Star Wars - Constant Spirit by Jennifer Heddle Read Free Book Online

“We really must leave, Your Highness.” The dance music being played by the distractingly attractive Zeltron band in the cantina nearly drowned out Gorhan’s words, but even if Leia hadn’t been able to hear him, the solemn expression on his tanned and weathered face would have gotten the message across.
    The young Senator Organa checked the time yet again, the gnawing feeling in her stomach worsening. “Rafe Ballon is one of our most reliable agents.” And a friend of Father’s , she added silently. Not that it could afford him special treatment. “If he isn’t here, it has to mean something happened to him. Can’t we give him a few more minutes?”
    Gorhan appeared uncomfortable about his answer, but resolute nonetheless. His determination to give her bad news even when he knew she wouldn’t like it was one reason she kept him around. That and the fact that he was practically the size of a Wookiee. “I’m afraid not, Princess,” he said. “We’ve already stayed too long. If anyone were to find you here…”
    “I know, I know.” Leia shook her head. She wasn’t supposed to be in this sector at all; her ship’s official flightplan listed only a diplomatic visit to Duro, keeping this side trip to the nearby planet Quellor a secret. They had landed here under false names with a forged manifest. She was still new to solo missions, and the plan was to be planetside just long enough to rendezvous with Rafe and retrieve the tactical information he had for her. Anything longer than that was dangerous, especially for a still-inexperienced operative. Gorhan was right.
    But that didn’t mean she had to like it.
    “Fine,” she said, trying not to sound like a sulky teenager — even if she was one. She pulled the hood attached to her pale blue gown back up over her head. “Let’s go.”
    They left the cantina and made their way through the twisting streets of Quellor City in the direction of the spaceport, an alert Gorhan leading the way, looking from side to side with small, precise movements that contrasted with his hulking build. It was minutes past dusk, the dark of night just beginning to settle on the city’s ornately spired buildings, and the temperate air smelled sweetly of the katella flowers that were famous in this region. Despite the Imperial presence that hung over the place like an oppressive fog, it was a lovely setting, and for a moment Leia wished she could simply appreciate her surroundings.
    But only for a moment. She wasn’t one for wishes.
    Her senses twinged and she whirled around just as a hand reached out and grabbed her upper arm. Gorhan’s blaster was already in the other man’s face when they both realized it was Rafe, huddled in the doorway of what appeared to be a residential building, the collar of his jacket pulled up to hide his features as much as possible.
    Gorhan muttered a curse and lowered his sidearm.
    “Rafe!” Leia said. “What —”
    “Princess.” Rafe’s gray eyes darted from side to side; the short, slim man was as nervous as Leia had ever seen him. “Moff Toggan is onto me. Somehow he found out that I’m the one who’s been slicing into his systems.” He held out a datacube in a shaking palm. “Everything I’ve collected to date is on here. Troop movement schedules, security protocols, everything you need from this sector. Take it and go.”
    “But what about you?” Leia protested. “If they catch you, they’ll kill you.” Or worse , she thought queasily.
    “I’m already dead.” Rafe said it with a shrug, but Leia could see that his effort at nonchalance was failing. “Leia,” he said more seriously, and she had a sudden flashback to him discussing strategy in her father’s study, his expression increasingly somber with each new glass of brandy. “I’ve always known this was a possibility. Take the cube and don’t worry about me.”
    Leia’s mind reeled, refusing to accept what he was saying. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re coming