Young Jedi Knights_ The Emperor's Plague Part 10

"Five, four, three..."

The Rock Dragon's engines whined as the Hapan cruiser began to pull away.

"Let's just get away from this place," Jacen said.

"Two... one."

The Rock Dragon lifted fractionally from the pad on which it had rested, then rose higher.

"Zero."

Although the Rock Dragon was no longer touching the ground, the asteroid rocked around them. One of the secondary domes exploded in a hail of transparisteel fragments that momentarily clouded the front viewscreen with a crystalline spray. Something struck the Rock Dragon hard.

"Get those shields up," Jaina barked at her brother, and he scrambled for the controls. None of the companions had had a chance to fasten their crash webbing, and the blow sent them reeling out of their seats.

Struggling with the panels, Jaina yelled, "Help me! We need to get farther away."

Tenel Ka reached out with her mind for Jaina's, felt Jacen's mind join the two of theirs. Together the three minds visualized the asteroid beneath them and placed their combined pressure firmly against it like a springboard and pushed. Suddenly the ship spun clear of the asteroid in open s.p.a.ce, halfway to the New Republic fleet.

Jacen said, "Uh-oh," as a familiar ship swung into their field of vision in their front viewports: the Rising Star. Raaba's ship.

With the Bornaryn fleet holding the Diversity Alliance ships at bay, Han Solo's choice was clear.

"Chewie, let's make sure no one else ever gets hold of the deadly stuff down there."

A voice crackled over the comm speakers.

"New Republic fleet, this is Zekk in the Lightning Rod. Once the Rock Dragon is clear, feel free to use the asteroid for target practice."

Han strode to the comm panel.

"We copy, Zekk. You're cleared to come aboard one of the escort frigates.

Red and silver leaders, bring your squadrons after the Falcon. You're with me. We're going in."

Raaba pulled the Rising Star into a backward arc to avoid hitting the Rock Dragon.

"Just shoot them," Nolaa ordered, "then take me to the fleet!" She subsided into a fit of coughing.

Raaba barked a rebuke at her leader. Didn't she know how many people had died already this day? Neither of them could be certain how many plagues they'd each been exposed to in that chamber on the asteroid. If the two of them returned to the fleet now, they might risk killing every loyal member of the Diversity Alliance-and how could killing all the humans help them now?

"Such sentiments are for fools," Nolaa gasped, shuddering as much now with anger as with the chills that racked her body. "In every revolution some must sacrifice themselves to overthrow the tyrants and save the rest."

Just then a voice came over the comm speaker. It was Jacen.

"Raaba, is that you? If you need our help, we can take you aboard."

Nolaa Tarkona muted the speakers.

"Yes, it's perfect!" she said. "Accept their offer. That is how we can begin to spread the plague among the humans-with those Jedi as our first victims."

A rumble of outrage was building deep within Raaba like the boiling of a geyser. Even after all that Raaba had done, these humans-Lowie's friends - were worried about her. They were willing to help. But Nolaa Tarkona had been right, in a way: in every revolution there must be sacrifices, and Raaba owed her allegiance to the Diversity Alliance. Her leader was dying, and she could not abandon her.

Nolaa toggled the comm speaker back on. Again Jacen's voice spoke.

"Hey, Raaba, are you there? Are you all right? Do you need our help?"

Below, New Republic ships bombarded the asteroid with a stream of turbolaser fire and proton torpedoes. Pressurized domes exploded just as Raaba wished she could explode to release the pressure building in her.

"Yes, we are coming, we accept," Nolaa Tarkona hissed. Shaking her head with a low growl in her throat, Raaba came to a decision. Her long Wookiee fingers flew over the controls of the star skimmer, setting a course and sending them sailing out and away from the asteroid. She increased their speed toward the Diversity Alliance armada. Faster, faster. She allowed herself to transmit only one message, not by voice but by a brief encoded burst that she flashed toward the Rock Dragon before starlines stretched out around them.

Together, Raaba and her leader Nolaa Tarkona plunged into hypers.p.a.ce.

Behind them, unable to resist the concentrated barrage of firepower from the New Republic fleet, the Emperor's weapons depot erupted in a chain reaction of fire and dust, sparkling as it crumbled into nothingness.

