by Jude Watson
run away?"
"That's not what I meant, Master Yaddle," Obi-Wan said respectfully.
"I was just suggesting that - "
"That run away I should," Yaddle interrupted. "Wasting time, we are."
Obi-Wan had been corrected, and he accepted Yaddle's rebuke. If he had
been in her position, he would not have retreated, either. He turned to
Swanny. "Didn't you tell me that you can boost the grid from another
source, but only if the central relay substation is destroyed?"
"Right. Substation 32. That's my point," Swanny said patiently. "You
might recall that I told you if you blow up the relay equipment, the whole
power grid might blow. And that's one sweet ka-boom. Kiss your lightsaber
good-bye."
Obi-Wan turned back to Yaddle. "If we hit substation 32, can your
experts boost the grid right afterward? We can't give Striker a chance to
hit back."
"Find out, we will." Yaddle immediately got out her comlink.
Swanny looked at Obi-Wan curiously. "I don't get it. How can two Jedi
render an entire substation inoperable?"
"Well, we'll need a hand," Obi-Wan said. "That's where you come in."
"Me? You know I'd love to help, but I think you've seen my cowardice
in action," Swanny said.
"You won't have to go near the substation," Obi-Wan assured him.
Yaddle got off the comlink and nodded. "Do it, they can. Yet crucial,
timing is. Destroy the relay substation we must within the hour. Impatient,
Feeana is. Need her we do to patrol the city. Trust us, the Mawan citizens
must. If we promise them that control of the power grid and the backing of
Feeana and her gang will hold the city, aboveground they will come." Yaddle
paused. "An idea you have, Master Kenobi."
It was a statement, not a question.
"We can't blow it up," Obi-Wan said. "But we could drown it." He
turned to Swanny. "Can you flood the substation from the wastewater pipes
without getting inside the station? You said you knew every pipe
belowground."
Swanny thought for a full minute while Obi-Wan tried not to show his
impatience. "There's a small wash-up area in the substation for the
workers," he said finally. "If I divert the wastewater from tank 102C and
gush it through system A-9 with enough force, it could conceivably break
through a pipe joint - the pipes going into substation 32 are part of the
old system, so they're not in great shape - and then we'd have a pretty
major flood in a matter of minutes. It would take me more than an hour to
get there and figure out what circuits I need to use."
"You have forty minutes," Obi-Wan said. "We'd better get started."
Swanny had been right about the firepower. As Obi-Wan and Yaddle
skirted the substation's perimeter, he could see two grenade mortars
guarding the entrance. The operators sat on repulsorlift platforms, and the
Jedi could see that the targeting computers were engaged. Attack droids
stood in ready formation.
"We could use a diversion," Obi-Wan murmured to Yaddle as they hid
behind a utility box.
"Accomplish this we must, if the Provisional Committee is going to be
successful," Yaddle said. "The longer it takes, the more things can go
wrong."
"Look," Obi-Wan said, pointing at a stream of water underneath the
double durasteel doors of the substation. "Swanny must have been effective.
The flood has begun."
Yaddle opened her comlink to signal the power grid team that Euraana
had arranged to stand by.
Up on their repulsorlift platforms, the guards didn't notice the water
streaming out from underneath the crack in the durasteel doors. Their gazes
continued to rest on the targeting computers that would show them attacking
beings or airborne weapons.
"When it gets deep enough to endanger the equipment, the alarm should
sound," Obi-Wan murmured. "I'm betting the operators will leave their
grenade mortars and let the droids guard the entrance. They'll call for
reinforcements."
"One problem, there is," Yaddle said. "Burst open, the doors might."
"And that would release the flood into the tunnel." Obi-Wan nodded.
"In which case, the equipment might keep functioning." He thought for a
moment. "Can you use the Force to hold the doors?"
Yaddle nodded.
The water was now streaming down the tunnel and lapping at their
boots. Because of the downward slope, it ran out from underneath the door.
They could see that the water inside was rising, since the water was now
leaking out of the seam between the double doors. The pressure of the water
was causing the doors to vibrate from the strain.
Obi-Wan felt the Force surround them as Yaddle gathered it around her.
The doors and the water stopped moving. It began to collect around the
wheels of the grenade mortars and the legs of the droids.
They watched as the water deepened, held back by the Force. Soon it
was lapping at the repulsorlift platforms, but the guards still did not
notice, intent on their computers.
Suddenly a light flashed red over the doors. The alarm began to beep
insistently. The two operators sat up in their chairs and swiveled to check
behind them.
