Elzar ran a finger along his collar, the hragscythe’s keen eyes following the movement. The morning was already unbearably hot, the sun beating down, unseasonably warm even for a Valon summer from what he could gather. He had meant to walk to the lake before the chancellor’s transport touched down, to let the presence of so much water cool him. Maybe he’d even stand near the antigrav fountains that had been activated two days previously in the Arts and Culture zone, the work of a famed water sculptor whose name had escaped him for the moment. Instead, Mann found himself here, in Lonisa City Zoo, strolling among the exhibits. Elzar corrected himself. Not exhibits. Living creatures, plucked from their natural environments and dumped here. He was being uncharitable, of course. The zoo would do great work long after the Republic Fair had closed its doors, conducting valuable conservation and breeding work made possible by a generous grant from the fair committee that had completely renovated the once-tired collection that had stood here for generations. Everywhere he looked, Elzar saw new enclosures and educational booths, ready to inform and entertain, while also pointing guests to the nearest refreshment stalls. It was amazing how quickly the work had been completed, construction droids and Bonbraks still putting the finishing touches on the various paddocks. One of the bat-eared Bonbraks—Valo’s other sentient life-form, tiny and more than a little foulmouthed—had tried to stop him from entering the zoo grounds, chirping at him that they weren’t open and to come back later. A quick nudge in the right direction ensured that the Bonbrak had gone about his business, instantly forgetting that he’d seen a Jedi in the first place. Elzar could just imagine what Stellan’s reaction would be. The fledgling Council member was always squeamish when it came to influencing another being’s thought patterns, but Mann didn’t see the problem, especially if it kept everyone happy. The little Bonbrak would go on with his life safe in the knowledge that he had done his job to the best of his ability, keeping unauthorized folk out of the zoo until opening time. Besides, Elzar had clearance to go anywhere, more or less. If anyone else questioned his presence, he would simply say that he was sweeping the area for threats. He closed his eyes and reached out with the Force to make the lie a truth. All was well. The zoo was safe, if you ignored the fact that most of its inhabitants could gore, slash, or chew you to death given half the chance.

When he opened his eyes, the hragscythe had melted back into foliage that hid it from view.

Yeah, you stay in there, Elzar thought. It would serve all those gawpers right. Let them peer through their image-lenses and complain to the keeper droids that you were nowhere to be seen. You look after yourself.