[Jedi Apprentice] - 11(22)

It was because the killing of Fligh did not seem like the job of a criminal gang like the Tech Raiders. They did not need to disguise their work, to send the Coruscant security forces on the wrong path. They arrogantly thought themselves too big to care about a local investigation.

No, Fligh’s murder still did not make sense. That indicated to Qui-Gon that it was about emotion, not logic.

He thought back to Senator S’orn. He had glimpsed the despair and bitterness deep within her. Such emotions could drive someone to evil, certainly.

Jenna Zan Arbor appeared to have nothing to hide. Yet it still bothered him that she’d shown up at Didi’s CafŠ. True, she didn’t know Coruscant, but her friend did. She could have asked for a recommendation from Uta S’orn. Why did she take the advice of a stranger?

Murder is an upsetting topic.

Especially for the victim.

There was something cold in the way Jenna Zan Arbor had smiled when she made that light remark. Her smile was keeping Qui-Gon awake.

And the vision of Obi-Wan shooting over that railing into deep space while he scrambled to get to him. And the knowledge that the bounty hunter would likely return to Didi and Astri’s trail.

Yes, he had much on his mind.

He reached out to the night. He pulled the darkness around himself. He drew long slow breaths. He could do nothing tonight. His worry about Didi and Astri would simmer inside him, would flare to life again in the morning. Until then, he would sleep.

The next morning, Helb was nowhere to be found.

“This is suspicious,” Obi-Wan said. “No doubt he knows that we are on to him.”

Qui-Gon had decided not to share his feeling that the Tech Raiders were not responsible for Fligh’s death. He had only cloudy doubts and vague feelings to report; he wanted more concrete evidence.

And Helb knew more than he was telling. That was certain.

“There is only one place left he can be,” Qui

Gon said. “Vandor-3. He’s got to be at the base. We should get answers there.”

Vandor-3 was a neighboring satellite planet of Coruscant. Luckily Qui-Gon had taken a cruiser from the Temple landing platform, just in case they needed to travel beyond Coruscant’s atmosphere. It was a short journey to Vandor-3.

They hovered outside the base’s air space until they were given clearance to land. Qui-Gon saw the landing platform below, in the midst of what looked like a salvage yard. He eased the cruiser down between a maintenance hauler and a sea of swoops.

As soon as they released the loading ramp and exited, they were assaulted by noise. Workers and droids were everywhere, cutting metal, soldering circuits, dragging materials, operating graysleds. Voices were raised in argument over the loud buzzing of hydraulic metal cutters, macrofusers, and hydrospanners. Enormous repulsorlift engines hung over their heads on a system of straps and pulleys. Speeder parts, circuit boards, boosters, converters, and other parts Obi-Wan did not recognize were divided into various piles.

“This is quite an operation,” Qui-Gon said as they edged their way past a starship, its engine parts laid out on the floor.

“Watch out for that acceleration compensator!” a voice bellowed.

Obi-Wan took a quick step sideways to avoid the equipment as Helb barreled toward them, his orange eyes sparking irritation.

“I’m guessing you didn’t come here for a deal on speeder parts,” he yelled over the noise.

“Just information,” Qui-Gon yelled back.

“Well, you’re in the way here. Follow me.”

The Jedi followed Helb into a quieter corner of the yard. A small shed made out of salvaged materials stood against a durasteel fence. Helb pushed the door open.

Inside, the din dulled to a dim roar.

“I’d ask you to sit, but you’re leaving,” Helb snapped. “I thought I made it clear that I’ve told you all I know.”

“I don’t think you have,” Qui-Gon said. “I think you’ve left something out. I think your gang hired Fligh to steal Senator S’orn’s data pad. Most likely Fligh had to agree to do it because he owed you money.”

Helb didn’t say anything. He crossed his arms.

“Maybe Fligh didn’t turn over the data pad. Maybe he thought he could get more money out of you,” Qui-Gon guessed, watching Helb carefully. “Maybe that’s why you put the deathmark on his head. You suspected he had given the data pad to Didi.”

“Listen, I’m not pretending to be overflowing with goodness, Jedi,” Helb said. “I’d sell out my brother for money. But we didn’t put a death mark on Fligh. Now get out of here before I call the security droids.”

Qui-Gon didn’t move. He put one hand on his lightsaber hilt. Obi-Wan did the same.