Chapter 14- Uneasy Alliance and Hard Feelings
The Bakuran council whispered. Talon wasn't sure if he liked how long they were talking. Also, the fact that they all were looking at his daughters, niece, and nephew the way they were was enough to set him on edge. He knew how Palpatine had made the Jedi look and most Imperials had accused, even Talon, of being a sorcerer with his use of the Force; a false assumption if ever there was one.
"Governor Nereus, don't you see? You must accept Rebel assistance or risk your entire population. We are your only hope. Allow us to help you turn the Ssi-ruuk back. We are not a large force, but we are well coordinated. and equipped with better striking ships than the Empire has allotted you," Talon said, remembering the BAC readings Luke and Lena had shown him before they landed. It didn't take a Jedi to see that Nereus would be a fool if he didn't take their help and, hopefully he wasn't a fool. He might hate Talon and his kids for being Jedi, but he would take the help if he was smart.
"For the help you have given us, Your Highness, we will allow you to leave the Bakura system unmolested, and give you a head start back to Endor," Nereus said, with briefly concealed disdain. Apparently Nereus was that kind of fool.
"If the Alliance is so willing to assist, Prince Organa, why didn't it send us more ships?" Another senator jeered, making fun of Talon's title as a prince of Alderaan.
Luke spread his hands in a placating gesture. "We're doing all that we can without-" Luke started to say before Leia interrupted him.
"You see, our forces at Endor wish to return to their homes. Some may have already gone," Leia said, earning a satisfied smirk from Nereus. Talon drew on the Force, reminding himself that anger at the man's mockery led to the dark side.
"We have sent to Endor, though. For reinforcements. But our Endor troops are exhausted. Reinforcements could arrive in several days or not at all ," Lena said quietly. Talon could barely keep from feeling pride at his daughter. She had learned her place as a senator's aide well. She had helped Talon be an aide to Bail and then turned to help Leia when all of them served the Imperial Senate. There were times that she had to make a decision when Leia wasn't there to make it.
Han extended his hand like a stiff droid. "The point is, we're here to help you. Seems like you ought to take advantage of the offer while it's open," Han said.
"Would you clear data files for our use? On the Ssi-ruuk, of course, and any on Bakura itself that won't compromise your security," Leia said quickly.
Nereus stayed quiet for a long pregnant minute. Talon pinned him with a look. He couldn't use the Force to nudge him to a decision. That would be like using the dark side. A tall, elderly man stood. "Nereus, take help where you can get it. Everyone on the planet knows why the Rebels are here. If you turn away their help, you're going to provoke an uprising," the man said, with a stentorian kind of authority that Talon remembered Bail using often. Talon found himself missing the man who treated him like his brother after the Empire destroyed the Jedi Order.
"Thank you, Senator Belden. All right, Princess Leia. You have your data files. They will be keyed into the communications center in your apartment. Do you have any other requests for the moment, before I have your guide show you to temporary quarters?" Nereus asked showing open hostility to Senator Belden and Leia.
"Are you leaving the truce unsettled?" Talon asked.
"You have all said your piece, Your Highness. We'll discuss it," Nereus said, looking like he would rather a wampa tear him apart than discuss this matter.
"Very well, Prime Minister Captison. I hope we speak again," Talon said, shaking his hand and they all left the room.
"He doesn't like us, Papa," Cora said bluntly.
"No, he doesn't. It doesn't take a Jedi to sense that," Han said.
"He was probably fed the propaganda about the Jedi about us being evil sorcerers who tried to kill Palpatine when the Clone Wars ended," Lena said, rolling her eyes.
"That thought occurred to me too, Lena. There is probably more to it than that, but the dark side is shielding it. Other than propaganda, I don't know why he has such hatred for the Jedi," Talon said.
"Move it, Goldenrod, and keep your voice box turned off," Han said to Threepio as they passed him to join Chewbacca by the weapons locker. Chewbacca growled that the troopers had been eyeing the blasters and lightsabers he had been guarding.
"Isn't that too bad?" Han drawled as he put on his weapon.
Lena clipped her lightsaber to her belt and looked to the officer that led them back to their weapons. "It's all right. That officer has them under control," Lena said.
"Who does? He's from Alderaan. I can tell by the way he talks," Leia said as she noticed the officer they were talking about.
"Huh. What's the chance he's got an Alderaanian conscience inside his Imperial uniform?" Han asked no one in particular.
"Not much," Leia said.
The officer came to them, his hand on his blaster. He was neat and well-groomed, like most Alderaanian males. Talon could feel through the Force, Han getting upset as the officer came to them. Han's hand went to his weapon. "Cover us, Chewie," Han muttered.
"Your Highnesses, what an honor to meet you. Captain Conn Doruggan, at your disposal," the man said with false deference.
"Captain Doruggan, this is my niece, Princess Leia Organa, my daughter, Princess Cora Organa. This is Commander Skywalker and his sister, Jedi Knights. And General Han Solo," Talon said, making the introductions.
They all shook his hand, but Han looked like he didn't trust him. Chewbacca was covering any distrust as well as any Jedi. "We must be going. Thank you for introducing yourself," Leia said.
Captain Doruggan took Leia's hand in a handshake and Talon noticed Han reach for his blaster as if to shoot the Imperial. At one time Han had been jealous of Luke and Talon found himself wondering if Leia had told the hot-tempered Corellian about Prince Xizor while he was frozen in carbonite. Xizor had tried to seduce her and nearly succeeded. It took a strong will and Chewbacca to say no. Talon then looked at Luke and Lena. They both had raised their hands slightly and something in Han's jealousy cooled. Talon found himself smiling. Han wasn't going to like this and Talon wasn't wrong.
"Don't do that to me. Don't ever do that to me," Han hissed at both Luke and Lena.
"I'm sorry, Han. We had to. We couldn't afford what you wanted to do," Lena said, looking ahead as they walked down the corridor to an apartment.
"I'll control myself, thanks," Han said with barely controlled anger and sarcasm.
Leia turned to look at her brother and sister. "What's wrong, Luke? Lena?" Leia asked, walking backwards.
"Nothing. We want to speak with... a couple of those senators. And Commander Thanas promised to make contact today. let's go dig into our new data files," Luke said.