“That does it,” Obi-Wan said as he placed the third power gem on the last megalith. Suddenly, the air was filled with a dull whine. Then the three megaliths began to move slowly away from one another, and the Firewells floated down to rest upon the high pile of bones.
Anakin stepped between the megaliths. “It worked!” he shouted with delight. “The force field is down!”
The Firewells were saved.
At this point, readers who chose to follow the adventure in the Star Wars Adventures Game Book can return to The Cavern of Screaming Skulls.
“You’re sure you and your parents are all right, Klay?” Anakin asked after Tattyra and Hondu had been retrieved and revived.
“I just have a headache,” Klay replied. “The Nallastian doctor said I’ll be back to normal in a few hours. My mom and dad are both OK, too.”
Anakin and Klay stood beside the Firewell family’s starship in an open courtyard behind the walls of the Skull Queen’s fortress. Klay and his parents had recovered quickly after their respective ordeals and had accepted apologies from Princess Calvaria. Although the Skull Queen had invited the zoologists to remain at her fortress as her honored guests, the Firewells had decided to leave Nallastia.
Anakin said, “I hope you have a safe flight back to Corulag.”
“Thanks again for everything, Anakin. If you hadn’t helped out, my parents would have been killed,” said Klay.
“It was my Master and the Skull Queen who brought the power gems back from the cavern,” Anakin noted. “I didn’t do anything.”
“That’s not true!” Klay said. “You were the one who convinced everyone that my parents weren’t poachers. Also, you were ready to fight all of the Nallastian warriors to save my parents. I mean, you didn’t even know me, but you really came through. I’ll never forget that.”
Anakin smiled. “I’m glad everything turned out all right, Klay.”
Just then, Tattyra and Hondu Firewell appeared at the top of their starship’s landing ramp. Tattyra Firewell said, “We’re all set to go home, Klay.”
“Okay, Mom,” Klay said.
Anakin looked at the smile on Klay’s mother’s face. He could not help but think of his own mother and how much he missed her. As he shook Klay’s hand, said good-bye, and watched the Firewells leave on their starship, he almost wished that he—like them—had the freedom to go where he chose. Unfortunately, Jedi did not have that freedom. Anakin kept his eyes on the starship until it vanished into the starlit sky. He felt empty. And lost.
Obi-Wan, Bultar Swan, and the Skull Queen entered the courtyard and found Anakin looking up at the stars. Hearing his friends approach, Anakin turned and said, “The Firewells are gone.”
“After all they went through, even I can understand why they were eager to leave,” the Skull Queen admitted. “I hope they know our apologies were sincere.”
“They might have been more convinced if they had been allowed to land on Nallastia in the first place,” Anakin commented. He knew his comment had attracted Obi-Wan’s stern gaze, but he continued, “According to Klay Firewell, his parents had paid for a tourist pass through the office of Senator Rodd.”
“Then they were misled and cheated,” the Skull Queen responded. “Fondor representatives are not entitled to issue tourist passes for Nallastia.”
Anakin said, “Then perhaps something is rotten on Fondor.”
The Skull Queen smiled. “I’ve been saying that for years.”
“The Nallastians have invited us to stay for the night,” Obi-Wan informed Anakin. “I believe we could all use a rest, so I’ve accepted.”
“My cooks are preparing a sumptuous meal,” the Skull Queen said. “Come. The night is young.”
Anakin said, “I do not wish to appear disrespectful, Your Highness, but I regret I am truly exhausted. If I may, I would prefer to get some rest now.”
“Of course,” said the Skull Queen. “Allow me to show you to your chambers.”
As Anakin left the courtyard with the Skull Queen, Bultar leaned close to Obi-Wan and asked, “Have you transmitted another message to the Jedi Council?”
“No,” Obi-Wan replied.
“So our backup should still be on the way?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” Bultar said. “Because I have a feeling that this mission isn’t over and we may still need help.”
“And I have a feeling Anakin is right,” Obi-Wan added. “Something is rotten on Fondor.”
Still on the space station orbiting Fondor, Senator Rodd returned to the comm station and made another attempt to contact Groodo via the HoloNet transceiver. After entering the code for Groodo’s address, Rodd faced the concave hologram projection pod and waited. Seconds later, the holographic image of a Hutt’s head appeared over the projection pod.
