Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 07_ Conviction - Aaron Allston [120]
Following Kesla Vein’s directional comm signal, they got within five kilometers of the small town and then were hailed over the speeder’s comm board. “Whiterock Rentals One Fourteen, this is Rainbow Securities at Kesla Vein. Please state your business.”
Kandra and Beurth exchanged a confused look. Small towns the galaxy over tended to react to visitors by either ignoring them with a touch of hostility or directing them to the local shops and service providers.
Beurth slowed their approach. With her datapad, Kandra ran a planetary network search on Rainbow Securities. She also donned her comlink headset and activated it. “Kesla Vein, this is Whiterock One Fourteen. We’re journalists following up on the theft and destruction of an airspeeder in your vicinity.”
“Whiterock, be advised that the individual who stole the craft is still at large, believed to be nearby, and is responsible for several deaths in the vicinity. You are strongly advised to abort your visit until the area is secure. If you choose to approach the town, we’ll have to assign you a security operative to make sure your vehicle doesn’t fall into the killer’s hands.”
“I … see.” What Kandra didn’t see was a listing anywhere on the planetary records for a Rainbow Securities. “I think we need to set down here and ask our local manager how to proceed. Are we safe here?”
“Probably. As long as the winds keep the dust storms up. When the winds die, you might be visible to macrobinoculars. At that point, if you’re still here, I’d recommend you pull several kilometers back.”
“Thanks for the advice, Kesla Vein. Whiterock One Fourteen out.” She gestured for Beurth to land the speeder and kill the repulsors.
They sat there for a few moments, the speeder rocking in the wind, while Kandra thought about what to do.
She really didn’t need to see the wreckage of the T-47. Her objective was to find Luke Skywalker, if indeed he was in the vicinity. And things were certainly adding up to a possibility that he was … not only nearby, but being sought, a fact that had not reached the planetary news sources. If only she could get a message to him—
A thought occurred to her and, startled, she straightened.
Beurth grunted at her.
“Back on the shuttle, Valin Horn gave us a frequency to listen to in case he needed to contact us once we got to Nam Chorios. Was that specific to him, or was it one the Jedi use in general?”
He shrugged.
“Let’s find out.” She composed a brief text message: Grand Master Skywalker: Care to trade a ride for your story? Reply this frequency. She thought about her words, then changed Grand Master Skywalker to Owen Lars. Satisfied, she sent the message.
Two minutes later, a reply came: Identify yourself, please.
Kandra Nilitz, Landing Zone newsnet. I arrived Nam Chorios with Hal Cyon and Jes Cyon. You may remember my investigative report on black-market sales of fake bacta. Kandra was sure he hadn’t seen it. It seemed like every young reporter did a piece on black-market sales of fake bacta. But she hoped that the reference made her sound more famous than she was.
I agree to your terms.
Kandra’s pulse raced. Now, at last, she might be on the verge of cracking this frustrating story. I’ll send a homing pulse at one-minute intervals. She set up her datapad to do exactly that, then sent the message.
She looked at Beurth and sagged in relief.
Twenty minutes later, her relief ended.
She didn’t realize Luke Skywalker had reached her until the instant he appeared, standing on the hood of her rented speeder, his green-bladed lightsaber lit in his hand. The fierce wind whipped his cloak as if to yank it free and carry it back to Hweg Shul. He turned back in the direction of Kesla Vein and cupped his free hand beside his mouth. “This way!”
His answer was a blaster bolt angling in toward him out of the dust storm. He caught it on his lightsaber, deflecting it into the ground as if barely interested