Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 20_ The Final Prophecy - J. Gregory Keyes [69]
She could key him to the qahsa, but she hesitated to do so. She had stored the protocol data on Sekotan biology in it. In the wrong hands—
But the Prophet had proved himself useful, and only someone well versed in the shaper’s arts could understand what they found there, much less use it. By the pattern of his rejected implants, she gathered that before being Shamed, Yu’shaa had been an intendant.
Time was of the essence. With Yu’shaa performing the simple tasks, she was making great progress with the more complex analyses. “Come here,” she said. “I will make you familiar to it.”
That done, she was able to work for a time in peace.
Until Harrar came, standing rather imperiously waiting for her attention. She reluctantly gave it to him. If he knew anything about shaping—and he certainly did—then he already knew she was a heretic. If she was to do her work, there was no hiding it any longer.
“Yes?” she said.
He gave her an uncomfortable little bow of recognition. “I was wondering where your researches were leading you,” he asked. “Whether you’ve come to any new conclusions.”
Always that question. What did he think conclusions were, fruit to be pulled from a tree? “It’s premature to say anything definitive,” she said.
“I understand that,” he replied softly. “But I’m hoping you will keep me apprised of new developments.”
She could tell this approach pained him a bit. Harrar was used to giving orders, not cajoling. After all, short of Shimrra, the priests were the voice of the gods.
“There have been a few developments,” she allowed, “though they are at the level of data rather than conclusion.”
“Go on, please. Anything new must be worth hearing.”
“But the telling costs me time, when I might be reaching those conclusions you desire.”
Harrar’s expression flattened. “Jeedai Horn tells me it may be a long while before anyone finds us. I shouldn’t think the hurry is so great you can’t spare a few words concerning your progress. After all, I did arrange this trip.”
“Yes, I’ve been meaning to ask you something about that,” Nen Yim said.
“Perhaps if I answer your questions, you can answer mine,” the priest said.
Nen Yim leaned away from her work, forcing her tendrils to relax into a neutral posture.
“When we first met, you said that you could not arrange my escape yourself, for fear of being noticed.”
“That is true. An escape engineered by me would have failed.”
“Yet here you are; you came along. Won’t that be noticed?”
Harrar seemed suddenly to relax, as if he had expected another question, a more difficult one.
“I am believed to be on the Outer Rim, meditating over our conquest where it began. A subordinate of mine took my ship there. I should not be missed. You arranged to make your abduction appear as a kidnapping as well, yes? We have both covered our trails.”
“I give my deception only a small chance for success,” Nen Yim replied. “When I return to Yuuzhan Vong space, I fully expect I will be executed.”
“And yet you plan to return.”
“Of course. Our people must know what has been discovered here.”
“What Ekh’m Val discovered has been quite effectively repressed,” Harrar pointed out. “What makes you think your discoveries will fare any better?”
“I will find a way,” Nen Yim assured him.
Harrar crossed his arms and looked at her with approval. “You mean what you say. You see no personal gain in this at all. I believe you may be one of the most admirable people I have ever known.”
“Please do not mock me.”
“I do not mock you,” he said, his voice suddenly a bit angry. “I am trying to express respect. If you reject it, the respect remains all the same. Each caste seeks to elevate itself over another, each domain competes with the others, individuals betray and murder one another in a blind, groping desire for elevation. In the galactic deeps, it nearly tore us apart. I hoped when we had a real enemy to face, we could turn that aggression outward, and so we did, but now it comes to haunt