Kyp had had rare occasion in his life to attend affairs of State. Rogue Jedi and minions of evil were not often preferred guest among the more influential members of society, at least not out in the open where everyone could see.

Kyp wore his Jedi robes. Of all the clothing in the galaxy, Jedi robes had to be the most versatile. They could be worn in battle to defend justice or they could be worn at functions such as this for they signified dignity of the Jedi's office and commanded the respect of others. Well, usually commanded the respect of others. Hapes was notorious for their dislike of Jedi and force adepts even though they had been ruled by one for more than two decades and continue to be. Kyp wondered how Tenal Ka dealt with it all.

A loud clanging of crystal signaled to the guests that it was time for the conference to begin. Kyp followed the crowd of people into the large dinning hall. There he was guided to his seat by a servant. All of the tables were elegantly arranged in a way so that they faced a long table in the front of the hall where there were people already seated. He noticed in front of each person was a place card identifying the person seated. He scanned the cards one by one and found one marked "Leila Solo".

Seated behind the place card of Leila Solo was a lovely young woman with long brown hair that was swept carelessly in a mass of gold touched circles at one side. Her brown eyes were deep and soulful. There was a candle in front of her plate and it reflected in her eyes giving it the illusion that they were on fire with some inner flame. Perhaps Kyp thought, it was no illusion.

She was tall. This surprised Kyp as Leia and Jaina were both small in stature. He noticed her attire and the fact that she had not chosen to wear Jedi robes. Kyp approved. Reaching out to through the force, Kyp sensed apprehension in her. He felt the desire to send her comforting thoughts, but refrained.

After the audience was seated they were introduced to the representatives already positioned at the long table in front of them. There were leading members of the Royal Houses of Hapes along with delegates from other starsystems in the galaxy who had interests in Hapes, whether it was commercial or governmental. Along with each representative's name was given the system or House they represented and their reasons for being at the conference. When Leila was introduced as representing the interests of the refugees of the former New Republic, Kyp detected a note of scorn and derision from not more that a few of the Hapan delegates and representatives. Apparently, this was the source of Leila's anxiety.

After the introductions, there was yet another clanging of crystal, this time signifying the arrival of Queen Mother Tenal Ka. Kyp watched as a myriad of Hapan Body guards entered the room and positioned themselves on the back wall. Kyp laughed inwardly to himself at how unnecessary they were. Tenal Ka was a Jedi and if that were not enough, she was also a trained Dathomiri warrior. Not only could she defend herself, she could probably best anyone of the tall muscular women in her guard. It was however all a part of Hapan protocol. Kyp marveled again at Tenal Ka's patience.

Once Tenal Ka was seated, the conference was called to order. Tenal Ka greeted all in attendance before making a brief speech. She spoke eloquently about the enduring spirit of the Hapan people and the place of the Hapan Cluster in the galaxy. She then spoke about the most urgent and pressing of matters, the Yuuzhan Vong war and Hapes role in the defense of the galaxy. She reminded them of Hapes duty to the galaxy and their allegiance to the newly formed Alliance and admonished that now was a time for a coming together of the galaxy and for putting aside old grievances.

Through the force, Kyp could feel the countenance of the room change. He felt members of the Hapan Royal Houses shifting slightly in their seats at Tenal Ka's mention of "galactic togetherness" and "duty to the alliance". The Hapan Royal Houses were made up of decendants of pirates who had claimed the planet for themselves and for centuries had sought to acquire more. The Queen Mothers had been known for their ruthless tactics. Leading members of the Royal Houses pursued the throne with deceit and murder. These were not the sort of people who placed much value on the things Tenal Ka was speaking about. Kyp was sure that a debate was on the way.

It did not take any special ability with the force to foresee the coming of the debate or its outcome. As soon as Tenal Ka had finished her speech, each reprentative was given chance to voice their opinions and the floor was opened to comments.

A member of the Hapan Royal House of Iristain, the Dutchess Uruveve spoke of her Houses diminishing assets with regard to the assistance Hapan had extended toward the refugees. She gave a quick but sharp look to Leila.

"Does the Representative of the Refugees wish to respond to the comment?" Tenal Ka asked in a regal, stately tone.

Leila nodded her acknowledgement and slowly approached the platform.

