by Джуд Уотсон
"We must take out the droids," Qui-Gon told him. "Don't harm an officer. I'm wanted. They're only doing their job. As soon as the last attack droid goes down, we leave. What do you say we take the offensive?"
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan leaped together in one motion. The droids began to pepper them with blaster fire. The security officers stayed behind duraplast shields, waiting for the droids to do their work.
The Jedi's lightsabers moved in tandem, blocking blaster fire and sending it zinging back in the droids' direction. The security officers ducked behind their shields at the surprising return of fire.
The droids fanned out in a flanking maneuver. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon split up. Obi-Wan took the left, Qui-Gon the right. One by one, they smashed their way through the line.
Initially, the officers kept behind their shields. But as the battle waned and the blaster fire petered out, they grew more bold. Some drew their blasters and fired.
"Now, Padawan!" Qui-Gon shouted, deflecting fire.
The two Jedi leaped over a line of security vehicles. Blaster fire ripped into the vehicles a split second later. With another great leap, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon landed on the other side of the park wall. Obi-Wan had just enough time to see Eritha's twisted look of rage as they reached safety. That told him everything he needed to know.
They took off through the darkness of the park. Obi-Wan heard the distant sound of a revving hoverscout.
"Master, Eritha planted a tracking device on you somehow," Obi-Wan said. "At the Legislature today."
"When she embraced me," Qui-Gon said. As he ran, he carefully felt his clothing and skin. He found the whisper-light device on the back of his utility belt. He threw it away into the darkness, then veered off in the opposite direction.
The bright lights of the hoverscout swept the park, but it turned toward the tracking device. Now they could hear security officers crashing through the trees. The attackers would follow the device for a time.
The Jedi kept under the cover of giant trees with leaves that offered a degree of protection. The trees were planted so close together that even swoops would have a hard time maneuvering through them.
Qui-Gon led them along a zigzagging path through the park, ducking when he saw lights overhead and then moving on. He seemed to know the park well, Obi-Wan noted. Soon they were close to the other end of the park.
They leaped over the wall and hurried down the dark streets. After a few blocks Obi-Wan recognized where he was. Qui-Gon had brought them to the Worker Sector.
They paused to catch their breath in the shadow of an alley between two tall buildings.
"Thank you, Padawan," Qui-Gon said. "I did not think I needed help.
Obviously, I did. How did you know that Eritha would betray me?"
"Instinct," Obi-Wan said. "Alani confirmed it. They are not afraid of anything, let alone the Jedi. Alani said that they no longer feared exposure."
"That must mean they are in possession of the list," Qui-Gon mused.
"So we can stop chasing it."
"Alani gave the impression that Balog is not the killer of Oleg and Pleni," Obi-Wan said. "She said you were chasing air."
"But I saw him right before Oleg was killed," Qui-Gon said.
"Maybe he wasn't after Oleg. Maybe he was after you," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"That is possible," Qui-Gon said slowly.
"Where to next?" Obi-Wan asked. He hoped his Master would allow him to stay by his side. He had already decided that if Qui-Gon told him he must return to Mace, he would not go.
"Mota," Qui-Gon said. "He holds the key."
Qui-Gon activated the laser pointer to indicate to Mota that he had visitors outside. It seemed a long time before the door slid open. Mota stood in the doorway.
"I'm closed," he said. "Even I need my rest. Come back tomorrow."
Holding out a hand, Qui-Gon used the Force to keep the door open.
Mota stared at the door, then at Qui-Gon. He shrugged.
"On the other hand, why should I turn down business?" he asked. He turned and disappeared into the warehouse.
The Jedi followed him. They knew the way down the ramp to the lower levels where Mota kept his stash of black-market items.
Mota was waiting. Instead of the Worker unisuit he had worn to do business, he was now dressed in a sleep tunic, his white legs thrust into a threadbare pair of slippers.
"What is it this time, Jedi? Another probe droid? Did you lose another one? You have the worst luck of anyone I've ever met."
"We want information," Qui-Gon said.
Mota eyed him. "Information has a price, too."
Obi-Wan saw his Master's frustration boil over. He had never seen Qui-Gon this angry before.
"The price will be that I do not break apart every item in this warehouse," Qui-Gon said, taking a step toward Mota.
The man suddenly looked frail in his nightshirt next to Qui-Gon's size and strength. "N-now, relax, we're all friends here," he stuttered.
"I'm not your friend, and I'm not here to relax!" Qui-Gon thundered.
"I'm here to find out why my droids were reprogrammed. And you have the answer."
Mota backed up until a table was between him and Qui-Gon.
"I'm not sure what you mean," he said.
Obi-Wan spoke quickly, wanting to give Qui-Gon a moment to control his anger. If he could control it. Obi-Wan's worry increased. This was a Qui-Gon he had never seen. Qui-Gon's sense of urgency had always been controlled. If anger came, it came in flashes of lightning that left serenity behind.
