[Jedi Apprentice] - 13(22)

“I still have it,” Fligh said. “I haven’t had a chance to sell it yet.” He slipped a small datapad out of his tunic. “See?”

Qui-Gon took it from him.

“There you go,” Fligh said, waving a hand. “I won’t even ask for credits. See how generous I can be with stolen property? You will have to erase all those files on it. Just Senate holo transcripts of speeches. Or leave them, and you can use them as a sleeping potion.” Fligh made a loud snoring noise. “Take it from me. Very dull. Now, if you don’t need me, I’ll be going. This world is too depressing, even for me. I think I’ll head back to the fun-filled world of Coruscant.”

Waving, Fligh took off. Qui-Gon turned his attention to the datapad. He quickly accessed the files and searched through them. Obi-Wan watched over his shoulder.     Hovercams recorded all Senate proceedings. Each Senator could download transcripts into their own datapads for official records. Senator S’orn had recordings of several speeches she had made.

Qui-Gon shut down the datapad. He glanced at Adi.

“What are you thinking?” he asked her quietly.

“I do not like how Uta S’orn keeps coming into this mission,” Adi said. “Let’s get to the landing platform.”





CHAPTER 14


On the way to the platform, Qui-Gon contacted Tahl and asked her to investigate the odd bacteria formation on Belasco.

He was about to sign off when he had a thought. “Tahl, can you forward the official Senate hovercam transcripts from… hold on.” Qui-Gon accessed the file listing and read out the dates and times.

“Sure,” Tahl said dryly. “I just love dealing with the Senate bureaucracy. Nothing I like better.”

“That’s what I thought.” Smiling, Qui-Gon cut the communication.

“Why did you ask Tahl to do that?” Siri asked.

“Just a hunch. I want to make sure the transcript on Senator S’orn’s datapad matches the official filed version,” Qui-Gon explained. “I’ve heard of senators bribing the operators to alter official transcripts for one reason or another. There must be a reason Senator S’orn has kept those transcripts on her datapad. Maybe we’ll find out why.”

At the docking platform, the Jedi headed for the official in charge of off-planet vessel registration. Transports to Belasco had slowed to a trickle as word had reached the galaxy of the water shortage. It was easy for the dockmaster to check the records over the past two days.

“That V-wing cruiser is unusual,” the official said. “You don’t see many of them in private use. I think I can find it… here it is. Registered to a Belascan native who was arriving home. Cir L’ani and one passenger.”

“Do you have a record of the passenger?” Adi asked. “Can you give us a description?”

“Do you think I remember every ship that docks here?” the official asked, shaking his head. “Just the pilot of the vessel registered. That’s all we require. Sorry.”

They thanked the official and walked out onto the busy platform.

“It could be them,” Adi said. “But we need proof.”

“Let’s ask a worker,” Qui-Gon suggested. He gazed around the platform. “Why don’t we each pick someone and see what we can find out.”

The group split off. Obi-Wan stayed where he was. He scanned the different workers on the platform. Some were checking text docs, some directing transport, and some refueling ships. He did not know how to choose.

But then he noticed a young woman, dressed in the coveralls of a mechanic, who was working at the refueling bay. The young woman was busy doing her job, but as she worked she gazed at the different ships as they came in for landings. Something about the alertness on her face caught Obi-Wan’s attention. This was someone who admired sleek airships. She would remember the V-wing cruiser.

He walked over and nodded a hello.

“If you need refueling, you have to signal the controller,” the worker said. “Get a number and wait your turn. You can signal from your ship or go over there.” She pointed to a booth a short distance away.

“I don’t need refueling,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m looking for someone. She landed in a V-wing cruiser. Black with silver underside - “

“I remember that ship,” the young woman said, her eyes suddenly brightening. “She was a beauty. I’d love to get my hands on those controls. “

“Do you remember the pilot and passengers?”

She wiped her hands on her coveralls, thinking. “I remember I was surprised. I expected some hotshot pilot to come strutting out of that cockpit. Instead there was a petite human woman and a sick old man. Her father, she said. I refueled them.”