"Well, I suppose it's illegal . . . from a certain point of view,"
Tyko said, "if you're strictly literal about it. But they were just for
show. All of my new assassin droids had explicit programming to prevent
them from harming anyone. Rather disqualifies
them as 'assassin' droids, wouldn't you say? Not terribly practical
either, except that their other capabilities make them unusually
versatile and powerful."
Tenel Ka's brows knitted together, and her storm-gray eyes flashed. "So.
We were never in actual danger on Kuar?"
"Oh, you were in plenty of danger--but not from my droids," Tyko said.
"The combat arachnids could have sliced you to pieces. I never
anticipated those beasts." Tyko patted the gleaming durasteel arm of
IG-88. "In fact, it's a good thing my droids were there, because I'm
not sure you kids could have handled all those ferocious monsters."
Tenel Ka seemed somewhat mollified to know that at least some of the
danger had been genuine.
Jaina looked the assassin droid up and down.
"So, IG-88's just a replica, too? A copy of the original?"
"No, he's real enough," Tyko said. "I found him here when I took over
Mechis III. This whole planet was such a mess!" He shook his head, and
then moved on to inspect another station where motivators were being
installed into the torsos of a new series of astromech droids.
"When I got here, all the systems were in a shambles. Them was some
sort of revolution here, and it took me a long time to uncover all the
details.
I was astonished to discover that the droids themselves had fostered
this rebellion, killing their human masters as part of some grand plan
to take over the galaxy. According to the records I was able to
reconstruct, IG-88--the real assassin droid--was behind it somehow.
"Apparently, IG-88 had made several copies of himself, which went out to
do the bounty-hunting work that made him so famous. Those copies were
all destroyed in various escapades. This one, though, the primary one,
had developed a scheme to upload his entire electronic consciousness, is
it were, into the second Death Star computer core so that he could
become the galaxy's most powerful weapon!"
"Not the best choice," Jacen said. "We all know what happened to the
second Death Star."
Tyko smiled indulgently at him. "So IG-88 left behind the empty shell
of his original body, which I found. I was careful to completely purge
its systems, every memory bank. I replaced its central processing core,
gave it new programming. This droid is now absolutely loyal to me, but
still as capable as the old IG-88."
After completing the circuit of the manufacturing floor, Tyko took them
back to the tube shuttle, which returned them to the main headquarters
building.
"Well, well," Raynar said, his forehead creased with concern as he
sorted out the details of Tyko's
plan. "At least you've got IG-88 to protect you, if there's ever a real
assault from the people who are after my father."
Tyko looked skeptically at his nephew. "My dear boy, I'm certain
Bornan's gotten himself into some sort of trouble, but I doubt that
there are really people chasing him who intend to harm him," he said as
he led them to the broad lift platform again.
"Mark my words--there's no danger here."
The lift platform lurched as it shot them skyward again, back up to the
administration levels.
BEFORE HEADING OFF to Mechis III on his search for Tyko Thul, Zekk
diverted the Lightning Rod to the asteroid station of Borgo Prime.
He had no intention of missing the scheduled rendezvous
with his mysterious employer.
Bornan Thul.
Zekk sat inside Shanko's Hive all alone at a table, wearing a scuffed
flight suit, his long dark hair neatly tied back. While he waited, Zekk
permits issued for legal droid commerce throughout the New Republic. All
restrictions against constructing automated assassins remained in
effect. According to public transaction records on file with the
Department of Galactic Commerce, no droid construction
facility--including Tyko's own operation on Mechis III--had a permit
either to build or sell assassin droids.
IG-88 and his newly constructed companions remained a mystery to Zekk.
Something just didn't fit ....
He had ordered a hot meal from the insectlike Shanko, but chewed without
tasting, wrapped up in his own thoughts. Apprehending Bornan Thul for
the famous bounty was not an option at the moment, since the contract
with his employer was not yet complete. He still had to find Tyko.
Repeatedly glancing at his chronometer, he rehearsed what he intended to
say to the man. Though Boba Fett had given him advice, questions
remained at the back of Zekk's mind. This was a dangerous time for him.
Less than an hour now until his meeting ....
Zekk slurped another mouthful of the spicy stew. His stomach roiled,
but Shanko had assured him that this meal was human-compatible.
His queasiness was due more to anxiety over the impending meeting than
any lack of quality in the cooking.