"We know that the probe droids were reprogrammed, Mota," Obi-Wan said in a calmer tone. "They never went after Balog at all. Instead they attacked two other beings. The question is, did you do it?"
Mota swallowed. "It wasn't me," he said quickly. "I don't know who it was. Someone broke into my files. I have a warning system built in, so I knew the next time I accessed them."
"When?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Within hours after you left," Mota said. "I don't know how. Or who.
You can't trust anyone these days."
"How did the security forces know that Qui-Gon had bought those droids?" Obi-Wan asked.
"They asked me," Mota said in a small voice. "All my droids are coded. They tracked the droids here. I told them the Jedi Qui-Gon had bought them. I had to tell the truth. You wouldn't want me to land in jail, would you?" Mota tried to smile.
Qui-Gon gave him an even stare. Mota backed up even farther. "Ah, I guess I should have mentioned to the officers that I suspected the droids were reprogrammed. But when speaking to security officers, it's better not to answer questions they don't ask. They might have gone through all my files. I wouldn't be able to protect my clients. And I would be out of business. Nobody wants that. You might need another probe droid, for example — "
"We need access to your computers," Obi-Wan said brusquely. "Right now."
"Of course, help yourself." Mota hurriedly pointed to his datascreen.
"Just don't erase any profits, heh heh."
Qui-Gon immediately began clicking keys and accessing datafiles. "Did you try to trace the break-in?"
"No," Mota admitted. "I'm not that advanced. I just know how to track inventory and money."
Qui-Gon continued to move through Mota's files with astonishing speed. Obi-Wan knew he was missing nothing. He could see the level of concentration on his Master's face.
Qui-Gon hit a few keys, activating a search mode Obi-Wan didn't recognize. Within seconds, he got a reply.
"Do you recognize this code?" he asked, pointing to the datascreen.
Mota leaned closer. "It's the Worker data address," he said. "It's already in my files." "Who uses it?" Qui-Gon asked.
Mota's face was tinged blue from the data-screen. "Irini and Lenz,"
he said.
Chapter 15
Obi-Wan dashed after Qui-Gon. His Master had moved so quickly he had not had time to gather his thoughts or decide on a direction. He had expected him to h
ead for the ramp to the street, but instead Qui-Gon ran to the lower level. He needed fast transport.
"Open those bay doors!" Qui-Gon yelled to Mota as he ran.
Unease thudded with every heartbeat as Obi-Wan chased after Qui-Gon.
He had never seen his Master like this. Qui-Gon seemed to barely register his surroundings or Obi-Wan's presence. All his will was directed at his goal.
It was the goal that worried Obi-Wan. Was it justice… or revenge?
By the time they reached the lower level, the door at the end of the long warehouse space stood open. Qui-Gon jumped into an airspeeder. Obi-Wan barely had time to scramble into the passenger seat when Qui-Gon throttled the engines and zoomed down the tunnel.
The engines were pushed almost to full, much too fast to maneuver in the tunnel. Obi-Wan could see that the bay doors at the end of the tunnel had not had a chance to open. Still Qui-Gon did not reduce his speed.
Obi-Wan whipped his head around to face him. Qui-Gon wasn't just pressing his luck. This was pure recklessness. "Master!"
Qui-Gon's face seemed carved from the gray stone of New Apsolon. His lips were a thin line. His hands stayed steady on the controls. He seemed not to hear Obi-Wan.
A crack of gray light appeared ahead. It widened. The doors were opening, but too slowly for Obi-Wan's comfort.
"Hang on!" Qui-Gon warned.
Obi-Wan just had time to clutch for support as Qui-Gon flipped the airspeeder sideways. Without slackening speed, he zoomed through the opening, clearing it by centimeters. They flew into the dark night.
Obi-Wan pressed himself back into the seat, trying to still his ragged breathing. Qui-Gon seemed poised on the brink of losing control.
There didn't seem anything Obi-Wan could do or say to stop him or get him to slow down. Obi-Wan tried to stifle his own panic. He had to trust his Master.
But for the first time in their long partnership, he didn't think he could. That knowledge made fear grasp him by the throat.
Qui-Gon piloted the craft expertly through the deserted streets. He pulled up in front of Lenz's hideout and flew up the stairs. He pounded on Lenz's door. They heard the creak of a floorboard.
"Don't try your escape route," Qui-Gon warned. "We'll find you."
The door opened. Lenz looked at them warily. He looked more frail than usual, his skin pale and shiny. "It's the middle of the night."
Qui-Gon slammed the door open wider and strode inside. "I need to speak with you and Irini. If she's not here, contact her."
"She is here. But you can't see her," Lenz said quietly. "She's ill — "
Qui-Gon ignored him and pulled open a closed door. He stopped short.
Obi-Wan came up behind him. lrini lay on a sleep couch, covered in a blanket. She was shivering, and her face shone with sweat. "What is it?
What's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked. Lenz pushed past him to kneel by Irini's side.
