As Boba strode across,the open plaza, the strange Jedi turned to appraise the newcomer. Her eyes beneath her somber brown hood were alert and questioning.

"Who is this you have brought here?" she asked Tarkin. "I know that I approved your, request to land, but you gave us so few details...."

The governor waited for Boba to join them, then turned to the older Jedi and bowed his head to her respectfully. He looked at Boba and gestured at the tall Jedi.

"This is Luminara Unduli," Tarkin said by way of introduction. "I have worked with her before, in various negotiations with the Separatists."

Luminara Unduli regarded Boba with interest. She had the dark eyes and smooth bronze skin and ornate facial tattoos of the desert-dwellers of Moral. She had their detached intelligence as well.

Even inside his helmet, Boba could feel the intensity of her probing gaze.

"So, Governor Tarkin. This is the envoy Skywalker mentioned." Her stare grew even more p.r.o.nounced.

Boba's hand began to twitch instinctively for his blaster, but he checked it in time. Instead he inclined his head to Luminara and said nothing.

"Does the envoy have a name?" Luminara asked pointedly. "I note he does not have a face. Not one I can see, anyway."

"The envoy has news for the Chancellor alone," Tarkin said smoothly. He glanced aside, and Boba could swear he winked at him. "He wishes to remain anonymous. His mission is extremely perilous. His journey has been arduous. And he may have information that will help our cause. The Republic has guaranteed him safe pa.s.sage here - that should be enough to satisfy the Jedi High Council."

"And do you take responsibility for him?" Luminara asked coolly.

"These are perilous times for all of us."

"No doubt," concluded Tarkin. Boba could see the governor's eyes flash dangerously. "I have spoken for him. My word shall be enough."

Luminara's gaze flickered at Tarkin's words; with anger or doubt, Boba could not be sure. Finally, she nodded. "Very well. I can see he is unarmed. I will trust the Chancellor's judgment, Governor. You may show him to his chambers."

She began to turn to leave. Then she stopped, adding, "The Chancellor has acknowledged your request that he meet with this envoy. He has agreed to do so tonight. Chancellor Palpatine must meet with Mace Windu in his chambers first. You may escort your envoy to his rooms now.

Then I need to debrief you on the Xagobah situation, Governor."

Tarkin bowed. Boba inclined his head very slightly as Luminara left. He was really glad now that they couldn't see his face.

Mace Windu!

Boba would never get another chance like this. Not even the thought of Chancellor Palpatine's wrath could curb Boba's fierce joy at the thought of destroying his enemy.

Gotta find Hat Lo first, though, he thought. Gotta get new weapons - and shake Tarkin!

The governor seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts. "This way,"

he said. He motioned Boba to follow him. "I'll take you to your quarters.

Then I must take care of some Senate affairs."

They walked in silence across the landing plaza. Ahead of them loomed the proud spires of the Jedi Temple. As they drew nearer, Boba had to fight the urge to draw a nonexistent blaster. He could see dark-robed figures moving around the base of the closest tower. A few of them glanced curiously at him.

"They better not give me any trouble," Boba muttered under his breath.

"They won't," Tarkin said curtly.

They had reached one of the main entrances to the Temple. Tarkin slowed his steps: He looked at the young bounty hunter beside him.

"I'm taking an awful risk with you, Boba Fett," he said in a low voice. "And I'm not even sure why. But I have an enormous amount of confidence in young Skywalker."

Tarkin gestured for Boba to enter the Temple.

"I hope you prove worth it," Tarkin said. "We are always looking for new allies."

Boba watched as Governor Tarkin walked off into his own future.

Then Boba turned, and silently entered the stronghold of the Jedi.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

Inside the Jedi Temple, all was muted, but not utterly silent.

Robed Jedi pa.s.sed, their cloaks sweeping the floor. A small group of very young Jedi initiates went by, walking in a straight line. They turned to stare with open mouths at the tall, helmeted young man who strode past them.

"Who is that?" one of the children asked. The Jedi instructor leading them paused, staring at Boba curiously.

"I'm looking for the visitors' quarters," Boba said before she could question him. "Anakin Skywalker arranged for me to stay here."

At mention of Skywalker's name, the Jedi nodded.

"Of course," she said. "That way - follow the corridor until it turns left. The door of your room will be open."

"Thanks," said Boba. The children continued to stare at him with such huge eyes that he was tempted to laugh.

But he didn't. Instead he hurried down the corridor the Jedi had indicated. It was a wide pa.s.sage, lit with the bright, soft light the Jedi favored for public s.p.a.ces. In the distance he could see two formidable figures walking side by side, deep in discussion. As they drew near, Boba stiffened.

It can't be! he thought. Every hair on his head p.r.i.c.kled. Without thinking his hand grasped at his utility belt.

That was when Boba remembered that his weapons were gone.

And only a handsbreadth away was Mace Windu!

Boba's mouth went dry. The last time he had seen Windu was in the Geonosian execution arena. There the Jedi Master had stood unflinching and grim above the corpse of Boba's father, Jango, whom he had slain.

Father! Boba thought, as the anguish of that moment came back to him.

As though he had spoken the words aloud, Boba saw Windu suddenly glance his way.