They saw the water.
"What's going on?" one of them shouted.
The other spoke into a comlink. "They're sending reinforcements. Just
stay calm."
"I am calm!" the second guard shouted. "I just can't swim!"
The other guard began to enter a code into a handheld sensor.
"They'd better boost the grid now," Obi-Wan said. Yaddle listened
intently to the comlink.
"Bypassed the station, they have," she told Obi-Wan. "Wait we must to
see if the power surge will restore the grid...."
Suddenly the attack droids snapped into formation, splashing in the
water.
"They must have engaged a life-form sensor sweep," Obi-Wan said.
"A few minutes more, they need."
"We just ran out of time." Obi-Wan activated his lightsaber. "Let's
go."
He charged out into the tunnel, moving quickly through the water and
heading straight for the mortar operators. They saw the Jedi charging and
scrambled to jump back on their mortar platforms. Yaddle released her hold
on the doors, which burst open, releasing a wave of water. Obi-Wan was
prepared, but the power of the water almost knocked him down. He reached
out a hand, using the Force to push one guard off his feet. His head hit
the durasteel doors and he slumped to the floor as the water flowed down
the tunnel.
Right behind Obi-Wan, Yaddle took out an attack droid with a flick of
her lightsaber while she sent the other guard flying against the tunnel
wall. The last guard took one look at the Jedi charging toward him with a
lightsaber and took off, splashing down the tunnel.
Attack droids cannot be intimidated, however. The line wheeled toward
the Jedi. Obi-Wan had never fought beside Yaddle before. She was all grace
and flowing movement, her lightsaber a blur, the Force growing and charging
the air around them until Obi-Wan could feel it humming in him and around
him. C
harged with Yaddle's energy, he sliced through four droids with one
swift blow. The blaster fire was heavy but he had no problem deflecting it.
It felt easy and natural with the Force so strong. Yaddle took out ten
attack droids in what seemed like no time and then buried her lightsaber in
the two grenade mortar controls. Within minutes, all of the droids were
sizzling in the puddles of water.
"Reinforcements should be here soon," Obi-Wan said.
"Feel them near, I can," Yaddle said. She listened to the comlink and
then nodded. "Success," she said to Obi-Wan. "Up, the power grid is, and in
our hands. The city of Naatan is lit once more. Go now to the Mawans, I
must. Time to return to their homes, it is."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I'll wait for the reinforcements. They'll most likely
return to brief Striker."
"As soon as I can return to help find Anakin I will," Yaddle said.
Yaddle moved down the tunnel quickly, her robe swinging. Obi-Wan
stepped back behind the utility box and waited. The tramp of running feet
announced the arrival of the reinforcements.
They took one look at the spreading water, the still-sizzling droid
parts, and the absence of the guards. The superior officer activated his
comlink and spoke into it. Then he signaled to the others.
"Nothing we can do here," the officer said.
"Aren't you going to search the tunnels?" another one asked.
"Do I look crazy? Back to headquarters."
They tramped off. After a moment, Obi-Wan emerged from behind the
utility box and followed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
He was grateful, at least, for the food. Anakin had considered
rejecting the plate of vegetable turnovers with harima sauce, but what good
would that do? He'd finished the plate and downed a carafe of water when
suddenly Granta Omega strode out of his private room and the hideout
exploded in movement.
He couldn't hear the orders Omega rapped out but suddenly everyone was
busy. Computers were shut down. Bins were closed and locked. Weapons were
gathered. Gravsleds appeared and gang members began loading them.
Obi-Wan, Anakin thought. He smiled.
Within minutes, the substation was cleared.
Still cuffed, Anakin was hustled into a speeder with the same lmbat
guard. He zoomed down the tunnel at a fast clip. Anakin kept his mind
focused so he could remember the many turns.
At last they arrived at their destination, a smaller space that had
once been a refueling center. Anakin was tossed out of the speeder by the
Imbat, but this time he was able to land on his feet. He watched while the
gang members busily began to set up the hideout again. He could see that
they had done this many times.
Granta Omega strode toward him, his boot heels clicking on the floor.
He looked grim. "It's time to contact Yaddle."
"As long as I can tell her who you are and I can speak freely." He had
nothing to lose by contacting Yaddle. He had complete confidence that she'd
be able to handle Granta Omega. And Yaddle would be able to tell Obi-Wan
that he was still alive.
Omega waved a hand. "Of course. I'm not trying to trick you, Anakin.
I'm a businessman. I want to make a deal."
