and the Rock Dragon. We're fine."
The answer appeared to satisfy Raynar, who finally let Jacen lead him into
the back. Jacen took a deep breath, held it for a few heartbeats, and slowly
released it.
Then, to break the tension, he said, "I guess you're pretty scared."
Raynar sat down, shoulders hunched over, and stared at the deckplates. "How
would you feel if somebody in your family was missing and maybe even dead?"
From the astromech station, Artoo-Detoo whistled a mournful note.
Jacen gave a humorless laugh. "Believe it or not, that situation isn't
completely uncommon in my family. I know how you feel."
Raynat looked up at Jacen. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth!
"Yeah, I guess you do at that."
An hour later when Luke called them back to the cockpit, both boys were
more relaxed. Raynat even attempted a joke or two. Jacen already knew the punch
lines, but he laughed anyway because it was so funny to hear the normally
pompous boy working so hard to use humor. The kid wasn't too bad, Jacen decided,
but he needed a little. work on his timing and delivery.
As soon as they buckled themselves into their seats, Raynar began to show
signs of nervousness again. "Why don't you tell Uncle Luke your joke, Raynat?"
Jacen said.
"The one about the Neff herder and the purple rancor?"
"Maybe later," Luke said. "We're just about there. Okay... now," he said,
nodding to Jacen.
Jacen leaned forward and disengaged the hyperdrive. The starlines shortened
abruptly and resolved themselves into a million twinkling lights in the
blackness of space.
Empty space, without any merchant ships anywhere in sight.
Jacen blinked in surprise. "Where are they?" He asked.. "What happened to
the fleet?"
Luke Skywalker looked at the control panel, perplexed. "These are the
coordinates they gave me."
"They're gone," Raynat said in a gloomy voice. "The fleet has left without
me."
Jacen adjusted the volume controls as the cockpit speaker crackled to life.
"Shadow Chaser, this is Rock Dragon," Jaina's voice said.
"Kinda lonely out here. Weren't we expecting company?"
"Still waiting to make contact," Jacen answered. "Uncle Luke says " From
the comm speaker a new female voice cut through his transmission. "Shadow Chaser
and Rock Dragon, please broadcast confirmation of your identities."
At Luke's nod, Jacen complied. They waited. "Identities confirmed," the
voice said at last. "This is the Tryst. I am prepared to take you--" "Where is
my mother? Where is the fleet?" Raynar cut in. "They were supposed to meet us
here. What have you done with them?"
"Ah, would that be Master Raynar Thul?" the voice answered. "This is your
second cousin, Captain Dro Prack, of the security shuttle Tryst assigned to the
Tradew'yn. Now if you'll all be so kind as to slave your navigational computers
to mine, we can be on our way to rendezvous with the fleet."
"Um, shuttle Tryst?" Jaina's voice came over the speaker. "We were under
the impression that this was the rendezvous point."
"That was the impression we intended you to have," Captain Prack said.
"This was just an intermediate stop to make sure no one followed you."
"What if it's a trap? I've barely met most of my second cousins," Raynar
said in a low voice. "We, uh, have a large extended family. Half of them left
Alderaan decades ago when the Emperor came into power."
In spite of the relaxation exercises he'd been doing, Raynar looked
agitated again.
"Can you confirm that she really works for your family?" Luke asked.
"Is there a question you can ask her?" Jacen added. "Maybe some kind of
secret code your family uses in emergencies?"
Raynar thought for a moment, then said in a loud voice, "Captain Prack,
which of our great family 'treasures was saved by a fortunate coincidence when
the Death Star blew up Alderaan?"
"Simple enough," Prack answered, her voice casual and confident.
"The Dro ceremonial fountain had been sent to Calamari to be repaired by
the renowned artist Myrrack. Therefore the Dro family's great treasure was
safely off-planet and spared from destruction."
Raynar's ruddy face beamed. "That's it.
No one but a member of my family would know the answer to that question."
"You're sure?" Luke asked.
Raynar nodded. "Trust me."
"Raynar says you passed the test," Jacen said into the comm speaker. "We're
slaving the Shadow Chaser's navigational computers to yours."
"Rock Dragon slaving over to Tryst," Jaina's voice said.
"All right, everybody," Captain Prack answered, "hold on to your seats."
Starlines swooped and stuttered around the Shadow Chaser as the Tryst took
them on three consecutive jumps through hyperspace, none more than a minute
long.
Then, suddenly, they were there.
A ragtag assortment of merchant vessels, security shuttles, cargo ships,
star skimmers, and scout cruisers drifted before them in space.
