The demonstration turned out to be only a few blocks ahead. The crowd
all turned toward the small park where Workers were massing. Qui-Gon, Obi-
Wan, and Tahl were left alone.
"We could hide in the crowd," Qui-Gon said in a low tone.
"But we would just have to leave it later," Obi-Wan said.
"Maybe the probe droids will give up."
"No," Tahl said. "The Absolutes never give up."
"I say we go now," Qui-Gon said. "It's not far to the Civilized
Sector and Roan. The kidnappers could be contacting him at anytime. He has
agreed to a Jedi presence."
"I agree," Tahl said, and Obi-Wan nodded.
Quickly they turned away from the demonstration and headed toward the
Civilized Sector. They had gone a short distance when Qui-Gon felt a
presence.
"I feel it," Tahl said.
"Something is nearby," Obi-Wan agreed.
The probe droid zoomed into view, flying lower to get a fix on the
three. Qui-Gon leaped up without warning, slashing out with his activated
lightsaber. The probe droid crashed to the ground, smoking.
"There will be more now," Tahl muttered.
They quickened their pace. Soon three probe droids approached.
Blaster fire erupted around them. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan kept close to Tahl,
moving forward while deflecting the fire.
Qui-Gon was worried. If more probe droids arrived, he and Obi-Wan
would not be able to deflect that much firepower. Already their pace had to
slow to protect Tahl and ensure her safety.
"I can get above them on that ledge," Obi-Wan said. "Can you cover
Tahl while I do?"
"Yes," Qui-Gon said. It was their only hope. He was glad his
Padawan's sharp eyes had seen the building ahead.
Obi-Wan shot out his liquid cable launcher and within seconds had
gained the ledge high above. Even as the launcher propelled him through the
air, he slashed at a probe droid that was zeroing in on Tahl. He cleaved it
in two and it sputtered as it spiraled below to the ground.
One of the two remaining droids zoomed up to focus on Obi-Wan while
the other continued to fire at Tahl. Obi-Wan hung from his launcher and
pushed off against the building with his feet. He swung out toward the
droid and attacked, missing it by centimeters. He used his feet to kick off
the building again, propelling himself higher and farther. Unused to this
unorthodox action from a being it was tailing, the probe droid circled,
beeping. Obi-Wan slashed at it, destroying some of its circuits. It began
to act erratically, circling and diving. On his next swing, Obi-Wan cut it
apart.
Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan demolish the droid, but he was busy with the
remaining one. "There are some durasteel garbage bins ahead," he told Tahl.
"I'm going to push you behind them and go after the droid."
In a few steps, he pushed Tahl down behind the bins, then leaped up
on top of them. Obi-Wan saw his action and quickly ran closer on the ledge,
still attached to his cable launcher. As Qui-Gon leaped high, Obi-Wan
released the cable to fly down. They caught the probe droid between them
and each struck a strong blow. Tumbling, on fire, the probe droid smashed
into the pavement below.
Obi-Wan leaped lightly to the ground as Qui-Gon landed and reached
for Tahl. The three now began to run. They did not tire and did not stop
until they passed into the Civilized Sector, where the population now
thronged the streets. They would be safe among them.
"I can honestly say I couldn't have done it without you," Tahl said,
panting.
They pushed on to the Institute of Government Service. They hurried
inside toward Roan's office. They burst in, but it was empty. His assistant
came running in after them.
"You can't - oh, please excuse me. I didn't realize you were the
Jedi."
"Where is Roan?" Qui-Gon asked.
"He has gone to a meeting."
"What meeting?"
The assistant hesitated.
"We are in Roan's confidence, as you know," Qui-Gon said. "Has he
gone to meet the kidnappers?"
The assistant nodded.
Qui-Gon strode to the window, exhaling his irritation against the
glass. This was unfortunate.
He did not trust the kidnappers. Roan could have been the real target
all along.
Tahl questioned the assistant sharply, but it was clear he did not
know where Roan had gone or any details of the meeting.
"What can we do?" Obi-Wan asked.
Tahl and Qui-Gon spoke together. "Wait."
They stayed for hours in Roan's office. At last Balog came to them.
