[Galaxy Of Fear] - 08(11)

He didn’t finish his sentence. With a quiet whirrr, a small hatch opened beneath the shuttle. Zak felt Tash pull him down to the ground just as a shadowy figure slipped out of the shuttle, paused to make sure no one had seen him, then dashed off into the garden.

Even in the misty dawn light, Tash and Zak had both seen the blaster in his hand.

“I told you!” Tash whispered. “They’re up to something!’

“Maybe,” Zak whispered back. “But Imperials always carry blasters.”

“Yeah, but they only draw them when they’re going to shoot someone!” Tash started after the shadowy figure.

As loud as he dared, Zak called after her, “Even if there is something going on, what are we going to do about it?”

Tash didn’t answer until Zak had caught up with her. “I don’t know,” she said, “but Uncle Hoole said he was determined not to let the Empire destroy any more civilizations. Considering what happened to Alderaan, we should do our part, too. Maybe if we follow this Imperial, we’ll find out what’s going on, and we can tell Uncle Hoole. He’ll know what to do.”

The plan seemed harmless enough to Zak. After spending all day yesterday stuck near the Shroud, he was ready to be talked into a walk in the Sikadian Garden. And if they were caught, they could claim they had been doing just that-going for an early morning walk.

It was easy to move quietly on the damp grass, so they ran at nearly full speed in the direction the shadowy figure had gone. They caught sight of him once or twice-just a glimpse, but it was enough to keep on his trail.

But the figure didn’t seem to have any set route. He was moving quickly, but aimlessly, dashing in and out of trees, zigzagging among rows of flowers, and circling around a large pond.

Tash and Zak followed his trail until it ended in some bushes. They crawled through the thick, prickly plants, and when they came out the other side, the shadowy figure was gone.

“Well,” Zak panted, “so much for that plan.”

“Oh, laserburn!” Tash said, kicking at the wet ground. “I hope we didn’t miss our chance to spy on those Imperials.”

A moment later a faint hum drifted toward them, like the soft buzz of a power generator. Following the sound, the two Arrandas found themselves climbing a small hill covered in tiny glowing flowers. The hum came from the top of the rise. Silently, they crept upward.

Now they heard soft grunts and quick footsteps. The hum sounded like the vrrooom of a slashing vibroblade. Was there a fight going on above them?

Zak and Tash crawled on their hands and knees, staying low as they reached the crest of the hill. They gasped when they saw who was there.





CHAPTER 6


“Sh’shak!” Tash gasped in spite of herself.

Sh’shak froze instantly. He was alone, holding a wicked-looking staff with a blade at one end. He held the weapon over his head, poised to strike a small tree that was growing at the top of the hill. The sapling already had dozens of marks where Sh’shak’s weapon had cut the bark. None of the slashes were deep enough to hurt the tree, but all of them were long and precise.

Zak and Tash found it hard to believe this was the same peaceful S’krrr they had met only yesterday. He looked violent and warlike. There was a fierce fire in his black eyes.

But Sh’shak’s warlike manner vanished the instant he saw them. In a smooth, practiced motion he lowered his weapon and stuck the bladed end into the ground. His arms dropped calmly to his sides and his face took on the serene look they had seen when they first met him. In one second he had changed from a warrior back into a gentle poet.

Sh’shak took a few steps away from the tree. “Tash, Zak,” he said gently. His wings fluttered on his back. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

“It’s a surprise, anyway,” Zak muttered.

“Sh’shak, what are you doing?” Tash asked, pointing at the weapon sticking out of the ground.

“Ah, this,” he said. “Just practicing.”

“Practice!” Zak scoffed. “Since when do poets practice with vibropikes?”

Sh’shak’s wings fluttered again. “I have many interests. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do elsewhere.” Quickly, the S’krrr pulled his weapon out of the ground and hurried off. He was gone in a moment.

“Well, Tash, is this what you expected to find?” Zak said. “It looks like your friend the poet doubles as a trained killer!”

Tash shook her head. “Remember the other day when Vroon said Sh’shak had a more aggressive talent? Maybe this is what he meant.”

“Maybe,” Zak replied, recalling the scene in the caretaker’s hut yesterday. “And maybe that plant the other day went crazy because of Sh’shak. We’ve both met our share of weirdos in the past few months, and I’m starting to think your friend may belong on the list.”