The fleet held ships of all sizes and manufactures, designed for versatile
operations in different shipping environments. Over the years, Bornan and Aryn
Thul had expanded their merchant operation into a massive undertaking. But now,
out of concern for their safety, the Thul family could not allow their fleet a
permanent base.
"This is it," Raynat said. "My real home."
RAYNAR FILLED HIS lungs with the cool, recycled air on the Tradewyn,
flagship of his family's merchant fleet. His father had always insisted that the
Tradewyn have the finest filters and recyclers available. For business reasons,:
the fleet's headquarters remained on Coruscant, but this vessel more than any
other place in the galaxy--had become the family's home.
His mother claimed that the air on Al-deraan had been sweeter, though by
the time of Raynar's birth that planet had already been space rubble for years.
He had been born here, on the Tradewyn itself.
For him, no place could feel safer or more welcoming in a time of danger.
Raynar closed his eyes, taking a second deep breath, and a third.
For so long he had smelled the humidity and the lush, thick jungle scents
of Yavin 4. This seemed so much purer.
Behind him, he heard Luke and the young Jedi Knights climb out of the
Shadow Chaser and the Rock Dragon, then thump to the deckplates, but he did not
allow that to distract him from his enjoyment. He had so many memories of this
place.
To Raynar's embarrassment, he was dangerously close to tears when he heard
the docking-bay airlock whoosh open. He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder,
and Master Skywalker said in a low voice, "It's always good to feel that you've
come home.
Are you all right, Raynar?"
Dismayed that Master Skywalker had sensed this weakness in him, Raynat's
first impulse was to draw himself up and make some sort of haughty reply to
indicate that he was fully in control of himself. But instead, he took another
deep breath, this time a calming one, as part of a Jedi relaxation technique--
opened his eyes, and nodded. A true Jedi had little need
to lie, or even
pretend. In this case, he knew the only one he could fool would be himself.
"Thank you. I'll be fine now," Raynat said. Glancing at the airlock, he saw
his mother, Aryn Dro Thul, hurrying toward him, accompanied by his uncle Tyko.
Tyko Thul wore the voluminous yellow, purple, orange, and scarlet robes of
the family house. His moon-round face beamed as brightly as an emergency glow
beacon.
"My dear boy, how comforting it is to see you safely arrived!
Here with us, you have nothing to fear."
Raynat's surprise at seeing his uncle again was compounded by his mother's
next action. She stepped forward and awkwardly-for their family had never been
physically demonstrative--gave Raynar a hug.
Recovering quickly from his shock, he hugged her back, then stepped away
and cleared his throat. "M-m-mother, Uncle Tyko, I have some friends I'd like
you to meet. This is Master Skywalker of the Jedi academy."
His mother stretched out both of her hands to clasp Luke's in a traditional
greeting.
"Luke Skywalker, hero of the Rebellion," she said with a warm smile, "it's
good to see you again. And how kind of you to bring my son to me."
"I promised my sister Leia that I would see you personally, Aryn Dro Thul,
and make. sure that you're all safe here," he replied.
"Please thank Chief of State Leia Organa Solo for us," Aryn said, obviously
much pleased.
Next, Tyko reached his hands out to grip Luke's. "Master Skywalker, it is
an honor.
Alas, it would have been an even greater honor to meet you on Mechis III,
so that I could extend my personal hospitality at the droid works there. I think
you would be most impressed."
Master Skywalker's smile looked as if he were trying to repress some secret
amusement.
"Thank you. I've heard a great deal about your successes on Mechis III.
Your droid works are the most... productive in the New Republic."
Uncle Tyko beamed even more brightly than before. "It's nothing really," he
said, with a vain attempt at a modest shrug.
"Success seems to come naturally to my family. To me, to my brother--I
daresay you've noticed it even in Raynar. I'm certain he quite surpasses most of
your other students in sheer Jedi ability."
Raynar felt his cheeks warm with discomfiture.
How could Master Skywalker respond to such a display of pompous self-
importance?
To his credit, however, the Jedi Master answered smoothly and without
hesitation.
"Raynar is a unique and earnest student who has more Jedi potential than
even he is aware of."
Before his uncle could push Master Sky-walker further, Raynar broke in.
"And I'd like you to meet some of my fellow students: Jaina and Jacen Solo,
Lowbacca from Kashyyyk, and Tenel Ka, a princess of Hapes and Dathomir."
Uncle Tyko pursed his lips in surprise.
"Very distinguished guests," he observed.
"They certainly are," Raynar's mother said. "You are all welcome to stay as
long as you like. I think this calls for a celebration."
