by Джуд Уотсон
The door opened and Tahl entered, then stopped abruptly. Although she could not see him, she knew he was there. Once, he had asked her how she knew him immediately — was it his breathing pattern, his scent, some betrayal of movement? She had only smiled. "It is just you," she'd said.
But there was no smile today. He and Tahl had been arguing or avoiding each other for months. Whenever he returned from a mission, he would go to see her, as he always had. But their conversations did not go well. Lately, their arguments had circled around Tahl's treatment of Bant, her new Padawan. She was a kind teacher and respected Bant's unique abilities, but she often left her behind and went on short missions on her own.
"I'm sorry," she said stiffly. "You came here to be alone."
So she could tell that, too. "Stay, please," he said.
She sat close to him, tucking her knees up to her chin in a pose he hadn't seen since she was a young girl. "I'm disturbing your refuge. Well, sometimes you need disturbing, Qui-Gon."
"No doubt."
"You know, your calmness can be infuriating," Tahl said. "But this moodiness is worse. I'm trying not to take it personally, but either you avoid me or you smother me with concern because of my blindness or you attack me about how I am with my Padawan. If you're trying to test our friendship, you're doing a very good job."
She spoke lightly, but he knew she meant it.
What could he say? She presented a good front to others. Her extraordinary compensations for her blindness had convinced everyone that she had come to terms with it. He knew the truth. He'd known her since she was a girl. Tahl was such an independent spirit. Now she disliked having to ask for help or guidance. Yet there were times she needed it.
"I'm only trying to look out for you," he said carefully. "Then when I do, you push me away."
"Why shouldn't I push you away when you crowd me? You should be used to me by now You know I have to find my way. We all do. You've had more experience as a Master, it's true. But you also know that each Master finds a separate path with his or her Padawan."
"I do know that."
"Then why can't you let me find my own?"
The question hung between them. Qui-Gon realized he didn't know the answer. He was not one to interfere in other lives. A solitary man, he respected privacy. But with Tahl, it was different. He had a deep feeling that she needed protection, and he had been relieved when she had chosen Bant as her Padawan. But Tahl would not depend on Bant to help her, either.
Her friendship was the most important thing. He needed to back off.
"You're right," he said. "I was wrong."
"Stars and galaxies," she murmured. "I wasn't expecting an apology. I was expecting another argument."
"Well, there are things I could say — "
She smacked his knee. "I know that. How about we just be quiet, for once? We can't get into trouble that way."
So Qui-Gon sat with her, watching the hologram planets whirl. For the first time in weeks, he felt at peace. Strange how her quiet presence could soothe as well as irritate him.
It had been their last quiet time together. The next morning, he found out she was going on a quick mission to the rough satellite planet Vandor 3. She was leaving Bant behind. By the morning meal, they were arguing again.
The delay caused by the damage to the swoop made them push themselves even harder. The new coordinates the probe droid brought back spurred them on. By the next morning they had reached the vast rock quarries of New Apsolon, where the gray stone that had been used to build the majority of the buildings in the capital city was harvested.
It was rough country, with vast boulders, cliffs, and deep pits, some filled with water. A good place to hide, Qui-Gon thought. Perhaps they were approaching Balog's destination.
Obi-Wan had been silent for hours, his face drawn. Qui-Gon knew his Padawan still felt badly about the delay. He had no more words of reassurance for him. Obi-Wan would have to look forward, like a Jedi. His Padawan knew that Qui-Gon was frantic to find Tahl, but most likely thought his zeal to find her had to do with their long friendship. He did not know how much of Qui-Gon's spirit was bound up in Tahl's safety. He could not know how full Qui-Gon's heart was, and how difficult that made it for him to speak.
All will be well, Qui-Gon told himself, when I find her. When I see her. When I know she is safe…
Qui-Gon wrenched his mind away from the future. It had been worrying him, how often his thoughts went to his reunion with Tahl. It sprang from his need to see her safe. Yet it was dangerous for him to dwell on the future, he knew. Balog was still ahead of them. That was all he needed to know. His attention must be on each present moment. His focus was distracted, and he could be missing things as he traveled. He was not thinking like a Jedi. How could he teach his Padawan when he himself had trouble reaching his calm center?
Qui-Gon drew his focus around him. His hands remained steady on the controls of the land-speeder. His progress continued. Yet he directed his concentration away from his piloting to take in the landscape around him, the Force vibrating, present as it was always present, teaching him as it always taught him.
Then he felt it. A flicker of something… danger, perhaps. He might have noticed it before. It might have been lurking underneath the surface of his worry for some time. It was a separate worry from his distress over Tahl. Now he examined it fully, turning it over in his mind. A ripple in the Force, an undercurrent, a warning. A different energy was behind them.
Someone was tailing them.
He did not say anything to Obi-Wan. He cast his focus back, alert for any clue. They drove on.
