Read Starfighters of Adumar for Free Online

had placed it on him, but he decided not to pursue the matter at this time. “We don’t meet the planetary president or representative here?”
    Tomer shook his head. “No, the, ah, perator of Cartann offers you considerable honor by not showing up here.”
    Wedge said, “Perator is what—planetary president?”
    “Well, here it’s an inherited rather than elected title,” Tomer said. “But he has the support of the people through demonstrations of his piloting leadership during his youth. And his absence here means, basically, that he doesn’t steal any of the attention the crowd would otherwise pay you.” He gestured toward the edge of the landing area, where steps led up to the stage. “After you. After all of you, actually. Mere civilians, even former pilots, don’t presume to walk beside active pilots unless invited.”
    Janson smiled. “I like this place. I’m going to go shopping for land and build myself a retreat.” He fell in step behind Wedge. “Hey, boss, do you have a speech ready?”
    “No.”
    “So you’re going to sound like a complete idiot, right?”
    Wedge turned to offer him a smile that was more malice than cheerfulness. “Once, maybe. But since Imade general and have to do this all the time, I’ve developed the Antilles Four-Step Instant Speech.”
    Janson gave him a dubious look. “This I have to hear.”
    Once on the stage, Wedge headed to its center and raised his hand with a theatricality that wasn’t really part of his nature—just a by-product of the numerous public-relations tours he’d taken after the death of Emperor Palpatine. The crowd roar increased, but he waved it down and the noise dropped again. He thumbed the switch on the Adumari comlink.
    Step one: Remind them who everyone is in case they’ve forgotten . “People of Adumar, I am Wedge Antilles, and it’s my pleasure to meet you at last.” His words blasted out from speakers set up on four strategically positioned metal poles around the plaza.
    The audience roared again, but the noise quickly modulated into a chant: “Car-tann … Car-tann … Cartann …” Wedge wondered what that was all about, but dismissed it from his mind. That answer would wait.
    Step two: Remind them what you’re here for . “And as a representative of the New Republic, I’m pleased to be present at this historic meeting of our great peoples.”
    The cheering became more generalized, with the “Car-tann” chants slowly dying out.
    Step three: Something personal, so they’ll know you’re paying attention . Wedge gestured out at the flat display panels. “I must admit, I find this display very heartwarming. It’s possibly the best greeting I’ve ever received. I’ll have to find out if I can replicate it on the walls of my quarters back home.” Some laughter mixed in with the shouting and cheering.
    Step four: Wrap it up before you make a fool of yourself . “I expect to have more to say once I’ve settled in, but for now, thank you for this warm welcome.” He waved again and took a step back, as if abandoning a lectern, then switched off the comlink. The crowd’s cheers continued.
    His pilots advanced to flank him and joined in waving at the crowd. He heard Tomer’s voice from immediately behind him: “This is good. If you can just stand here and wave for a while, that’ll satisfy diplomatic obligations, and then we can get you to your quarters.”
    “All right.” Wedge took some time to look at the crowd.
    They were men, women, and children, all ages, consistently light-complected, though their hair color ranged throughout the color spectrum—Wedge suspected that many of the colors were artificial in origin. Facial hair was common among the men, especially elaborate mustaches.
    There was a wide variance in the color and cut of their clothing, but some consistencies as well. Males and many females wore tights and close-fitting boots in black, with long shirts with flowing sleeves. Other women wore long