[Galaxy Of Fear] - 04(16)

Now that he was close enough, Zak could see that Tash’s eyes were open, but her stare was blank. She was looking at him, but she seemed to see something else. It was as though she were in a deep trance.

Zak touched her shoulder, and before he could speak her name again, Tash shuddered and blinked rapidly. Her eyes closed, then opened again. This time she focused on her brother’s face.

“Zak? What are you doing here?”

“What did you mean by ‘one of us must die’?” he asked in return.

His sister rubbed the sleep from her eyes and brushed back a wisp of blond hair from her face. “What are you talking about?”

Zak explained how he had found Tash sitting on the edge of her bed, how she’d looked, and what she’d said.

“I don’t remember saying that. I was dreaming something… but it’s gone now. The next thing I knew, you were waking me up.”

Zak told her about his own nightmares. “I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. Aren’t you getting any of your feelings?”

Tash rubbed her forehead. “Nope. Just a headache. Sorry, Zak. Can’t you try to relax? This is supposed to be our vacation. The whole point of coming to Hologram Fun World was to find a place far away from Project Starscream. Fun World may be weird, but there’s nothing dangerous here.”

Zak grimaced. “Don’t tell me you believe what Fajji says.”

Tash shrugged. “Why not? It fits, doesn’t it? How could all those people vanish if they weren’t holograms in the first place?”

They debated until a holographic sun rose across the artificial sky of Fun World, and Tash’s door buzzer rang. Deevee entered a moment later.

“Good morning. Master Calrissian asked me to inform you both that he plans to continue to explore Fun World this morning. He’s invited you both along.”

Zak hesitated. He liked Lando, but he had misgivings about re-entering the park. “I don’t know, Deevee…” he started to say.

The droid put his stiff mechanical arms on his hips. “Zak Arranda, your uncle gave me the responsibility to make sure you and your sister relaxed while at Hologram Fun World. I will not have you sulking in your room while a galaxy full of perfectly safe

adventures

awaits.”

Deevee’s

eyelike photoreceptors glowed at them as he waited.

Tash stood up and yawned. “C’mon, Zak. There’s nothing to worry about. Let’s go.”

Zak found himself in a very strange position. Normally he was willing to take a chance. But even the bravest adventurer would have second thoughts after seeing himself turned into a monster in the Hall of Reflection.

Or had he?

It could have been a hologram, Zak told himself.

After all, that’s what holograms were for-to fool people. Maybe that’s all that had happened.

Besides, Zak thought, even Deevee is encouraging me to enjoy Fun World. Their bionic baby-sitter was normally so cautious that Zak sometimes thought he’d been programmed by a nursemaid. If he caught even a hint of danger, Deevee would have them on the next shuttle to the safest star system in a thousand light-years. Yet the droid did not fear Fun World.

“Maybe you’re right,” he said at last. “Let’s go.”

Hologram Fun World was brimming with tourists-real or holograms, Zak couldn’t tell-as the Arrandas followed Deevee to their meeting place with Lando Calrissian. Lando was waiting for them in the plaza near

the administration building. He looked handsome in a flowing scarlet cape that fastened around his neck with a golden cord.

“And how did you two sleep?” he asked as they approached. His sparkling eyes fell on Tash. “Are you all right? You look a bit pale.”

“I’ve got a little headache,” she said quietly. “Nothing to worry about.”

Zak said, “I can’t believe you’re still considering getting involved in this place after everything that’s gone wrong.”

The gambler shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with this operation that a smooth hand couldn’t fix. But I think I’ll drop this ‘horror’ theme down a black hole. Doesn’t seem to do much for the park.”

A pair of Bothans happened to be walking by at that moment. “Excuse me,” Zak said, stepping in front of the white-furred humanoids.

“May I be of service?” one of the Bothans asked, smoothing a tuft of hair on his cheek.

“Yes,” Zak replied with just a hint of mischief, “I was just wondering. How does it feel to be an illusion?”

The Bothan’s fur stiffened. “I beg your pard-“

It never finished. A powerful roar swept across the plaza like a storm, echoed by the thunder of giant footsteps crashing down on the ground.