Part 7 (1/2)
”That's a shame,” he muttered. ”Because I want whoever was behind this to pay dearly. If the Keeramak has been deterred by my kidnapping-or, worse, the consecration is canceled entirely-then I don't know where that will leave us. We can't afford tension with the P'w'eck. Not with the Yuuzhan Vong approaching us from the other side. Our defense fleet is stretched as it is without adding to our enemies.”
”Do you know where your kidnappers were taking you?” Jag asked. ”Because if we knew that then we might-”
”I'm sorry, young man,” the Prime Minister said brusquely, ”but you must appreciate that I had more important things to worry about at the time-such as staying alive. I didn't have the luxury of sitting them down and interrogating them, as you seem to be doing to me right now!” Jag felt himself flush at the accusation. ”Sir, I never meant in any way to-”
Cundertol cut off the apology with a grunt. ”When's that shuttle coming?”
he demanded, glancing athis chronometer.
”Soon, Prime Minister,” Mayn said pleasantly. ”General Panib is giving you a full military escort to avoid any further attempts on your life. In the meantime, you're safest here, with us.”
”Better safe than sorry, eh?” The Prime Minister sniffed as he looked around at the cramped corridors of the frigate. ”I'm just glad to be alive.” Something about the way Cundertol spoke those words told Jag that, perhaps for the first time since he'd been rescued, he was telling the whole truth.
The Millennium Falcon, with Jaina flying as escort, had left orbit barely an hour before the appearance of Jaunty Cavalier, heading planetside for a formal meeting with the Senate. The news of Cundertol's rescue and the destruction of the freighter came as they landed safely at Salis D'aar s.p.a.ceport. Tahiri watched over Han's and Leia's shoulders as Jaina climbed out of her starfighter to inspect security before anyone else disembarked. Leia frowned. ”You're saying he single-handedly overpowered a crew of seven?
That's certainly not the Senator Cundertol I remember.”
”I'm skeptical, too,” Jag said from orbit. ”But I suppose it's not completely impossible. He's fit, and he had the element of surprise. One thing that really bothers me is that he did it without taking any cuts or bruises.”
”You're sure about that?” Leia asked.
”I'm telling you, I stood right beside him as he told his story, and there wasn't a scratch on the man. Ever known anyone to come out of a fistfight without so much as a fat lip or a grazed knuckle?”
”He's got a point,” Han said. His posture indicated that he was devoting at least as much attention to Jaina's gesticulating at local security forces outside as he was to Jag. ”But have you got anything else? Anything substantial?”
”Nothing. He refused a medical exam.”
”Todra's chief medico is a Duros, though, right? And if I recall, Cundertol is pro-human through and through, right, Leia?”
”Definitely more than just a hint of Empire, Jag,” Leia confirmed.
”He could have simply wanted to avoid contact with an alien.”
”Yet he signs an alliance with the P'w'eck?”
”He'd sign an alliance with an arachnor if he thought it politically expedient,” Leia said.
Jag was silent for a second, then added, ”This might not mean anything either, then, but Cundertol was as surprised about Malinza Thanas's arrest as you were.”
”That it was her, or that they'd caught her?”
”I can't be positive, but I think the former.”
”Well, Harris certainly seemed convinced of her guilt.”
”It's possible my paranoia and suspicions are just getting the better of me,” Jag conceded. ”But one thing I am sure of: Cundertol certainly isn't someone I'd want to spend any more time with than I have to. I was quite happy to leave him with Captain Mayn until the Bakuran escort arrived. They've just left, so I'm happy to report he'll be all yours real soon.” Outside the s.h.i.+p, Jaina made a great show of exasperation, then turned and headed to the Falcon, signing a surrept.i.tious all clear as she came. Keeping the locals on their toes, Tahiri imagined.
”Okay, then,” Han said as he brought the s.h.i.+p's systems one by one off-line. ”Apart from the fact that you're suspicious of the Prime Minister, do you have anything more substantial to add?”
”I guess not.”
”And everything's under control up there now?”
”The wreckage has been cleared and our orbit corridor is clear.”
”Good. Call us if anything else comes up. I think there's a meet-and-greet finally calling our name.” Han killed the comlink and turned to face his wife, who was shaking her head.”
”What?” he asked, brow furrowed. ”I just find it amusing that someone who has navigated through his entire life on hunches could be so critical of someone else's.” Han pulled an indignant face. ”Hey, I listened to what he had to say. It's just that I didn't think he gave us anything solid to go on, that's all.”