By dusk, he was certain. They were gaining on Balog now. The last report from the droid told them that their ability to go long periods without sleep had helped them. Balog had stopped, and stopped again. The distance was closing. This time, Qui-Gon believed it because he could feel it.
Yet the fact that someone was behind them could impede their progress. He sensed that this being was gaining on them. He or she was close now. If they were overtaken and attacked, they could lose precious time.
It was time to tell Obi-Wan.
"There is someone behind us, following us," Qui-Gon said the next time they stopped to check their position. "I think it might be better to circle back and surprise them before they surprise us. I don't like the delay, but it would be better in the long run to deal with this."
"I didn't sense anything," Obi-Wan said unhappily.
"It was a suggestion, nothing more. Very faint, but it grew. Don't dwell on your lapse, Obi-Wan. Look forward. This is a good lesson. Even in pursuit, your focus should be a wide circle, taking in everything around you."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Do you have any ideas about who it could be?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "I wouldn't guess." "It could be Irini," Obi- Wan said. "She seemed very anxious about that list."
"It could also be a comrade of Balog's," Qui-Gon said. "If Balog knows we're gaining on him, he might call for help. I don't want to use the probe droid to track our pursuer. We're going to have to do it ourselves."
"I'm ready," Obi-Wan agreed.
They turned back, making a wide circle to avoid being seen. Qui-Gon pointed ahead to a cluster of hill formations formed from solid rock. He gestured that they should go around them. He remembered that they had gone through the formation in the center, where a rough passage was cut through the rock. He had a feeling their pursuer was inside that narrow passage. It was a good place for them to ambush whoever it was.
They zoomed around the formation, then headed into the passage, moving at top speed now. Ahead, Qui-Gon saw the reverberations of a fast- moving landspeeder. He motioned to Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan guided his repaired swoop high in the air. Qui-Gon pushed the engines faster as Obi-Wan zoomed above. Within seconds, they were on top of the other transport.
Their pursuer looked back in surprise. A gold braid whipped around in the wind, slapping her in the cheek.
It was one of the twins — a
t this speed, Qui-Gon couldn't tell which one.
The twin stopped her landspeeder and leaped off. Qui-Gon slowed his own engine. Obi-Wan landed the swoop. As she strode toward them, he saw it was Eritha. He was surprised. Alani had been the more forceful of the twins. Eritha tended to stay in the background. Why had she come on this rugged journey?
"I'm so glad to find you!" she cried. "I've been traveling for days.
I didn't know how to reach you. I found out who is backing Balog. I know who your enemy is."
"Who?" Qui-Gon asked.
Eritha hesitated a moment. Her lips pressed together in a thin line, as if she were reluctant to let the words out. "My sister," she said.
Chapter 8
"Alani is in contact with Balog," Eritha continued. The words now tumbled out of her. "I heard her speaking to him on a comlink. I couldn't tell where he was, or where he was headed. Tahl is alive, but he's keeping her contained in that horrible device."
Tahl is alive. Obi-Wan saw the relief transform Qui-Gon's face before his Master turned his full attention back to Eritha again.
"Do you see what this means?" Eritha cried. She twisted her hands together. "Alani must have lied to me all along! She convinced me that Roan was behind our father's death. And I'm sure that she engineered our own kidnapping." She went on angrily. "No wonder she was so strong during the ordeal. After we were released, I was afraid they were tracking us to kill us. She kept telling me not to be afraid, not to worry…." Eritha's voice was full of disgust. "I thought she was so brave. And Roan — could she have arranged to kill Roan? I can't believe that! He was so kind to us. He was our father's best friend!"
"What is her goal?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Power. She wants to rule New Apsolon." Eritha shook her head. "At least that's what I think they are planning. Balog will back her along with the Absolutes. I can't believe what I'm saying. I can't believe I never knew my sister. I'm so ashamed."
"But you didn't do anything wrong," Obi-Wan said.
"Don't you understand? She is part of me. I should have known."
Eritha's gaze was bleak.
"Are you sure she gave no clues to Balog's whereabouts?" Qui-Gon asked urgently.
Eritha sighed woefully. "I'm sorry. I overheard the conversation, but they never mentioned where he was."
"Thank you for coming and telling us this," Qui-Gon said. "You risked much. Now you must return."
"I'm not going back." Eritha's jaw set stubbornly, removing the softness that distinguished her from her more dynamic and electric sister.
"I am sorry," Qui-Gon said firmly, "but you must. Obi-Wan and I are going ahead. It will be dangerous."
"I don't care. My sister has shamed my planet. I must restore my family's honor. She is a Worker and has betrayed the Workers by making an alliance with the Absolutes. Do you see what this means? She thinks that because of who her father is, the Workers will accept her without question.
