[Galaxy Of Fear] - 07(10)

“So we saw,” Zak said. “And I guess sometimes those glass jars are attached to spider droids?”

“Correct,” Grimpen said. “This allows the enlightened ones to move around and experience different surroundings while remaining detached from the world. That way, the enlightened can continue to think without distractions like hunger or sleep.”

“The brain spiders take care of that for them?” Zak asked, impressed.

Grimpen nodded. “The droids keep the brains alive and healthy. Since you and I have bodies, we worry about eating, and sleeping, and getting tired. We get cold and hot. Inside the brain jars, the enlightened monks don’t have to worry about any of that.”

“Can they talk?” Zak asked, curious about the technology.

Grimpen shook his head. “It’s possible to give them electronic voices,” he said, “but Jabba the Hutt controls the palace. He grew tired of hearing the enlightened ones try to teach him their lessons, and he ordered all the voice boxes removed. Now, all the enlightened ones can do is think about the ultimate truth of the galaxy.”

The ultimate truth of the galaxy? Tash was amazed. Sounds like they’re looking for the Force. “What is this ultimate truth?” she asked Grimpen.

Grimpen smiled knowingly. “Somehow, I think you know already.”

Tash blushed. “Spending all your time thinking and studying sounds like my idea of a perfect life.”

“Yeah, perfectly boring,” Zak muttered. “Look, Tash, it’s time to get going.”

Grimpen put a gentle hand on Tash’s shoulder and held her eyes with his. “Tash, I sense that you have the potential for great enlightenment. You are welcome to visit and study here whenever you wish. There is much we can teach someone as wise as you.”

“What a load of bantha fodder,” Zak grumbled as he and Tash returned to the upper levels of Jabba’s palace.

“You’re just jealous because he didn’t pay any attention to you,” Tash replied.

“Jealous?” Zak repeated in disbelief. “Jealous because I was ignored by a guy whose goal in life is to have his brain stuck in a jar? You’ve gone hyper. “

Tash shrugged. Deep down, she knew Zak had a point-the B’omarr monks did have some strange practices. But they were also devoted to knowledge and learning, and that appealed to her. She had always loved reading and studying.

Besides, she thought, she had already begun to feel the Force. She had even used it once or twice. Maybe studying with Grimpen would help her develop her powers.

Tash and Zak reached their quarters to find Hoole standing at a round viewport in his room, staring out onto the hot desert sand. He hardly noticed when his niece and nephew entered the room.

“Uncle Hoole?” Zak asked. “Is something wrong?” Hoole said quietly, “I met with Jabba the Hutt again while you were down below. Apparently, he can’t erase our records from the Imperial computers.”

“Why not?” Zak asked. “Didn’t he do it for you once before?”

Hoole nodded. “Yes, but that was years ago. Apparently, with so much Rebel activity, the Empire has tightened security. Ever since the Rebellion stole the Death Star plans and destroyed the space station, it’s become impossible to splice into Imperial databanks.”

“Then there’s nothing he can do,” Tash concluded. Hoole let out a small sigh, hardly more than a breath. “He offered to supply us with new names, new identities. He said no one would know they were fakes. We could become completely new people.”

“New identities?” Tash said, her eyes brightening. “That sounds great. We can be anyone we want to be!”

“Prime!” Zak agreed. “It’ll be like we’re spies.”

Hoole’s frown deepened. After a pause, he said, “We would not be spies. Spies pretend to be other people for a short time. We would actually have to abandon our old selves. Leave our names behind forever. Become totally new individuals.”

“I could live with that,” Tash said.

“I could not,” Hoole said. “I may reject Jabba’s offer.”

“What!” Tash and Zak cried together.

“Why?” Tash added. “It sounds like the perfect solution.”

Hoole glowered. “You would not understand.” He refused to say anything more.

The evening and night passed slowly in their quarters. Hoole remained deep in thought. Tash dug a datapad out of her pack and read everything she could find on the B’omarr monks.

Zak sat on his bed, wishing the others weren’t so determined to be serious.

The next day, Hoole rose early to continue his work on the B’omarr scrolls. “Until I make my final decision,” he explained, “I will continue to work on those scrolls. Besides, they are worth studying.” He