Jedi Apprentice(28)

The walk to the warehouse was conducted in silence. There was so much silence between them now, Qui-Gon realized. And it was not the easy silence of companions. He saw the emotions that Obi-Wan struggled to hide. Chief among them was hope that Qui-Gon had forgiven him.

Of course Qui-Gon had forgiven him. He was not sure when it had happened - when he heard Obi-Wan’s voice as he reported Cerasi’s death, or when his former Padawan had greeted him at the gate with so much hope in

his face. Perhaps it had been gradual, but it was there, in his heart, and he knew it.

Qui-Gon did not think of himself as a hard man. Obi-Wan had made an impulsive choice in the heat of a charged moment. It was a choice that he had come to regret. That was part of growing up.

Forgiveness was not the point. Qui-Gon had already passed to the next step. Would he take Obi-Wan back if he asked? He did not think so.

But that feeling could change, Qui-Gon told himself, struggling to be honest. It had before. So it was better to wait, to say nothing. Obi-Wan must deal with the consequences of his decision. One of them

was uncertainty.

The warehouse was deserted, bolted on the outside with a strong lock. Qui-Gon sliced through it with his lightsaber and pushed open the door. A boy and a girl were sitting on the floor of the empty space, talking. They looked up, startled, when Qui-Gon strode in. He recognized the girl as Deila, one of the Young, but did not recognize the stout, round-faced boy.

Deila scrambled to her feet when she saw Obi-Wan. Then she appeared confused. Since Obi-Wan was no longer her leader, she seemed to be thinking, was it right to show him respect? Quickly, she sat down on the guard’s chair. The boy made a halfhearted attempt to rise, but Deila shot him a glance and he quickly sat down again.

Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan’s face flush. These two had once been his friends. But Nield had drawn a battle line, and they were loyal to him now. Qui-Gon wondered how far such loyalty extended. Why were the two sitting in an empty warehouse behind a barred door? They must have climbed in a window. Were they hiding?

“Hello, Deila,” Qui-Gon said in friendly tone. “I’m glad to find you well.”

Deila nodded coolly at Qui-Gon. “I am surprised to see you back on Melida/Daan.”

“Certain factions on Melida/Daan have called for Jedi assistance,” Qui-Gon answered. “I’m here to help.”

Deila glanced at Obi-Wan. “I think I know which faction has called for help.”

“There are many who still hope for peace,” Obi-Wan said. “You were once among them.”

Deila flushed. “Peace is always our ultimate objective. What do you want?”

“Just some answers,” Qui-Gon said.

“I have none to give.”

“I have not asked you a question yet.”

“We’re trying to find out how and when the Elders and the Young rearmed themselves,” Obi-Wan said. “Did someone take the weapons? Obviously the warehouse has been emptied

out.” He turned to the boy. “Do you know, Joli?”

“Don’t say anything, Joli,” Deila said sharply. “We have nothing to say to an outsider.”

Qui-Gon leaned closer and fixed Deila with his piercing blue gaze. He could use the Force on this girl, but it would be better to let her own emotions guide her. He sensed uneasiness in her. She respected Obi-Wan. He sensed that, too.

“You know that Obi-Wan fought hard for Melida/Daan,” Qui-Gon said. “He shot down every deflection tower in Zehava for you, at great personal risk. He, Nield, and Cerasi devised the strategy that won the war. He fought side by side with you in that war. After peace came, he again risked his life to work for disarmament. If he is an outsider, he was also instrumental in saving your world. Now he continues to risk his life by remaining because he thinks he can help. Why do you show him no respect?”

Fierce Deila crumpled under Qui-Gon’s gaze and became a mumbling girl. “I don’t know.”

“When you don’t know your own mind, you fill it with the beliefs of another. Are you so sure that everything Nield says is true?”

Deila glanced at Joli. Perhaps Qui-Gon had raised a question that they had been discussing. Joli nodded at her. “No,” she muttered.

“Then will you answer my questions if you can? You can help the cause of peace on Melida/Daan.”

Deila glanced at Obi-Wan. She bit her lip. “Of course I want to help the cause of peace.”

Qui-Gon signaled to Obi-Wan.

“Where are the weapons?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Mawat took most of them,” Deila said. “He moved them to a safer location, he said. I don’t know where.”

“Did he rearm Nield and the Young?” Obi-Wan asked.