"Survivors Quest (Timothy Zahn)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zahn Timothy)

"So I've heard," Mara said. "Let's just hope that was you talking and not
the Force. Come on; let's get this over with."
* * *
Two days later, they reached the Nirauan system.
"Looks quiet enough," Luke said as they flew through space toward the
battle-scarred planet itself. "No fighter patrols or anything else I can pick
up."
Mara was silent a moment, and Luke could sense her reaching out with the
Force. "I'm not getting anything, either," she said. "I get the bad feeling
Parck wasn't expecting us."
Luke frowned at her. "I thought you didn't want him waiting for us."
"I didn't want his fighters waiting for us," Mara corrected. "But the
complete lack of a welcoming committee implies that the message he sent was
complete in and of itself. He may be annoyed to find he has visitors."
"Well, there's one way to find out," Luke said, adjusting the comm for
one of the frequencies the Imperials and Chiss had been using the last time
they were here. "Let's knock and see if anyone's home."
He tapped the key. "This is Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master of the New
Republic, to Admiral Voss Parck. Repeat; this is Luke Skywalker calling
Admiral Parck. Please respond."
He leaned back in his seat. "Now, I guess we wait until?"
Abruptly, the comm display came on, revealing the blue face and glowing
red eyes of a Chiss. "Hello, Skywalker," the alien said. His eyes seemed to
burn into Luke's face. "And Jade is here, too, I see," he added, his face
turning slightly to gaze at Mara. "This is Kres'ten'tarthi, commander of
Mitth'raw'nuruodo's household phalanx for the Empire of the Hand. This is
certainly a surprise."
"I don't know why it should be," Luke said evenly. "Or didn't you know
Admiral Parck had sent me a message?"
"Yes, I knew," Kres'ten'tarthi said. "The admiral will be here in a
moment. In the meantime, would you care to land and join us?" His face seemed
to tighten slightly. "Don't worry, the docking bay has been completely
repaired since your last visit."
"Thanks for your hospitality," Mara said before Luke could answer. "I
think we'll stay here."
The Chiss inclined his head. "As you wish."
The display blanked. "You know him?" Luke asked.
"Yes, though I'd only heard his core name, Stent," Mara said. "He was one
of the Chiss on guard duty when Parck and Fel were talking to me. I think he
took it personally when you came charging to the rescue."
Luke shook his head. "We have friends all over this planet, don't we?"
"We have friends all over this whole region of space," Mara retorted.
"Don't forget, the rest of Thrawn's people are out there somewhere. Whole star
systems full of Chiss, whom I notice haven't exactly been eager to make their
presence known to the New Republic."
"Maybe they've got enough troubles of their own, and figure they don't
need to share ours," Luke offered.
"Maybe," Mara said. "Interesting term Stent used. Did you notice?"
"Empire of the Hand," Luke said, nodding. "Probably relates to the Hand
of Thrawn."