Chapter 16

Nute Gunray was in his suite on board the Saak'ak, trying to enjoy a mildew rubdown and failing utterly, when his private comlink chimed. His masseuse had slathered his naked form with liquefied green mold and was industriously kneading the muscle nodules of his upper back, which were so tight with tension that he could hear them crackle.

At his grunted acknowledgment, the image of Rune Haako formed near the massage table. The barrister did not look happy, but that in itself meant little; Neimoidians as a species rarely looked happy.

" I have news, " Haako said in a low voice.

" Come to my quarters, " Gunray replied, and the holoimage flickered out.

Whatever news Haako had for him was best heard in person, in the privacy of his sanctum. Even though there was supposedly no one on board the freighter who was not loyal to him and his cause, the viceroy was taking no chances. He knew very well just how easily the allegiance of his cohorts and underlings could be bought.

He dismissed the masseuse, donned a vermilion robe, and paced restlessly, awaiting Haako's arrival. The intricacies of protocol dictated that he be sitting at ease in a couch or chair, his nonchalant attitude conveying the impression that, no matter what news Haako might be bearing, it could not possibly be important enough to cause him any concern. But he was beyond caring about such formalities at this point. There had been no word for nearly forty‑ eight hours from the bounty hunter they had engaged, and no news of Hath Monchar's whereabouts or plans. At any moment he expected to see the holographic presence of Darth Sidious materialize again before him, demanding that he once more assemble his gang of four to continue discussions concerning the Naboo blockade. And what would happen when Gunray was still not able to account for Monchar's absence? He winced as the mere thought of such a conversation with Sidious caused his gut sac to fill with acidic bile. He knew he was building a world‑ class ulcer in his lower abdomen, but there didn't seem to be much he could do to stop it.

The door panel slid open, and Haako entered. A moment later Daultay Dofine entered, as well. Gunray steeled himself; one look at his compatriots' hunched postures and furtive miens assured him that he was not about to hear good news.

" I have just heard from the consular representative at our embassy on Coruscant, " Haako said. His willingness to skip the preamble of verbal fencing and get right to the subject was ample evidence that his concern was just as great as Gunray's. " One of our people has been killed there. "

Gunray had to will his salivary glands to moisten his palate before he was able to speak. " Was it Monchar? "

" At this point, we don't know for certain, " Dofine said. " There was evidently an explosion, although the investigation is unclear as to whether that was the cause of death. Genetic ID verification is pending. "

" However, " Haako continued, lowering his voice mid peering about as if he expected Darth Sidious to appear at any moment, " a piece of singed cloth that was once part of a miter of the office of deputy viceroy was found at the scene. "

Nute Gunray closed his eyes and tried to imagine what life as a mulch farmer back on Neimoidia would belike.

" In addition, " Dofine said, " several other bodies were discovered at the scene of the explosion. One has been conclusively identified: the bounty hunter Mahwi Lihnn. "

Mulch farming probably had its good points, Gunray told himself. For one thing, the possibility of having to deal with the Sith in his new occupation was very unlikely.

" I think we must admit the conclusion that Hath Monchar is no longer among the living, " Rune Haako said. He began to wring his hands as though he was twisting the life out of a swamp toad he planned to have for a snack.

" This is a disaster, " Dofine whined. " What will we tell Lord Sidious? "

What indeed? the viceroy of the Federation wondered. Oh, there was no shortage of lies that they could come up with‑ but would Sidious believe any of them? That was the all‑ important question. And the answer, much as Gunray hated to admit it, was, almost certainly not. The Sith Lord's cowled face rose unbidden before his mental vision, and he could not help but shudder. Those eyes, hidden deep in that hooded cloak, could penetrate subterfuge and dissimulation as easily as X rays penetrated flesh and illuminated the bones within for all to see.

But what other option was there? Though the thought of doing so galled him on a very fundamental level, Gunray knew that they could simply admit the truth: that Monchar had absconded, to where and for what reason they did not know‑ although anyone with the brains of an oxygen‑ starved Gamorrean could extrapolate that fairly quickly. But the truth had its own built‑ in hazards, chief among which was the fact that it had not been presented when Sidious first noticed Monchar's absence.

