And somewhere, on the bridge perhaps, the hated Jedi.
Soon, Boba knew, he would face a stern test. If he could conceal his true identity, the Jedi could help him by taking him far away from Raxus Prime. He could then begin the task of tracking down Aurra Sing and recovering the stolen Slave I.
After a few more maneuvers, they were ready to land. Airlocks hissed, ramps dropped, doors slid open. Boba followed the two clone troopers out into a huge enclosed space. The rear docking bay was filled with gunships and starfighters, lined up in neat rows. Clone troopers in fours and sixes walked among them, guarding them or servicing them - it was hard for Boba to tell.
Boba heard footsteps approaching. “Where is the orphan?” a serious voice called out. “Let’s see!”
“Over here,” said CT-4/619.
Boba saw two robed Jedi approaching. Both were small, no taller than he was.
This was it. Boba turned to CT-4/619 and CT-5/501. They had saved him from Raxus Prime. He wanted to say goodbye, and thanks.
But they were already gone. Was that them, in the clone group servicing a Cord-class starfighter? Or were they among the four walking out the door in formation?
There was no way to tell; the troopers all looked exactly alike.
“Orphan Teff?”
Boba nodded, looking down.
The Jedi who stood in front of him was only about a meter and a half tall, but radiated power and command. Boba would have felt it even if he hadn’t seen her in action on the battlefield. She had violet eyes and a pointed beard. Boba was not surprised by the beard. He knew her as a Bothan, and all Bothans, male and female alike, were bearded.
The younger Jedi, the Padawan, had three eyes and horns, but a friendly look.
“We didn’t expect to find orphans on Raxus Prime,” said the elder Jedi. “I am Glynn-Beti. This is my Padawan, Ulu Ulix.”
The younger Jedi bowed. Boba bowed back.
“You sure you’re an orphan and not a Separatist spy?” asked Glynn-Beti gruffly. She didn’t seem to expect an answer. “Teff, huh? Account for yourself, Teff! How did you get on Raxus Prime?”
Boba put his hands behind his back, so she wouldn’t see them trembling. This was harder than he had thought!
“Speak up, Orphan Teff! What are your parents’ names? What’s in the bag there? Open it, please.”
Boba panicked. If he opened the flight bag and the Jedi saw the Mandalorian battle helmet, they would know he was Jango Fett’s son. They would arrest him immediately. He didn’t know what to do. Self-sufficiency, don’t fail me now!
Instead of opening the bag, Boba decided to burst into tears. He covered his face with his hands and began to sob.
“Oh, bother!” said Glynn-Beti, visibly uncomfortable. “Ulu, take him to the Orphan Hall. But stop by the bacta baths first - he stinks of Raxus Prime, and who knows what contagion breeds there.”
She turned on a tiny, pointed heel, and was gone.
“Come with me, Teff,” said the Padawan, putting a gentle arm around Boba’s shoulder. “Don’t cry. Let’s get you some clean clothes and something to eat. You’ll feel better then, I promise. You don’t seem like a spy and we’ll hear your story later.”
Boba sniffled as he followed Ulu Ulix. He kept his face covered to hide his true feelings. It worked! he thought.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Boba figured that taking a bacta bath was one of the galaxy’s most intense experiences. He breathed through. a mask while he was submerged in a synthetic gel that did a search and repair over every centimeter of his body, inside and out, healing, restoring, and refreshing every organ.
It took hours.
It made him tingle all over.
And it got rid of the stink of Raxus Prime.
Much better, Boba thought as he allowed the air scrubber to dry him. He put on the clean coveralls that had been set out for him by Ulu.
He was glad to see that no one had opened his flight bag.
“You look like a new person,” said Ulu when he returned. “As you can see, Teff, there’s no need to cry. Lots of kids have been separated from their parents during this war. Most of them will be reunited, I am sure. Meanwhile, all you orphans, temporary orphans - are being taken to a temporary clearing site in the beautiful Cloud City of Bespin.”
Bespin! Boba perked up. The gas giant was fairly remote but a minor hub of the galaxy, and a good place to start his search for Aurra Sing. Things are looking better already.
Boba and Ulu walked through the halls of the vast ship. It was like Coruscant, levels and levels interlocked with ladders and chutes. But the halls were not teeming with hangers-on and tourists from all over the galaxy, all in different brightly colored outfits. Rather, there were only two basic types: the crew, who represented every sentient race or life-form. Diverse in color, stature, and shape, they were united by their magenta tunics. And the clone troopers, all looking alike, whether they were in their white battle armor or their red coveralls. With their helmets off, their blank faces showed neither emotion nor interest in anything outside their own ranks.