They found Ry-Gaul and Soara with Curi. Ry-Gaul and Soara were studying some results on Curi’s datapad. Everyone looked grave.
“Bad news?” Siri asked.
“No, it’s actually good news,” Curi said. “It’s just puzzling news. We discovered why Wilk is immune to the toxin. He was never exposed at all.”
“What do you mean?” Obi-Wan asked. “He sneaked back into the Isolation Sector.”
“Exactly. And he didn’t get infected,” Curi said. “When none of the immunity tests checked out, I went back and checked the research. We ran more tests. The toxin has a short half-life. The poison is already benign. It doesn’t threaten the Clear Sector at all.”
“Are you absolutely certain of this?” Siri asked.
For her answer, Curi slowly removed her mask. Then she stepped out of her bio-isolation suit.
“I am willing to test it,” she said. “I suggest you keep your suits on, for now. If I’m wrong, you should be here to run things.”
Obi-Wan admired Curi’s courage. “If you’re right, this is good news,” Obi-Wan said. “We suspect that Avon is attempting a takeover of your planet.”
“Wait a second,” Siri said. “They must know the toxin has dispersed. That’s the key to their takeover. They get everyone off-planet, and then they move in.”
“But the Avoni were wearing bio-iso suits,” Obi-Wan said.
Siri shrugged. “Just in case someone came by—like we did.”
“Maybe that accounts for the missing research records,” Soara said. “Could someone have gotten past your security system, Curi?”
Curi didn’t say anything for a moment.
“Curi, we don’t have time for your hesitations,” Soara prodded bluntly.
“No, our security is first-rate,” Curi said hesitantly.
“So it would have to be an inside job,” Obi-Wan said.
Curi bit her lip. “I want to say no. But there is something I haven’t told you about Dol Heep. I’ve had direct dealings with him. Somehow he found out we were working to develop a new weapon with that toxin. The Avoni wanted exclusive rights to it. They were willing to pay a fortune. I was opposed—I have told you of my feelings about the Avoni. Not to mention that we weren’t even close to completion of our research. But Galen wanted to do the deal. He pointed out that we sell to anyone in the galaxy who will pay the price. Why stop now? He had a point. He did not like that I had come to believe we needed to do business a different way. We had terrible arguments. In the end we agreed that our relationship as brother and sister was more important than business. So Galen agreed to my point of view. He had no choice, really. He wouldn’t be able to run the lab. He’s strictly a research scientist. Dol Heep was furious at our refusal to deal with his planet. When the toxin was released, I just assumed it was an accident.”
“And now?” Soara prodded when Curi fell silent.
“And now I’m wondering why Galen didn’t know that the toxin has a short half-life,” Curi burst out. “He was the one who developed it. How could Galen have made this mistake? How could he not have known?”
“I think you know the answer to that,” Obi-Wan said. “He does know.”
Chapter Fifteen
When Ferus and Darra arrived at the communication center, they were shocked at the news that the communications were being jammed from space.
Darra grabbed the end of her sandy Padawan braid and chewed on it nervously. “Do you think it’s the Avoni?”
Anakin and Ferus nodded at the same time.
“It sure looks that way,” Ferus said. He glanced at the communication console, then at Anakin and Tru. “Good work, you two. I never could have figured out that system.”
“It’s a perfect plan,” Tru said. “Evacuate everyone off-planet. They all go willingly. Then move in.”
Darra realized she was chewing on her braid and made a disgusted face. She flung it behind her shoulder. “Talk about an easy takeover.”
“The question is, do we still move the Radnorans onto the Avoni transports?” Anakin asked. “We need to tell Galen this news. Maybe there’s a way to delay the process until we can get more information.”
“Not so fast,” Darra said. “Ferus and I discovered something. The factory that made those prototype droids belongs to Galen and his sister Curi.”
“Isn’t it too much of a coincidence that there were security lapses at both factories?” Ferus asked. He swung one powerful leg over a chair and sat astride it.
