Jedi Apprentice(21)

Qui-Gon followed behind. Bruck could be heading for a meeting. He could be heading to where he’d stashed the other stolen objects. Either way, they would learn something important tonight.

Bruck was being careful, but Qui-Gon was more so. He had more practice in moving silently than the boy did. He followed Bruck by sound rather than sight.

The overhanging trees blocked out the surroundings as the path wound farther away from the lake. Soon they would be at the utility sheds. Would someone be there to meet Bruck? Qui-Gon picked up his pace slightly so that he could see the boy.

“Tree root, two centimeters ahead.” A well-known voice split the silence. “Leaf frond, three centimeters straight ahead at eye level!”

TooJay! Qui-Gon stopped and went perfectly still. Bruck turned, his ponytail whipping around. He could not see Qui-Gon in the darkness. But he turned and ran.

It was no use following him. He would most likely double back and return to the turbolift. He knew someone was out here.

Disgusted, Qui-Gon turned back. Tahl was waiting on the path a few meters back. TooJay stood next to her.

“Qui-Gon Jinn approaching,” TooJay said pleasantly.

Furiously, Tahl reached over and shut off TooJay’s speaking mechanism. The droid waved its arms, but could not speak.

“Qui-Gon, I’m sorry,” Tahl said rapidly. “I didn’t realize that TooJay was looking for me.

As soon as I started down the path, she was behind me.”

“Why did you follow me?” Qui-Gon asked irritably.

“Because someone was following you,” Tahl explained. “They moved so quietly you might not have heard them. I was worried.”

“Someone from the Temple?” Qui-Gon asked. “Could you tell?”

“I don’t think so,” Tahl said hesitantly. “Students and teachers, even workers, wear soft-soled boots. This person wore heavier boots. And the clothes had a whispery sound. Not like the sound of our cloaks or tunics. I think it’s a man. The footfalls were heavy, and he brushed the icus leaves. He has to be close to your height.”

“So there is an intruder,” Qui-Gon said. “That was who Bruck was going to meet.”

“Yes,” Tahl agreed. “But not only that. He didn’t hide in the bushes or try to track you through the trees. He knew the way. This intruder felt at home here. And he was not afraid.”

A sudden chill ran through Qui-Gon. This was the scariest news of all.

When Obi-Wan woke the next morning, he was alone. Most of the Young had already headed aboveground. Cerasi probably hadn’t wanted to wake him. He was sure that she’d been awake when he’d slipped back into his sleeping area near dawn.

Cerasi had left him a plate of fruit and a muja muffin for breakfast. He ate, wondering when he’d get a chance to eat again. Each day was so busy. If he wasn’t on duty with the Security Squad, he was trying, with Cerasi, to convince the Young that they needed to talk without anger.

Suddenly Roenni burst into the space. He hadn’t seen much of the quiet girl lately. She kept to herself.

“Obi-Wan, they need you,” she said breathlessly.

“Who needs me?” he asked, standing up.

“Everyone.” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Roenni, start from the beginning.”

“Nield has convinced Mawat that they must overthrow the vote of the council and demolish the Hall of Evidence on Glory Street,” Roenni said. “He’s gathered most of his squad and some of the Scavenger Young.”

Obi-Wan sighed. He would have to deal with this.

“They have weapons,” Roenni warned.

“Where did they get them?” Obi-Wan asked sharply.

“I don’t know. But Wehutti is there with the Elders, and they have weapons, too.”

Dismay filled Obi-Wan. This is what he and Cerasi had feared, what they’d tried to avoid. Open conflict was in the streets of Zehava once more.

He debated whether to try to find Cerasi. He could call her on the comlink. But he didn’t have much time, and it was better that she find out about the conflict after it was over. He remembered how torn she’d been to see Wehutti and Nield at odds last time.

Instead, he sent the emergency signal to his squad, along with the location of the site. He hoped they would arrive soon so he wouldn’t have to face Nield alone. The sight of Obi-Wan would not calm Nield. Still he had to try.

Grabbing his vibroblade, Obi-Wan headed aboveground.

When he got to Glory Street, his worst fears were realized. There was a large stone fountain with dry jets in the center of the plaza. Nield and his forces stood at the end of the plaza, holding transparent shields and carrying blasters and vibroblades. Wehutti and the Elders were opposite, all wearing plastoid armor and carrying weapons. They blocked the entrance to the Hall of Evidence. Only the fountain stood between them. It was an explosion waiting to happen.