Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 07_ Shards of Alderaan - Kevin J. Anderson [7]
"We are surrounded by examples of adaptation and change. Take Lowbacca's translating droid, for instance. Em Teedee's primary purpose has been to translate Wookiee speech into Basic. But now that some of you can understand part of Lowie's words, that skill is no longer so essential.
Em Teedee requested additional programI to help him adapt to the new situation, vm and so Jaina and Chewie have been enriching Em Teedee's subroutines, and even adding new language skills." The little droid's optical sensors glowed with pleasure at being singled out.
'All of us need to do the same thing," the Jedi Master continued.
Suddenly he paused and cocked his head, as if listening.
Jaina whirled to look at the landing field in front of the Great Temple.
'Dad?" she whispered, her face filled with an expression of surprise and disbelief.
A murmur went up from the Jedi trainees, and Tenel Ka turned to see the Millennium Falcon making its final approach through the cloudy skies of the jungle moon.
"I think that will be all for now," Master Skywalker said in a concerned voice. 'Please return to your activities while I welcome our unexpected guests."
At the teacher's dismissal, Jacen and Jaina took off for the landing field at a run, with Lowbacca and Tenel Ka following close behind.
At first Jaina was too stunned to speak when Han Solo swept her up in a quick hug, the n repeated the process with Jacen.
Lowie and his tall uncle Chewbacca ex changed happy roars.
Chewie tossed the twins high into the air by turns and caught them again, as if they were mere babies, while Han put a hand on Luke's shoulder and began talking in a low, urgent voice. Jaina finally managed to ask her father what he was doing there. She was almost afraid of the answer, since they had been through so many changes, had heard so much bad news recently.
"Hey, you wouldn't want your old dad to become predictable, would you?"
Han said, flashing a roguish grin. "I've got a few surprises left in me.
Just finished a trip to GemDiver Station to see Lando on my way back from an important trade conference.
When your mom got some disturbing news, she thought it'd be best if I stopped by to deliver it in person."
Imagining the worst, Jaina felt the blood drain from her face. "What is it, Dad? what's happened?" In her heart, she feared that it was something else to do with Zekk, some other dark thing he had done.
Han's face looked grim. "I need to talk to a student named Raynar Thul.
Do you know him?"
"Of course we know him Jacen said.
All of a sudden, as if from nowhere, the boy himself appeared out of the mist beside Jaina. He had followed the young Jedi Knights in their rush to the damp landing field.
"I am Raynar Thul. You may address me directly."
Looking at the blond-haired boy, Han sighed. "I'm sorry, kid, but I've got some rough news. I'm afraid your father's disappeared. No one's heard from him for several days."
Raynar's normally rosy compleidon paled.
"My father is too important a man, a former noble of Alderaan. He can't just disappear.
There must be some mistake."
Han gave Raynar a sympathetic look.
"Afraid not, kid. Your father and I have been serving on the New Republic Trade Council together. We were supposed to meet at a major conference on Shumavar, but he never showed."
Raynar swallowed hard as Han Solo continued quickly. "'Bout a week ago your father told me he was starting trade negotiations with a Twi'lek woman, Nolaa Tarkona, who's heading some new political movement. He was supposed to finalize the details with her during the Shumavar conference.
Wasn't sure why, but I smelled something rotten in the deal. Tried to warn your father, but he wouldn't listen to me." Raynar's cheeks flushed deep red. "Bornan Thul always listens to sound advice."
Han shrugged. 'Well, I guess he wasn't too impressed by the