Thoughtfully, Tru leaned back in his chair. He wrapped both his rubbery legs around each other several times, then crossed his ankles. “So Galen could be involved in the release of the droids,” he said. “Or even the original industrial accident.”
“Or Curi,” Darra said. “Or both. Or neither. It could be an employee of theirs. Or an ex-employee. In other words, it could be anyone on this planet. And we have to find them in less than an hour! Not too much of a problem for a first mission.” She reached for her braid again.
Ferus leaned over and slipped his hand into Tru’s pocket. He tossed Darra a piece of figda candy. “No stress, Darra.”
“We have threads, but no patterns,” Anakin said. “Our Masters could be in danger. They don’t know about Curi’s connection to the Prototype Droids. She could be dangerous. We have to go over to the Isolation Sector and warn them.”
“Hold on,” Ferus said. His dark eyebrows lowered. “First of all, we were ordered to remain here, no matter what. We’ve been taught to heed our Masters—it’s an important part of the Jedi Order.”
“But things have changed,” Anakin argued.
“And second, there are no bio-iso suits for us,” Ferus added.
Anakin lifted his chin. “I’m not afraid. If my Master is in danger, I’ll go. You can stay here and be safe.”
For the first time, Anakin saw Ferus flush with anger. “This isn’t a bravery contest, Anakin. Think like a Jedi.”
“Don’t give me orders!” Anakin shot back hotly.
“Our first duty is to the citizens of Radnor!” Ferus snapped.
Darra stepped in between them. “Okay, ferrocrete heads, let’s calm down. We’re supposed to work together, remember? Time is running out for the citizens of this planet. Let’s focus on that.”
“It’s him!” Anakin and Ferus exclaimed together.
Darra’s lips quirked. “Ah. At last you agree on something.”
“Anakin is right. Our Masters could be in danger,” Tru said. Anakin started to speak, but he held up a hand. “Ferus is also right. We must think like Jedi. And that means we must trust our Masters. We can’t assume that they haven’t discovered the same information that we have. We must proceed with the mission. If we have to cross over to the Isolation Sector, we will. But not yet.”
“What do you suggest?” Darra asked.
“If the Radnorans remain on the planet, they will die,” Tru said. “Therefore, we must allow the Avoni to transport them off-planet. But we must foil the invasion somehow.”
“Four Padawans are going to foil an invasion from an entire planet?” Darra asked. She glanced at Ferus. “If you say no stress, I’ll bite you.”
“Okay, some stress,” Ferus said with a worried smile.
They could see outside the windows of the communication center that the population of the Clear Sector was beginning to report to the evacuation points. So far things were going smoothly. But as time ran out, that could change.
“Our first step is to follow through and make sure the evacuation takes place peacefully,” Ferus said. “We have to monitor the two checkpoints. Galen gave us the locations. Let’s go.”
Anakin trailed after the others. Once again the Padawans split into teams to cover the two evacuation points. He headed for his designated spot with Tru. So far the lines were proceeding with little incident. Names were being checked off on datapads. The skiffs from the ferry ship had not yet arrived. There was little he and Tru could do. Anakin still wasn’t happy with the
ir decision.
“We have to find out what’s really going on,” Anakin said restlessly to Tru. “Our Masters could be in danger.”
“It doesn’t seem in character for them to just give up,” Tru said.
“Our Masters?”
“The raiders,” Tru mused. “Think of all the goods in that warehouse. They went to a lot of trouble to steal it. Remember the Manikons? No thief likes to leave their plunder behind.”
“Why are you worrying about the raiders?” Anakin asked. “They’re the least of our problems.”
“Maybe they’re part of our problem, only we don’t know it,” Tru said. “They have access to the evacuation files. They’ve been able to breach security and steal some major Battle Droids. We know they’re connected to the evacuation effort somehow. What if—”
“They’re connected to the Avoni?” Anakin asked.
Tru shrugged. “Maybe. It’s worth checking out. Considering the greed of the raiders and their willingness to take advantage of their devastated fellow citizens, they’d hardly leave the planet without all the things they stole.”
