Chapter Seventy-Five
New Beginnings
The crushed building next door had been cleared into a vacant lot, and merchants of many kinds were selling their wares unafraid of Chulok’s “tax collectors.” At one booth labeled Maya Sisters, a pair of Sa’ad children were selling silken cloth. In business with her siblings, no doubt: Hadn’t Maya-12 said she wanted such a career?
Vin-Vin had talked the Xaxxis Axis bandleader into playing, and their music filled the night. Food supply lines were being reestablished, but Mace saw that these people with modest means shared what they had, often more than did the wealthy.
And the formerly powerful had their own concerns. The Crystal Empire lay in ruin, but the survivors seemed almost pitifully grateful to their rescuers. Perhaps that gratitude was mere ruse, and it was certainly possible that given an opportunity they would again attempt to seize the reins of power. But Mace doubted they could be successful. Not now. Not since the citizens of Metagos finally understood what waited behind the gates.
Mace enjoyed a drink. Herbal, not fermented, but still relaxing enough for him to feel waves of stress rolling off his shoulders.
The Maya sisters danced with the band, for their own pleasure rather than the entertainment of the audience. He was glad that they had survived, and this time, they sang. Their voices were fine instruments, and Maya-8 seemed to have an inexhaustible library of music from all across the galaxy. There was no song she could not sing, no culture the three of them could not honor with their harmonies.
Vin-Vin came to sit at the table with him for the first time, drinking from a foamy glass. And coming to sit next to him, too, was Marzi. Her eyes were bright, her smile wide and happy. She’d come a long way since the day three of Chulok’s men had braced her on the bridge. Her three children still tugged at her, but one of them was also tugging at Vin-Vin.
Life goes on, Mace thought.
“Ssso, Jedi,” Vin-Vin Sunfall said. “Where go you now?”
“Back to Coruscant. And you? When you said your people have been here from the beginning, I did not know your full name. Now I do. And yes: I think your people were here the last time ‘the sun fell.’ ”
Vin-Vin nodded.
“You have power now. You and Maya.”
“I don’t want power,” the reptilian said. “But I can use it to help, and I will. Electionsss in…a year perhapsss? Would it be posssible for the Galactic Sssenate to sssend a represssentative to oversssee those electionsss?”
“I think that can be arranged.” Mace smiled. “Will you be a candidate?”
“No, I’m jussst a sssimple man. But if I have any sssay in the matter…Maya will.”
Hero of the rebellion, Mace thought, watching the sisters celebrate. And if the rules and laws of this strange planet allowed droids to run for office, he could think of no better outcome.