[Jedi Apprentice] - 11(23)

Helb shifted uncomfortably. “Look, we don’t want to get on the wrong side of the Jedi.”

“Then tell us the truth, and we will go,” Qui-Gon said.

“All right, all right. Yes, we did get Fligh to steal the data pad. The bantha-brain stole the wrong one! He should have taken her official data pad, not the one with her personal correspondence. But it worked out fine, because we didn’t know she was planning to resign. We got what we wanted anyway. Her legislation is dead. Why would we put a death mark on Fligh? Sure, he was a weasel, but he was a valuable weasel. Sent a lot of clients our way.”

“High stole two data pads that day,” Qui-Gon said. “Do you know what happened to the other one?”

Helb shrugged. “Probably sold it, or gave it to someone he owed money to.”

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a glance. “Didi,” Obi-Wan murmured.

“Maybe,” Helb said, overhearing him. “I’m sure Fligh owed Didi, too. Didi is the shrewdest sabacc player around. We all played that game of sabacc together. I lost to Didi, too. None of us could pay off Didi that day, but he let us slide. I didn’t pay him off until a few days later. Luckily I had something to trade with.”

“What did you trade?” Qui-Gon asked.

“I passed along this hideout I had in the Cascardi Mountains,” Helb said. “I never would have used it, anyway. I won it in a game of chance off some old fool wrapped in a pile of cloaks at the Splendor. As a matter of fact, it was the day I met the two of you - “

Helb didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence.

The two Jedi were gone.





CHAPTER 14


From above, the house in the Cascardi Mountains looked quiet. It was a white, three-story structure built into the mountainside that blended in with the snow. They could see Didi’s cruiser parked on the small landing platform that was off the second floor. There was no sign of Didi and Astri.

Qui-Gon landed their cruiser next to Didi’s. They climbed out and approached the door with caution. They kept their lightsabers in their hands but not activated. This time, they would be prepared.

Qui-Gon concentrated, listening for movement, for anything out of the ordinary. Obi-Wan was tense beside him. He trusted the boy’s instincts. “What do you think?” he asked quietly. “I’m not feeling anything clearly,” Obi-Wan said. “Yet something is wrong. As though Didi and Astri are not in danger, but danger is here.”

Qui-Gon nodded. “I feel that, too. She has lured them here. No wonder she remained on Coruscant and trailed us. She did not have to track Didi and Astri. She knew where they were. The sooner we get them away from here, the better.”

A window slid open above them, and Didi popped his head out. Relief creased his features. “It’s you, thank the moons and stars. I’ll activate the door for you. I am so very glad to see you.”

A moment later the door slid open. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walked inside and were met by Didi as he hurried down a curving ramp from upstairs.

“Is everything all right?” Qui-Gon asked, clipping his lightsaber back onto his utility belt.

Didi nodded. “I suppose. At first we were glad to be here. We felt safe. The place is so remote and hidden. But now the isolation is getting on our nerves. I think we would feel safer back on Coruscant.”

“Where is Astri?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Here.” Astri appeared from the other room. “I am so happy to see you both. The hours have been very long.”

“No sign of trouble?” Qui-Gon asked. “Nothing out of the ordinary?”

“Nothing,” Didi said.

“We keep a lookout,” Astri said. “We watch out the windows for cruisers. We saw you approach. We weren’t sure who it was.” She tapped a blaster strapped to her hip. “I was ready.”

“Have you ever used a blaster before, Astri?” Qui-Gon

asked cautiously.

“How hard could it be?” Astri said. “Point and shoot. Easy as making a meal.”

After having seen her kitchen, Qui-Gon was not sure he trusted Astri’s shooting. “I’ll give you a lesson in a moment,” he told her. “How about you, Didi? Do you have a weapon?”

“Are you serious?” Didi shook his head. “I don’t like Astri having one, either. How do you think I managed to stay out of trouble all these years?”

“We must speak to you both seriously,” Qui-Gon said. “You must tell us the truth. Your safety depends on it.”

“But you said we were safe here,” Didi said nervously.

Qui-Gon shook his head. “I did not. This only bought us time. I’m afraid time has run out.”