”Is that the only reason?” Tahiri couldn't see Leia's expression, but she imagined the Princess to be smiling. ”Or could it be that you're feeling a little put out at the idea of Jaina having a boyfriend whose instincts are as sharp as yours?” Han performed a double take that would have been amusing to watch had not Tahiri been acutely aware that she was listening in on a personal conversation.
”I'm going to leave the two of you to talk,” Tahiri said, climbing from her seat. As she stepped from the c.o.c.kpit, she heard the two start up again. As usual, there was no real malice in their argument. Beneath the words Tahiri could always detect the affection that the two obviously held for each other.
Outside the Falcon, the air was heavy with moisture and pollen. It was about midmorning, local time, an4 the temperature was rising. Within a minute, Tahiri could feel herself beginning to sweat, so she called on her Jedi training to regulate her temperature. The last thing she wanted to present to any officials she met was a sweaty palm-either metaphorically or literally. A few minutes later, Han and Leia also emerged from the Falcon Judging by the way the Princess was walking ahead of her husband and shaking her head, Tahiri guessed th.jir friendly squabble was still taking place.
”At least he's got good taste,” she heard Han say to Leia as they reached the base of the freighter's landing ramp. Any response Leia might have had to this went unheard, however, because at that moment Jaina stepped over to greet her mother and father.
They exchanged a few words together, but the combination of the distance and their hushed voices made it impossible for Tahiri to hear what was being said-although she presumed it to be about the current situation as Jaina saw it.
Whatever, it was clearly something they didn't feel concerned her, so Tahiri decided not to intrude upon the discussion.
Instead, she checked out the docking bay they'd been a.s.signed.
Apart from the Falcon and Jaina's X-wing, it was completely empty-as requested by the Princess-and had only the one exit in the far corner.
Through the transparisteel door of this exit, Tahiri could make out a small collection of dignitaries and guards. For some reason, the sight of their drab green uniforms all in a row made her feel uncomfortable, and one of the three scars on her temple began to itch. When she caught herself scratching at it, she quickly stopped, self-consciously lowering her hand and placing it behind her back. She still didn't know why this happened, but it bothered her that it did. It brought back memories; brought back dreams...
She turned away from the sight of the dignitaries beyond the transparisteel doors, and as she did so caught sight of a technician approaching the Millennium Falcon, a long black cable clutched in one hand. He was moving furtively, coming up behind where Jaina and her parents stood. At least Tahiri a.s.sumed it was a ”he.” The oversuit that the tech wore was designed to protect its wearer from hostile environments, and as such was too heavy and bulky to reveal the being's gender or even species.
She knew that Han hadn't authorized any maintenance on his s.h.i.+p while they were docked, though, so she stepped forward to intercept the tech before he could get any closer. ”Hey!” she called. ”You're not supposed to be here!” The suited figure hesitated, - then changed direction to head toward Tahiri. She stopped in her tracks, the grip on her lightsaber instinctively tightening.
”Hold it right there,” she warned.
”I bring a message,” the figure said. The voice issuing from inside his helmet was distorted like a stormtrooper's.
Tahiri's brow creased with suspicion. ”What kind of message? And who's it for?””Han Solo,” the technician said. ”I need to tell him to be careful. Things here are not as they seem.”
”Things rarely are these days,” she returned. Her grip on the lightsaber eased slightly. The precise form of the person inside the suit was hidden, but her instincts were clear.
”You're a Ryn, aren't you?” The figure seemed slightly taken aback.
”How did you-?”
”I met one of you on Galantos,” she explained. More confident now, she took another two steps forward. ”He was the one who suggested we come here, actually. He told us that-” She stopped in midsentence when the helmet shook. ”Now is not the time,” the Ryn said, glancing around. ”I shall contact you again later. For now, though, please pa.s.s on my message to Captain Solo.” Tahiri nodded. ”Okay, but you're not really telling him anything new. He's always careful, and I think he's already guessed that something strange is going on here.” The Ryn didn't seem to be listening.
He glanced around as though fearful he might be seen talking to her out in the open.
”I must go,” he said. ”You've been allocated quarters should you wish to stay longer than today. I urge you to take them. You'll find what you need there.” Without another word, the Ryn turned and made his way back the way he'd come. Tahiri stood watching him. She was finding herself becoming increasingly intrigued by the Ryn and their guarded hints.
”Trouble, Tahiri?” She jumped at Han's voice so close to her shoulder. She shook her head, conscious of the security guards watching them closely from the edge of the landing field.