Even as we speak she is maneuvering to get the United Legislature to appoint her as Supreme Governor. I know how she is doing it, too — I know her. She won't ask, she won't suggest. She'll be sweet and modest. Somehow those high up in the Legislature will think they came up with the idea on their own. Just as she once made me believe that Roan was involved in Ewane's death. Of course the Workers will support her — she is a heroine, for surviving our father's death.
"Once appointed, she will bring back the Absolutes and slowly restore the government to what it was. The Workers will be trampled. No." Eritha crossed her arms. "I will not return. My dead father is at my shoulder. He sacrificed too much. I am coming with you."
"Eritha, we think Balog is probably heading to his supporters. You are not trained for battle," Obi-Wan said.
"Oh, but I am." Eritha drew back her cloak, exposing the blasters and explosive devices on her belt. "I have excellent aim."
"I admire your dedication," Qui-Gon said. "However — "
"Tahl was a great friend to me when I needed one," Eritha said, staring Qui-Gon down. "I can't desert her now. And you forget that I have been through the same thing. I was trapped in that device. I know what it does to you. I have to do this, Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon was about to speak, but suddenly an explosion shattered the rocks at their side. Shards flew out at them. Both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon sprang forward to protect Eritha. Qui-Gon shielded her with his body while they leaped behind her speeder.
"Keep your head down," Qui-Gon ordered sternly. "It looks as though our battle has found us."
Chapter 9
It wasn't Balog who was attacking. After the dust cleared, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan caught a glimpse of a group of beings who blended in with the rocks and dirt. They wore gray unisuits and their skin was the same ashy color. They moved from boulder to boulder, trying to close in on the Jedi.
Obi-Wan saw a thin beam of light pulse over their heads toward the canyon wall. "Move back!" he shouted to Qui-Gon and Eritha.
They jumped back just seconds before a slide of rock and shale landed where they had been.
"They're using a beamdrill to create rock slides," Obi-Wan said.
Qui-Gon looked behind them. "They most likely are driving us into an ambush."
"What should we do?" Eritha asked. Her face was taut, her eyes wide with fear.
Another pulse hit the rock face, and the three jumped back in time to avoid another shuddering explosion of rock. The shards flew toward them, and they covered their heads until the dust settled.
"We need to get above the range of the beamdrill," Qui-Gon said, scanning the canyon wall. "If we can get on top of the rock, they can't follow us."
"Our cable launchers don't go that high," Obi-Wan said. "We'll have to keep relaunching."
"And meanwhile they'll still be using that beamdrill," Eritha said.
"I think it's our only chance," Qui-Gon decided. "Stay close," he warned Eritha.
She shuddered. "Don't worry."
"Qui-Gon! Our probe droid is approaching!" Obi-Wan called.
"We need better cover!" Eritha shouted, panicked. She darted forward suddenly as the beam-drill pulse hit an area over their heads.
As rocks began to rain down, Qui-Gon leaped toward Eritha to bring her to safety. Obi-Wan followed, activating his lightsaber to deflect the rocks from the probe droid.
Qui-Gon grabbed Eritha and landed safely behind a pile of debris.
Obi-Wan wasn't as lucky. He was seconds too late to save the probe droid. A large boulder hit the droid straight on, shattering it. Obi-Wan barely had time to register this before he realized a shower of rocks was headed toward him. He twisted in midair, but a large rock caught him in the leg.
He fell, and his leg gave way underneath him.
"Stay here!" Qui-Con roared to Eritha, pushing her head down. He raced forward, picked Obi-Wan up in his arms, and with a mighty leap, landed beyond the safety of the new pile of rocks the attack had created.
"Master… the droid I'm sorry…" Obi-Wan's breath came in gasps.
His leg throbbed.
Qui-Gon felt the leg gently. "It's not broken. After you catch your breath you might be able to stand on it. If not, I'll carry you."
Obi-Wan nodded. He gathered himself to accept the pain, to open himself to the Force so he could begin to heal.
They were almost at the end of the narrow canyon. Obi-Wan knew he would not be able to use his cable launcher to get above the beam-drills.
By the grim look on Qui-Gon's face, he knew his Master had already realized this and was formulating another plan.
Suddenly two explosions went off farther down the narrow passage, and a rock slide began, larger than the ones before. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan covered their heads.
When they were able to see through the choking dust, the end of the canyon was blocked off by a towering pile of rock and rubble.
"We're trapped," Obi-Wan said.
Qui-Gon activated his lightsaber. "They still have to come and get us. And we have the cover of the landslides they've
already created."
They heard a grinding noise, and a mole miner appeared at the other end of the canyon. The utility vehicle lumbered toward them slowly.
"Mole miners can bore through solid rock," Obi-Wan said. "Our cover is about to disintegrate."
Just then Eritha dashed over to them from behind her own cover. "What is that?" she asked Qui-Gon.
"A mole miner," Qui-Gon said. "It's a utility craft used by miners."
