Star Wars_ The Approaching Storm - Alan Dean Foster [113]
He frowned. What was the taller female doing? Removing her outer clothes struck him as a most peculiar approach to entering the densely packed herd. If he was the one about to attempt the suicidal endeavor, he would want to have on as many layers of clothing as possible, to protect himself from thrusting horns, pounding feet, and the hard ground itself.
When the female finally finished, she was wearing only her strange, alien undergarments. In the light of the setting sun, he found them most peculiar. Still, they no doubt suited such an oddly formed biped. Concern for his guests was almost outweighed by his curiosity to see what they were going to do next.
Obi-Wan stood looking into his colleague’s eyes while arguing quietly with her. “I don’t think this is a very good idea, Luminara.”
“Neither do I, Master,” Barriss added apprehensively.
Luminara nodded, glanced across at the last member of their little group. “And what about you, Anakin? You haven’t said anything since I ventured the idea.”
Asked for his opinion, the tall Padawan didn’t hesitate. “I couldn’t do it, that’s for sure. It sounds crazy.”
Luminara smiled. “But you know that I’m not crazy, don’t you, Anakin?”
He nodded. “When I was a child, I did plenty of things that were called crazy. Everybody thought I was crazy to take part in professional Podracing. But I did, and I’m still alive.” He stood a little taller. “The Force was with me.”
“Luck was with you,” Barriss murmured tartly, but so low that no one else could hear.
“So you think I should go ahead with this?” Luminara asked him.
Anakin hesitated. “It’s not for me to say. If Obi-Wan agrees …” His voice trailed off without finishing.
She turned her attention back to the other Jedi. “Obi-Wan has already said he doesn’t think it’s a very good idea. Does Obi-Wan have a better idea?”
The Jedi hesitated for the briefest of instants, then gave a slight shrug. “I tend to side with Barriss in this—but no, I don’t have a better idea.”
“We need that piece of wool if we’re going to get the Borokii to listen to us.”
“I know, I know.” Obi-Wan looked unhappy. “Are you sure you can do this, Luminara?”
“Of course I’m not sure I can.” As she spoke, she was making certain the sharp, ceremonial Borokii knife Bayaar had loaned her was securely fastened to her narrow waistband. “But like you, I can’t think of anything else to try. This is the best I could come up with.” She smiled reassuringly. “We can’t convince the Council of Elders to persuade the rest of the Alwari to agree to our position if we never get to speak to them.”
“While your death might convince them of our sincerity, and of the importance the Republic attaches to our mission here, that’s still no guarantee they’ll agree to listen to the rest of us.”
“Then you’ll find other ways of convincing them of our sincerity,” she told him. Reaching out, she put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever happens here, now, may the Force be with you always, Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
Stepping closer, he gave her a firm hug. “Not only will the Force be with me, Luminara Unduli, I expect you to be with me for a while longer yet as well.” He indicated their Padawans. “You wouldn’t go and leave me with not one but two Padawans to look after, would you?”
Her smile broadened. “I think you would manage to cope with the challenge, Obi-Wan.”
“Master …,” Barriss began. Turning, the Jedi put a reassuring hand on her Padawan’s shoulder.
“Not everything is assured in advance, my dear.” Her hand slid off the strong shoulder. “I know what I’m doing. I just don’t know what the surepp are going to do.” Taking a couple of steps back, she took a deep breath and nodded at Bayaar.
It was not