“Evening, Senator,” drawled the Hutt. “My son told me you wanted to talk. How are things in the Fondor system?”
“Well, Groodo, we experienced an interesting event earlier today,” the Senator said, choosing his words carefully. “Some Jedi destroyed a most unusual derelict starship.”
“WHAT?!” Groodo bellowed. “Destroyed?!”
Before Groodo could continue, Senator Rodd said, “Yes, that’s right. I’d like to tell you all about it, but this line may not be secure. I was hoping you might be able to come to Fondor and —”
“Fondor?” Groodo exclaimed. “You mean, Fondor wasn’t destroyed?”
“Of course Fondor wasn’t destroyed,” Rodd snapped, wishing Groodo would just keep his mouth shut before he blurted out all the details of their secret plan. “I said a derelict was destroyed, Groodo. We must have a bad connection. I suggest you come to Fondor at once.”
“Sure, I hear you,” Groodo replied. “I’ll be on my way as soon as you’re done talking. You done yet?”
“Not quite,” Rodd said. “I think you should know there’s still a chance we can fulfill our business arrangement. It might be a good idea if you brought some of your special droids with you.”
“Droids?” Groodo repeated. “How many?”
“As many as you can,” Rodd said, and broke the connection.
Rodd stepped away from the comm station and went to a viewport. He could see Nallastia suspended against the starscape and he realized he was clenching his teeth so hard that his jaw ached.
He hoped the Jedi were having a wretched time on Nallastia.
In the Skull Queen’s fortress, Obi-Wan and Bultar Swan were seated at a long wooden table with the Skull Queen, Princess Calvaria, and two dozen Nallastian warriors. As servants cleared away plates and refilled goblets, Obi-Wan faced the Skull Queen and said, “Now that you have the three power gems, what will you do with them?”
“I’m not certain,” the Skull Queen replied. “But I think the first thing I will do is deny any knowledge that they have been recovered.”
“Why?” Bultar asked.
“Because their value is immeasurable, and they will attract the worst sort of attention,” the Skull Queen answered. “I would be content if every pirate and treasure hunter in the galaxy thought the power gems were nothing more than a legend, and therefore not bother to trample across my planet.”
Obi-Wan suggested, “Then it might be best if you put the gems back in the Cavern of Screaming Skulls.”
The Skull Queen beamed. “Yes, that would discourage anyone from trying to obtain them. You are wise, Jedi.” She turned to her daughter and asked, “Is he not wise, Calvaria?”
“He is very wise, Mother,” Calvaria replied without looking up from her plate.
“A toast!” the Skull Queen exclaimed as she pushed back her chair. Rising to her feet, she lifted her goblet and said, “To the courageous Jedi who recovered the Lost Stars of Nallastia, and who has proposed that they be returned to their hiding place. He is not only an adventurer, but a preservationist as well. Three cheers!”
As the gathered warriors roared heartily, Obi-Wan looked at Bultar, who also raised her goblet to
him. Obi-Wan grimaced. He did not enjoy feeling like a public display.
After the cheering subsided, the Skull Queen said, “Indeed, let no one deny that Obi-Wan Kenobi is the champion of ancient prophecy!”
There were more loud cheers. Catching the Skull Queen’s eye, Obi-Wan protested, “You give me too much credit. It’s not as if I found the power gems on my own.”
“Ah, and he is modest too,” the Skull Queen said. Raising her goblet again, she proclaimed, “In every way, he will make a perfect husband for the Skull Queen!”
The warriors roared even louder, but went silent as Calvaria stood and said, “No, Mother. The Jedi is to marry me!”
Obi-Wan looked at Calvaria, then to the Skull Queen, then back at Calvaria. The two women appeared quite serious. He turned to Bultar, who looked at him and blinked.
“I think I may laugh,” Bultar said.
Obi-Wan warned, “Don’t you dare!”
NEXT STAR WARS ADVENTURE:
THE HOSTAGE PRINCESS
11.6.18.15.14.5-1
Star Wars Adventures 002 - The Cavern of Screaming Skulls Page 5