Her midnight-blue gown, shot with silver thread and belted with a sash in
the colors of the House of Thul, glittered like the star-studded wedges of space
visible through the viewports.
"I'm afraid I must return to the Jedi academy as soon as possible," Master
Sky-walker said with a regretful shake of his head.
"Artoo and I need to get back. We have many other students and much work to
do."
"But we'd like to stay," Jacen hurried to assure Aryn Dro Thul.
"Just for a few days, of course, to make sure that Raynar's okay and
settling in here."
Lowie urffed his support of the plan.
"Why, what a splendid ideal" Em Teedee said. "Civilization, at last."
The details and arrangements were soon settled. Jacen, Jaina, Lowie and
Tenel Ka would stay for five days, then return to the Jedi academy in the Rock
Dragon.
In less than half an hour, Luke Sky-walker and Artoo-Detoo departed in the
Shadow Chaser. Raynar's mother sighed as she watched their sleek ship vanish.
"Well, I suppose we'll have to make another hyperspace jump now, just to keep
moving."
Uncle Tyko nodded. "To be sure no one can follow us by picking up on the
Shadow Chaser's log of recent stops."
Raynar's mother clasped her hands and smiled. "When that's done, I have a
special treat for you children. To celebrate my son's return, you're all invited
to an Alderaanian Ceremony of Waters The Ceremony of Waters was long and
elaborate, and apparently filled with great meaning for the Thul family... but
Jacen found his mind wandering during the endless rituals. He squirmed and tried
to sit up straighter on the hard narrow bench that ringed the small, elegant
fountain that served as a centerpiece for the ceremony.
He absently reached to where his light-saber usually hung at his side,
planning to run his fingers along its ridges, as he often did when he was bored.
.. but then he remembered the weapon wasn't there. Everyone had been asked to
change into their best clothes for this special occasion. And since it was a
ritual of peace, all the young Jedi had left their weapons in their cabins.
Aryn Thul, her long chestnut hair braided in an intricate pattern, looked
beautiful and serene in her midnight-blue gown. The hairstyle reminded Jacen of
his mother.
Sometimes he wondered how Leia managed to put up with all the boring
ceremonies, rituals, and meetings her duties as Chief of State required her to
endure. In times past, Jacen, Jaina, and their younger brother Anakin had often
attended events their mother thought they might especially enjoy. Even at those,
however, Jacen had frequently found himself wishing he were out with his friend
Zekk exploring the fascinating, and sometimes dangerous, lower levels of
Coruscant.
Jacen remembered a disastrous time when he and Jaina had persuaded Zekk to
be their guest at a simple state dinner. Had that experience been this
bewildering--this excruciating--for the dark-haired young man? He missed Zekk.
Letting his eyes drift around the room, Jacen wondered if anyone else was as
bored as he was.
On the other side of the fountain, Raynar and Tyko sat flanking Aryn Thul
while she performed the ceremony. All three were apparently engrossed in every
detail of the rituals. Beside him, Jaina watched attentively as Aryn filled an
array of brightly colored transparent flasks, cups, and beakers. At Jacen's
left, Tenel Ka sat laser-straight, her cool gray eyes dutifully following each
step.
Completing the circle, his eyes half closed, Jacen noticed Lowie taking
this opportunity to practice his Jedi relaxation techniques... or perhaps just
napping. Em Teedee's glowing optical sen, sors were alert, though the little
droid made no sound.
Setting aside the last of the filled vessels, Aryn Thul began to hum a
slow, lilting tune.
As she did so, she held her hands under one of the clear streams of liquid
that gurgled from the fountain. Water flowed across the backs of her hands, and
then she turned
them over, Jetting the water run into her palms. Still humming,
she nodded.
Raynar and Tyko placed their hands under the trickling water as well.
Tenel Ka--always fast to catch on--stretched her arm out and held her hand
under the stream of water. Jacen noticed the glow of pleasure that lit Aryn's
and Raynat's eyes at this. Lowie opened his eyes at the same time that Jaina
nudged Jacen. Six more hands entered the flow from the fountain. Jacen was
amazed to find the water warm and silky to the touch.
The remainder of the ceremony consisted of drying.their hands, then passing
around the various cups and beakers. Aryn hummed while Tyko or Raynar recited
words about purity or peace or the life-giving qualities of water. Then they
would sip from the beaker or empty it and refill it from the fountain or
sprinkle drops in the air to fall like rain. Occasionally, Em Tedee even hummed
along with Aryn; Raynar's mother did not seem to mind.
Jacen was glad, at least, to see Raynat distracted from his misery. The
blond-haired boy looked happier than Jacen had ever seen him on Yavin 4.
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