“Good. I’ll be in touch soon,” said Boba shortly, and ended the transmission.
Almost immediately Governor Tarkin’s voice echoed through Slave I.
“We’re cleared,” he announced in a tone that Boba already felt sounded sinister. “We’ve received permission to land at the Jedi Temple, thanks to General Skywalker - that way you won’t have to go through Coruscant security. Just let me do all the talking - and remember: no weapons.”
“Right,” growled Boba. He was glad he was wearing his helmet, so that Tarkin wouldn’t see his anger at the request once they landed. “No weapons. .”
None when he set foot on Coruscant, anyway. But once Boba was ready to leave Coruscant - That would be another story.
They touched down on the broad, open landing platform of the Jedi Temple. Tarkin’s vessel landed first, Slave I less than a minute later. From inside, Boba watched as a single slender figure clad in the Jedi’s distinctive robes crossed to greet the governor, who was a rising star, it seemed, in the Clone Wars. Boba waited until the two were engaged in conversation. Then he quickly readied himself to join them.
But first he had to remove his weapons.
“I hate to leave you behind,” he said with regret. “But I better not take any chances. I’m so close to finding Mace Windu - don’t want to blow it now.”
He removed the Westar-34 blasters from his weapons belt and his knee holsters, and put them safely away. Then he did the same with his missiles and dart shooter.
But he didn’t remove the blades in his gauntlets. And he didn’t remove his jet pack.
“Not even the Jedi can force me to visit a strange planet with no self-defense whatsoever,” Boba muttered. “And when I see Hat Lo, I can get some new weapons. It’s time I upgraded a few items, anyway.”
He made sure his helmet was in place. Then he did a last minute check of Slave I.
“Okay,” Boba said to himself. He stood in his ship’s doorway and looked out. His heart began to pound, not with fear but anticipation. I’m on the Jedi’s home turf now! Got to be careful. Got to be calm. Got to be ready
To find and defeat Mace Windu!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As Boba strode across,the open plaza, the strange Jedi turned to appraise the newcomer. Her eyes beneath her somber brown hood were alert and questioning.
“Who is this you have brought here?” she asked Tarkin. “I know that I approved your, request to land, but you gave us so few details….”
The governor waited for Boba to join them, then turned to the older Jedi and bowed his head to her respectfully. He looked at Boba and gestured at the tall Jedi.
“This is Luminara Unduli,” Tarkin said by way of introduction. “I have worked with her before, in various negotiations with the Separatists.”
Luminara Unduli regarded Boba with interest. She had the dark eyes and smooth bronze skin and ornate facial tattoos of the desert-dwellers of Moral. She had their detached intelligence as well.
Even inside his helmet, Boba could feel the intensity of her probing gaze.
“So, Governor Tarkin. This is the envoy Skywalker mentioned.” Her stare grew even more pronounced.
Boba’s hand began to twitch instinctively for his blaster, but he checked it in time. Instead he inclined his head to Luminara and said nothing.
“Does the envoy have a name?” Luminara asked pointedly. “I note he does not have a face. Not one I can see, anyway.”
“The envoy has news for the Chancellor alone,” Tarkin said smoothly. He glanced aside, and Boba could swear he winked at him. “He wishes to remain anonymous. His mission is extremely perilous. His journey has been arduous. And he may have information that will help our cause. The Republic has guaranteed him safe passage here - that should be enough to satisfy the Jedi High Council.”
“And do you take responsibility for him?” Luminara asked coolly. “These are perilous times for all of us.”
“No doubt,” concluded Tarkin. Boba could see the governor’s eyes flash dangerously. “I have spoken for him. My word shall be enough.”
Luminara’s gaze flickered at Tarkin’s words; with anger or doubt, Boba could not be sure. Finally, she nodded. “Very well. I can see he is unarmed. I will trust the Chancellor’s judgment, Governor. You may show him to his chambers.”
She began to turn to leave. Then she stopped, adding, “The Chancellor has acknowledged your request that he meet with this envoy. He has agreed to do so tonight. Chancellor Palpatine must meet with Mace Windu in his chambers first. You may escort your envoy to his rooms now. Then I need to debrief you on the Xagobah situation, Governor.”