Boba Fett sat in Slave IV, rising up out of the plane of the asteroid belt and watching the continuing battle below with some amus.e.m.e.nt. Tyko Thul had paid him for his efforts, and Fett was once again between bounties. The pa.s.sion and devotion some people gave to their causes, their sacrifices, never ceased to amaze him. It seemed a terrible waste of energy, and not profitable. But then, it wasn't his business to understand. Avoiding all contact with other ships, Fett cruised away, setting a new course. It wouldn't be long before he had another bounty a.s.signment....

OVER THE NEXT few hours the Bomaryn ships and the New Republic fleet rounded up the last remnants of the Diversity Alliance armada. But despite the excitement, the time pa.s.sed as slowly as a century for Raynar. It would have been a kindness, he thought, if the shock of his father's death had thrown him into a numbing fog that blurred the hours while he waited for the s.p.a.ce battle to end, while he waited to go aboard the Tradewyn and speak with his mother, to explain to her what his father had done and why. Instead, Raynar experienced every excruciating moment as if it were an eternity. How could he break the news to his mother that, after months of searching, after hopes that had been repeatedly renewed, Raynar had been unable to save his father?

In the docking bay of the cavernous Calamarian cruiser, Raynar refused even to get out of the Lightning Rod. He could think of seeing no one but his mother, could think of nothing but her pain - and his own. Zekk came and went, bringing Raynar reports of the final skirmishes with the Diversity Alliance armada. Raynar heard, yet did not hear, Zekk speaking.

Even the news that Nolaa Tarkona had escaped meant nothing to him. His mind absorbed little of the information, as his spirit curled into a tight ball of grief. Raynar was only vaguely aware that Lowie had not left the Lightning Rod either and sat somewhere close by, keeping watch but saying nothing.

Later, Jacen, Jaina, and Tenel Ka also came in to see him, one by one. To his great relief, the young Jedi Knights did not try to cheer him up, did not try to talk with him. Each of them simply entered and laid a hand on his back or shoulder, and then quietly withdrew again. But with each touch of a friend's hand, Raynar felt his pain ease.

Peace flowed into him through the Force, and though his sorrow was not diminished, he found that he could face it now, accept it. By the time Zekk returned with the news that the s.p.a.ce skirmish was over and it was safe to take him over to the Tradewyn, Raynar was ready to see his mother. Aryn Dro Thul and Uncle Tyko met the Lightning Rod in one of the Tradewyn's docking bays just seconds after pressure and atmosphere were restored to the enormous chamber.

Aryn Dro Thul's midnight-blue gown clung to her as dignity clings to a queen. One look at her told Raynar that she already knew of her husband's death. She wore the multicolored sash of the House of Thul tied in mourning about her left arm, rather than in its usual place at her waist, and she carried an air of regal sorrow about her. Tyko Thul's moon-round face was damp with tears, and he too wore his sash on his left arm.

Raynar walked slowly down the Lightning Rod's ramp. Then, as if in a ch.o.r.eographed dance, he and his mother and his uncle drew together in a tight circle and embraced.

"You were right about your father," Tyko said in a voice taut with emotion. "He was a good man."

"I'm so proud of him for what he did," Aryn added. "And you." She produced a Thul sash from a fold in her gown and held it out to Raynar.

He took the colorful strip of cloth and gravely tied it around the left arm of his Jedi robe, in tribute to his father. Hearing a noise behind him, Raynar turned to find Zekk standing beside the Lightning Rod.

"I guess I'll just be going now," the dark-haired boy said. "I think you're in good hands here, Raynar."

His mother nodded. "We'll take him back to the Jedi academy when he's ready. We have a Ceremony of the Waters to celebrate in honor of his father first. Thank you for your help, Zekk-for everything you've done."

"From all of us," Tyko Thul added.

"Will I see you back on Yavin 4?" Raynar asked.

"When I get there?" Zekk's emerald eyes opened wide, as if surprised at the question. "I don't know," he said simply. "I've got some thinking to do."

During the next week, Coruscant was abustle with activity, more so than Jaina could ever remember. Delegations were requested and brought in from every species on every planet that had been allied with the Diversity Alliance. Kur, newly appointed head of Ryloth's government, sent two representatives for his people: one Twi'lek man and one Twi'lek woman.

Jaina's mother spent all but a few hours each day in meetings with the new delegates, both individually and in groups. During her few precious free hours, Leia slept. The young Jedi Knights spent nearly as many hours as Leia did welcoming delegates to the capital world and giving further reports to the New Republic Senate on what they had learned of the Diversity Alliance. Lusa and Sirra, now back from Ryloth, gave their accounts, as did Master Skywalker and the other members of the investigation team. All of them spent hours interviewing various former members of the Diversity Alliance and finding out their reasons for joining, what they had hoped to accomplish.

