Vision of the future

Listen to me, please, Child Of Winds cut in impatiently. You must go to the aid of the Qom Jha. The Threateners have invaded their home.

'You mean the cave?' Luke asked, frowning.

'All the way in?' Mara added. 'Or are they just at the front?' There was a flurry of conversation back and forth between the alien and the others still hanging from the ship. We do not know, Child Of Winds said. My friends from this nesting of the Qom Qae saw them enter the cave with large branches and machines.

Mara looked at Luke. 'Large branches?'

'Heavy weaponry, I'd guess,' he said. 'How long were these branches?' Some were twice as long as a Qom Qae, Child Of Winds said, stretching out his wings for comparison.

'A little big for cleaning out a cave,' Mara said. 'Sounds like they've figured out that was how we got in.'

'And are setting up in case we come back,' Luke said grimly. 'Well, we knew we couldn't get in that way, anyway. I just hope the Qom Jha were able to clear out of their way.'

'Nothing we can do about it now,' Mara said. 'And sitting here dithering will only give them more time to get ready for us.'

'You're right,' Luke said reluctantly. 'Let me go get Artoo and we'll get moving.' Do you not go to help the Qom Jha? Child Of Winds asked anxiously as Luke started past him.

'There's nothing we can do,' Mara told him. 'We have to get back into the High Tower right away.'

He stared up at her. But you promised.

'We promised only to do what we could,' Mara reminded him. 'In this case, it turns out we weren't able to do all that much.' She sighed. 'Look, for what it's worth, the Threateners don't consider either of you to be anything more than large annoying vermin. If you stay away from their ships and the High Tower from now on, they most likely won't bother you anymore.' I understand, Child Of Winds said, his disappointment still heavy in his tone. I will pass along that message.

'I'm sorry we couldn't help you more,' Mara said. 'But it's an imperfect universe, and no one ever gets everything he wants or thinks he wants. Part of growing up is to face that, accept it, and move on.'

The Qom Qae straightened up. And what is it you want, Mara Jade?

Mara looked over at the ship, at the open hatch into which Luke had vanished. It was, as it happened, a question she'd been turning over in her mind a lot lately. A question swirling with conflicting emotions and contradictory thoughts, with cautious hopes and wary fears. And a question she was definitely not interested in discussing with some strange junior alien. 'All I want right now is a way back into the High Tower,' she said, choosing a more immediate goal. 'Let's get through that one first, shall we?'

Child Of Winds seemed to shiver. Back into the High Tower? But why?

Luke had reappeared in the hatchway now and was using the Force to lower the droid to the ground. 'It'd take too long to explain,' she said. 'But it's vitally important. Trust me.' I do, he said with an unexpected fervor. I trust you and Jedi Sky Walker both. He hesitated. And I can show you a way.

Mara frowned. 'You can? Where?'

That direction, he said, jabbing his head toward a point just to the right of where the Hand of Thrawn would be. My friends say there is a hole in the rock beside the Lake of Small Fish that will lead to the cavern near where we first entered the High Fortress. Mara looked over at Luke, an odd thought beginning to whisper its way into her mind. Maybe tackling the High Tower itself wouldn't actually be necessary. 'Is it big enough for us to get through?' I do not know. Child Of Winds hesitated. But I am told it is the same passage the fire creepers use when they move under the ground.

Mara felt her fingers twinge at the memory. The thought of sliding down a hole behind a horde of fire creepers frankly made her skin crawl. But if it was the only way, then it was the only way. 'Let me check with Luke.'

She crossed over to where he was standing beside the droid and ran him a quick summary.

'Sounds worth checking out, anyway,' he agreed. 'How far away is this lake?' It will not take long, Child Of Winds assured him. By flight it is very near.

'We can't take the ship,' Luke told him. 'The Threateners would spot us quickly.' I do not refer to the flying machine. Abruptly the Qom Qae seemed to straighten himself up. I and my friends will carry you there. And we will not be seen.