Jaina said, her eyes still on IG-88. "I have a few questions first."
"Very well, my dear, but don't dawdle. Our meal is waiting."
Jaina worded her question carefully. "Didn't you say that those new
assassin droids were programmed not to kill?"
"Why, of course, my child. I programmed them
myself," Tyko answered. "Nothing at all to worry about. Now, can I
offer you some sparkling ale or would you prefer--"
"But," Jaina interrupted again, "on Kuar your assassin droids blasted
several combat arachnids into dripping chunks."
Tenel Ka nodded suspiciously. "This is a fact. It certainly qualifies
as killing."
"Hey, that's right," Jacen said. "Combat arachnids are very rare
creatures."
".No! Combat arachnids don't really qualify, of course," the
round-faced man spluttered. "The droids were protecting you.
Besides--it's not as if those things were human."
Jaina's stomach clenched as the implications of his words sank in.
Raynat had also gone as pale as stormtrooper armor. "Are you saying,"
the young man asked in a strangled voice, "that your droids have no
compunctions against killing anything--or anyone--that isn't human?"
"An assassin droid wouldn't be much of a bodyguard if it couldn't
protect me from an attack by those combat arachnids, would it?" Tyko
said.
"Our Wookiee friend Lowbacca was with us on Kuar as well," Tenel Ka said
in a dangerous voice.
"And he's not human," Jacen said. "Neither is Raaba."
"Neither am I, I might add," Em Teedee chimed
in. "And I am completely without defenses of my
own."
Jaina swallowed to loosen the tightness in her throat. "Does that mean,
then, that Lowie could have been killed in your little staged attack?"
Tyko looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Well, I suppose it might have
happened. In theory, at least."
He held up his hands in a placating gesture. "But it's hardly an issue
anymore. It didn't happen, and that's what's important."
Raynar's hands squeezed into tight fists, and his jaw clenched.
Jaina had never before seen such an angry expression on his face. "In
that case, Uncle, I'd say it was a very good thing that all of your
assassin droids were destroyed on Kuar."
"Yes," Jaina said, turning her attention back to IG-88. "All but one."
"Well, well, well," Raynar said. His eyes narrowed, and a shrewd
expression stole over his face.
"That gives me an idea."
Though Jaina missed Lowie's expertise in programming, she set to work on
IG-88 as soon as they had finished their meal. Annoyed over what she
intended to do, but unable to argue against it, Tyko Thul left in a huff
to check on more assembly lines.
With Em Teedee's assistance, Jaina decided to use the broad
administrative desk as an "operating" table. The sinister configuration
of IG-88 still caused her to shiver as she pondered all the beings this
machine must have killed over the decades. But Tyko Thul had flushed
its murderous program and replaced its processors.
Now, the menacing droid awaited its revised instructions--and Jaina
obliged.
"This was an excellent idea, Raynat," Tenel Ka said, clapping an
approving hand on the blond boy's shoulder.
While Jaina completed her special "modifications," the rest of the young
Jedi Knights finished the repairs to the targeting-laser defensive
systems.
Jacen peered into the open durasteel casing of IG-88's torso where Jaina
was working. "I think it just may work."
"There, that ought to do it," Jaina said. She triggered a test switch.
The assassin droid raised his gun arm, but did not fire. She smiled and
flicked the switch off again. "All systems function perfectly, but
or alien. He's programmed to serve and protect." She closed IG-88's
casing and disconnected Em Teedee's diagnostic leads.
Raynar smiled. "I doubt my uncle could have programmed him any better
than you did. Now he's the perfect bodyguard."
At this Em Teedee piped up. "In light of your uncle's expertise, I
wonder if I might make a special request? . . ."
STEAM HISSED ON the primary droid assembly line. The pungent smells of
molten plasteel, lubricants, and hot machinery filled the air.
"Best droid enhancements anywhere in the galaxy," Tyko Thul said with
obvious pride, gesturing toward the rows of conveyor belts.
"Manufactured right here and subjected to the most rigorous quality
control you'll find anywhere. I'm sure you can find anything you need."
Flustered, Jaina continued to tinker with Em Teedee, wondering what
parts she might "need."
She turned the little droid around in her hands so he could better view
the dozens of assembly lines that stretched for kilometers down the
length of the utilitarian facility.
"Why, it's breathtaking, isn't it?" Em Teedee said in a reverent voice.
"I am dreadfully sorry to be so
much trouble. I never meant to impose. I'm certain you all have more
urgent matters to attend to."