Em Teedee was constantly pressed into service to provide translations during these interviews, since, as he often pointed out, he was fluent in over sixteen forms of communication. By the end of the week, a Cooperative Council of Independent Planetary Governments had been formed with representatives from every species on every world. Their charter included an agreement, signed by every member, to work together for the good of all species and the detriment of none.

Aryn Dro Thul placed the Bornaryn Trading Fleet at the disposal of the new council and its representatives, while Tyko Thul volunteered the resources of his droid manufacturing facilities on Mechis III. The Hapan government offered financial a.s.sistance to the Cooperative Council. There was work for everyone, and when Leia asked Lowie's sister Sirra to become a liaison to strife-torn planets, and to look into and report on the violation of any species' rights, Lowie could not have been more proud if his own sister had been named Chief of State. Eventually, after weeks of political upheaval, the young Jedi Knights returned to Yavin 4.

BACK ON THE jungle moon, Lowie sat comfortably ensconced at the top of a Ma.s.sa.s.si tree, staring patiently into the starry night sky and thinking about the final transmission burst Raaba had sent from the Rising Star.

There had been no voice message, no hologram - only a cryptic line of code in old-fashioned clicks and bursts of static that she knew he would understand.

The words, conveyed in Basic, had been simple: "If I survive, I'll find you."

Lowie leaned back and watched a shooting star streak across the sky. And waited. Raynar's hand shook slightly and he sought out Master Skywalker's eyes. Even now he was unsure of himself, was not certain he dared... was not certain he was worthy.

The Jedi Master's eyes were kind and serious. He nodded.

"Go ahead, Raynar." Fumbling slightly because his hands were slick with sweat, Raynar moved his thumb into position and pressed the switch. With a whoosh-hum, an energy blade the color of polished pewter sprang from the hilt of his newly constructed lightsaber.

"The workmanship is excellent," Master Skywalker observed. "And I've seen how well you do with the stun-sticks. Would you like me to ask Tenet Ka to practice with you?"

Raynar blanched.

"Now?"

The Jedi Master chuckled.

"Maybe I'd better have you practice with Jacen for a while first. But not yet. Right now, I've got a surprise for you. We have a new permanent student here at the Jedi academy. I thought maybe you could show her around for a while."

With that, he stepped back and opened the door to his chambers.

"Lusa!" Raynar exclaimed as the centaur girl appeared in the doorway. "I thought you wanted to work for the Cooperative Council."

Lusa tossed back her long cinnamon mane and gave an eloquent shrug of her bare shoulders.

"I might someday, but I have a lot to learn first. I've asked Master Skywalker to teach me more about my powers with the Force."

Raynar found himself with nothing to say. His mouth hung open.

"I think you can put your lightsaber away for now,"

Master Skywalker said. "There'll be plenty of time for that later."

Raynar snapped out of his surprise-induced immobility and turned off his lightsaber.

"I..." Raynar blinked at Lusa and tried to collect his thoughts.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" the centaur girl asked. "I know of a very pretty waterfall."

On a small planet without a name, far out in a barely charted sector of the Outer Rim, Raaba built a burial cairn for Nolaa Tarkona. She worked alone-she was the only being on this entire world-to find large rocks on the crumbling ridge where she had made their base camp. Using her strong Wookiee fingers, she pried up stones and piled them higher where she had buried the Twi' lek leader. Nolaa Tarkona had died of the plague the day before. Raaba had flown here, navigating by instinct rather than any star chart, and she had set down her star skimmer near a cl.u.s.ter of habitable caves on this silent planet.

Nolaa had grown rapidly worse, day by day, as the slow-acting disease ravaged her body, destroyed her immune systems. She had thrashed and raved, insisting that Raaba take her back to Coruscant so that she could receive medical treatment in the capital of the New Republic. But Raaba had refused. She could not risk bringing the sick Twi' lek woman anyplace where she might infect others, where she might spread the evil plague developed by twisted Imperial scientists. The disease had proved fatal to Twi'leks, and might well be able to cross many species boundaries.