Veracity and prevarication seemed equally dangerous here. It was a Neimoidian's worst nightmare: a situation from which it was impossible to worm one's way out. Gunray looked down and saw that he was wringing his own hands every bit as industriously as were Rune Haako and Daultay Dofine.

Only one thing was certain. Soon‑ very soon‑ they would have to tell the Sith Lord something.

Jedi Master Yoda entered the conference ante‑ 111 amber, a smaller room off to one side of the Council Chamber. Mace Windu and Qui‑ Gon Jinn were already seated at the pleekwood table. Behind them a floor‑ to‑ ceiling transparisteel window offered a panoramic view of the endless architectural welter that was Coruscant and its continuous streams of air traffic.

Yoda moved slowly toward one of the chairs. He leaned on his gimer‑ stick cane as he walked, and Windu had to suppress a smile as he watched Yoda's progress. While Yoda was easily the oldest member of the council, being well over 800 standard years of age, he was by no means as decrepit as he sometimes pretended to be. Though it was true that he had slowed slightly in the years that Windu had known him, Yoda's skill with a lightsaber was still second to none on the council.

Windu waited until his colleague was seated before he spoke. " I have not deemed it necessary to call a general meeting of the council concerning this yet, " he aid. " Nevertheless, it is a problem that in my opinion warrants discussion. "

Yoda nodded. " Of the Black Sun matter you speak. "

" Yes‑ specifically of Oolth the Fondorian, and the Padawan Darsha Assant, who was sent to bring him here. "

" Has there been any word at all from her? " Qui‑ (; on Jinn asked.

" None. It has been almost forty‑ eight hours. The mission should not have taken more than four or five at the most. "

" Anoon Bondara is missing, as well, " Yoda said reflectively. " Coincidence I doubt it is. "

" You think Bondara has gone in search of Assant? " Windu asked. Yoda nodded.

" Understandable, " Jinn said. " Assant is his Padawan. If he felt she was in danger, he would look into it. "

" Of course he would, " Windu replied. " But why did he not inform any of us as to his intentions? And why has there been no communication from either of them? "

There was silence for a moment as the three Jedi Masters pondered the questions. Then Yoda said, " Some infraction on her part, perhaps he knew or suspected. Want to protect her from repercussions, he would. "

Jinn nodded. " Anoon has always been one to chafe at rules and restrictions. "

Mace Windu glanced at Jinn and raised an eyebrow. Jinn smiled slightly and shrugged.

" This makes sense to me, " Windu said. " It feels right. But, however noble Anoon Bondara's intentions, we cannot have him and Assant acting without the knowledge or consent of the council. "

" Agreed we are on this matter, " Yoda said. " Send an investigator we must. "

" Yes, " Windu said. " But who? With the current state of affairs in the Republic Senate, all our senior members are on standby alert, and may continue to be for some time. "

" I have a suggestion, " Qui‑ Gon Jinn said. " Dispatch my Padawan. If Black Sun is involved, he will be able to sense it. "

" Obi‑ Wan Kenobi? Potentially strong in the Force he is, " Yoda mused. " A good choice he would be. "

Mace Windu nodded slowly. Yoda was right. I 'hough not yet a full‑ fledged Jedi Knight, Kenobi had amply demonstrated his skills in battle and in negotiation. If anyone could find out what had happened to Bondara and Assant, he could.

The senior member of the council stood. " We are decided, then. Qui‑ Gon, you will explain the situation to Kenobi and send him on his way as soon as possible. There is something about all this…" Windu was silent for a moment.

" Yes, " Yoda said soberly. " No accident this was. "

Qui‑ Gon Jinn said nothing; he merely nodded his agreement, then stood. " Obi‑ Wan will leave for the Crimson Corridor immediately, " he told Windu and Yoda.

" May the Force be with him, " Yoda said softly.