But the man’s manner had triggered Deevee’s cautious caretaker programming. “I’m afraid Tash’s uncle would not want her to roam a new city with a complete stranger.”
Wedge Antilles sighed. “Oh, well. I’m the best guide you’ll find around here. I could have shown you some out-of-the-way examples of Gobindi architecture and ancient culture that you’d never find on your own, but if that’s how you feel-“
“Culture?” the droid replied with sudden enthusiasm. “Well, I’m sure Master Hoole would not want Tash to miss an educational opportunity. Lead on, Master Antilles.”
Wedge led them across the bridge and into the next ziggurat. This one was bustling with activity. The halls inside the flat-topped pyramid were high and wide, with many side corridors and lifts rising up and down. If all the buildings are this well populated, Tash thought, Mah Dala must be a fairly crowded place.
The beings inside the ziggurat came from every corner of the galaxy. Many were human, but there were also large numbers of furry Bothans, Twi’leks with skull tendrils draped across their shoulders, and dozens of other species walking, crawling, or writhing about. Tash recalled what Hoole had said: The original Gobindi had vanished, and many other species had filled the city they left behind. They stopped and sat on a bench in the middle of a central plaza as the crowd hurried past.
“This isn’t much of a cultural experience,” Deevee sniffed. “Crowd-watching is for amateur anthropologists.”
Tash ignored him. She was more interested in the man who had saved their lives. “Are you from Gobindi?” she asked.
Wedge shook his head. “No. I’m just visiting some friends. I’ve been here for several weeks, though. Long enough to know the city pretty well. Actually I only planned to stay a few days. But of course with the blockade and all-“
“Blockade?” Tash interrupted. “What blockade?” Yet again the man’s eyes seemed to peer inside Tash’s head. Tash had the distinct impression that this encounter with Wedge was no accident. It was a strange sensation, but Tash often had unexplainable feelings about people and events. Lately she’d learned to trust her intuition.
Wedge spoke matter-of-factly. “The blockade of the Gobindi system. According to the Imperial news broadcasts, pirate activity has gotten so bad that the Empire has sent a fleet of Star Destroyers to deal with the problem.”
“We saw them,” Tash responded. “But we didn’t see any pirate ships.”
Wedge snorted. “No one’s ever seen any pirates here. But that doesn’t matter to the Empire. They’ve still ordered all ships to be grounded until they’ve had time to hunt down the criminals. So everyone’s stuck here. No one has come or gone from Gobindi in almost three weeks.”
Deevee spoke up. “You must be mistaken, sir. We just arrived on Gobindi. How is that possible if there is a blockade?”
Wedge raised an eyebrow. “Only Imperials have been allowed to leave or arrive.”
So that’s what he’s after, Tash thought. He’s trying to figure out if we’re Imperials!
“We’re not Imperials,” she replied hotly.
“But your ship was allowed to land-” Wedge replied.
“We’re not Imperials!” she repeated. Wedge raised his eyebrows in surprise. Even Tash was surprised at how angry she sounded. She blushed. She felt foolish, not only for yelling, but for revealing her feelings to this man. She had no idea who he was.
But even so, Tash felt a strong urge that seemed to say, Trust him.
Caught between these two feelings, Tash said nothing. “So, what brings you to Gobindi?” Wedge asked.
“My brother’s sick,” she replied. “They’re examining him at the Infirmary.”
The man’s face darkened. He clenched his jaw and said, “Listen, I’m going to tell you something, even though it might be a mistake. For all I know you could be the daughter of some high-level Imperial officer and you could get me in a lot of trouble. But…”
The fear in his voice made Tash’s hair stand on end. “What?” she asked.
He nodded in the direction of the Infirmary. “In the past few weeks, no one has come out of there alive.”
CHAPTER 7
“What do you mean no one’s come out of the Infirmary alive?” Tash cried.
But at that moment a siren sounded shrilly in their ears. It was followed by a white-paneled hovercar that swooped into the plaza, scattering the crowds of pedestrians. A squad of stormtroopers leaped out of the back before it even stopped. With military precision the troopers singled out a specific being in the startled crowd. Tash saw that the creature-with its green skin, large purple eyes, and narrow snout-was a Rodian. Four of the troopers pounced on him. The leader of the stormtrooper squad activated a loudspeaker built into his armor: