[Galaxy Of Fear] - 11(14)

Zak pointed to a small shed beside the dome. Tubes ran from the shed into the dome wall. Both the shed and the tubes looked as if they hadn’t been cleaned or repaired in years. “That’s a climate control unit. Or at least what’s left of one. Since computers need cool air, the Rebels probably pump air from there into the computer room.”

Hoole nodded. “I forget how much you know about technology. Come.”

They strolled over to the building. There was a doorway but no door, and they walked inside. No one seemed to mind. In fact, this particular building was almost empty. Unlike in the hangar, there were several floors above them, and many rooms on each floor: Fortunately, they did not have to search every room. The same tubes Zak had seen running into the building ran along the ceiling. Zak and Hoole simply followed the tubes down a dusty hallway and into a large room at the back.

The room was almost completely empty. They could see scuff marks on the floor indicating where computers had once stood, but most of them had been removed. Only a few remained, and these were heavily coated with dust and seemed to be inactive.

Hoole frowned. “It would appear this computer room is no longer in use.”

Zak looked at one computer’s control panel. “Maybe. But this was used recently. At least, it wasn’t years ago.” He pointed to several buttons that had been wiped free of dust. And the screen itself had been sloppily cleared, as though someone had wiped their hand across it.

Zak found the activation switch and flipped it on. The computer lights slowly faded up, and they heard a weak hum. “The battery power is fading,” Zak said.

“Show me what you can access,” Hoole requested.

Zak’s fingers flew over the keyboard. “There’s not much here. I guess if the Rebels abandoned this place, they erased all of the vital information. All that’s left are a few personnel records. Names and profiles of some of the staff and work assignments. Boring stuff.”

“Call up Eyal’s name,” Hoole said.

Zak did as he was asked. The computer seemed to work through the request slowly. Finally, a few lines of text appeared on the screen. As they read over the screen, Zak’s jaw dropped and Hoole raised an eyebrow.

NAME: Eyal Shah

BIRTH PLANET: Corellia

AGE: 27

All the information on the screen matched what Eyal had told Tash.

But the being in the picture was totally different.

“Maybe it’s an error,” Zak said, looking at the picture of a total stranger. “This computer’s old. The files could be corrupted.”

“Perhaps,” Hoole agreed. “There should be an original datadisk for each person, shouldn’t there?”

“Yeah, a backup in case the computers fail.” There was a cabinet below the computer terminal. Zak opened it and found a tray labeled PERSONNEL DATA DISKS. But it was empty. “So much for that.” A hint of nervousness crept into his voice. “Uncle Hoole, what do you think is going on here?”

“Nothing to be concerned about. At least not yet,” the Shi’ido replied. “Aside from the strange behavior regarding the starship, there is nothing here but a personnel record with the wrong picture attached. This is all explainable. But I think it is best to keep our eyes open.”

Zak had stopped listening. He had turned to look at his uncle as Hoole spoke, but a moment later his eyes went wide. “Hey!” he yelled, and pointed over Hoole’s shoulder. Hoole whipped his head around, but the room and the doorway were empty.

“What did you see?” the Shi’ido asked.

“I saw Tash,” Zak replied. “I mean, I think it was Tash. Blond hair, braid. Except her clothes were different. She had on one of those jumpsuits the Rebels wear. She stopped in the doorway, then she ducked out as soon as I turned around.”

Hoole frowned. “Disguising herself as a Rebel? I fear she has some sort of scheme. Run after her, Zak.”

“What about you?”

Hoole pointed at the computer. “I want to compare any information in here with what I know of Dantooine and the Rebels. Just run after Tash and bring her back here. Don’t get into any trouble yourself.”

“Count on that!” Zak said, and rushed out of the room to get his sister.

Tash had watched Eyal cross the bridge for the second time. How in the galaxy could the same person have crossed the same bridge going in the same direction two times in a row?

Maybe he forgot something, she thought. Maybe I didn’t see him turn around and go back, then cross the bridge again.

But she knew that wasn’t right. She’d seen Eyal cross the bridge and head into the ruins.

Then she’d seen him do it again.