Fame and the Force

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Concert Day, Coronet City

There were at least a dozen holo-cams set up in front and around the stage area, showing different angles to send over the Holo-Net to the viewers located in thirty-two systems. Lando had managed to add another two planets to receive the concert in the week leading up to the show, which made Mara calculate another billion viewers to her growing estimate.

Leia had invited Wedge, Iella, Winter and Tycho to stay in their large home for two days leading up to the show and the evening after, as well. There was plenty of space available now that the students were no longer residing in the home, although Leia rather missed the constant swirl of activity when the Padawans used the extra bedrooms. Everyone, including the older Jedi students, had passes to attend the concert. Only Malla and Cighal remained behind, since someone needed to stay with Isabell, Tenel Ka and Tahiri Veila as they were all too young to attend a concert that didn't involve purple tauntauns with enormous heads prancing around on skates, singing about the joys of snow and keeping your room tidy.

Backstage, Leia walked up to Wes Janson, looking around at the various workers and musicians all hustling around with purpose and determination. Everyone else had already taken their seats, and the venue was humming with excitement. "Where's Evin?"

"In his dressing room," Wes said, glancing around to make certain their conversation wasn't being overheard. "I keep knocking on his door, but he keeps telling me to go away." Wes sighed and whispered to Leia, "He's always been nervous prior a show, but this is far beyond anything I've seen before. Now that I know Evin's really Solo, I'd like to tease him about losing his cocky swagger just when he needs it the most, but I'm feeling kinda sorry for him so I've restrained myself."

The Princess nodded. "Thanks for the restraint, Wes. I'll go see if I can help calm his nerves."

"Sounds great," Wes said cheerfully as she walked toward the dressing room. "I'm the stage manager, so if he pukes I'm responsible for cleaning up the mess."

Laughing at Wes's comment, Leia tapped softly on the door.

"Go 'way, Janson," Han's muffled voice snarled through the closed entry to his room.

"It's Leia."

A moment later the door opened. Han was standing in the doorway wearing a brown bathrobe and appearing rather queasy. It seemed possible Wes wasn't too far off the mark about the vomiting issue, Leia mused to herself. "Why aren't you dressed yet? The opening act is almost finished, and then you're on in exactly a quarter-timepart ... you can't be late."

"You're soundin' like Wes and Lando," Han mumbled, his eyes downcast.

She looked at him in concern. "Are you alright?"

"No..." Han ground out. "I...I can't do this."

Leia pushed him back into his dressing room and shut the door. "There is no way you can back out now. Do you know how many beings have already paid to access this concert over the Holo-Net?"

Han sat down heavily on the couch. With elbows on his knees, he covered his face with both hands. "Please don't remind me."

Sitting down next to him, Leia gently took his hand away from his face and rubbed the back of his fingers with her own. "You can do this," she said encouragingly. "I'm nervous about going in front of the entire galaxy tomorrow and telling everyone I'm Darth Vader's daughter. Now that's scary."

"How 'bout we trade?" Han joked weakly. "I'll do your news conference, an' you can do this concert."

Leia smiled. She could feel how hard his heart was pounding as she rested her fingers across his wrist. "Your fans would be very disappointed. I'd probably get heckled off the stage. Or, they'd pitch their hotel fobs at my head and give me a concussion."