Shanko's Hive was abustle with hundreds of patrons of all different
species. The insectoid owner kept his crowded establishment clean and
in excellent repair, much in contrast to the dingy Mos Eisley cantina.
Zekk kept his eye on everyone, studying, searching.
Bornan Thul arrived in a new disguise this time,
but Zekk spotted him fight away. His employer wore a maroon caftan, a
brown turban around his head, and a metal breath mask that covered his
nose and mouth, the type worn by inhabitants of heavily polluted worlds.
Thul didn't notice Zekk at first. The man's partially obscured gaze
darted around the bar furtively, as if he were anxious about being among
so many people. If Zekk had any lingering doubts about his employer's
identity, they were dispelled the moment he sensed Thul's tension.
At his table Zekk sat back and wondered whether he should raise a hand
to wave his employer over.
He decided the attention might startle Bornan Thul, so he simply waited
until the disguised man noticed him.
"I have only a few moments," Thul said without preamble when he finally
located Zekk and slid into the seat next to him. The metallic breath
mask filtered his voice. "Quickly--give me your report!"
Under the turban, Thul's gaze continued to dart warily around at the
other patrons in Shanko's Hive.
Zekk found this alermess ironic, since right now he himself was the
bounty hunter Bornan Thul should have feared the most.
Zekk laced his fingers behind his head and feigned relaxation.
"I've completed the first part of your task," he said. "I sent the
message for the Bomaryn fleet through all the communication nodes you
suggested. I have, of course, received no word as to whether Aryn Dro
Thul actually got the transmission . . . but it's likely."
Bornan Thul seemed to melt with relief, and instantly the lines around
his shadowed eyes softened.
Waves of long-repressed emotion flowed from him like a physical
presence.
Zekk decided to tell the rest of his story. "Immediately after I
transmitted your message, a bounty hunter attacked me. He'd been
waiting for just such a signal. He pounced, but I managed to outwit him
and escape."
The disguised man nodded gravely. "You see--I was right to be
cautious."
"Yes. That bounty hunter thought he had found you . . . Bornan
Thul." Zekk's voice was barely above a whisper.
The man stiffened and looked ready to leap away in panic. Zekk held up
a hand. "If I had planned to capture you, I could have stunned you the
moment you sat down. Relax." Ze.kk tossed his long dark hair, trying to
unwind the tension in his neck. "How long did you think you could hide
it? You were pretty obvious. I guessed your identity the first time we
met, even in your disguise."
Bornan Thul swallowed so hard that Zekk could hear it through the
metallic breath mask. Thul kept
his voice low. "I was raised as a noble of Alderaan.
I have been a successful merchant, a prominent trade negotiator--I have
had little practice at hiding myself."
"That much is obvious," Zekk said with a thin smile. "I'm impressed
that you've managed to elude capture so far. You know, I'd earn
incredible fame and notoriety if I were to take you in now--but that
wouldn't be honorable. The Bounty Hunter's Creed forbids me to work
against my employer. I accepted your assignment, and I won't betray
you. So you're safe--at least until I've fulfilled all my obligations
to you.
"I still haven't found your brother, though I've got a lead on Tyko's
kidnapping. I have quite a few questions that are still unanswered, so
I'm on my way to Mechis III. I have a feeling I can learn more there
about what's happened to him, maybe even find him."
"We cannot meet again," Bornan Thul said, his voice trembling.
"Now that you know who I am."
Zekk's emerald eyes narrowed. "Then how can I be sure I'll get paid
when I accomplish the task?"
"I'm an honorable man, too," Thul said. "When my brother is found, the
credits will appear in your account. From that point on, I will
consider you another enemy to be avoided at all cost."
He stood up, considered, then turned back to the
table. "Young man, you can't begin to understand the consequences if
you delivered me to Nolaa Tarkona. Do you have any idea why she wants
me so badly?"
Zekk shook his head. "A bounty hunter doesn't ask questions! My job is
to complete the task.
Politics, emotions, and legal nuances are better left to more complex
entities."
Thul heaved a ponderous sigh. "Perhaps you would think differently if
you knew all that I know," he said. "If Nolaa Tarkona were to get the
information I am protecting, she would not hesitate to use it.
It might result in the extinction of all humans.
Consider how far you're willing to go to earn fame as a bounty
hunter--and how many lives you would risk in the process."
Zekk shifted uncomfortably, trying not to consider the implications.