"The refugees in the many settlements throughout your great cluster form the nucleus of tomorrow's galaxy." Her voice was soft, but strong, a combination of both her heritage of a politician mother and her Jedi training. " Victory is eminent, of this, we can all be assured. The survivors of this war will come through it with a new sense of being and purpose and a new ideal for the galaxy. And, with it, they will forever be indebted to the Hapan Cluster and will thus strengthen its position in the new galaxy. But, this won't happen if the refugees do not survive, and right now, Hapes is their best chance for survival."

It was a good speech, but as Kyp noted lost on the Hapans.

"Hapes does not need its position strengthened." Countered Dutchess Uruveve. "We are strong in ourselves. It was a fleet of our ships that strengthened your army, twice, as I remember it."

'To hear her tell it', Kyp thought, 'you'd think that the Hapan Cluster was fighting the battle all by themselves.

"The lingering of these refugees form a threat to Hapan culture. The longer they remain, the more they take root here and the less likely they will leave when it is all over with. The longer they remain, the more their ideas will be incorporated into our society and then, all that we have cherished will be gone."

Kyp thought that statement a little overdramatic but it was not without its merit. Hapans were not pacifists by nature and no doubt at the end of the war, some enterprising Hapans would see the weak state of the galaxy as a way to expand their holdings. A group of pacifists living among them and spreading their ideas could make it hard on them in the long run.

There was a great murmur of agreement with Uruveve's comments among many of the other Hapans in the room. Kyp could feel the uneasiness of the non- Hapans around him. They were mumbling under their voices and shifting violently in their seats. He looked toward Leila and saw that tension written somewhat on her face. Yet, he got the sense that she could handle it. After all, she had been here for over a year and these comments and concerns were not new to her.

"The refugees are guests of the Hapan Cluster at the invitation of the Queen Mother." Tenal Ka said, no doubt feeling the brewing tensions herself.

There was a sudden silence at Tenal Ka's words. The word of the Queen Mother was law and there was little the Royal Houses could do about it, save, try and remove her. This thought occurred to Kyp and he felt all the more sympathetic toward Tenal Ka.

After the conference and 'debate' dinner was served followed by a formal reception. Kyp would have normally skipped the reception, but he wanted to talk with Leila. Perhaps there was some message she would like him to convey to her parents when he next saw them.

"You did a good job up there." He commended upon their greeting.

"For all the good it did." She offered with a shrug.

"You have the Queen Mother's backing, that's all you need."

"I also have her enemies." She said bluntly. "So, Master, what brings you here to Hapes?" She added, changing the subject.

Kyp noted her quick change of subject. It concerned him but he did not mention it, choosing to respect her privacy.

"Delivering refugees." He said and with a slight sigh added "I should be out fighting though."

Leila smiled as she regarded him. "The effort against the Vong can be served in many ways, not all of them require fighting. I for one am happy that the refugees had someone so skilled against the Vong to escort them here."

Kyp almost felt what he would describe as a feeling of embarrassment at Leila's comment. She has spoken with words of wisdom, something he would expect of someone with her lineage, another reminder that the Solo/Skywalker clan was everything that he would not be. And yet, she had complemented him at the same time.

"Then I am honored to have done it." He said sincerely.

"How long are you going to be here?" She asked.

"I'm not really sure. Master Skywalker advised me not hurry through my mission, but I think once the refugees are fully processed and settled, our job will be done."

"Then it will not be a long stay." She almost sounded disappointed. Leila had been separated from the rest of the Jedi for some time now and felt bit out of touch with them. Tenal Ka was too tied up in her duties to avail herself as any real connection to the Jedi and Leila was stationed on an entirely different planet.

To be honest, Leila could use another Jedi in the refugee work. Along with seeing to the physical needs of the refugees, she was also dealing with the tremendous emotional weight that had been leveled on them. To add to it, because she was a Jedi, she was often called upon to settle disputes among the refugees. It was all very tiring for a Jedi who had yet to be apprenticed to anyone and who had not been granted knighthood.

"Since you are not to hurry through your mission, I was wondering if you might do me a favor."

"Anything."

"Take me to the place where Anakin's funeral was held. I was not present for his funeral and have been too tied up in my responsibilities to visit the sight. And, to be honest, I was not ready to face it until now."

Kyp nodded solemnly. "I'll meet you tomorrow in the Court Yard of the Fountain Palace."