Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 11_ The Emperor's Plague - Kevin J. Anderson [51]
Peace flowed into him through the Force, and though his sorrow was not diminished, he found that he could face it now, accept it. By the time Zekk returned with the news that the space skirmish was over and it was safe to take him over to the Tradewyn, Raynar was ready to see his mother. Aryn Dro Thul and Uncle Tyko met the Lightning Rod in one of the Tradewyn's docking bays just seconds after pressure and atmosphere were restored to the enormous chamber.
Aryn Dro Thul's midnight-blue gown clung to her as dignity clings to a queen. One look at her told Raynar that she already knew of her husband's death. She wore the multicolored sash of the House of Thul tied in mourning about her left arm, rather than in its usual place at her waist, and she carried an air of regal sorrow about her. Tyko Thul's moon-round face was damp with tears, and he too wore his sash on his left arm.
Raynar walked slowly down the Lightning Rod's ramp. Then, as if in a choreographed dance, he and his mother and his uncle drew together in a tight circle and embraced.
"You were right about your father," Tyko said in a voice taut with emotion. "He was a good man."
"I'm so proud of him for what he did," Aryn added. "And you." She produced a Thul sash from a fold in her gown and held it out to Raynar.
He took the colorful strip of cloth and gravely tied it around the left arm of his Jedi robe, in tribute to his father. Hearing a noise behind him, Raynar turned to find Zekk standing beside the Lightning Rod.
"I guess I'll just be going now," the dark-haired boy said. "I think you're in good hands here, Raynar."
His mother nodded. "We'll take him back to the Jedi academy when he's ready. We have a Ceremony of the Waters to celebrate in honor of his father first. Thank you for your help, Zekk-for everything you've done."
"From all of us," Tyko Thul added.
"Will I see you back on Yavin 4?" Raynar asked.
"When I get there?" Zekk's emerald eyes opened wide, as if surprised at the question. "I don't know," he said simply. "I've got some thinking to do."
During the next week, Coruscant was abustle with activity, more so than Jaina could ever remember. Delegations were requested and brought in from every species on every planet that had been allied with the Diversity Alliance. Kur, newly appointed head of Ryloth's government, sent two representatives for his people: one Twi'lek man and one Twi'lek woman.
Jaina's mother spent all but a few hours each day in meetings with the new delegates, both individually and in groups. During her few precious free hours, Leia slept. The young Jedi Knights spent nearly as many hours as Leia did welcoming delegates to the capital world and giving further reports to the New Republic Senate on what they had learned of the Diversity Alliance. Lusa and Sirra, now back from Ryloth, gave their accounts, as did Master Skywalker and the other members of the investigation team. All of them spent hours interviewing various former members of the Diversity Alliance and finding out their reasons for joining, what they had hoped to accomplish.
Em Teedee was constantly pressed into service to provide translations during these interviews, since, as he often pointed out, he was fluent in over sixteen forms of communication. By the end of the week, a Cooperative Council of Independent Planetary Governments had been formed with representatives from every species on every world. Their charter included an agreement, signed by every member, to work together for the good of all species and the detriment of none.
Aryn Dro Thul placed the Bornaryn Trading Fleet at the disposal of the new council and its representatives, while Tyko Thul volunteered the resources of his droid manufacturing facilities on Mechis III. The Hapan government offered financial assistance to the Cooperative Council. There was work for everyone, and when Leia asked Lowie's sister