“Some other time, Peazy,” Leia said. “That’s more than enough for one day. Besides, I have a visitor.”
Ematt stood on the other side of the door.
“Major, how fitting,” she said as the droid clanked away down the corridor. “I was just discussing the mission to Yellow Moon, right before Endor. You may recall you and Nien Nunb brought me to Zastiga, where it all started.”
“Indeed I do,” Ematt said with a nod. “What brought that to mind, if I might ask? Ah—you’ve finally agreed to dictate your memoirs.”
“To start on them, at least,” Leia said. “It was a question about duty—our commitments to causes, and to each other, and how we balance the two. It’s something I learned battling the Empire, and now Poe’s learning the same lesson against the First Order. I’ve discussed it with him. He’s old enough to hear me, but not old enough to listen yet. I’ll keep trying.”
“Dameron’s commitment is absolute,” Ematt said. “And he’s our best pilot. He’ll get what we need.”
“I’ve never worried about Poe’s commitment. My worry is for what that commitment may cost him.”
Ematt nodded, and Leia peered at him.
“I know that look,” she said. “Is there news from Jakku?”
“Yes, General,” Ematt said. “We’re awaiting you in the command center.”
Leia nodded and stepped into the corridor. The door shut behind her. As she and Ematt walked toward the command center, she felt a familiar tingle somewhere in the back of her mind. Events were in motion, and she would be at the center of them—at the center of the action.
And that, even after so many years of war, was a relief.
CECIL CASTELLUCCI is the author of books and graphic novels for young people including Boy Proof, The Plain Janes, The Year of the Beasts, Tin Star, Stone in the Sky, and the Eisner-nominated Odd Duck. A lifelong Star Wars fan, she thinks Princess Leia is the best space princess ever. Cecil lives in Los Angeles, where there are stars on the streets and in the sky.
JASON FRY is the author of The Jupiter Pirates young adult space-fantasy series and has written or cowritten more than thirty novels, short stories, and other works set in a galaxy far, far away, including Star Wars: The Essential Atlas and the Servants of the Empire quartet. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, son, and about a metric ton of Star Wars stuff.
PHIL NOTO began his career at Walt Disney Feature Animation where he worked on such films as The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, and Lilo & Stitch. In 2001, Phil started his comic career as the cover artist for DC Comics’ Birds of Prey. Since then he has worked on numerous projects such as Danger Girl, Jonah Hex, Avengers, Uncanny X-Force, X-23, The Infinite Horizon, and most recently, Marvel’s Black Widow.
Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure Page 12