Star Wars_ Boba Fett 05_ A New Threat - Elizabeth Hand [17]
Wat Tambor has exploited the spores for his own purposes, to camouflage his vessels. But when the spores are carried by the wind, they act as chemical messengers between the trees."
Xeran's lipless mouth curved in a smile to reveal white razorlike teeth. He held up a small pouch, opened it, and took a pinch of what looked like lavender powder between his claws.
"Here," he said, gesturing at Boba's hand. "Take this. Put it into your eyes, beneath your helmet. It will enable you to see through the haze. "
Boba held out his gloved hand. Xeran dropped a small amount of the lavender powder into his palm. Boba stared at it, then at the Xamster.
Could Xeran be trusted?
Boba hesitated. He had learned over the last few years to trust his instincts - one of a bounty hunter's most powerful assets.
And his instincts told him now that Xeran was telling the truth.
"Thanks," Boba said. He turned away, momentarily raising his helmet. He tilted his head back, and let a few grains of the powder fall into his eyes. He felt a faint prickling, but that was all. He blinked, lowered his helmet, and turned back to Xeran.
The Xamster nodded approvingly. "The effect is not permanent. But it may help you. And here - - "
He held out a small purple orb. "Take this globe with you. Malubi has already imprinted you as one who means us no harm. The other malviltrees will recognize you. They will not harm you. But if you have need of camouflage, crush this globe. The spores will be released."
Boba took the globe. "Thank you," he said. Carefully he slipped it into his utility pouch.
"Something else I will tell you," added Xeran. "There is a fungus we call Xabar. It has many small tentacles. It is a very deep purple in color, with brilliant red tips. Wat Tambor has taken this fungus as well and made it into a weapon. Its tentacles release a toxin. The toxin causes paralysis. Not permanent, fortunately. But very effective. Anyone who comes into contact with it is immobilized. Completely. Consciousness remains, but not the ability to move."
"Thank you," said Boba. "I will remember." From somewhere beneath them came a burst of laser fire.
"I have to go now," said Boba. He looked down at the battlefield that stretched between him and Wat Tambor's living citadel. Then he turned to Xeran. "I owe you one, Xeran. Thanks again."
The Xamster nodded solemnly. Its jade-green eyes narrowed, and it smiled. "You do not need to thank me. When you destroy our shared enemy, do so in the memory of my malvil. That will be thanks enough for me. And for Malubi," he added.
Boba smiled. As he did, one of the malvil-tree's tentacle branches snaked around him. Very gently it lifted Boba, then slowly brought him to the ground.
"I will not forget!" Boba called back as Xeran waved at him. "For Malubi!"
"For Malubi!" Xeran echoed.
Lifting one clawed hand in farewell, the alien slipped back into the violet shadows of his malviltree.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A hundred meters up in Malubi's violet canopy, Xagobah had for a little while seemed a quiet, even peaceful, place.
That peace was shattered as soon as Boba's feet touched the ground.
"Captain! Intruder in your sector!" a voice shouted from only a few meters off.
His father's voice.
For an instant Boba froze. Then brilliant blue flame exploded, close enough that he could feel its heat through his body armor.
"Whoa!"
With a muffled shout Boba dove for the underbrush.
The voice shouted again. "Captain! Did we score a hit?"
Boba crouched beneath an overhanging net of webbed fungi. He peered out and saw a figure stalking into the clearing.
His father's figure, cloaked in the gleaming, gray-white body armor and mask of the Republic army.