"A blaster attack. She won't see a medic." Obi-Wan hurried forward.
"She needs bacta." "I know," Lenz said.
"Who did this?" Qui-Gon demanded. "Balog," Irini said through clenched teeth. "He has the list now."
"So you had the list all along?" Qui-Gon asked her.
"No. I stole it from Legislator Pleni."
Obi-Wan glanced at Qui-Gon. Did that mean that lrini had reprogrammed the droids to attack the Legislator? Was she a murderer?
She saw the look that passed between them. "I… had to get… that list," she said, in obvious pain. "I didn't want anyone to die. But I couldn't let anyone stand in my way, either."
"And you wanted me to get blamed for it?" Qui-Gon asked.
She shook her head. "I was surprised at that. But I could hardly come forward to clear you."
Qui-Gon bent down and swiftly examined lrini's wounds. His anger seemed to have drained away at the sight of her distress. She needed help.
"Your wounds won't kill you if you see a medic. But I see signs of infection already."
"That's what I told her," Lenz said. He brushed back damp hair from Irini's forehead. "She still refuses."
"Did you send your probe droids after Oleg, too?" Obi-Wan asked.
Irini nodded. "I was tracking him. I told Qui-Gon I wanted to protect Oleg, but it was a lie. He betrayed us. We needed the list. If he had only given it up… if Pleni had only given it up… none of this would have happened."
"Why?" Obi-Wan asked. "You said you had renounced violence."
Irini pressed her lips together and did not answer.
"She did it for me," Lenz said.
"Lenz — " Irini began warningly.
"It has gone too far, Irini." Lenz's voice was tender. "You have protected me too long. Do you think I will watch you die for me, too?" He turned to the Jedi. "My name is on the list."
"You were an informer?" Qui-Gon asked.
"He was tortured," Irini said. She let out a small gasp and closed her eyes in pain. "What they did to him… no one should have to endure."
"That is not an excuse," Lenz said firmly. "I confessed to Irini, and she forgave me. Others would not. I gave the Absolutes information — "
Irini struggled to sit up, but the pain made her lie flat again.
"Don't tell them, Lenz," she begged. "It is our secret. It can remain our secret. Your career is too important. You are a great leader — "
"No," Lenz said sadly. "I am no longer, if I ever was. The Workers will go on without me." He turned to the Jedi. "This was five years ago.
The Absolutes raided a meeting place. Two Workers were killed, the rest imprisoned. They let me go." He looked at Irini sadly. "Now we both have two deaths on our conscience, Irini."
He stood. "I am going to call a med team." lrini protested, but Lenz went on firmly. "Balog has the list now. He has won. He will remove his own name from the list, and all the secrets will be revealed. He will discredit his enemies, including me." Lenz looked tenderly at Irini. "As for my Irini, I would rather have her alive and imprisoned than dead."
Irini turned her face to the wall. Obi-Wan saw her shoulders shake with sobs.
Lenz turned to the Jedi. "I did not know what Irini had done, and I'm sorry to hear that you were blamed for her crimes. We owe you our help now more than ever. You know that Alani is running for Supreme Governor.
Recently we have realized that though she wants Worker support, she does not need it. Someone else is supporting her — with finances that we do not have. This has made us suspicious. I have received news tonight from our spy in the Supreme Governor's residence. He's discovered that there is a secret tunnel between the residence and the Absolute Museum. In the old days it was used when those captured were secretly transported to Absolute headquarters. The museum is closed now. It is just a guess, but wouldn't it be the perfect place for Balog and the Absolutes to hide? The twins could smuggle him in and out easily until Alani is elected tomorrow."
It made sense, Obi-Wan realized. It would be like Balog to hide in the one place so obvious that they would never think to look there, the site of the recording of the great wrongs the Absolutes had visited on New Apsolon.
By the look on his Master's face, Obi-Wan could tell that Qui-Gon had reached the same conclusion.
"We must go tonight," Qui-Gon said. "Tomorrow will be too late."
Chapter 16
They sped through the dark, empty streets back to the Civilized Sector. Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon felt that Balog was in their grasp. And right now Qui-Gon was giving every sign of a man bent on revenge.
He was almost afraid to say anything. The look on Qui-Gon's face was so forbidding. The years of experience with his Master, the closeness they'd shared, it all seemed to evaporate in the night air. Qui-Gon was like a stranger.
He had thought that if only he could be with his Master, he would be able to help him control his ravaged feelings of grief and anger. He had spent the past days in torment, thinking that he needed to be by Qui-Gon's side. Now he saw that his presence had no meaning for Qui-Gon. His Master
was lost in his own quest. If he was bent on revenge, Obi-Wan might not be able to interfere. Qui-Gon's will combined with his great skills might make him impossible to stop. Obi-Wan felt chilled at the thought. He would have to try.
Tonight he could lose his Master to the dark path. The impossible had become possible. He could feel it in the dark energy within the Force, swirling and crashing around Qui-Gon. Never had he felt so helpless.
