Star Wars - 263 - Crosscurrent - Paul S Kemp by Star Wars

Author:Star Wars
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-04-05T15:13:51+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Saes watched on the viewscreen as the remaining Blades peeled out of the gas giant's rings. Llerd monitored the chatter among the pilots through an earpiece, then relayed it to Saes.

"The target has been destroyed, Captain," Llerd said, his round face flush with the news. "Collided with rocks in the rings. We lost six Blades in the pursuit."

Saes nodded, surprised to find himself so unmoved by Relin's death. He supposed whatever attachment he might have had with Relin had been eroded by time and lost long ago. He reached out his consciousness for his Master, trying to recall the feelings he'd had when he'd realized that Relin had been aboard Harbinger. He felt nothing, only emptiness, a hole.

He was alone now, five thousand years in the future. His one-time Master had died a fool. Saes regretted the loss of the Blades, particularly since he would not be able to replace them, but he'd needed to end matters with Relin.

"Put us in orbit around the planet's moon. I will be in my quarters."

"When repairs are completed, should the helm plot a course to Primus Goluud?" Llerd asked.

Saes heard 8L6's servos whir as he stood and looked at the captain.

"No," Saes said. "Plans have changed."

* * *

Khedryn tried to slow his still-racing heart as Jaden set Junker down in a deep, sheltered declivity on one of the large asteroids in the rings. His equilibrium was still off from the wild flight, and he swayed as he stood.

After confirming that the cargo hold's air lock had resealed and repressurized, he opened the hatch to check on his Searing.

Still there, along with Marr's speeder bike. Good. Khedryn loved that swoop.

By the time he reached the galley, Relin was already there, sitting at the central table.

Sweat glistened on his face, and his eyes looked like glassy, distant pools sunk in the deep pits of his sockets. His breathing came fast, like that of a rabid animal.

"You are sick," Khedryn said.

Relin looked up, squinting at Khedryn. "Yes. Radiation."

Khedryn tried to look sympathetic. "I have nothing aboard, but we can do something for it back on Fhost." He left a maybe behind his teeth, seeing no reason to further burden the Jedi over Farpoint's limited medical facilities.

Relin stared at him for a long moment. "Thank you."

"And the ribs? The arm?"

Relin looked at his stump. "I am all right."

Khedryn could see otherwise but did not push. He held up a caf cup and changed the subject. "Caf? It's a bitter, uh, caffeinated beverage served hot."

"Tea?"

"Sure," Khedryn said, and prepped some tea for the Jedi. It was old, something he'd picked up on a whim months ago, but it was tea.

Jaden and Marr entered, neither talking. Jaden looked drawn behind his beard. Sweat dampened the fringe of his brown hair. Marr, of course, looked like Marr—solid, calm, as certain as an equation. Khedryn wondered how the Cerean managed such balance.

"I will take some of that caf," Marr said, staring at Relin with unabashed curiosity.

"Jaden explained…matters to me."

"I'll take some, too," said Jaden.

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