Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 13_ Trouble on Cloud City - Kevin J. Anderson [9]
Lando punched a command into his datapad and reoriented his holographic model. As the others drew closer to look at the tiny rendering of the amusement park, he pointed out the various rides and experience chambers he and Cojahn had planned in their grand scheme for SkyCenter Galleria.
"Some of this was going to be in Phase II." He shook his head.
He kept his voice flat as he struggled to control his emotions, though Jaina could tell that Lando remained deeply disturbed. "We'd intended this place to be a long-term investment, our greatest success. We had a ten-year plan for expanding, bringing in new people."
He stared upward at the catwalks, support braces, and colorful backdrops of cloth. "That's why it was so important for me to have you kids here as
'test consultants." We wanted to get everything right-the look, the details, the thrills. Now I don't know how I'm gonna do half of this by myself."
"Can't you find other investors?" Jacen asked. "This place is a great idea." Tenel Ka looked at him, and Lowie grumbled a comment.
Lando nodded sincerely. "Probably, in a pinch-but it won't be the same.
Half of SkyCenter Galleria was Cojahn's idea." They arrived at the top of a vortex tunnel. "This one was my idea, though."
Bright red-and-white barricades blocked off the dangerous-looking pit...
but the barricades looked like props, part of the scenery.
Stepping closer, Jaina looked down into the ominous shaft, where mist and colored lights swirled, increasing the mystery.
"Come on, it's about time we had a little fun," Lando said. "Follow me, everybody."
He grabbed Jaina's arm and the two of them jumped into the hole.
Instinctively she cried out. Before she knew it, Jacen and Tenel Ka had jumped in after them. Anja fought unsuccessfully when Zekk pushed the older girl into the pit, then jumped in with Lowie close behind.
As Jaina dropped, she could hear the miniaturized translating droid scolding as they all dropped down, down...... Oh my! Master Lowbacca, are you absolutely certain that this is safe? It may not have been tested yet. We could be doomed......
Jaina clamped her mouth shut and let herself fall, drifting down, confident that Lando would never have led them into danger, though she realized his stunned grief might have caused him to be more impetuous than he normally would have been.
One by one they dropped. First they descended through a blast of supercold mist that froze into frost on the tiny hairs on Jaina's arms.
Next they dropped through a warm, tropical steam. They kept falling, swirling, spinning around as cyclonic winds tugged them from level to level. Loud rushing sounds roared in their ears as they plunged past speakers embedded in the walls, no doubt intended to increase the sensation of speed and "danger" in their fall.
Finally, after they'd passed through a raft of semisolid bubbles that slowed their descent, a blasting air cushion rocketed up from below.
Suddenly buoyant, they drifted gently down to land on a thick pad at the bottom.
With a carefree laugh, Jaina reached up to catch her brother, while the big hairy mass of Lowbacca nearly bowled Lando over on the mat.
They staggered off the padded landing platform into the holding area.
"Did you kids enjoy that?" Lando said, checking a bank of controls and over-rides. All the lights registered green.
"We loved it," Jaina said.
:'Can we do it again?" Jacen asked.
"Dear me, no! Please feel free to enjoy the experience without me next time," Em Teedee huffed.
"It was quite stimulating," Tenel Ka agreed.
Without a word, Anja smoothed back her hair and adjusted her garments.
She glared daggers at Zekk, but he didn't seem to care.
"I'd