Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 07_ Shards of Alderaan - Kevin J. Anderson [46]
"How did you know to come after us, Dad?" Jaina asked. "You got here so fast."
Han shrugged one shoulder and studied the damage to the Rock Dragon's repulsorjets. "NMen you didn't make it back to Yavin 4 after three days, like you promised, I figured you were trying to collect half the planet ofalderaan and reassemble it for your mom's birthday. She's due at the Jedi academy any day now, and I didn't want to wait any longer. I guessed you might need some help."
"So it wasn't Boba Fett's message that lured you here?" Jacen asked.
"Naw, we didn't even get that until we dropped out of hyperspace, but your warning put us on our guard." He smiled and glanced at Chewie. 'We still know a thing or two about evading bounty hunters."
Jaina swallowed hard. 'I sure hope Zekk does. He followed Boba Fett after our fight, and we haven't heard from him since."
Han Solo gave his daughter a sympathetic look. "I'm sure he's fine, Jaina."
"I wish I were so sure," Jaina said, feeling despair creep up on her.
Her father raised a hand to point at something over her left shoulder.
"Well, maybe you'll believe your own eyesunless I miss my guess, that's the Lightning Rod coming in for a landing right now."
Though Zekk stood stiffly and uncertainly, Jaina gave the dark-haired boy a quick hug as soon as he stepped out of the Lightning Rod. He blushed in the dim light, then relaxed enough to hug Jaina back. They held the embrace for several seconds more.
Jacen and Han hurried over, while Chewie, Lowie, and Tenel Ka remained where they were, continuing the repairs on the Rock Dragon.
"We'll be safe, for the moment," Zekk said, as if reluctant to step too far from his ship. "I followed Boba Fett until he dodged into hyperspace.
I scored a few solid hits before his ship escaped. Don't know how much damage I caused, but I think he'll need to make some repairs himself before he tries to come back."
Han shook his head in bewilderment.
"As far as I know, there aren't any bounties out on me anymore. What was Boba Fett after?"
"We're not sure," Jaina said, "but it had something to do with Raynar's father. He thought you had some information about his whereabouts. He wanted to use us as bait."
Han Solo looked surprised. "Bornan Thul?
I wish I did know where to find him. Why would there be a bounty out on him? He's just a member of the trade council."
Jacen said, "Boba Fett seems to think Raynar's father knows about something that he's looking for, some sort of missing cargo. 17
"Em Teedee managed to slice into the Slave IVs computers, so we've got a little background information," Jaina said "Things Boba Fett probably doesn't want us to know."
"He's working for Nolaa Tarkona," Tenel Ka said.
Han gave a low whistle. "And Boman Thul disappeared right when he was sup posed to meet with her at that trade council.
I thought that @lek woman @ghtve been behind his disappearance, but it doesn't sound like she knows where he is either.
"We think Nolaa Tarkona hired more than one bounty hunter to go out and look for him," Jacen said.
Han nodded. "And Boba Fett's the best bounty hunter there is."
"Maybe the best-until now," Zekk said.
He had been quiet, absorbing information.
Han's eyebrows went up, and he glanced curiously at the dark-haired teenager.
"What do you mean?" Jaina asked.
Zekk raised his chin. 'I've been to the Jedi academy, and I don't belong there. I just went back to my home planet, Ennth, and now I'm sure that's not the place for me either. I need to go in a new direction."
He glanced past the others, locking his gaze on Jaina's eyes. "So I've decided to try my hand at being... a bounty hunter. I plan to be the best there ever was."
Jaina bit her lower lip to stifle a gasp.
Zekk's emerald-green eyes looked earnestly into Jaina's. "I know I can't go back to the way things were, and I can't go back to who I was.
We've talked about this before, Jaina. There's only