Star Wars_ Coruscant Nights II Streets of Shadows - Michael Reaves [43]
The melded chimes that made up the door were answered by a 3PO protocol droid, its silver chassis burnished to a high gleam. After an unmistakably disapproving glance in the direction of I-Five, it acknowledged Dejah immediately.
“Please come in. My master will be most happy to see you.” It ushered Dejah through the foyer as Jax and I-Five followed.
“Please, rest comfortably,” the droid insisted. “May I offer you beverages? No? Then I will inform the Baron of your unexpected and extremely welcome visit.” It shuffled away across a vast expanse of burgundy carpet, leaving a flattened trail of scuffed carpet in its wake, and disappeared through an arch.
Jax studied his surroundings. They were expansive, with curved walls dimpled and folded to allow more space for the exhibition of paintings, friezes, ceramic floats, and other artwork. Tastefully displayed on slowly moving pedestals scattered around the floor were several examples of art that had to be the work of the late Ves Volette. Sculptures formed of animate light, they writhed and undulated hypnotically within their individual containment fields. As he looked on, they shifted spectra according to how they had been woven, cycling through various hues and patterns. Each was uniformly delicate, ethereal, and utterly beautiful.
He glanced at Dejah. The Zeltron was looking at the sculptures as well, her expression forlorn.
Approaching one of the sculptures, I-Five examined its undulant prismatic form closely. “Most intriguing. The energy signature is quite similar to the arc wave of a lightsaber. I would hazard a guess that its energetic source is a crystal—Adegan, Luxum, or something similar.”
Jax raised an eyebrow. “The same kind of crystals used to drive a lightsaber.”
“Quite right,” said a new and commanding voice.
Jax turned about to see a bipedal figure standing in the archway. He was tall and slender to the point of anorexia, dressed in flowing robes of shimmersilk. His features seemed quite human, although something about the shape of the face and the ears gave a subtle vulpine cast to his appearance. As he came toward them he made straight for the Zeltron.
“My dear Dejah.” His voice was warm and buttery with compassion. “Such a shock. I was told of Ves’s fate not two hours ago by that thuggish police prefect.” Reaching out, he took her hands and held them in both of his. “You must be devastated. I tried to comm you as soon as I was informed.”
“I turned my link off,” she whispered.
“Perfectly natural, and who could blame you? If there is anything you need, anything at all, you have only to ask.” Looking to the side, he took note of Jax and I-Five, his gaze sharply appraising. “I see you’ve brought a friend.” I-Five stiffened at the cavalier omission but said nothing.
“I’m sorry,” Dejah said. “Where are my manners? Baron Umber, Jax Pavan, captain of the merchant ship Far Ranger. Jax, this is Baron Vlaçan Umber of Flavin Hold, Vindalia.”
In his all-too-brief tenure as a Jedi Knight, Jax had learned the Galactic Standard protocol for addressing nobility of various species. He inclined his head and made the proper hand gesture. “An honor, Baron.” He saw Umber’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, and realized that his studied courtliness must seem incongruous coming from someone dressed so shabbily.
“The honor is mine,” the Baron replied, making the requisite response motion. He glanced briefly at I-Five, who stood in formal posture beside Jax, looking every centimeter the proper protocol droid. “One of the Orbots line,” the Baron commented. “Something of a collector’s novelty these days. Nicely restored.” Jax repressed a smile as he thought of the acidic response that was no doubt crackling through the droid’s positronic brain.
“Baron,” the Jedi ventured, “if you don’t mind, I have a few questions I’d like to ask. They concern your relationship