“Determined isn’t the word. Mother had pushed me at Dael ever since we were in school together, and I didn’t have the courage to tell her that I didn’t like him that much. It’s funny”—her bluegreen eyes grew misty—”I didn’t much want Dael, but when I knew he’d been sneaking around with someone else, I felt betrayed and heartbroken. People are strange, aren’t they?”
Han nodded. “Go on,” he said encouragingly.
“Well, just about that time, I heard about a revival that was being held by a Ylesian missionary. I was feeling pretty down on myself, because I just knew I couldn’t do anything right. Uprooted, you know?
Cut off from everyone.
“So I went to the revival. The Ylesian priest finished his service with just a few seconds of Exultation—and it made me feel so good.
Like I belonged with those people. So I sold my jewelry, ran away, and caught the next ship for Ylesia.”
She smiled wistfully. “So that’s my story. And to return to the subject at hand, what do you think I should do to keep poor old Ganar Tos at arm’s length?”
“Well, if he bugs you too much, mention it to Teroenza. I’m sure he doesn’t want anything to interfere with your work, and if Ganar Tos is doing that, then he’ll put a stop to it.”
“Okay,” she said, cheering up. “That’s a good idea.”
“Are you going to devotions?” Han asked, giving her a significant glance.
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to.”
“Won’t they notice when you don’t go?”
“I can always say I had a headache or was working late. Most of the pilgrims can’t wait to go, so they don’t keep tabs on who’s there.”
“That’s true. How about a walk, then?” “Sure.”
When they were outside, Han walked them clear to the Flowered Plains before he broached the subject on his mind. Quickly he summarized that morning’s interaction with Muuurgh. Bria was alarmed to realize that the Togorian had been listening to them last night, and said so.
“Yeah, me, too,” Han replied. “That big guy can be real quiet when he wants to be. No wonder he says he’s the best hunter on this planet.
He’s apparently been following me the whole time I was scouting out the lay of this place, and figuring out the best way to get us out of here.”
“We’d better be careful where we are when we’re discussing escape plans,” she said, glancing nervously around.
“Why do you think I walked us clear out here before I even brought up the subject? The trees have ears around here. We’ve gotta be real careful.
Last night it was only Muuurgh, so we’re okay, but it coulda been one of the skinchangers they’ve got as guards down in the glitterstim factory.”
She shivered at the thought. “So what did you have to tell me?”
“Muuurgh’s going to ask to go on a hunting trip while Jalus Nebl and I make the run to Nal Hutta. We’ve got it all set up. Teroenza approved me taking Nebl with me today. Nal Hutta’s two systems away, and it’ll take us four days, maybe five. I promised Muuurgh he’d have that long to find out if Mrrov is still here, and that, if she is, we’ll take her with us.”
“That would be good,” Bria said. “I hated the idea of leaving Muuurgh behind. If Teroenza got angry enough, he’d probably kill him for letting us escape, whether Muuurgh was responsible or not.”
“Right.” Han sighed. “I just wish I could figure out a way to break into Teroenza’s living quarters and search the place until I found where he keeps those ship access codes and the security lock codes for the collection. So far, I’m stumped. I’ve figured out a way to keep the guards busy, but if I can’t get those codes, I may have to change my plans. I might have to set the Welcome Center on fire or something.”
“Security codes?” Bria frowned and closed her eyes. “Security codes .
. .”
She drew a deep breath, then began reciting a string of numbers, symbols, and letters.
“That sounds like it!” Han grabbed her arm in excitement. “How’d you get them?”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “They were in Teroenza’s mind. I’m afraid they’re burned into mine, along with everything else. I wish I could forget them—and all that other stuff—but I can’t.”
He grabbed her shoulders and gave them an ecstatic little shake.
“Well, don’t wish that till we’re off this mudhole. Bria, honey, this is great!
You’ve saved me a lotta trouble!”