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blaster from its holster. He noted with satisfaction that the weapon was fully charged.

    Good.

    Because he was probably only to get one shot at this, and he’d have to make it count.

    Daniera ignored the ache gripping her body and sprinted through the palace hall toward the Grand Ballroom. Defense Force guards stationed at the entrance reached for their blaster rifles as they saw her wild approach.

    She slowed down a bit as she reached the bio and weapon scanners. Daniera hurriedly waved her identification with one hand and lifted her jacket to show them the holstered hold-out.

    “This is an emergency. The Chief of State’s life is in grave danger!”

    The guards exchanged glances…

    Leia Organa Solo had just about reached the end of the line. Luckily, her mask hid the relief on her face. She endured the overly eager compliments of the prex of Taldan Enterprises, reminding herself as she had done a thousand times tonight that it was all for charity.

    As the businessman rambled on, she absently fingered the small star ruby set in the gold medallion. It had been a last-minute gift from a secret admirer, which was unusual to say the least. But it was so beautiful, she could hardly resist. Besides, it wasn’t a good idea to offend a contributor the day of a charity ball.

    She turned and offered a genuine smile to her next admirer… General Cracken.

    Love stepped from the shadows and moved through the crowd, the heavy blaster held low by his thigh as he approached the greeting line from the opposite side.

    There she was. Love was surprised how beautiful Leia looked up close. She had certainly not lost the regal bearing of her days as a princess.

    Her back was partially turned toward him, but Love could see that Leia had just extended a well-manicured hand to General Cracken, who bowed in gentleman-like fashion.

    Love shouldered aside an obese Senator in stylized Tusken Raider garb and lifted the heavy blaster pistol…

    Daniera pushed her way inside the ballroom, passing the podium as she headed for the receiving line. She already had the hold-out in her hands as she hurriedly scanned the crowd. Then she saw it…

    The Chief of State was greeting Cracken, but neither the General nor Cabe, who stood rigidly beside him, could see Love emerge from the crowd across the way. Organa Solo was blocking their view of Love as he took aim with his blaster.

    “New Republic Security!” Daniera screamed at the top of her lungs. “Everybody down!”

    Love’s finger began to squeeze the trigger. Just a few more seconds…

    When he heard Daniera’s yell, he couldn’t believe his ears. Then his sight was the next sense called into question as he saw her break through the crowd, blaster aimed right at him!

    “Dani?”

    The blaster bolt caught him in the right shoulder, spinning him off-balance and onto the ground. His heavy blaster skittered across the floor.

    The stunned crowd had gone deathly silent except for a scattering of screams.

    The guards quickly formed a protective shield around the Chief of State. Cracken drew his own blaster, pushing ahead to get a better view of what was going on around him. Cabe remained where he was, flanking the guards behind Organa Solo.

    “What are you doing?” Cracken yelled at Daniera, who was standing over the fallen Love, her blaster pointed right at his head.

    She spared the approaching General a quick glance. “Arresting Grandyl Grieve for the attempted murder of the Chief of State!”

    Love looked up at her in complete shock. “What? It’s not me—” He pointed an accusing finger. “It’s him!”

    All eyes turned to the location that Love was gesturing.

    Cabe stood there grinning, a small dart shooter tucked in the palm of his hand and pointed right at Leia Organa Solo. “Too late, I’m afraid,” he said and squeezed the trigger.

    “Cabe!” Daniera screamed. “No!”

    Both Cracken and Daniera opened fire, knocking Cabe to the ground, but it was too