Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 08_ Diversity Alliance - Kevin J. Anderson [43]
The previous evening, before their meal, Lowie had drawn Jacen, Jaina, and Tenel Ka aside and told them briefly about Raa-ha's rite of passage and her decision to disappear and let everyone believe she had been killed. Now Jacen wanted to tell her that they understood her need for privacy and that she could trust them.
In the morning light Raaba climbed out of the Rising Star and luxuriously raked her fingers through her glossy chocolate fur. She glanced sidelong at Jacen as Lowie presented the young man, putting considerably more detail into the introduction than he had the day before. Lowie praised Jacen's sense of humor, described his love for animals, and commended his skill with a lightsaber. Only the third virtue seemed to make much of an impression on Raa-bakyysh, and when Lowie paused, Jacen hurried to change the subject.
"So, uh, what actually brings you to Kuar?" he asked. "It's quite a coincidence that you found us here."
Raaba cocked her head slightly to one side, as if this' had been an unexpected question. Then she held up both hands, her fingers pressed together, describing an approximate oval. She growled a name.
"Shells?" Jacen asked.
Raaba explained that she had been sent altera shipment of ronik shells.
They were a rare commodity which her employer prized highly, but the trader Fonterrat, who had been sent to procure them for Nolaa Tarkona, had disappeared. The trader last confirmed meeting before his disappearance had been here on Kuar. Jacen's mouth fell open as he looked at Lowie.
"Do you realize what this means?" he asked. "That must be the same person that Bornan Thul came here to meet--maybe even to negotiate a trade with.
But what would Bornan Thul want with ronik shells? Especially since he was supposed to meet with Nolaa Tarkona, too. I guess he could have planned to use the shells as a kind of bargaining chip." His eyes lit up.
"Hey, maybe if we locate that shipment of shells, we'll find another clue about where Ray-nar's dad went."
Raaba seemed about to reply when Tenel Ka dashed up to get Jacen's attention.
"Company," she said, pointing skyward.
At first Jacen could seen nothing but swirling dust around the crater rim, but then he saw a flash of metal the color of tarnished brass high above.
"I heard your shout. What's wrong?"
Jaina asked, trotting up to join them. Jacen indicated the approaching ship with a lift of his chin. His sister's eyebrows shot up.
"For an out-of-the-way planet, Kuar sure gets a lot of traffic," she observed.
A low growl came from deep in Raaba's throat. Her dark fur seemed to bristle, and she reached for the blaster at her side.
Lowie held up a hand, though, asking her to wait and grumbling a comment to'himself.
"Why, whatever do you mean, Master Lowbacca?" Em Teedee said with some asperity. "How could you possibly recognize that ship?"
"Didn't think anyone else in the galaxy even knew we were on this dust ball,"
Jaina commented, squinting to get a better look.
"Except Tyko Thul," Tenel Ka said.
"That's his ship all right," Jaina confirmed.
Jacen now recognized its boxy design and unusual color. Soon the ornate craft was close enough for Jacen to see the slightly rotund figure in the cockpit. He felt the tingle again at the back of his neck, only stronger this time. "I've got a bad feeling about this," Jacen said. "First Raaba shows up-- and we thought she was dead. Now Tyko Thul is here..."
"And we thought he was on Mechis III," Jaina finished for him.
Two minutes later Raynat's uncle climbed out of his ship. His moon-round face beamed at the assembled party. "How wonderful to see you all again.
So glad I found you. I brought some food. Would you all like to join me for"--he glanced appraisingly at the sky--"morning meal?
I'm simply