“You’re right,” Anakin said excitedly. “They might return to that warehouse.” He eyed Tru. “Ferus won’t like it.”
“As you keep pointing out, Ferus is not our leader,” Tru said. “So let’s go.”
Anakin felt a surge of excitement as he and Tru hurried through the streets to the warehouse. This was more like it. Jedi didn’t sit passively by and wait for events to unfold. They made things happen. Tru understood that.
The population of Tacto was beginning to spill out, carrying bundles of belongings. Most citizens had blasters strapped to their waists. Tensions ran high. Everyone was intent on sticking up for themselves and their own family. No one seemed to be helping anyone else. Each Radnoran was focused on his or her place on the evacuation ship and getting there as quickly as possible.
Anakin wasn’t sure how long he and Tru would be willing to wait at the warehouse. They really shouldn’t have left their posts at all. The Force was dark on this planet. Violence could erupt at any time.
But they were lucky. When they slipped inside the warehouse, they found one of the raiders already there.
He was loading a gravsled with stolen goods as quickly as he could. Because of his haste, he stacked the goods clumsily. Some durasteel bins fell off the back of the gravsled, scattering their contents.
“Need some help?” Anakin asked impulsively.
He and Tru activated their lightsabers and stood before the raider. They knew they would not have to use them.
The Radnoran was small and slight. He looked from Anakin to Tru and back again. Then he tried to smile.
“Greetings. The name is Ruuin. My buddy told me that he left some of his things in this warehouse. Gave me a key, so I—”
“Save it.” Anakin deactivated his lightsaber. “Time’s up. The evacuation is beginning. You can get aboard a ship—”
“Or we can stick you in a detention cell,” Tru said.
“And things are so confusing around here, we just might forget to get you out before the winds shift,” Anakin said.
Ruuin’s eyes darted nervously. “C’mon. You wouldn’t do that. You’re Jedi.”
“Technically, we’re not,” Anakin said. “We’re training to be Jedi.”
“There’s quite a difference, actually,” Tru said. He shrugged. “We’re just learning the rules.”
“So let me think. Is it against Jedi rules to leave a suspect imprisoned when we know a deadly toxin is in the air?” Anakin frowned, pretending to ponder. “You have any idea, Tru?”
“I think I skipped that class,” Tru said.
“Wise guys. I always meet up with wise guys,” Ruuin said under his breath. “All right, all right. What do you want to know?”
“Who are you working for?” Anakin asked.
“How do I know? Some guy,” the Radnoran said. He quickly put his hands up in protest as both Anakin and Tru took a step toward him. “I’m telling the truth. I was paid a wage and a share of the spoils. The guy’s name is Nonce, if that helps you. If you were security police, you’d know him. He’s been in detention most of his life. But somebody hired him. I don’t know who. Now can I go?”
“How did you get access to the evacuation plans?” Anakin asked.
“I didn’t. Nonce did. And I don’t know how he got them. Now can I go?”
“If you stayed around long enough to raid all those homes and businesses, how could you be sure to get a place for the evacuation?” Tru asked.
There was a subtle shift in Ruuin’s gaze. He didn’t look away. But something changed. Anakin knew he was about to lie.
“We would have been done in time.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Anakin said. “And you wouldn’t endanger yourself and your new riches by taking a chance. So what was the plan? How were you going to get off-planet?”
“The same way everyone else is,” Ruuin said. “Those ferry ships. Can I go now?”
Anakin didn’t know what to do. It was obvious that Ruuin wasn’t going to tell them the truth. He was more afraid of someone else than he was of the Padawans.
Suddenly, Tru reached over and snatched Ruuin’s datapad from his belt. “Maybe this will tell us something.”
“Hey! Hey! That’s my property!”
Anakin glanced at the stolen plunder around them. “Do you really think you’re in a position to complain?”
Tru was busily clicking keys. “Look,” he said to Anakin, tilting the datapad toward him. “See these coordinates? This must be a landing site. And it doesn’t match the ones we know for the ferry ships.”
