[Galaxy Of Fear] - 07(17)

The Shi’ido nodded. “I think you’re right, Zak. Come on.”

Hoole returned to the B’omarr tunnels with Zak, and together they searched for Tash. They searched in the hallways, they searched in the tea room, they even found a small library-but there was no sign of Tash.

Once in a while, a brown-robed monk would wander by. Hoole would stop the monk and ask if he had seen a young human girl. But each time, the monk merely stared at Hoole for a moment, then walked on without saying a word.

“Friendly bunch,” Zak sighed.

“Let’s continue,” Hoole said.

They looked for nearly an hour, but there was no sign of Tash. Finally, just as they were about to give up, another monk approached. Zak decided to try once more.

“Excuse me,” he said, “but have you seen - Oh, Beidlo, it’s you!”

Beidlo blinked as though he’d been daydreaming. “Huh?. Oh, yes, it’s me. What can I do for you?”

“What can y-you…?” Zak stammered. “I warned Uncle Hoole, just like you wanted. Now we’re looking for Tash.”

Beidlo looked confused and seemed annoyed. “What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about,” Zak exclaimed. “The brain transfers! An hour ago, you were terrified that everyone was going to die.”

“Oh, yes, that. Don’t worry about it. I think I was wrong.”

“Excuse me, young man,” Hoole interjected. “Are you saying that there is nothing out of the ordinary going on here?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying,” Beidlo said. “Now excuse me, I’ve got… things to do.”

Beidlo pushed past them and hurried along the tunnel.

Hoole cast a scolding glance at Zak.

“Uncle Hoole, I-“

“I don’t blame you, Zak,” Hoole interrupted. “Jabba’s palace can be quite confusing. But you must understand, this isn’t like any other place you’ve been. Strangeness and danger are normal here.”

Zak didn’t argue… but he didn’t agree, either. Beidlo had been terrified only a short time ago. Now he hardly seemed to remember the conversation.

“I’m not suggesting you did anything wrong, Zak,” Hoole said as they returned to their chambers. “It is simply that this place is too full of intrigue for someone your age. That’s not your fault-it is just a question of experience. You will be much safer if you stay near me.”

Hoole reached his own room and pointed to Zak’s quarters next door.

“I promise you,” he said, “that as long as you stay near your room, nothing bad will happen.”

“Yes, Uncle Hoole,” Zak said sullenly. He walked into his room.

And found Tash hanging upside down from the ceiling like a piece of meat on a hook.





CHAPTER 10


“Tash!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.

“What!” she screamed back. Her eyes flew open and she plummeted headlong toward the floor, where she landed with a heavy thud. Zak saw a small bar attached to a rope dangling from the ceiling. Tash had been hanging from the bar by her feet.

“Thanks a lot, laser brain!” Tash said, sitting up and rubbing her head. “You nearly scared the life out of me.”

“I scared you?” Zak retorted. “What in space were you doing hanging from the ceiling?”

Tash sighed like a weary teacher explaining a lesson to a thick headed student. “It’s a B’omarr meditation exercise. Grimpen showed me how to do it.”

“I knew that monk had you turned inside out, but I didn’t know he had you turned upside down as well,” Zak said snidely.

“Funny,” his sister replied. “Just the kind of thing I’d expect from someone as unenlightened as you.”

Zak smirked. “Oh, like you’re so wise.”

Tash got to her feet and limped around for a moment to make sure her leg wasn’t damaged. “According to Grimpen, I am. He says only one person in a billion has the potential that I have.”

“Great,” Zak said under his breath, “you’re still taking compliments from a guy who wants to have his brain removed.”

More loudly, he said, “Listen, Tash, I know we haven’t been getting along too well, but I need your help. There’s something odd going on. First I was chased by a brain spider. Then I met this prisoner, and now Beidlo is acting very strange-“

“Zak.” Tash held up one hand to stop him. “I’m sorry if I’ve been rude to you. I don’t mean to be. It’s just that meeting Grimpen has opened my eyes. You know how much I like to study, and you know that I’m trying to figure out how to use the Force. The B’omarr meditations Grimpen has shown me really help. I feel like I’m starting to understand things.”