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"He may have been unsuccessful."

Jacen glanced up at the statuesque warrior girl as she broke into a trot.

Her red-gold hair, half of which was caught up in Dathomiran warrior braids, flowed out behind her like the tail of a comet.

Em Teedee kept pace with her. "Surely you're not suggesting that poor Master Lowbacca might have been prevented from making contact with us!"

the translating droid wailed.

"It is possible. If so, he could also have been prevented from returning here," Tenel Ka said.

Jaina groaned. "That would explain a lot--like why the communications center on Ryloth never lets us speak to Lowie when we get a connection through to them."

"Hey, if Lowie's in trouble, then I think we ought to do something about it," Jacen said.

"Agreed," Tenel Ka said, still jogging along the perimeter of the clearing.

Jaina shrugged. "No argument here. If we can't talk to Lowie any other way, we'll go to Ryloth in person."

"Oh my! We could be doomed!" Em Teedee said.

"But I would gladly sacrifice my last circuit if it would be of any help to Master Lowbacca.

Indeed...," the little droid continued bravely, "going to Ryloth may be an excellent opportunity for me to use my translating skills; I am fluent in over sixteen forms of communication, you know.

Well, I suppose that's all settled, then."

"I guess you should count me in too," Raynar added.

Jacen looked at Raynar. The lightly freckled youth with the spiky blond hair seemed tense and edgy. Raynar's blue eyes followed Tenel Ka and Em Teedee around the circle. Around and around and around. "Do you really have to do that, Tenel Ka?" Raynar blurted out at last.

"The jungles are dangerous at night," Tenel Ka replied without slowing.

Her voice was steady and she didn't gasp or pant as she spoke.

"Tionne advised us to post a watch. Therefore, I am ensuring the safety of our campsite by patrolling its perimeter."

"I knew that," Raynar said in exasperation.

Jacen gave a lopsided grin. "We know you offered to take the first watch, Tenel Ka. I think Raynar was just wondering why you're practically running. If you wear yourself out, you'll be too tired to fight against any real threat."

Tenel Ka raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I have found that when I combine physical exercise with my other duties, I am able to think more clearly.

It is also an excellent way to release tension."

Jaina chuckled. "In that case, maybe we could all use a good run."

Just as his sister spoke, Jacen sensed it: something out in the jungle watching them. Tenel Ka noticed it too, for she stopped dead in her tracks.

Em Teedee narrowly avoided colliding with her shoulder. A split second later the warrior girl dove to the ground and rolled as a snarling, fang-filled ball of fur sprang through the air where she had been standing.

Jacen and Jaina were both on their feet, light-sabers in hand, before the furry creature touched the ground. "It's a rakhmar," Jacen yelled.

"Probably looking for a quick meal."

The meter-long beast sprang into the air again, a dynamo of black-swirled fur and snapping teeth. This time, it struck at the only person who had no weapon. ¢

"Raynar, look out!" Jaina cried, leaping after the vicious creature, but Raynar was already moving to dodge the sweeping claws. He launched himself forward, narrowly missing the campfire.

Menacing yellow eyes glittered in the firelight.

The rakhmar overshot its target and grazed Raynar's leg with its razorsharp rear claws.

The jungle predator spun around as Raynar snatched a burning branch from the fire, ready to defend himself. The rakhmar crouched on its back legs, muscles coiled, ready to lunge again.

Raynar held his torch high. A strong arm yanked him backward just as the predator sprang--and a pair of lightsabers slashed past him in a parallel glare of emerald green and electric violet.

The energy blades sliced the vicious rakhmar into three even pieces that fell to the ground with wet thumps.

With their lightsabers still blazing, Jacen and Jaina inspected the clearing for any