“You have an escape plan,” Anakin told Ruuin. “Let me tell you something. You’re not going to make it. You’re not going to make it onto a ship at all. Let me tell you something else.” He took a step closer to Ruuin. “You have much more to fear from the Jedi than you do from anyone else. Even the Avoni.”
“The Avoni?” Ruuin’s tongue darted out nervously. “I never mentioned the Avoni. Look, you’ve got to let me go, all right? You don’t understand the penalty I’m facing. I could be imprisoned for treason.” He stopped suddenly.
“Treason,” Anakin said slowly. “That means there is another planetary government involved.”
“Like the Avoni,” Tru said.
Ruuin wiped his perspiring forehead. “All right. Yes, it was the Avoni. The coordinates are for another Avoni ship. They’re airlifting the raiders off-planet. They don’t want us to get caught here. We need to leave before the Senate ships arrive. They promised us that no matter what happens, we’ll get off. They backed our raids. They wanted as much disruption and panic to spread as possible. We’re all supposed to get houses and money once we get to Avon.”
“Didn’t you ask yourself why the Avoni were doing all this?” Tru asked, disgusted. “Were you just going to allow them to invade your planet?”
“I don’t ask questions,” Ruuin said. “I’m a thief, not a philosopher.”
“The panic would distract the population even further,” Tru murmured to Anakin. “They wouldn’t have time to figure out what the Avoni were planning.”
Anakin nodded. He turned to Ruuin. “Who was Nonce’s contact? How did you get those prototype droids? Who is the contact with the Avoni?” he rapped out.
“I don’t know anything,” Ruuin said desperately. “I’m just a thief. I’m nobody. There’s no one left to talk to. Now can I go?”
Chapter Sixteen
Curi’s courageous test to remove her bio-iso suit soon confirmed that there was no longer any danger from the toxin. Additional testing proved it.
All the Jedi removed their suits. It was a relief to Obi-Wan to breathe the air again. Without the constricting suit, the Jedi would be able to fight more effectively, should they need to.
“We need to head back to Clear Sector immediately,” Obi-Wan said. “If we can stop the evacuation, we can stop any planned takeover by the Avo
ni. They’re expecting an unpopulated planet.”
“You know what this means about the comm systems, don’t you?” Soara said. “The Avoni must be jamming the planet. It’s the only explanation.”
The other Jedi nodded. They had all come to the same conclusion.
They could do no more in Isolation Sector. Curi had found two functioning speeders for them. They split into teams and took off through the empty city, heading for the outskirts and the fastest route to the Clear Sector.
Despite the danger of the coming invasion, Obi-Wan felt relief that he would get to see Anakin again at last. He was anxious to see how his Padawan had fared.
“You look relieved,” Siri said, giving him a quick glance as she piloted the speeder. “I am, too.”
“You didn’t seem very worried.”
“When do I ever seem worried?” Siri said with a short laugh. “I just hide things better than you do, that’s all. Sometimes I wonder if you expect me to have any feelings at all, Obi-Wan.”
It was true. Obi-Wan did not often look beneath Siri’s cool confidence. He should have known better.
As they reached the vast plain outside the city, Siri increased her speed. “Things always came easily to Ferus at the Temple,” she remarked. “His gifts helped him sail through his classes. His good nature won him many friends. But you and I know that the galaxy teaches us harder lessons.”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan said. “We know this to be true.”
“So I worry about the day Ferus discovers this, too,” Siri said. “Failure is part of being a Jedi, too. The one who does not have to work hard for his gifts will one day fail, as we all do. He will try his hardest, he will sacrifice everything he has to give, and still he will not win. I suspect his failure will be rougher than it needs to be. I wait for that day, and I worry.”
Obi-Wan feared the same for Anakin. Siri had put into words a certain dread he carried in his heart.
And he had congratulated himself for overcoming his old rivalry with Siri! Obi-Wan shook his head, smiling. Obviously traces of that rivalry remained. Otherwise he would have confided in her.