Raaba could not take that chance. And so she had tended her leader all by herself. The chocolate-furred Wookiee had suffered ill effects of her own: a fever, pounding headaches, muscle cramps. Some of her fur had fallen out in patches. Raaba had been sure she would follow Nolaa Tarkona in a lingering death. But her strong const.i.tution had ultimately defeated the plague. She recovered just about the time that Nolaa had died, but even now, she knew she might still carry the disease organism; she might still infect others.

The breeze picked up, whistling along the knife edges of the barren rock.

The air smelled like hot dust. Tall brown ferns protruded from cracks in the ridge, rattling their dry leaves together. The sun shimmered thick and orange near the horizon. Raaba piled another heavy stone on the cairn. She would finish her work here soon. Her star skimmer might also be tainted with the organism; her own systems might still bear the plague. Raaba had to quarantine herself here, at least for a while.

After seeing Nolaa's long and suffering death, Raaba wanted no part in spreading such a scourge throughout the galaxy. She would wait here, for as long as it took.

A group of large rodents with hard sh.e.l.ls on their backs scuttled out of their warrens in the cliffside. They stood in groups like miniature soldiers, watching the Wookiee woman's strange activities. Raaba glanced at them, then turned back to her labor. She piled boulder after boulder atop the place where she had interred the leader of the Diversity Alliance. Finally, she had an impressive monument, a marker to commemorate all the dreams and dedication Nolaa Tarkona had stood for.

Her need for equality and reparations had been valid, but her tactics had taken her beyond the reach of reason.

"Rest in peace, Nolaa Tarkona," she said, looking across the burial mound to the distant horizon. The world was empty, but peaceful and quiet. A good place to think, a good place to heal. Someday she would come back to the galaxy; someday she would find Lowbacca. But only when she was ready.

"Yes, I'm sure," Zekk said, looking directly into Master Luke Skywalker's eyes. "I wasn't ready before, but now I am. It took a while for me to understand that I don't have to use the dark side if I don't want to. I need you to teach me the right way. Teach me to use the light side of the Force, so I can become a true Jedi Knight."

"Do you still have your lightsaber?" Luke asked.

Zekk was surprised.

"No, I got rid of that when I gave up being a Jedi, after the Shadow Academy was destroyed. I'll... I'll have to build a new one."

"We'll do it the right way this time."

Luke Skywalker gave a thoughtful nod.

"It's been a while since we got any new trainees here at the academy-and now we're getting two in one day. I have a feeling we needed some new blood here," he said with a faraway look. "Yes, I think it's high time."

The Jedi Master clasped Zekk's hand. "I know how hard this decision was for you. But a well - considered decision is far better than one made in haste."

He raised his eyebrows and flashed a mischievous smile at his new trainee.

"Would you like to tell my niece, or shall l?"

Zekk grinned. "I'll tell her myself."

All the attendees of the Jedi academy, along with Han and Leia, Anakin, old Peckhum, dozens of New Republic engineers, and a mult.i.tude of dignitaries had gathered to celebrate the newly completed reconstruction of the Great Temple. After a ceremony involving several speeches, awards, and commendations in the grand audience chamber, the entire a.s.sembly moved outdoors for a celebratory festival.

During the festivities, the young Jedi Knights, both old and new, withdrew to their favorite place by the wide river that flowed past the Great Temple. They waded into the water and spent hours talking and splashing and enjoying the feeling of wholeness that came from being together again. Em Teedee delighted in his new microrepulsorjets, zipping in and out among his friends or bobbing along on the surface of the river.

Lowie actually engaged the little droid in a couple of water games. Lusa and Raynar stayed near the sh.o.r.e, sharing memories of the losses they had experienced and the lessons they had learned. Tenel Ka and Jacen challenged each other to swimming races, while Jaina and Zekk floated lazily and discussed what materials might be most appropriate for the lightsaber the young man would soon build for himself. After hours spent in pleasant pursuits, the friends gathered on the sh.o.r.e and talked until the sky began to grow dark. The topics were light, and the silences comfortable.

They spoke of the Rock Dragon, the Lightning Rod, Lowie's T-23, Jedi tales and legends that Tionne had told them, the rebuilt temple, and favorite planets they had been to.

In the wake of one long silence, Jaina said, "I wonder what's next for us. Do you suppose all Jedi trainees go through the sorts of adventures we've had before they become full Jedi Knights?"

"After all we've been through together," Jacen replied, "I'm not sure anything in the future could surprise me."