Jaina raised the silvery oval to her eye level and looked earnestly into
his yellow optical sensors.
"It's all right. You're important to us too, you know."
"Come now, my dear little droid," Tyko said.
"You must allow me to give you a gift as thanks for all you've done to
help protect the Thul family.
BeEides, I'm delighted at the opportunity to demonstrate our workmanship
in such a practical way.
Go ahead, feel free to select any enhancements that interest you."
"That's a terribly gracious offer," Em Teedee said in a warbling voice.
"I can't help but think that if I'd had a few more enhancements--if I
were a bit more useful--Master Lowbacca might not have left me behind ."
"Take your pick, Em Teedee," Jacen said. "Plenty to choose from."
"Do you not wish to be enhanced?" Tenel Ka asked. "Consider the
question well." After the warrior girl's arm had been severed in a
lightsaber training accident, Tenel Ka had struggled with whether or not
to use a synthetic arm. In the end, she had decided against it.
"Perhaps I should start by showing you what's available?" Tyko suggested
with a broad gesture.
For the next two hours Em Teedee was as happy
as a child in a plaything emporium. Jaina could understand the feeling,
since she was almost as fascinated by the endless possibilities as the
little droid was. They considered enhanced optical sensors, motion
detectors, new remote analysis routines.
"Dear me! I've always been a simple translating droid," Em Teedee said.
"Whatever would I do with so many capabilities?"
"Ah, then you might be interested in our linguistic upgrades."
Tyko held up a new traced-circuit crystal. "Here on Mechis III we
produce a variety of modules containing anywhere from ten languages to
ten million, depending on what a particular droid is required to know."
"I'm afraid Em Teedee's processor wasn't designed to handle a million
languages," Jaina said.
"He just doesn't have that kind of capacity."
"No," Tyko agreed. "But a few--say, ten--additional languages shouldn't
strain his capacity."
Unaccustomed to being the center of attention, Em Teedee listened to
each opinion before making his choice. In the end, he selected a
secondary protocol module that added ten of the most frequently used
languages in the galaxy to those he already had.
When the installation process was finished, Jaina closed the silvery
casing. "Well, Em Teedee, how does it feel?"
"Why, it feels absolutely . . . ops'nyzh! That is an expression that
means 'approaching euphoric' in the Bothan language. Oh--I didn't know
that word before. Now I am fluent in over sixteen forms of
communication!"
Em Teedee decided against adding an obscure idiom analysis chip, but at
the next assembly line, he discovered an unexpected enhancement
opportunity that was too enticing to turn down: his own repulsor unit.
"Just think of it," the droid said, "complete mobility for the first
time since I was activated!"
"Hey, yeah. We wouldn't have to carry you around all the time when
Lowie's not here," Jacen said.
That clinched it. The companions needed to offer no further
encouragement for Em Teedee to accept the enhancement.
Jaina brought out her multitool and commandeered a set of specialized
instruments from one of the assembly lines. She fitted a narrow
circular collar with a hundred mircorepulsorjets to the base of Em
Teedee's oblong head.
"There," she said, tightening the last tiny bolt into place. Em
Teedee's optical sensors gleamed with curiosity. "The controls are
wired directly into your processor. By selecting the number, strength,
and location of the repulsors operating at a given
time, you should be able to maneuver in any direction."
"Oh, thank you, Mistress Jaina. This is even more exciting than the
waterproofing gaskets you outfitted me with."
"Well, try it out," Raynar said. "Let's see you move."
The repulsorjets whispered, and the ovular miniaturized droid lifted
from the table like a levitating ball. "This seems simple enough," Em
Teedee said.
"I think I'll try going a little higher."
The little droid rocketed toward the far distant ceiling like a
projectile fired from a cannon. His speaker grille sounded in alarm,
and the next thing Jaina heard was a metallic clang as Em Teedee struck
one of the overhead support girders.
"Em Teedee, be careful up there!" she called.
Next the silvery oval came down, only to streak past them, moving
sideways down the long corridor, out of control. "Help! Please help!
Dear me!"
"The lateral thrusters seem to be working well," Tyko said calmly.
"Dampen the output!" Jaina cried. "Use your collision-avoidance
routines."
Em Teedee managed to reverse himself and shot back toward them.
Flying upside down, the translating droid circled the table where Jaina
had performed her modifications. "How very odd! Everything seems to
have changed. What have I done?
