Delusions of Grandeur

17

When the young Jedi Knights returned to the administrative offices, Tyko hurried off to arrange for a meal to be brought in. Now that he had let them in on his plan, he seemed determined to be the attentive host.

But something still bothered Jaina. “I’m not sure quite what it is,” she said, “but something about your uncle’s story doesn’t add up, Raynar.”

Raynar frowned, as troubled as she was. “You don’t think he was lying, do you?”

“We would have sensed that, I think,” Jacen said. “He was telling the truth.”

Tenel Ka arched an eyebrow. “I found several logical flaws in his scheme.”

“Well, for one thing,” Raynar said, “he’s assuming my father is pulling a scam. He doesn’t seem to believe my family is in any real danger.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense,” Jacen piped up. “Your uncle may have faked his own kidnapping, but Boba Fett was sure serious enough in the shards of Alderaan.”

Jaina added, “Yes, and the bounty hunter Kusk and his brother who tried to get you and your mother away from the Tradewyn were no hoax. I’d say they were pretty real—not to mention dangerous.”

“We need to tell my mother that Uncle Tyko is safe,” Raynar said. “That’ll be one less thing for her to worry about.” Looking around the spacious administrative office, his eyes glinted with determination. “We should get these targeted defensive lasers working again before we leave—just in case Uncle Tyko gets any unwanted visitors.”

“I’m certain that the gesture would be greatly appreciated,” Em Teedee said. “If Mistress Jaina would be so kind as to link me to the defense control systems, I believe I might be of some assistance.”

Jaina grinned and pulled her multitool from the pocket of her jumpsuit. “I’m always prepared.”

She rapidly removed the access plates on the ruined weapons systems. By the time Tyko returned, followed by IG-88 and a serving droid that carried the midday meal, the young Jedi Knights had managed to repair two of the four targeting lasers.

“I don’t believe it!” Tyko beamed. He patted Raynar on the back. “But then, of course, we Thuls have always been resourceful.”

“I didn’t do this alone,” Raynar objected. “Everyone helped—even Em Teedee.”

“Yes, of course, my boy,” Tyko answered. He glanced over at the console to which the translating unit had been wired. “Ah, Em Teedee, how kind of you to lend, um … to lend a wire. You are the one droid in the galaxy I truly trust—with the exception of my own IG-88, of course.”

“Why, thank you, Master Tyko. I do try,” Em Teedee said, almost preening. The compliment seemed to make no impression on IG-88, however.

Working and tinkering always helped Jaina to concentrate, to let her subconscious work out things that were bothering her. Something clicked now in her mind, and she turned from her work to stare directly at the red-eyed assassin droid.

“Now, children, what may I offer you to eat?” Tyko asked. “We have kebroot stew, dried ossberries, a fine—”

“Wait,” 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. Raynar 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, Raynar,” 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 there’s no way this droid could ever intentionally kill someone—human 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? …”