"I'll need my comlink."
Omega tossed it to him.
"As long as I have it, I'd like to contact my Master, too," Anakin
said. It was worth a try.
"Do you think he's worried about you?" Omega barked a laugh. "What you
don't know about your Master could fill your precious archives. Kenobi
doesn't have a heart. Beings are just a means to get what he needs to be -
the great Jedi in his own mind."
Anakin suddenly grasped a feeling that had floated in his mind,
something he could not put words to. Now it formed into a belief.
"This is personal for you, isn't it?" he accused Omega. "You hate Obi-
Wan."
Omega flushed. "No calls to your Master. I deal with Yaddle only. I
only have so much hospitality to offer."
Anakin contacted Yaddle. There was nothing else to do. He quickly
explained that Striker was actually Granta Omega, and that he was his
prisoner, which was hard to get out. He still felt ashamed that he had
allowed himself to be captured.
"Omega has requested a meeting," he finished. "He will only meet with
you."
"Hold you hostage, he did not need to do," Yaddle said. "Talk to him,
I would have done, if he had asked."
"I guess he feels he needs some insurance that you will come alone,"
Anakin said. "He's afraid that if he sets up a meeting he will be betrayed.
"
"I'm not afraid," Omega hissed to Anakin. "Just careful."
"I can't tell you where I am, because I'm not sure," Anakin said. "We
just moved to a new hideout. And I don't know how sincere Omega is about
making a deal. He says he is, but I don't trust him." Omega grinned at
Anakin, not bothered in the least. "It is up to you to decide, Master
Yaddle. All I ask is that you do not come because of me. I am fine here."
"So far," Omega said so that Yaddle could hear. "Come, I will," Yaddle
said. "But inform Obi-Wan first, I must."
"I have a list of coordinates," Omega said to Anakin. "I'll release
them one at a time. If at any point it seems that Yaddle is not alone, I
will disappear... with you."
"Understood," Yaddle said, after Anakin had conveyed this information.
Anakin clutched his comlink. He hoped they both had made the right
decision. "May the Force be with you," he told Yaddle.
Omega rolled his eyes. "Oh, please," he said.
"Striker is Granta Omega?" Obi-Wan hissed into his comlink. He had
concealed himself in the near-empty substation to watch the activity. The
gang he had followed had come directly here, but it was obvious the main
hideout had been moved. Now they were occupied in gathering up the last
weapons and equipment and loading them onto speeders with cargo holds.
"Going to meet him, I am," Yaddle said.
"I'm coming with you."
"Best you do not," Yaddle said.
"He is my Padawan - "
"And trust me with his security you do not?"
Obi-Wan held the comlink away and sighed. He rested his head against
the smooth surface of the tunnel wall. It was hard being matched up with an
esteemed Jedi Master like Yaddle. He would not win any argument.
"Moved his hideout, Omega has. It would take us too long to find it. A
shortcut, this is." Yaddle's voice softened slightly. "Watch out for him, I
will, Obi-Wan. But need you I do, to help with the Mawans. Agreed they have
to go aboveground. The exodus is proceeding. A Jedi presence is needed
here."
Obi-Wan took a moment to accept this. It went against everything he
wanted. He needed to see Anakin with his own eyes, to make sure he was safe
and well. But Yaddle had told him that Anakin said he was fine, and his
voice had sounded strong.
He needed to see Granta Omega, too. Anger rose in him, anger that made
him want to put his fist through a wall. Anger he must learn to accept and
release.
Omega had his Padawan. His most dangerous enemy had
his most treasured
companion. And instead of helping to release Anakin, Yaddle was asking him
to shepherd complete strangers back to their homes.
It was that thought that helped him. He was a Jedi. The needs of
strangers were most important. His own needs meant nothing in comparison to
theirs. Obi-Wan repeated the words again in his mind, this time with the
compassion and power that they warranted. He had to bring strangers safely
to their homes.
"All right," he said to Yaddle. "But tell Omega that I will see him
soon."
"A threat that is," Yaddle said sternly. "And so deliver it I will
not."
Obi-Wan rested his head against the wall again. "Unless I have to,"
Yaddle concluded.
Anakin stood, waiting for Yaddle. Omega was using tracking droids to
make sure Yaddle came to each coordinate alone.
They were in one of the airlift tube stations, smaller than the one
Anakin had used to come below only hours ago, though it felt like days. He
guessed he was about twenty levels down, near the northeast quadrant of the
tunnel system. If he had to find his way back to Obi-Wan, he might be able
