Chapter 13

"We went to the Glow Spider. Run by a guy named Nici the Specialist. He was an expert forger and information broker."

"Nici the Specialist? Used to set up shop on Coruscant?" asked Mara.

"That's the guy. He has some sources high up in the Authority. Ploovo was in with the Authority for a long time. He knew we were coming and was instructed to say certain things, then get rid of us. It didn't turn out that way, and he ended up giving us the right planet. The Tyrine system is on the fringes of the Corporate Sector. Ploovo most likely won't sell us put, because he's afraid of Anakin, but I'm still going to recommend that Jessa move her base. We'll be there in about ten hours."

"Got it," said Mara. "One question: what if Jessa's in with the Authority? Maybe they promised her pardons for her past offenses if she helped them capture Han Solo and Anakin Skywalker. Or what if she's just annoyed that you haven't bothered to send her a message in more than thirty years?"

Han shrugged. "We try another old friend, I guess."

"Solo, sometimes I wonder about you."

***

When they arrived at Tyrine V, Han watched the sensor board very carefully.

"This is the Millennium Falcon," he said over the comm. "You down on that ball of rock Jessa?"

"Solo, what the hell are you doing here?"

"We need to talk Jess."

There was a sigh at the other end and Jessa replied, "Fine Solo. Follow the course we're transmitting to you now."

***

Han waited as the Falcon's ramp lowered. He stepped out into a clean white hanger. "You've cleaned up your operation a little Jess," he said as he moved closer to her.

"Not so fast Solo." She took a step back and raised a small holdout blaster. Several outlaw-techs walked in, blasters leveled at Han. "You haven't sent me any sort of message in more than thirty years Solo! You brought Doc back from Star's End and next I hear you're a hero of the Rebellion, married to Alderaanian royalty, and have three kids." She lowered the blaster and smiled. "But I can understand that. I was sorry to hear about Chewie and your third son."

Han nodded. "And I was sorry to hear about Doc. Listen, the CSA's gone on the offensive, attacking some of our worlds and running. I wanted to know if you could help the Rebellion out. You probably hear all sorts of things from the pilots whose ships you fix."

"We'll talk in a little bit. Why don't you bring Anakin, and the other two Jedi out with you. You don't mind waiting a bit, I've got one thing to attend to before I can discuss your proposal."

"Sure."

"Excellent," said Jessa. "If you'll all follow Toralt here, he'll show you to my office." One of the outlaw techs stepped forward and motioned for Solo to follow. Anakin, Tahiri, and Mara walked down the ramp, with Anakin pausing to lock up the Falcon.

They were left in Jessa's office alone for a few moments. Han tapped the fake cybernetic eye and it emitted a sharp buzz. "Jessa's on the Authority payroll. She said she was sorry Anakin died, but then later mentioned her name."

"She doesn't feel right in the Force," Tahiri said. "It's she feels somehow detached from the Force. Like it wasn't really her."

"She's a clone," said Anakin quietly. "I can tell when I look at her in the Force. Except she's been implanted with altered memories, instead of revived completely like me and Grandfather."

"We've got to find out just how deep this Authority conspiracy goes, Han-" Mara was interrupted by the door sliding open.

"You said you want me to feed you information from inside the Corporate Sector, Solo."

"Yes. Now I need you to tell me one thing?"

"What?" Jessa asked innocently.

"How did you know Anakin was alive? You said you were sorry he was dead? Didn't you?" Han accused as he drew his blaster.

"Uh...listen Solo! I can explain!"

"Where's the real Jessa?"

"She's here. But if you kill me, she'll die too! I promise you that."

Han looked at the three Jedi. Mara shook her head. "She's not bluffing."

"Alright then." He turned back to the clone Jessa. "Where is she? I can have the one of the Jedi here inflict great pain upon you if you either don't tell us, or you lie. Remember now, Jedi can sense lies. How deep is this conspiracy with the clones?"

"Alright I'll talk. I don't really know that much, only what I've been told. The only names I can give you are operatives that are under me. From what I've been able to gather, Garinoska has been replacing key members of the underground and Alliance military with clones he's made that report to him unknowingly. Ploovo, he got wind of what was going on and he figured he would be one of the ones cloned and then disposed of, so he joined in with Garinoska."

Suddenly, the clone-Jessa's eyes rolled upward and her features went blank. A deep male voice came from inside her throat. "I congratulate you on getting this far, Captain Solo," said Lord Garinoska menacingly. "But you quest shall end prematurely." A blaster bolt shot out of Jessa's chest at Han. Anakin was up and had deflected the bolt faster than Han would have thought possible, even for a Jedi.

"Well, it looks like he underestimated old Han Solo. But we still have got to find the real Jess, and our only lead is dead." Han got up and holstered his blaster. But then the door slid open and about a squad of Espos filtered in. Han turned white and said, "Maybe I spoke too soon.