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Jacen tried to clear his mind. They were getting answers, but he had no idea what they were talking about! He hoped someone knew.

Lilmit seemed to warm up to them now. "I was testing you, of course.

For Anja. You can never be too sure about these things," he said, nodding several times. "Especially since you interfered with my shipment to Anobis. I got into a lot of trouble for that."

"We had our reasons," Zekk broke in, "but we'd like to make it up to you now."

Lilmit smiled. "You're sure you can get me the engine parts I need?"

Of course-nothing simpler," Jaina assured him smoothly.

Lowie rumbled a curt suggestion. "Master Lowbacca advises you to talk first," Em Teedee translated. "Then we will see to getting your parts." I

"But you'll have to do the engine work yourself," Jaina warned.

"We've got our own mission."

Lilmit nodded. "Fair enough. Just as long as I get off of this rock... in time."

As a Jedi, Jaina felt bound by her promises, no matter whom she made them to, and so once they got back to Chief Administrator's cozy underground office, the first order of business was to make sure Lilmit got the promised engine parts. Once that was taken care of, Nien Nunb listened carefully to their description of the encounter with the former gunrunner.

The Sullustan touched a finger to his layered lips and murmured thoughtfully. Em Teedee was proud to offer an immediate translation.

"Master Nien Nunb believes that Lilmit's urgent desire to leave Kessel before some mysterious deadline indicates that some conspiracy is indeed afoot."

"Does seem to kind of support your theory that something's going on, Nien Nunb," Jaina agreed. "But we have no idea what. Lilmit's anxiety could be something perfectly simple."

"Or perhaps not," Tenel Ka said ominously. "We must be prepared. " Lowie roared, and the little droid responded rather than translating.

"Oh, indeed, Master Lowbacca, we mustn't leave Master Nien Nunb unprotected here in the spice mines. He can trust us, of course, but otherwise he has no idea who his friends or his enemies might be."

"All right. So we'll have to leave someone here while the rest of us go look for our friend," Jaina said. "Zekk?"

He gave a vigorous shake of his head. "Anja has the Lightning Rod.

I'm not going to stay here while the rest of you go after her."

Jaina frowned but had to admit the logic of this. She knew better than to get between a being and his ship. "Jacen, how about you?"

Her brother gave her an "Oh, come on!" type of look. "Jaina, if Anja trusts anybody, it's me. I can't leave her out there to face her problems all alone."

Jaina's heart sank. She couldn't really ask Tenel Ka to stay here and let Zekk and Jacen go flying off in her ship, the Rock Dragon. She turned toward her last hope. "Lowie?" she said in a weak voice.

Lowie slapped a ginger-furred hand on her back and rumbled something consoling.

"An excellent idea, Mistress Jaina," Em Teedee said. "Master Lowbacca and I should be delighted to stay here with you and er, urn... protect the interests of Master Nien Nunb."

Jaina gave an unconvincing smile. "Right." She hadn't really wanted to stay here herself, but she couldn't argue the matter now.

Zekk put an arm around her shoulder, leaned close, and whispered, "Thanks for understanding."

Jaina snorted. Zekk kissed her playfully on the cheek and said, "By the way, is it my turn to rescue you this time, or the other way around?"

Jaina pretended to glare at him until he kissed her on the other cheek.

He grinned. "Don't worry. If you need me, I'll be back."

Jaina slid both anus around his waist to hug him tightly. She pressed her cheek against Zekk's, whispered, "May the Force be with you," and then let go.

With Zekk as pilot, Jacen as copilot, and Tenel Ka as navigator, the trio set off for Mon Calamari in the Rock Dragon. Jacen was interested to see that Zekk looked much more relaxed when he was piloting a starship. He could sense that his dark-haired friend used the Force unconsciously to help him maneuver, judge