgotten, I am the head of the order only because I am its only member.” 

“That will change,” Leia said warmly.

“There are Jedi out there and definitely those with ability.” He glanced quickly at Mara. “My task is to rebuild but may not be to lead…”

“I think you will lead them. You have to,” Leia murmured softly.

Luke nodded. “Probably. But it will take time and effort on my part to find Force sensitives willing to train.”

Leia guessed he was again warning her that he would not be at the beck and call of the New Republic leadership. “You will succeed, I know you will.”

“I can’t do everything, Leia - not on my own - and there are potential Jedi out there. I’ve seen them and I’ve felt their presences. They call to me at night in my dreams and when I seek out a closer connection with the Force through meditation. I have to go and find them and then I must teach them the ways of the Force. Only when I’ve done that can I truly be a help to the New Republic or to any other faction that needs me.”

“Oh, Luke.”

“I’m relying on you to help me,” he pleaded earnestly. “The Senate will not see everything my way and this time, I cannot compromise. I have to show that I want my independence from the very start and that includes my living accommodation.”

Leia had looked around the apartment with new eyes. “You’re right, brother dear. This place will do very well.” She turned to Mara. “Thank you.”

“No thanks needed,” Mara said. “The place was lying empty and now Karrde has credits coming in.”

“Like he’s short of a credit?” Han asked mockingly. “Or he’ll rent to any straggler landing on Coruscant tomorrow?”

Mara rolled her eyes. “Of course not. Your little Jedi friend here has good credentials and can afford to pay the rent required.”

“You and Han don’t need me interfering any more in your lives than what a brother normally does to his sister. I’ve already given Han my permission.”

Leia’s mouth dropped open. “Permission,” she echoed.

“Yes. I said that he could marry you and that I approved.”

Mara stifled a chuckle at the wink Luke sent in her direction. “Congratulations.”

“It hasn’t been announced yet,” Leia muttered, her face flushing.

“I know. Luke told me this morning,” Mara admitted.

“You told her, Luke?” Leia said. “We haven’t told anyone.”

Mara gave the Alderaanian woman a supercilious smirk. “I can be very discreet when I have to. Who would I tell?”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “Do you want a list?”

Mara shrugged, unfazed by Leia’s ire. “I suppose you should be thinking about ways to tell the politicians and the press. I’m not sure which group is the worst and I, personally, do not plan going anywhere near either.”

“The politicians are worse,” Han retorted glibly.

“Han Solo!” Leia exclaimed. “I can still change my mind.”

“But you wouldn’t.” Han put his arm around his fiancée’s slim waist and grinned smugly. “She’s overcome. Being engaged to a gorgeous guy like me…Oof!” The air expelled rapidly from his lungs as Leia dug her elbow into his midsection.

“You shouldn’t have waited for me,” Luke said. “But I’m glad that you did. When are you making the official announcement?”

“I’ve invited Mon Mothma and one or two others for a small dinner party tomorrow night. I thought I could tell her then and also introduce your return into society.” Leia held up her hand to forestall Luke from interrupting her. “No, I haven’t told anyone that you’ve come back.

Luke scrunched his face into a scowl. “Do you have to tell anyone that I’m back? They could just find out from seeing me around. I’m not hiding my return but…”

Mara shook her head. How naïve could he be?

“You still hate anyone making a fuss, don’t you?” Leia patted her brother’s arm. “Tough, get used to it because it will happen.”

“Not if I don’t let it,” he muttered to Mara. “I’m not the rebellion’s poster boy.”

“No?” Mara shook her head. “I think that’s exactly what you are.”

“I can’t be that. The Jedi are too important.” He glanced at his sister. “If I keep quiet and occupied, they’ll forget about me.”

“If you say so,” Mara murmured. “But I doubt it.”

Leia nodded slowly. “I agree with you, Mara. Throughout your time on Dagobah, Luke, never a week went by when there wasn’t some speculation on your whereabouts.”

“Why anyone would want to know where he is I don’t know.”

“They do if they want to kill me,” Luke muttered under his breath and Mara sent him a sharp look.

Mara took a deep breath and after another glare at the Jedi smiled at Leia. “I have to get back to the ship and check it for departure. Karrde is getting impatient.” She sensed Luke stiffening beside her but there was nothing he could do to make her stay. She turned to look at him. “I’ll be in touch.” She wanted to say more but the Jedi shook his head.

