The Emperor's Plague

28

Over the next few hours the Bornaryn ships and the New Republic fleet rounded up the last remnants of the Diversity Alliance armada. But despite the excitement, the time passed as slowly as a century for Raynar. It would have been a kindness, he thought, if the shock of his father’s death had thrown him into a numbing fog that blurred the hours while he waited for the space battle to end, while he waited to go aboard the Tradewyn and speak with his mother, to explain to her what his father had done and why. Instead, Raynar experienced every excruciating moment as if it were an eternity. How could he break the news to his mother that, after months of searching, after hopes that had been repeatedly renewed, Raynar had been unable to save his father?

In the docking bay of the cavernous Calamarian cruiser, Raynar refused even to get out of the Lightning Rod. He could think of seeing no one but his mother, could think of nothing but her pain—and his own. Zekk came and went, bringing Raynar reports of the final skirmishes with the Diversity Alliance armada. Raynar heard, yet did not hear, Zekk speaking. Even the news that Nolaa Tarkona had escaped meant nothing to him. His mind absorbed little of the information, as his spirit curled into a tight ball of grief. Raynar was only vaguely aware that Lowie had not left the Lightning Rod either and sat somewhere close by, keeping watch but saying nothing.

Later, Jacen, Jaina, and Tenel Ka also came in to see him, one by one. To his great relief, the young Jedi Knights did not try to cheer him up, did not try to talk with him. Each of them simply entered and laid a hand on his back or shoulder, and then quietly withdrew again. But with each touch of a friend’s hand, Raynar felt his pain ease.

Peace flowed into him through the Force, and though his sorrow was not diminished, he found that he could face it now, accept it. By the time Zekk returned with the news that the space skirmish was over and it was safe to take him over to the Tradewyn, Raynar was ready to see his mother.

Aryn Dro Thul and Uncle Tyko met the Lightning Rod in one of the Tradewyn’s docking bays just seconds after pressure and atmosphere were restored to the enormous chamber.

Aryn Dro Thul’s midnight-blue gown clung to her as dignity clings to a queen. One look at her told Raynar that she already knew of her husband’s death. She wore the multicolored sash of the House of Thul tied in mourning about her left arm, rather than in its usual place at her waist, and she carried an air of regal sorrow about her. Tyko Thul’s moon-round face was damp with tears, and he too wore his sash on his left arm. Raynar walked slowly down the Lightning Rod’s ramp. Then, as if in a choreographed dance, he and his mother and his uncle drew together in a tight circle and embraced.

“You were right about your father,” Tyko said in a voice taut with emotion. “He was a good man.”

“I’m so proud of him for what he did,” Aryn added. “And you.” She produced a Thul sash from a fold in her gown and held it out to Raynar. He took the colorful strip of cloth and gravely tied it around the left arm of his Jedi robe, in tribute to his father. Hearing a noise behind him, Raynar turned to find Zekk standing beside the Lightning Rod.

“I guess I’ll just be going now,” the dark-haired boy said. “I think you’re in good hands here, Raynar.”

His mother nodded. “We’ll take him back to the Jedi academy when he’s ready. We have a Ceremony of the Waters to celebrate in honor of his father first. Thank you for your help, Zekk—for everything you’ve done.”

“From all of us,” Tyko Thul added.

“Will I see you back on Yavin 4?” Raynar asked.

“When I get there?” Zekk’s emerald eyes opened wide, as if surprised at the question. “I don’t know,” he said simply. “I’ve got some thinking to do.”

During the next week, Coruscant was abustle with activity, more so than Jaina could ever remember. Delegations were requested and brought in from every species on every planet that had been allied with the Diversity Alliance. Kur, newly appointed head of Ryloth’s government, sent two representatives for his people: one Twi’lek man and one Twi’lek woman. Jaina’s mother spent all but a few hours each day in meetings with the new delegates, both individually and in groups. During her few precious free hours, Leia slept. The young Jedi Knights spent nearly as many hours as Leia did welcoming delegates to the capital world and giving further reports to the New Republic Senate on what they had learned of the Diversity Alliance. Lusa and Sirra, now back from Ryloth, gave their accounts, as did Master Skywalker and the other members of the investigation team. All of them spent hours interviewing various former members of the Diversity Alliance and finding out their reasons for joining, what they had hoped to accomplish.

Em Teedee was constantly pressed into service to provide translations during these interviews, since, as he often pointed out, he was fluent in over sixteen forms of communication. By the end of the week, a Cooperative Council of Independent Planetary Governments had been formed with representatives from every species on every world. Their charter included an agreement, signed by every member, to work together for the good of all species and the detriment of none.

Aryn Dro Thul placed the Bornaryn Trading Fleet at the disposal of the new council and its representatives, while Tyko Thul volunteered the resources of his droid manufacturing facilities on Mechis III. The Hapan government offered financial assistance to the Cooperative Council. There was work for everyone, and when Leia asked Lowie’s sister Sirra to become a liaison to strife-torn planets, and to look into and report on the violation of any species’ rights, Lowie could not have been more proud if his own sister had been named Chief of State. Eventually, after weeks of political upheaval, the young Jedi Knights returned to Yavin 4.