Vision of the future

'The question,' Mara added, 'is whether you're worthy of our help.' Luke half turned to frown at her. 'What are you—?'

'Quiet,' she muttered. 'Trust me. Well, Eater Of Fire Creepers?' There was another awkward silence. We fear the Threateners, the Bargainer conceded almost grudgingly. The Qom Jha and Qom Qae alike fly in the shadow of their talons. We would seek to have this threat removed, if you are willing.

'Yes, we understand your wishes,' Mara said. 'But that's not the question. The question is whether you deserve our assistance. And if so, how you intend to prove it.' What proof do you seek?

'For starters, we'll need assistance getting into the High Tower,' Mara said. 'I assume your people have been getting in from somewhere in this cave system; we'll need guides to that entrance. After that, we may need some of you to run interference or scout out the territory.' The Bargainer fluttered his wings. Your request will put this nesting in danger.

'Your request puts us in danger,' Mara countered. 'Would you rather we just call off the whole thing and leave right now?'

There was a brief undercurrent of conversation, either too fast or too alien for Mara to pick up. 'I hope you know what you're doing,' Luke murmured.

'No matter how you slice it, we're going to need guides,' Mara said. 'Anyway, I've dealt with this sort of culture before. Anyone who calls their leader 'Bargainer' expects to be bargained with. Offering to do something for them free of charge and hoping they'll reciprocate usually doesn't work. Makes them suspicious, for one thing.'

Beside Luke, Child Of Winds stirred. What will you do with me now, Jedi Sky Walker? he asked.

'Don't worry,' Luke said. 'I'll make sure you're given safe passage out of here and back to your nesting.'

The Qom Qae hunched his wings. I cannot go back.

Luke frowned. 'Why not?'

They will not take me back, he said. I have disobeyed the Bargainer of the Qom Qae, and will not be allowed to rejoin the nesting.

Luke cocked his head to the side. 'Won't be allowed to rejoin?' he asked pointedly. 'Or won't be allowed to rejoin without punishment?'

The young alien's emotions twitched. I would prefer to go with you to the High Tower, he said. If I may see directly the dangers posed by these Threateners, I will understand them better. Perhaps I will be able to persuade others of the Qom Qae to assist you.

'As I said: bargainers,' Mara said wryly.

'Yes, I'm beginning to understand,' Luke said in the same tone. 'I appreciate the offer, Child Of Winds. But this is likely to be very dangerous.'

Will your machine travel with you?

Mara glanced over at the astromech droid, standing off to the side warbling quietly to himself.

'That's a good question,' she agreed. 'He'll definitely slow us down.'

'True, but if we want any chance of accessing the High Tower's computer systems we'll need him along,' Luke pointed out.

'Assuming he can even interface with those networks,' Mara warned. 'They are aliens, you know.'

'We know they use Imperial technology in their spaceships,' Luke reminded her. 'Chances are good they'll have at least a couple of our computers up there, too.' If your machine travels with you, why may not I? Child Of Winds spoke up again. Once in the bright lights and open air of the High Tower, I would be a better scout than these cave-dwellers.

'Except that you don't know anything about the High Tower,' Luke said. 'Besides, considering the rivalry between your two nestings, I don't think Eater Of Fire Creepers will want you poking around his territory any longer than you have to.'

Child Of Winds fluffed his wings. Then perhaps it is time that rivalry is ended, he said loftily. Perhaps it is time for one brave and honorable Qom Qae to stand forth and heal the