"I have arranged accommodations in the Governor's residence," he told
them. "You will be more comfortable there, and after all, that is where
Roan will go when he returns with the twins." He hesitated. "I wish he had
confided in me, too. I will wait with you."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Thank you."
Balog escorted them the short distance to the residence. Dusk had
fallen, and the crowds protesting in the square had dwindled.
"Apparently the lure of the evening meal has caused some to lose
their dedication," Balog observed.
As they neared the residence, Qui-Gon noticed a large package on the
walkway leading up to the house. It was outside the security field.
"Balog, there is something - "
"I see it." Balog spoke quickly into his corn-link, calling for
security, even as he ran alongside Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
There was a deep unease in Qui-Gon that only grew as he ran. As he
drew closer, what he feared took shape before him.
It was not a package. It was Roan, wrapped in dark fabric and tied
with wire.
Qui-Gon knelt by his side. Roan's sightless eyes stared up at the
gathering night. The Supreme Governor was dead.
CHAPTER 16
Gently, Qui-Gon placed his hand over Roan's eyes, closing them. Balog
and Obi-Wan came forward. Balog sank to his knees.
"You can rest now, my friend," he murmured brokenly.
Carefully, Balog, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan lifted the body. They carried
Roan inside his home for the last time. Tears now streamed down Balog's
cheeks, but his face was composed and he said nothing.
"I must see to the arrangements," he said as they laid Roan in the
reception room. "We must try to conceal this for as long as we can. We must
find the twins first. I think it best that we not tell anyone just yet."
"This will be hard to conceal," Qui-Gon said. "Whoever killed Roan
will want it known."
Qui-Gon was right. In a short time the darkness outside was lit with
glow rods and candles. Obi-Wan had thought there were many in the streets
that afternoon. Now it seemed that the entire population of New Apsolon was
outside, pouring out their grief or their rage.
Balog stared outside at the demonstrations. "I must get a message to
Manex. He should not find out this way."
The Jedi sat in an inner room. Obi-Wan was unsure of their next step.
He knew they would not leave until the twins were found. Perhaps they would
escort them off-planet since the situation was so volatile. He watched Qui-
; Gon and Tahl, who sat opposite each other but did not speak.
A short time later they heard a disturbance in the hall. Obi-Wan
followed Qui-Gon and Tahl out of the room.
It was Manex. His voice was high with his distress. "I was hosting a
dinner. They brought me the news." He looked slightly foolish in an opulent
green velvet robe and a red tasseled cap that Obi-Wan thought inappropriate
under the circumstances.
Balog spoke to him in a low tone. "We believe the cause of death was
a paralyzing agent that attacked his heart and lungs. We do not know if the
attempt was to kill or stun, but it was too late to revive him."
Manex nodded sadly and looked at the Jedi." I saw this end for my
brother," he said. "I think he did as well. Yet he went forward."
"He always went forward," Balog said.
Manex put his hand on Balog's shoulder. "Thank you for all you have
done. Now I will sit with my brother until morning."
"I will send in refreshment for you," Balog said.
"Send nothing." Manex walked softly to the door where Roan lay,
opened it, and disappeared inside.
The Jedi returned to the small room. "Do you think he was genuine?"
Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon. "He hardly looked the part of a grieving brother."
"Yes," Qui-Gon said. "But there is another perspective. You could say
that he did not take the time to change but rushed here when he heard. His
attire could be confirmation of his grief."
"Is that what you think?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I don't know. But I need to hold the two perspectives so my vision
will be clear."
Obi-Wan nodded. They sat again. The hours passed. The lights were
powered down until they gave off a soft glow. Obi-Wan felt himself
beginning to nod off, but he did not want to suggest sleep until Qui-Gon
did. It was unusual for Qui-Gon not to take notice of his fatigue.
Suddenly, Qui-Gon stood, his hand on his lightsaber hilt. "Someone is
outside," he murmured.
Obi-Wan stood, ready for action, his sleepiness gone instantly.
"Wait here," Qui-Gon told Tahl. "Obi-Wan and I will investigate."
But Tahl followed them into the hallway just as the front door
opened. Security officers ran into the hall, alerted by a hidden alarm. But
instead of intruders, Eritha and Alani spilled in. The twins looked pale,
their clothing wrinkled and stained, but they were not hurt.
"Where is Roan?" Alani cried. "Take us to him!"