Can't let him know it's me! Boba thought desperately. Not now. Not when I'm so close!

Boba hadn't seen Mace Windu in many years. But he knew of the tall Jedi Master's incredible skill at fighting - and more. Windu was rumored to possess a voice and will so powerful that he seldom needed to use the Force on his enemies, let alone a lightsaber.

And that voice had fallen suddenly, ominously, silent as Boba pa.s.sed in the hallway.

Don't stare at him, Boba thought. Just keep going. Don't stop, don't - But he could feel Mace Windu's gaze boring into him. And he could see Windu halt, putting a hand on his companion's arm as he gazed after Boba.

"Who - ?" Mace Windu began to ask in his deep tones.

"Master Windu! Master Windu!"

A child's high voice rang through the pa.s.sage. The Jedi Master turned, his expression changing from suspicion to amus.e.m.e.nt as one of the tiny Jedi younglings ran toward him, the breathless instructor at her heels.

"Veda!" the instructor called in exasperation. "Get back here immediately!"

"But I want to ask him something!"

Mace looked at the child. As he laughed, Boba hastened on down the pa.s.sage. Still, as the hall began to turn toward the left, he couldn't resist glancing back.

Mace stood, listening patiently as the child prattled on. But as he listened he slowly turned his head, staring directly down the pa.s.sage.

At Boba.

He can't know it's me, Boba thought. And even if he does For an instant Boba remained where he was. The Jedi could not see the hatred in his eyes.

But perhaps he could feel the hatred in Boba's soul.

"I'll see you again very soon, Mace Windu," Boba whispered before turning to continue on his way.

The room that had been made ready for him was spare but comfortable. He had worried that the Jedi were going to put a guard on watch, but clearly they were too occupied to spend effort on an informant whose information they did not know yet to be true. But this played to Boba's advantage. He wasted little time in his room. He shut the door and activated the room's communicator. Within seconds, Hat Lo's sweaty face once more stared out at him.

"Boba!" he said in forced joviality. "I didn't expect to hear again from you so soon!"

"No? Well, you're going to see me even sooner. I need to meet with you."

"Now?" Hat Lo sounded aggrieved.

"As I told you, my business is urgent. Jabba's business.."

Boba let his voice trail off threateningly.

Hat Lo blanched. "Of course, of course!" he said. "I'll send a speeder for you immediately! I will meet you within the hour at the Sign of the TriForked Tongue. You will be my most honored guest," he added, his voice rising with anxiety. "As befits one of Jabba's most trusted circle - besides myself, of course."

"Of course," said Boba. Behind his helmet he smiled unpleasantly.

"The Sign of the Tri-Forked Tongue, in one hour. I'll see you there."

Hat Lo's round face blipped from view. For a few minutes Boba sat alone in his room.

"Mace's lightsaber a.s.saults are legendary," he said, brooding.

"He's taller than me, too, though not by much. I have my blades, but I'll need a blaster. And a saberdart would be really good for backup...."

Boba nodded excitedly at the thought of the poisonous Kamino weapon. That would really do the job! Not even a Jedi Master could withstand the venom of a saberdart! Now let's just hope Hat Lo can put his grimy little hands on one for me.

He hurried off to meet the Coruscant lowlife's airspeeder.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN,.

The bright-red airspeeder was waiting near Slave I on the landing dock. With a pang, Boba immediately recognized the humanoid alien piloting it.

"Oh no!" he groaned. "Not Elan Sleazebaggano!"

"Elan's the name," the obnoxious young con man announced as Boba jumped into the seat beside him. His long antennae wriggled with pride.

"Flying's my game! Unless, of course, I could interest you in some Polordion smootdust?"

Elan whipped out a shimmering green parcel and waved it enticingly in Boba's face. "One hundred percent pure, satisfaction guaranteed - "

Boba grabbed Elan's shoulder. "I'm not interested in your cheap contraband, Sleazebaggano!" he said. "Take me to the Sign of the TriForked Tongue - fast!"

Elan nodded eagerly. "Sure, sure!" The shimmering green packet disappeared. Elan punched at the control panels. The airspeeder swooped away from the docking platform.

"You look like a discerning bounty hunter," Elan went on, almost without drawing a breath. "Maybe you're more interested in a pair of tortapo-sh.e.l.l shades! One-hundred-percent natural, guaranteed to block out dangerous infradig rays - "

"Fast, and silent!" ordered Boba. He tightened his grip on Elan's shoulder.

"Sure, sure!" gulped Elan. His long fleshy antennae twitched nervously. "I live to please. But maybe you'd consider - "

Boba groaned. Elan was relentless!

Where's my blaster when I need it?

"This better be a short trip," Boba said menacingly. "Otherwise..."

"Sure, sure!"

The airspeeder raced away from the Jedi Temple. Around them the skyrise caverns of Coruscant shone and glittered. This was where the galaxy's most wealthy residents lived. Senators, amba.s.sadors, diplomats, guild leaders, merchants - all in those glimmering towers. That was who rode in those sleek speeder limos. That was who ate in those fantastically expensive restaurant terraces, and slept in bedrooms bigger than a Caridan training arena.

Boba tried not to look impressed by it all.