The E-5 was doing quite well with its new capabilities. And the Blood Carver was reacting favorably to his new perspective. So far, so good, but there was so much farther to go.
Sienar held out a small box of data cards. "I would like to have these programs loaded into the ship's manufactory and placed in all the battle droids. The programming will be duplicated from these data cards and activated in each unit, to replace all previous programming. All, Captain Kett. And, of course, I will perform authentication tests."
Kett's polite expression froze. "That is not authorized, sir. It's against Trade Federation policy."
Sienar smiled at this slip into old ways. "When we return, all our weapons will be handed over to the Republic. This programming meets Republic standards and the droid will answer to Republic control."
"It is still not in my brief," Kett said.
"I have my own instructions, from Tarkin himself, and they are explicit," Sienar said calmly. He knew that as commander, and with Tarkin's backing, his command would be sufficient- now that he had at least some influence over Ke Daiv.
Now that he would not meet an unfortunate accident if he did something unexpected and out of turn.
The Baktoid E-5 droid strode with a surprisingly light tread out of the turbolift and onto the bridge of the flagship. It stood just below the navigation deck, clearly visible to all on the bridge. No threat was implied, merely a demonstration of the new way of things. Normally, this droid would not have been activated until battle.
Kett watched with obvious misgivings. "Understood, sir," he said.
"And show me the astromech reports when the job is completed," Sienar said, sucking his teeth.
Kett watched him for a couple of seconds, barely hiding his distaste.
Sienar ignored him and glared at the port.
"Reversion," the hyperdrive control officer announced.
"Realspace!" Captain Kett shouted as the stars whisked back into proper perspective, and space and time returned to their familiar dominance.
"About time," Sienar said with a sigh. He pushed a lever, and the navigation deck rolled on its track toward the large port until the view filled his field of vision.
He would have reveled in any normal pattern of stars whatsoever, but what he saw now was impressive, very impressive. The outward-spiraling ribbon of the red giant and white dwarf components filled his eyes with a dreamlike, fiery light. Such a sight was a rare privilege.
With some assurance of subtlety and Sienar-bred creativity in his weapons systems, he could actually enjoy the view.
"Our destination planet is in sight, and we are locked on to a holding orbit around the planet's yellow sun," Kett said. "We will not approach any closer until so ordered by you, Commander." Kett, still mulling over his options, was reluctant to leave the bridge.
Sienar did not mind independent thought, so long as it did not become too independent.
"You may carry out your instructions. . now." Sienar pointed aft.
"Yes, sir." Kett hurried to the turbolift, the deep-set and jewel-like eyes of the E-5 droid firmly and balefully fixed on the space between his shoulder blades.
Chapter 27
The Sekotan air transport took them south over some of the strangest terrain Obi-Wan Kenobi had ever seen. Flying at an altitude of less than a thousand meters, the small, flat craft dodged with dizzying speed over tall, thick- trunked boras with bloated balloonlike leaves that spun and wobbled in their wake.
"I think the settlers use those leaves to make their airships," Anakin said, looking aft through the windscreen that curved almost completely around the transport.
Obi-Wan nodded, lost in thought. If seed-partners preferred Jedi, then some research was called for. Only organisms strong in the Force could detect Jedi. It was becoming more and more apparent that the life-forms of this world-Sekot, as Gann called the living totality-were special, and that his Padawan strongly attracted them.
"This is really beautiful," Anakin said. "The air smells great, and the jungle is wizard."
"Don't grow too attached," Obi-Wan warned.
"I've never been to a place like this."
"Remember your earlier feelings about Sekot."
"I do," Anakin said.
"You mentioned a single wave, something happening now or in the future."
"Yeah," Anakin said. He nodded his head forward, to the door that hid the pilot from them.
Obi-Wan held up his hand. "He is oblivious to our talk. It's important we analyze what's happening before we get drawn in further."
"It comes and goes, this sensation of a single wave. I might have made a mistake."
"You made no mistake. I feel it myself now. Something coming toward us rapidly, something dangerous."
Anakin shook his head sadly. "I hope nothing happens before we get our ship made."
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes in disapproval. "I am concerned you are losing your perspective."
"We came here to get a ship!" Anakin said, his voice breaking. "And to find out about Vergere. She didn't get her ship, so it's even more important for us. That's all." He folded his arms.
Obi-Wan let these words sit between them for some seconds before asking, blandly enough, "What does the ship mean to you?"
"A ship that tunes itself to a need for speed. . Wow!" Anakin said. "For me, that would be the perfect friend."
"That's what I thought," Obi-Wan said.
"But it won't distract me from my training," Anakin assured him.
Once again, Obi-Wan felt he was losing control of the situation. Before Anakin had been Obi-Wan's apprentice, Qui- Gon had encouraged behavior in the boy that Obi-Wan had disapproved of. And now, the Council and Thracia Cho Leem, sending them to this world, were once more tempting Anakin in ways that made Obi-Wan uncomfortable.
"We're going where the Force sends us," Anakin said quietly, anticipating the direction of his master's thoughts. "I don't know what else we can do but observe and accept."
"And then act," Obi-Wan said. "We must be prepared for the course laid out for us and receptive to the unexpected. The Force is never a nursemaid."
"I'll know when something is about to happen," Anakin said with quiet confidence. "I like this planet. And the living things here like me. And you. Don't you feel it-something is watching out for us?"
Obi-Wan did in fact feel that-but the sensation gave him no comfort. He did not know who or what could extend such an influence over them, and especially over his Padawan.
The journey continued for another hour. Anakin looked east and pointed out a huge brown scar on the landscape, stretching over the horizon. Obi-Wan had seen this, or something like this, briefly from space-but Charza Kwinn had brought them down before completing a full orbit of Zonama Sekot. The scar had dug clear through to bedrock. Iron-rich red crust opened like the edges of a wound over dark tumbled chunks of basalt.
"What made that?" Anakin asked.