Eritha came forward to Tahl. "You're here. I am so glad to see you.
What has happened? We heard on the streets that Roan is dead. It can't be
true. Is it?"
Balog took a few steps toward them. "I'm afraid it is true. He lies
inside."
Alani turned to Eritha. She put her arms around her sister. "We must
go to him."
"He did not kill our father," Eritha said. "He put himself in danger
for us. Alani, we are the guilty ones!"
"He would not be dead if he hadn't tried to rescue us," Alani said,
her voice rising.
"No." Tahl walked toward them. "You are guilty of nothing. Roan made
his own choice."
"Did you escape or did they let you go?" Balog asked them.
"They let us go. We never saw their faces." Alani wiped tears from
her face.
"We believe it's best if you come with us to Coruscant in the
morning," Tahl said gently.
Alani looked at her sister. "Yes, I think it is best."
"I do want to leave this place," Eritha whispered. "I never thought I
would say that, but it is true."
"We need to see Roan now," Alani said.
Eritha and Alani, their arms around each other, passed into the room
where Roan lay. The door closed behind them.
Balog turned to the Jedi. "I was just coming to meet with you. All
night we have worked to arrange a peace meeting. We do not know who was
behind this, but we cannot wait to find out while unrest fills the streets.
The Workers and the Civilized have agreed to meet. Also a representative
from the Absolutes has agreed, as long as we give him safe conduct back to
where he came from and do not arrest him. We have agreed to that condition
because we must. I will also be at the meeting. As a Worker who is part of
the current government, I am needed for balance. Irini will represent the
Workers."
"This is good news," Qui-Gon said. "Only when you begin to talk can
you begin to resolve this situation. The government must be stabilized."
"There is only one condition," Balog said. "A Jedi representative
must be present. Each of the parties has asked for this - except for the
Absolutes. However the representative has agreed reluctantly. The meeting
is at dawn." Balog checked his chrono. "An hour away."
"I will go with you," Qui-Gon said.
"No," Tahl said. "I will go." She turned to Qui-Gon. "It has to be
me, Qui-Gon. I infiltrated the Absolute organization. I know things the
others do not. If the representative of the Absolutes tries to lie about
the organization, I am the only one who will know."
"That is true," Balog said. "The Workers and the Civilized trust the
Absolutes even less than each other."
"Take the twins to Coruscant in the morning," Tahl said. "I will join
you there after this meeting."
Obi-Wan kept his eyes on his Master. Qui-Gon had gone pale. It was
clear he was not happy with this turn of events. He wanted to be the one to
go to the meeting. But there was something more there, some powerful
emotion Obi-Wan did not understand. There appeared to be some sort of
titanic struggle going on inside Qui-Gon.
Tahl picked up on it as well. She frowned and seemed about to speak.
Then, to Obi-Wan's surprise, he saw something flicker in Qui-Gon's
eyes. It was almost as though Qui-Gon was amused by something, something
private. It was gone so quickly that Obi-Wan was sure he was mistaken.
His Master shook his head as if to clear it. He appeared both shaken
and determined at the same time.
Qui-Gon turned to Balog. "Will you excuse us? I need to speak with
Tahl alone."
"Of course." Balog bowed and retreated.
Obi-Wan started off with Qui-Gon and Tahl toward the private room.
But Qui-Gon turned.
"Please wait here, Padawan," he said kindly.
Surprised, Obi-Wan could only nod. He watched as his Master followed
Tahl into the room and closed the door firmly behind them.
CHAPTER 17
"Dear friend," Tahl said, "there have been too many arguments between
us. Do not let another one arise."
"I did not ask for privacy to argue with you," Qui-Gon said.
He knew that outside that door, life went on. People were grieving.
Others plotted the overthrow of a government. The planet of New Apsolon
continued to revolve in its orbit. Its moons were slowly dropping in the
sky.
Yet it all meant nothing to him, not at this moment. At last he had
come to see the truth. He had touched it and marveled at it and laughed at
himself for not seeing it earlier. He had done all this in the space of a
moment.
Oddly enough, the key to his revelation had been simple - the ima
ge
of the pastry he had handed to Obi-Wan just yesterday. He had remembered
the taste of it, the sweetness filling his mouth. That had been the lesson