"Of course. And much more achievable now."

"For me as well - for once I'm actually content there's at least two reasonable, competent people in the government."

"That seems at once both a low and high bar to clear."

"It's a bar that should be low, yet somehow almost no one manages to clear it."

"You do have two children, now."

"Yes, and they're reasonable, competent people, despite thinking governing's a good idea."

"No one's perfect."

"If they had to have one flaw, I suppose that's a reasonable one."

"Significantly better than some others I can think of."

"I can think of some pretty bad flaws, honestly."

"I'm sure we both can."

"Fortunately, all of us compensate for our flaws rather well."

"Of course."

She smiles, and turns to settle into a calmer meditation than usual for most of the rest of their trip.

Eventually, they reach their destination. Myrkr is largely temperate and forested, with seven or eight major settlements on the outskirts of the long tracts of wood, though the ship's scanners are somewhat grouchy about giving that information up.

"The trees have an unusually high metal content in their leaves," Occlus says. "It tends to interfere with scans."

"Convenient for hiding."

"Another shroud over this world," Occlus agrees. "Our destination is... here," she indicates the landing coordinates. "And it seems we will have company." There's a small base built into a clearing nearby.

"Nothing's ever trivial, is it?"

"Nothing worthwhile. Ah, they're hailing us."

"Might as well see who they are."

She accepts the hail.

The image of a middle-aged man, with long hair and a short, well-groomed beard appears on the holocomm.

"Hello, New Republic shuttle Crimson Jewel. This is Talon Karrde. You seem to be on a course for my little vacation retreat, so I thought I'd ask what you're doing in the corner of the galaxy."

"Taking a vacation ourselves. It is a rather beautiful planet."

"Yes," he agrees, "Though not often very popular with Jedi such as yourself."

He's well informed. Observant. 'Jedi' is not an unreasonable guess to someone watching her relationship to Luke, even if they haven't been advertising she's his teacher. Still...

"I'm an unusual sort."

"So I see." He smiles. "Can I offer you the hospitality of my home? A place to rest after your trip, a guide for your expedition? My people know the forests quite well."