Were my optical sensors damaged when I hit the ceiling? I'm doomed! Now
I shall be dismantled for scrap metal--" Jaina reached out and twisted
the little droid in the air, righting him. "There. Now take a look
around."
Em Teedee hovered, wobbling as he adjusted repulsors to maintain his
balance. "Oh my, this is quite disorienting. I never realized how
challenging mobility could be."
"Just think of it as your baby steps." Jacen grinned as they gathered
around the upgraded droid.
"You just need a little more practice."
Em Teedee's golden optical sensors flickered.
"Ah, that's better. My gyroscopes and coordinate sensors needed to be
recalibrated. I'm certain I'll be much more stable now--so long as I
proceed with caution. Just let me get my bearings and--oh! Look out
behind you!" he wailed.
Suddenly a compelling voice rang out through the echoing lower levels.
"Stop right there! I've got blasters aimed at you. No one moves--no
one gets hurt."
Raynar knew the voice, though he couldn't place it in the flash of
adrenaline that surged through his bloodstream. Surprisingly, his Jedi
senses told him that this voice brought no threat, no danger, despite
the words.
"No fast moves now. Everyone, raise your hands and turn toward me."
Raynar turned to face a pair of blasters pointing at their little group,
but the intruder lurked in shadow behind the assembly line machinery.
Then a young man stepped forward, emerald-green eyes wide with
amazement. His long dark hair had come loose from the thong at the base
of his neck.
"Why, Master Zekk, what a great pleasure it is to see you again!"
Em Teedee caroled from somewhere over Raynar's head.
"Zekk!" Jaina cried out, her face suddenly turning a flattering shade of
pink.
The young bounty hunter looked tired. Smudges of filthy lubricants
stained his cheeks and forehead, and one sleeve of his tight-fitting
uniform was scorched through. "Jaina! Jacen!" He gaped at the others
around him. "What are you all doing here?"
"Hey, Zekk," Jacen replied with a welcoming
grin. "Kind of a rough way to say hello, isn't it?"
"Greetings," Tenel Ka said.
As Zekk lowered his weapons, Jaina launched herself into his arms and
twirled him in a happy hug. "It's so good to see you again! Did you
get my holomessages? Hey, how did you make it past the targeted
lasers?"
Zekk indicated the singed place on his arm. "It wasn't easy."
Tyko chose this moment to break up the reunion.
"More to the point, my young hoodlum, what are you doing here?
What business do you have threatening us? You're lucky IG-88 didn't
blast you to cinders."
Zekk took a moment to holster his weapons and give Jaina a real hug
before looking directly into Tyko's eyes. "I take it you're Tyko Thul?
I was hired to rescue you. But it looks like I'm a bit late for that."
Tyko stared skeptically at Zekk. "Do you really expect me to believe
you were hired to help me? A scruffy-looking bounty hunter like you?
Aryn Dro Thul would hardly have contracted with some disreputable
juvenile to come to my rescue. She could afford the most famous names
in the business."
Raynar considered this with surprise. Would his mother have hired Zekk?
Remembering how the dark-haired young man had dumped him into the river
mud during the Second Imperium's attack, he still felt some resentment
toward Zekk.
"First of all," Zekk answered in a stern tone, "the 'most famous names
in the business' are already out hunting for your brother.
Second, it was Bornan Thul himself, not Aryn Dro, who hired me. He wore
a disguise, but still risked his life to enlist my help.
Just to find you. He attempted to remain anonymous, but I discovered
his identity anyway."
This news changed everything. Raynar's face lit
up. "You saw my father? Is he all right? Where is
he? Can I go to
him?"
Compassion showed in Zekk's emerald eyes when he looked at the
blond-haired boy. "He's alive and healthy, at least--but he had to go
back into hiding. Everyone is after him."
"Why didn't you simply bring him in, you fool?"
Tyko snapped. "Aren't you a bounty hunter? Our family would have
rewarded you with more than enough credits to make it worth your while."
"It was tempting," Zekk admitted. "But that wouldn't have been
honorable. I can't betray my employer."
"Honor," Tyko sneered. "Who ever heard of a bounty hunter concerned
with his honor? Besides, Boman left his entire family to think him
kidnapped or dead, for who knows what reason. How honorable is that?"
Raynar rounded on his uncle. "All right, let's discuss honor.
Aren't you the one who arranged to have yourself kidnapped, Uncle Tyko?
You let us believe you were in gmat danger. How honorable is that?"