Star Wars_ I, Jedi - Michael A. Stackpole [195]
“True, but finding a stone with the proper cut, color and clarity will be tough.” I smiled. “Or getting it out of the gem cartels at a vaguely reasonable price will be.”
“When you free your Mirax, perhaps she can get it for you.”
I nodded solemnly. “I hope we’ll be testing that theory sooner rather than later.” I gave the lightsaber another quick glance. “At least I got the normal-length blade working again.”
Elegos accepted the weapon from me and clutched it in both hands. “I am pleased you managed to repair it, and that you survived your ordeal. Now you can admit you were wrong in how you dealt with Shala.”
“My strategy for dealing with him was perfectly sound.”
“Perfectly sound is a phrase seldom used to describe walking into an ambush.” The Caamasi shook his head. “You were wrong.”
“Not at all.” I frowned at him. “I really wasn’t the one who was ambushed, Shala was. I was just there to catch collateral damage.”
“Another rationalization. I expect better of you.” His eyes narrowed. “You were wrong.”
I started to protest, then folded my arms over my chest. “Elegos, I was a cop and a fighter pilot. Being wrong just doesn’t come with the package.”
“But you are a Jedi Knight now.”
His statement shocked me with its simplicity and truth. “You’re right, I’m a Jedi Knight. I was wrong, very wrong, and damn lucky to get out of there alive.”
The Caamasi smiled. “Not lucky, just strong in the Force. You protected others and thereby were preserved yourself. Never forget that fact.”
“No, no I won’t.” I smiled at him. “And the cop/fighter jock in me can admit to being grateful to you. Thanks again for the rescue.”
“All in a day’s work.” Elegos secreted the lightsaber away in a sideboard compartment, then headed for the food preparation station. “I’ve already been out this morning and learned a couple of important things that are the results of your Hutt encounter.”
I shrugged on my bedrobe and knotted the sash at my waist. The robe had been one of Tavira’s gifts. It had been fashioned from Ottegan silk of purple with gold trim at the collar and sleeves. I found it a bit too gaudy for my taste, but I was sore from the previous night’s ordeal, and it was light enough not to make me ache. Walking after Elegos in it was a bother, though, with the material trying to wrap itself around my legs with each step.
“What did you hear?”
Elegos set out a small platter with fresh pastries and poured me a container of a bluish zureber syrup that looked horrible, but tasted pretty good. “The destruction of Shala’s gang has caused serious problems. Apparently the Jedi’s appearance over the city galvanized some local citizens to form little hunting bands of their own. Several Blackstar Pirates were beaten and stoned when they left the Aviary. Rather nasty slogans have been painted on the walls and doors of some of the Invid spaceport docking facilities. While the locals love the money the Invids bring in, most are afraid that as long as they are here, the Jedi will remain and might begin to go after more than just the Invids.”
I sighed. “I’d hoped the indigs might see the Jedi as a protector.”
“The people here don’t so much want a protector as they do a benefactor.”
“Good point.” An idea occurred to me and I smiled. “I can take care of that. What else?”
“The clutches you had outfitted with hyperdrives?”
“Yes?”
“Gone. Appears a couple of the Survivors decided they would find surviving easier elsewhere.”
I smiled. “Timmser and Caet?”
“They were the ones you insisted on having trained on the ships so they could instruct others.” The Caamasi gave me an appreciative nod. “I didn’t think they would take the bait. I expected them to remain and oppose the Jedi.”
“I guess they heard there was a rumor that they were the reason I’d demanded a month from Tavira before becoming her consort. Story goes that I’ve been spending a lot of my off hours with them in a last grasp at freedom before becoming Tavira’s nighttoy. They’re both smart enough to know Tavira isn’t likely to care whether or not it