“No - it’s not time.” His blue-eyed gaze caught hers and held her attention. He was trying to tell her something but what?

“Not time?” Han questioned. “Not time for what?”

“Nothing,” Like dismissed quickly.

Han’s stare was disbelieving but he didn’t say anything. As long as he’d known him, the Kid was usually up to something. He’d land himself in trouble sooner or later and then Han would have to go and get him out of it. Or that was the way it used to work. He wasn’t sure if he knew this calm stranger with secrets in his eyes.

“I’m just the same,” Luke said.

Han didn’t ask him how he knew what he was thinking. These days, Luke always knew. It was damned unsettling. But, he reasoned with himself, the Kid had been a little strange from the beginning. He could live with that but he wasn’t clear in his own mind why Luke had suddenly turned so friendly with Jade. “Sure you are.”

“I’m as much the same as I was - as you are.”

“Now you’re just getting confusing, Junior.”

Luke grinned. “Told you I was the same.”

Mara closed her eyes and opened them to see if she was dreaming. No, she wasn’t. They were all still standing here having a non-conversation. She’d wasted enough time with these people. “As I said, Skywalker, I’ll be in touch.”

“Clear skies, Mara.” He didn’t add that he’d miss her - but he would.

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From the privacy of her own apartment, Mara opened the link between Coruscant and Talon Karrde’s base on the planet Myrkr.

“Talon!”

Karrde leant back in his nerf-leather chair and grinned. “Finally, Mara. I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you. You said you would contact me after you’d shown Skywalker the property. That was yesterday.”

“I was prepping the ship. It needed one or two things sorted before I leave and I managed to locate those supplies you wanted for a better rate than we got the last time.”

“Excellent.”

Mara smiled with satisfaction. “I’ve booked a departure slot for later this evening. I’ll be with you in just under a week.”

“Good. You deserve more than a little downtime for that last job. You were with Skywalker for nearly three months. It must have been difficult under the circumstances.”

“What circumstances?” Mara snapped suspiciously.

Karrde paused, choosing his words carefully. “The Jedi isn’t on your list of favourite people…is he?”

“He wasn’t so bad,” Mara found herself admitting. “I got used to him and he’s not what I thought he was.”

Karrde pursed his lips thoughtfully. Mara Jade continued to surprise him. “I have a lot of time for Han Solo,” he said, “and I was impressed by Princess Leia Organa. They are survivors, Mara. Used to thinking on their feet and getting out of a tight situation with room to spare and a twist to their advantage. It’s not unexpected that Skywalker isn’t what he’s painted to be by some.”

“No one ever is,” Mara realised aloud. “Skywalker said that.” What would people say about her, she wondered.

“It depends on your point of view,” Karrde mused quietly.

Mara stiffened. “That sounded like a Jedi saying,” she accused. “In fact, I’m sure that I’ve heard Skywalker say it.”

Karrde chuckled, the sound close in her ear even though he was light years away. “What can I say, Mara? I did think that he and I would get on well.”

“I never thought you had anything of the Force about you, Talon.”

“The Force is in all living things, Mara.”

“What!” she exclaimed. Was Karrde channelling Skywalker or even, perhaps, Qui-Gon Jinn? Someone out there was determined that she receive an education in the ways of the Force - or at least remind her of what she already knew.

Karrde laughed again. “Information and knowledge is power, Mara. I have read extensively on the subject but I do not believe that I am touched by such a gift. However, I do like to keep people guessing.”

“Skywalker thanks you for the use of the apartment. He believes it will give him a small measure of independence.”

“He is paying well for its use.”

“He said he could afford it.” Mara wasn’t sure how that was. “But you wouldn’t know it to look at him.” She checked her wrist chrono. “I’m closing this place up and heading to the spaceport. I’ll contact you again after I finish my first hyperspace jump. I need to revert to realspace to make a couple of nav adjustments.”

“I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

Karrde cut the connection and steepled his fingers together. The most surprising thing he’d learned over the past week was that Mara had liked Skywalker and, considering how much she’d hated the Jedi before she’d left to find him, that was saying something for the man. He was looking forward to meeting him.

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