Survivor's Quest

"So that's what he was doing at the helm," Luke said, and Mara could sense his sudden understanding. "I thought he was just bringing the ship out of hyperspace."

"No, he was going for something more long range," Mara said, studying the confusion in Prard'enc'iflar's face. "You see, Commander, Estosh knew it was over as soon as we reached the bridge. He had a last-ditch weapon that he thought would kill all of us, so he figured that at least we wouldn't win. But even if he died in the process, he still wanted to get this ship to his people."

"So we let him key in an automatic course heading to take the ship to wherever their rendezvous point was," Luke said.

"Which is probably also where most of their heavy warships are waiting." Mara gestured again to the helm console. "Would you like me to pull the coordinates for you?"

For a long moment Prard'enc'iflar just stood there gazing at her. Then, with the twitch of a lip, he gave her a small bow. "Thank you," he said softly. "I would like that very much."

CHAPTER 27

"So there was nothing left at all?" Jinzler asked, just to be sure.

Luke shook his head, his expression pained. "No," he said. "We searched the debris pretty thoroughly afterward. We couldn't even find a piece of the amethyst to bring back to you. I'm sorry. I know how much it meant to you."

"It's all right," Jinzler told him. And for a wonder, it really was. That lightsaber had been the last thing that had belonged to his sister. His last link to her life.

And yet, the loss wasn't hurting nearly as much as he would have expected it to. Perhaps because he no longer needed objects to remember her by. Perhaps because all those painful memories were finally begi

And to heal him.

"Actually, it's rather fitting," he added. "Lorana came aboard Outbound Flight dedicating herself to protect and nurture the people here. It's only fitting that her lightsaber be sacrificed for them, just as she herself was."

Luke and Mara exchanged glances, and he could see the caution in their expressions. As far as they were concerned, there was still no way of knowing how Lorana had died, or what she had been doing at the time of her death.

But Jinzler didn't care. He knew she'd died defending Outbound Flight. That was all that mattered.

From somewhere down the corridor came a multiple thump of dropped boxes, and a strangled curse. "Moving day is such fun, isn't it?" Mara commented, peering down the corridor in the direction of the noise.

"Especially when half the tenants are convinced they're being evicted," Jinzler agreed ruefully.

"Uliar and the Managing Council still don't want to leave?" Luke asked.

"The Chiss are practically having to drag them out by their heels," Jinzler said. "I know; it's crazy."

"Not that crazy," Mara said, her eyes thoughtful. "Even if there's nothing here for them anymore, it's still been their home for fifty years."

"It's all about familiarity," Luke agreed soberly. "No matter how unpleasant or dreary a place might have become, it's always hard to give up something you've become so used to."

Jinzler nodded, remembering back to his childhood. "Coruscant."

"Tatooine," Luke said.

"The Empire," Mara added quietly.

Luke threw her an odd look, but turned back to Jinzler without commenting. "Speaking of empires, I understand you're going to the Empire of the Hand with them?"

"I'm going with Rosemari and Evlyn," he corrected. "Since they insist on staying with the rest of the Colonists, I guess that's where I'm going, too."

"I wish you'd talk to them," Luke said. "Nothing against the Empire of the Hand, but they don't have any way to give her proper Jedi training."

Jinzler lifted his hands, palms upward. "The Colonists don't want to go to the New Republic," he reminded Luke. "It's got the word Republic in its name, and it's got Jedi. End of argument."

"I understand," Luke said. "I just don't like letting Evlyn go off without a proper instructor, that's all. Keep working on them, will you?"

"For whatever good it'll do." Jinzler smiled lopsidedly. "Actually, I suspect that Commander Fel's going to be working the opposite direction, hoping that Evlyn's presence will induce you to come over to his side and set up an academy there."

"Did he say that?" Luke asked, frowning.

"Not in so many words," Jinzler said. "But he did ask me to tell you that Admiral Parck's offer of a job is still open."

"Right," Luke said, throwing another sideways look at Mara. "Be sure to thank him the next time you see him."

"That may be a while," Jinzler warned. "I understand he and the Five-Oh-First have already left with General Drask."

"Probably gone to join up with the Vagaari attack force," Luke said.

"Probably," Jinzler agreed. "Both Drask and Fel strike me as the sort of people who like to see things through to their conclusion."

"Rather like you?" Mara suggested.

"Hardly," Jinzler admitted, glancing around the ancient metal corridor. "I may have come here to see the end of Outbound Flight, but I didn't do a very good job of being there for the middle. Or the begi

"I was referring to your decision to stick with Rosemari and Evlyn," Mara said.

Jinzler blinked. "Oh. Well... maybe. I guess we'll see how I do."

"Anyway, keep in touch," Luke said, taking Mara's arm. "The Chaf Envoy's taking Formbi out of here in about an hour, and we need to say a few quick good-byes before we take off."

"I'll try," Jinzler said dubiously. "I don't know how well any messages would get through, though."

"They'll do fine," Luke assured him. "I know Parck has some contact with Bastion these days, and after this I think the Nine Ruling Families may be willing to discuss diplomatic relations with Coruscant. We should get anything you send."

"Provided some hotshot in a relay station doesn't intercept it along the way," Mara added.

Jinzler felt his face redden. "There's that, of course," he conceded. "Another good reason for me to sit out in the Empire of the Hand for a while."

"Don't worry, we'll square things with Karrde," Luke assured him. "You just take care of Rosemari and Evlyn."

"I will." Jinzler held out his hand. "Good-bye. And thank you. For everything."

The trip back through the Redoubt was, thankfully, uneventful. By the time the Chaf Envoy emerged at the Brask Oto station, the news was waiting that the Chiss strike force had successfully located and attacked the Vagaari warships gathered together for their anticipated rendezvous with Estosh's team. General Drask reported that the enemy had been taken by surprise and destroyed.

Of course, Luke reminded himself privately, that was probably what Thrawn had reported fifty years ago, too. Whether the Vagaari would still be a threat somewhere down the line would remain to be seen.

He and Mara took their leave of their hosts, accepting one final thanks from the still bedridden Formbi, and headed for home.

The Jade Sabre was cruising through hyperspace, and they were lying together in bed in their stateroom, when Luke finally asked the question he knew his wife had been expecting for days. "So," he said, deciding on the casual approach. "Have you made your decision yet?"

"Decision?" Mara asked, apparently deciding to play it coy.

"You know what decision," Luke growled, not really in the mood for coy. "About whether you're going to take Parck up on his offer to join the Empire of the Hand."

"That would certainly be something, wouldn't it?" Mara commented thoughtfully. "All those people on Coruscant who never really liked or trusted me would have a Harvest Day special with that one."