Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 08_ Diversity Alliance - Kevin J. Anderson [18]
"He never arrived at the trade conference," Raynar said, filling in the part that he already knew. "But do you know where he went before that?
Where was the last place anyone saw him?"
"That much I was able to find out," Aryn said. "Before he disappeared, he was going to some sort of mysterious meeting on an ancient planet called Kuar. Maybe that has something to do with the secret he was hiding."
"Then that's where I need to go to pick up his trail," Raynat said.
"You're not going anywhere, young man," Tyko said. "It's too dangerous.
This recent little escapade with Kusk and his brother make that all too clear."
"Kuar," Tenel Ka said from across the table. "An odd place for a meeting, is it not? Has it not been abandoned for centuries?"
"You've heard of the planet, then?" Aryn asked.
"Only by reputation," Tenel Ka said, tossing her red-gold braids behind her shoulders.
"Kuar held a small measure of historic interest for me, since it is one of the ancient worlds conquered by Mandalorian warriors. A fearsome race of fighters. I have studied many of their legends."
"Hey, doesn't Boba Fett wear Mandalo-rian armor?" Jacen said.
"And when he found us in the Alderaan system, he was looking for Bornan Thul."
"All the more reason to go to Kuar," Raynat said. "My father might have left a message there... or at least a clue."
"It's too risky," Aryn said, shaking her head vigorously.
"Raynar, if you leave our protection here, a thousand villains will be lying in wait for you."
"Exactly," Tyko added. "If you went to Kuar you could be playing right into some greedy bounty hunter's hands--or worse.
Until we can find out what kind of mess my brother has gotten himself into, you and your mother must stay under the protection of the fleet.",
"Ah," Tenel Ka said, "aha. But we do not need to stay, my friends and I."
"Hey, that's right," Jacen said. "We've got Tenel Ka's ship, and we can go wherever we want. Nobody will notice us."
Jaina spoke up, looking from Aryn to Raynar. "The four of us could check out Kuar for youinlet you know what we find."
Lowie rumbled his approval, and Raynat's eyes lit with hope.
"That makes five of us," Em Teedee chimed in.
Above them, one of the low-gravity dancers paused for a moment with her left foot on the top of the dome, then spun off again. Aryn gazed up and watched the dancer drift away. "It's a very kind offer, but I'm afraid I can't let you children--"
"Mother," Raynat interrupted, "they're not children. These are young Jedi Knights.
They fought against the Shadow Academy and won."
"Well in that case, I think it's an excellent idea," Tyko said.
"I need to get back to Mechis III soon, just to check on all the automated systems, or I would make the journey with them myself. The sooner we find out what's happened to Bornan, the sooner we can all get back to leading our own lives." He looked around the table at Jacen, Jaina, Lowie, and Tenel Ka. "The fleet will still be in hiding, but you can report back to me with whatever you find," he said decisively, "and I'll let you know how to contact Raynar and Aryn again."
Raynar looked greatly relieved to have his uncle's support in this. "It's all settled then," he said. "And I'm glad somebody's finally doing something."
"This is a fact," Tenel Ka agreed with a faint smile. "whenever my pilot and copilot are ready, we can leave."
Jaina gulped down the last bit of oss-berry ale in her cup, then jumped to her feet. "Well then," she said, "I'm ready for just about anything."
EVERYONE WENT THEIR separate ways, but all wanted to see Bornan Thul safely back with his family. Uncle Tyko, confident in the new hyperspace jump randomization program Em Tedee had created, took off for Mechis III