[Jedi Apprentice] - 11(5)

Qui-Gon deactivated his lightsaber. He stood staring after the bounty hunter. “A formidable opponent.”

“How did she do that?” Obi-Wan asked.

“At least now we know where she is from,” Qui-Gon said, shutting down his lightsaber. “The planet Sorrus. Sorrusians have a skeletal system that can compress, allowing them to squeeze through tight places. She is remarkably flexible. Not to mention very good with a whip.”

Obi-Wan touched his neck. “She certainly knows how to use it.”

“I’ve never seen that weapon before,” Qui-Gon mused. “It has two modes, one a laser. She was remarkably fast, Padawan. Don’t question yourself. Your reflexes will get faster as you gain more control of the Force.”

“You were already moving when I was strangling,” Obi-Wan said ruefully.

“I was expecting the whip,” Qui-Gon said. “Didi told us about it. I was watching her wrist. Next time, you will be as well.”

Qui-Gon twisted around to look at his shoulder. Obi-Wan saw that his tunic was tattered. Blood soaked the edges. “You’re hurt!”

“The spikes caught me. A little bacta and I’ll be fine. Come, Padawan. We’d better get back to Didi with the bad news.” Qui-Gon grimaced as he peeled back the cloth from the wound. “I don’t think this bounty hunter is going away.”





CHAPTER 4


“She injured your person!” Didi cried as soon as he saw Qui-Gon. “I cannot believe such a thing!” His hands flew to his mouth. “That means she is truly dangerous. Oh, I am in more trouble than I thought!”

“Never mind your troubles for the moment. We need water so we can clean the wound,” Obi-Wan said sharply to Didi.

“Of course, of course, let me help. I have a med kit here somewhere…” Didi began to fuss around the desk, pushing aside datasheets, receipts, tins, and boxes.

“Never mind. Obi-Wan, it is okay to leave me. Go get your medpac,” Qui-Gon said.

Quickly, Obi-Wan found his medpac. Didi brought a basin of water. Obi-Wan moved forward but Didi waved him away.

Obi-Wan watched as Didi cut away the tunic and carefully cleaned the wound, making sure no dirt or fabric remained in the torn flesh. His plump fingers were surprisingly delicate. He worked quickly and expertly, with no trace of hesitation. Obi-Wan couldn’t help but admire his skill. He would have expected the excitable Didi to feel faint, or moan with sickness at the sight of blood.

Didi dripped bacta into the wound and then with great gentleness wrapped a clean bandage around it.

“Thank you,” Qui-Gon said. “I could not ask for better care.”

“You’ll need a fresh tunic,” Obi-Wan said. “I can fetch one - ” Didi began.

“In a moment.” Qui-Gon frowned at Didi. “This bounty hunter is not giving up. Either she is very stubborn, or there truly is a warrant out for your arrest.”

“Impossible,” Didi said, shaking his head.

“Or there could be no warrant at all, just someone who wants to do Didi harm,” Obi-Wan pointed out. “Bounty hunters often take private commissions.”

Didi swiveled and stared at Obi-Wan, his mouth open. “Oh, do not say that, Obi-Wan. That is even worse. It would mean that someone has placed a death mark on my head.”

Obi-Wan was taken aback at the sight of Didi’s pale face. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I appreciate that very much, dear boy,” Didi said. “Very kind of you. But you did. Why would someone do such a thing? I have no enemies. Only friends.”

“Obi-Wan, you make a good point,” Qui-Gon said thoughtfully. “We should have considered this before. It is logical, considering the bounty hunter’s attitude and how Didi makes his living.”

“Serving food and drink?” Didi asked, baffled. “I admit some have gotten sick after supper, but I’ve never actually poisoned anyone. At least, not on purpose.”

“I am not talking about your dubious cooking skills,” Qui-Gon said to Didi. “I’m talking about your sideline. You traffic in information. Information that could benefit or harm criminals as well as security forces and members of the Senate. What if you know something that someone doesn’t want to get out?”

“But what could it be?” Didi asked. “I don’t know anything.”

“You must,” Qui-Gon insisted. “You just don’t know what it is.”

“How can I know something without knowing it?” Didi cried in frustration. “Is this worth a death sentence, I ask you? I hear something and pass it along for a tiny profit, and suddenly I am dead? Is that fair?”