Leia's husband, Han Solo, one of the most famous men in the galaxy, moved up beside her. He was wearing his favorite clothes: dark military trousers decorated with the red Corellian Bloodstripes he had earned when he was a younger man, light long-sleeved shirt, black vest, practical black boots. Except for the lines in his face and gray in his hair, honestly earned through deeds as well as accumulated over the passage of time, he was indistinguishable from the man she'd met aboard the first Death Star so many years ago.

Her spirit lifted. No matter how badly things went, they were always better with Han at her side.

Not that she'd necessarily tell him that. His ego hadn't diminished in all those years, either.

Han looked gravely at the door. "You figure that's how they're going to come at us?"

She nodded. "That's the only approach that makes any sense, and you know it."

"Well, the only strategy that makes any sense is for us to just open the door for them. They're less likely to attempt some sort of sneaky side entry if the front is open. We can pick them off as they're framed in the doorway. Once their numbers become too great for us, we can manage a staged retreat through the inner chambers."

Leia considered. "I don't know. Maybe I should be up front and center to bat back their blaster assaults while you fire on them from the side."

"Oh, my." This third voice was higher-pitched than Han's and carried just a hint of alarm. "If I may ask, has there been some change of plans?"

Han and Leia turned. Entering the outer chamber was C-3PO, the gold-toned protocol droid who had served them faithfully--if fussily--for four decades.

C-3PO moved up to them, his every action accompanied by the barely audible sound of whining servos, and added, "I thought that the plan was to admit them, then feed them the appetizers I have labored for so long to assemble. Appetizers that are laid out in the kitchen. Was I wrong? Will there be shooting?"

Han and Leia exchanged a glance. "Appetizers would be easier," Han admitted.

"Fewer blaster bolts hitting the walls, fewer repairs," Leia said, nodding. "We could do it that way."

"All right, Goldilocks." Han clapped C-3PO on one shining shoulder, rocking the droid in place. "We'll do it your way. This time."

"You're toying with me again, aren't you, sir?" C-3PO's sigh was audible.

Han nodded. "It's more fun and less destructive than hanging meat around your neck and letting the war-dogs loose on you."

"Humpf." The droid turned back toward the door through which he'd entered. "Not very sporting, I must say."

A chime filled the air--the delicate first five notes of "Path to the Sky," a ballad from Leia's homeworld of Alderaan.

Han heaved a sigh. "Not too late to change your mind. We could hold them off for days."

Leia smiled at him. "Hush."

#
First through that door were Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade Skywalker. For this occasion, Luke wore his black Jedi robe and accoutrements, a stark contrast to his still-fair complexion and bright blond hair. Mara wore more traditional Jedi robes in browns and tans, and a red belt that set off her red hair.

With them was R2-D2, the plug-shaped astromech who had variously served Luke and the Solos for decades, and the little droid made as many musical, wheetling noises of appreciation during their tour of the Solos' new quarters as the humans made verbal comments.

Next to arrive, just a few minutes later, were Jacen and Ben. Led from room to room by C-3PO, Jacen made noncommittal noises about the antechamber, living chamber, master bedroom, bedrooms for Leia's...

 

Aaron Allston is the New York Times bestselling author of the Star Wars Enemy Lines novels: Rebel Dreams and Rebel Stand; novels in the popular Star Wars X-Wing series; Web of Danger, game-based fiction supporting the Top Secret/S.I. game line; and Hitman: Killer Brand, based on the blockbuster video game. He is a former editor of The Space Gamer magazine, which won the H. G. Wells Award for Best Role-Playing Magazine in 1982. He lives in Central Texas. Visit his website at www.AaronAllston.com.

From the Hardcover...