Unexpectedly, a loud and unruly fight broke out at the automated
musical-selection apparatus on the other side of the bar. A burly,
white-furred Talz shoved aside a tusk-faced Whiphid. The Whiphid
roared, lowered his cliff-sized head, and butted the Talz in the chest.
The white slothlike creature squealed in high-pitched alarm and began
pounding the Whiphid in turn.
Tables crashed oven The music machine toppled with a jangle of
synthesized squawks. The murmuring conversation in Shanko's Hive
changed to resounding gasps and cheers as friends of the combatants and
other enthusiastic patrons hurled themselves into the fray.
Shanko gestured with one pair of multijointed arms, and his three-armed
bartender lumbered into the brawl with a loud bellow.
Droq'l grasped the Talz and the Whiphid with his outer two hands,
forcefully separating them. At the same time, his central hand balled
into a battering-ram fist and punched each creature in an extremely
sensitive area particular to their species.
Both fighters dropped like stones, and Droq'l glared down at them as
their supporters backed away to slink into the shadows. The bartender
righted the music machine, kicked it once to start it working again,
then glowered at the two groggy aliens.
"Your bar tab will reflect a surcharge for the necessary repairs," he
growled, then stalked back to the bar. There the insectoid Shanko, who
had watched the entire altercation without comment, rewarded his
bartender with a full tankard of Osskorn Stout.
Zekk shook his head and turned back to Bornan Thul--but the man was
gone. He looked around in alarm, but saw no sign of the fugitive.
Thul had vanished completely, just as he had last time ....
Zekk decided there was no point in pursuing his employer. It would do
no good. Instead, he would finish his stew, and then head for Mechis HI
straightaway.
WHEN THE YOUNG Jedi Knights returned to the administrative offices, Tyko
hurried off to arrange for a meal to be brought in. Now that he had let
them in on his plan, he seemed determined to be the attentive host.
But something still bothered Jaina. "I'm not sure quite what it is,"
she said, "but something about your uncle's story doesn't add up,
Raynar."
Raynar frowned, as troubled as she was, "You don't think he was lying,
do you?"
· "We would have sensed that, I think," Jacen said.
"He was telling the truth."
Tenel Ka arched an eyebrow. "I found several logical flaws in his
scheme."
"Well, for one thing," Raynar said, "he's assuming my father is pulling
a scam. He doesn't seem to believe my family is in any real danger."
"Yeah, that doesn't make any sense," Jacen piped
up. "Your uncle may have faked his own kidnapping, but Boba Fett was
sure serious enough in the shards of Alderaan."
Jaina added, "Yes, and the bounty hunter Kusk and his brother who tried
to get you and your mother away from the Tradewyn were no hoax.
I'd say they were pretty real--not to mention dangerous."
"We need to tell my mother that Uncle Tyko is safe," Raynar said.
"That'll be one less thing for her to worry about." Looking around the
spacious administrative office, his eyes glinted with determination.
"We should get these targeted defensive lasers working again before we
leave--just in case Uncle Tyko gets any unwanted visitors."
"I'm certain that the gesture would be greatly appreciated," Em Teedee
said. "If Mistress Jaina would be so kind as to link me to the defense
control systems, I believe I might be of some assistance."
Jaina grinned and pulled her multitool from the pocket of her jumpsuit.
"I'm always prepared."
She rapidly removed the access plates on the mined weapons systems. By
the time Tyko returned, followed by IG-88 and a serving droid that
carried the midd
ay meal, the young Jedi Knights had managed to repair
two of the four targeting lasers.
"I don't believe it!" Tyko beamed. He patted
Raynar on the back. "But then, of course, we Thuls have always been
resourceful."
"I didn't do this alone," Raynar objected. "Everyone helped--even Em
Teedee."
"Yes, of course, my boy," Tyko answered. He glanced over at the console
to which the translating unit had been wired. "Ah, Em Teedee, how kind
of you to lend, um. . . to lend a wire. You are the one droid in the
galaxy I truly trust--with the exception of my own IG-88, of course."
"Why, thank you, Master Tyko. I do try," Em Teedee said, almost
preening. The compliment seemed to make no impression on IG-88,
however.
Working and tinkering always helped Jaina to concentrate, to let her
subconscious work out things that were bothering her. Something clicked
now in her mind, and she turned from her work to stare directly at the
red-eyed assassin droid.
"Now; children, what may I offer you to eat?"
Tyko asked. "We have kebroot stew, dried ossber-ries, a fine--" "Wait,"