[Dark Nest] - 1(17)

When the Duros did not instantly start for the exit, the Falleen said, “It requires immediate departure. Lizil is already loading the Starsong.”

“No problem.” Tarnis placed his mug on the floor. “I’ll just gather my crew-“

“We’re gathering them now.” The Falleen started toward the exit. “They’ll meet you in the hangar.”

“Right behind you,” Tarnis said. He started after the Falleen, shaking his head in amazement. “Finally!”

Seeing that he had been forgotten in the excitement, Luke used the Force to slow the Duros down, then cleared his throat.

“Oh, yeah.” Tarnis took the Falleen’s arm and gestured toward Luke. “This fellow wants to talk. I can find my own way to the hangar.”

The Falleen barely slowed. “We’re very busy.” She glanced over her shoulder, but avoided Luke’s eyes. “Enjoy the hospitality of the nest.”

When Luke reached out to probe her feelings, he experienced a deep sense of worry. Her scales rippled in alarm; then an enormous, murky presence rose inside her mind and pushed him out so forcibly that he stumbled into a membrosia dispenser.

As Tarnis and the Falleen walked out the exit, Mara peered around the corner, checking to be certain the surprise she had felt was nothing to be alarmed about. Luke smiled and turned around to display the new membrosia stain on the back of his utilities, then watched intently as Tarnis and the Falleen disappeared down the corridor.

Once the pair were far enough ahead that she would not be noticed following, Mara took Ben’s hand and started down the corridor, talking as though they were just a mother and son returning to their vessel.

Luke worked his way to the cantina center and sat on a bench next to a pair of Ishi Tib. He remained quiet for a few moments, pretending to listen to the music but actually reaching out in the Force to search for eavesdropping devices. He was not quite certain what had happened over at the membrosia dispensers, but he felt certain that the Falleen’s arrival had been no coincidence. Lizil-whoever that was-had not wanted Tarnis to talk about Jaina and the others.

After a few minutes, Luke finally felt confident that he could ask his questions in peace. He began to pour out feelings of comradery and goodwill, and it wasn’t long before the nearest Ishi Tib turned toward him.

“My name is Zelara.” She pointed at her companion, who swiveled her eyestalks around and gently clacked her beak. “This is Lyari. She likes you.”

Luke smiled back. “Thank you.”

Zelara batted the lids of her yellow eyes. “I like you.”

“That’s very nice.” He eased off the good feelings, then said, “Actually, I’m looking for some friends-“

“We’ll be your friends,” Lyari said. She came around to Luke’s other side, then slipped her stubby hand through the crook of his arm. Her breath smelled heavily of membrosia. “I’ve never felt this way about a human before.”

“Me, either.” Zelara took Luke’s other arm. “But this one is cute, even with the recessed eyes.”

“Ladies, that’s just the membrosia talking.” Luke sensed Mara already returning to the cantina. She did not feel angry or frightened, but she was frustrated; she had lost the Duros and his escort. “I’m looking for a group of young travelers who came through here. There would’ve been at least two humans, a Twi’lek, a Barabel-“

“And a Wookiee?” Lyari asked.

“Then you’ve seen them,” Luke said.

Lyari opened her beak in a sort of smile. “Maybe.”

“Maybe not,” Zelara added. She began to tug at the chest closures on Luke’s utilities. “Let us have a look inside, and we’ll tell you.”

Luke caught her hand. “It probably wouldn’t be a good idea for us to-“

“Come on, bright boy.” Lyari reached for closures a little farther down. “Give us a chance.”

“No.” Luke put enough Force behind the word to prevent Lyari from ripping open his utilities. “That would never work.”

“Why not?” Zelara demanded.

“Because I have lips and you have beaks, for starters.”

Zelara spread her eyestalks. “You’d be surprised what a girl can do with her beak.”

“Let me show you,” Lyari said. She caught Luke’s nose in her beak and gave it a tug.

“Ouch!” Luke reached up and freed his nose. Other people were starting to look in their direction, and that was exactly what he didn’t want. “Please, ladies. Just tell me what you know about my friends.”

Zelara ripped his chest closures open, revealing Luke’s undershirt. “First you show, then-“