[Galaxy Of Fear] - 09(3)
Zak and Tash stepped into their room. It was small and cozy, with two cots, two chairs, and a table. Almost every other surface in the room was covered in plants. Plants growing in troughs. Plants growing in buckets. Plants sprouting from containers near windows.
Next to each plant was a small computer display. When touched, the screen described the plant, and a computer voice gave information about Ithor.
Tash studied one display, but Zak ignored the computer and bent down to examine a curious-looking plant on the table. It had broad leaves that were green at the edges but bright orange and yellow in the center, as if they were on fire.
As Zak reached out to touch one of the leaves, the plant suddenly flicked forward and jabbed his hand.
“Ow!” Zak yelped. “That thing just stung me!” He shoved his finger into his mouth.
“Please do not tease the alleth plant.” The computer voice explained, “While this sproutling poses no real danger, a full-grown alleth will eat small rodents.”
“Now they tell me,” Zak grumbled. “I didn’t know plants came with instructions.” He looked at his sister. “Hey, what’s with the speed globe?”
Tash had brought the red globe with her when they left the ship and had been tossing it from hand to hand ever since. She was still feeling a little lonely, and holding the globe reminded her of better times.
“I don’t know,” she said. “You want to play?”
Zak laughed. “With you? You’re terrible!”
Tash bristled. She wasn’t really mad at Zak, but she was in a bad enough mood to make him eat his words. “In that case, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, Zak. Unless you’re afraid I’ll win.”
Zak laughed. “You’re on. But is there anyplace to play here?”
Tash shook her head. “Not here. Down there.”
She pointed out the window, toward the edge of the transparent dome, and down to the planet’s surface.
The generosity of the Ithorians continued to surprise them. Not only had the Hammerheads supplied Hoole, Zak, and Tash with rooms to sleep in, but they had also given them access to small ships called skimmers for traveling around the giant Tafanda Bay.
Zak and Tash stood next to one of the small flying ships, but before they could climb in, Zak stopped.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he said. “Fandomar said the planet’s surface was off limits.”
“Don’t be such a worry wampa!” Tash replied, tossing the speed globe from one hand to the other.
Zak shook his head. “Since when does my sister break the rules?”
Tash thought a moment. “Well, I’m not breaking the rules exactly. Fandomar said the law wasn’t really enforced. Besides, the Ithorians just want to make sure no one harms their planet. We’ll be careful.”
“I don’t know…,” Zak said.
“Come on, Zak,” she pleaded. “It’s the perfect time. Uncle Hoole’s off resupplying the Shroud. He won’t be back for a couple of hours.”
Zak shook his head. “Okay, but not because I want to see trees. I just want to find out what happens when you’re the one getting us into trouble.”
They climbed into the skimmer and lifted off.
For a while, they cruised around the domes of the Tafanda Bay. It looked like any normal city-except that it floated and was nearly covered in the plants that grew in and around the buildings.
Reaching the edge of their dome, Zak and Tash flew through a wide opening and out into the open air. Other ships slipped out before and after them, and most of those ships flew directly toward another dome. As soon as the other ships had passed them, Tash swerved aside and headed for the edge of the floating city. Reaching the edge of the platform, she jerked hard on the skimmer’s control stick, sending the ship into a steep dive toward the planet’s surface. In moments, they had dropped below the level of the city. As they rushed toward the ground, tall trees seemed to reach up to greet them.
Tash settled the skimmer at the foot of a small hill. A gentle nudge of the engines pushed the skimmer under a large, overhanging rock. Hidden in the shadows, the skimmer wouldn’t be spotted by anyone flying overhead. The spot was also far enough from any trees to avoid harming them with the skimmer’s exhaust, which made Tash happy. Although she wasn’t supposed to be in the forest, she was determined to follow the Ithorians’ customs as much as possible.
Popping the hatch, she hopped out of the skimmer with her brother right behind her. She breathed deeply. “Smell that? The air here’s so fresh and clean…”
She trailed off. The deep breaths she was taking had focused her mind just like the few times she’d used the Force. Tash suddenly felt something tug at her. Not at her clothes or her hands-at her heart. It was as though there were a string attached to her chest that pulled her toward the forest.