[Jedi Apprentice] - 13(7)

CHAPTER 6


Obi-Wan waited while the Jedi medic, Winna Di Uni, attended to Qui-Gon. She located the sensor implanted in his bloodstream and carefully extracted it. While he waited, Obi-Wan searched the lab and located Qui-Gon’s lightsaber. It was a great pleasure for him to place it back in his Master’s hands.

“How is Didi?” Obi-Wan asked Winna.

She smiled. “On the mend. He is already suggesting better ways to prepare his meals.”

Qui-Gon groaned. “Whatever you do, don’t listen to him.” Didi’s abilities as a chef were dismal.

Winna touched Qui-Gon’s shoulder. “You’ve been through a trauma, Qui-Gon. Your body has not recovered fully. I suppose it would be fruitless for me to tell you to take it easy.”

Qui-Gon winced as he slid off the examination table. “Not until we find Noor.”

Obi-Wan saw the signs of fatigue he had missed in his joy to have his Master well and safe. Jenna Zan Arbor had drained Qui-Gon’s body of blood. She had kept him confined for long periods of time. His skin looked pale and his face drawn. The experience had weakened him.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t return to the Temple?” he asked Qui-Gon in a low voice.

“No,” Qui-Gon said sharply.

Adi and Siri strode into the room.

“We’ve checked all the computer files,” Adi said crisply. “There’s no indication of where she might go next.”

“There was an assistant, Nil,” Qui-Gon said.

“Not anymore,” Siri said. “We found him in one of the storage rooms. A lethal injection, we think.”

“He was a liability,” Qui-Gon said. He turned away. “She will stop at nothing.”

“Yes, that’s why we must find her,” Adi agreed quietly.

Cholly, Weez, and Tup peered around the corner.

“If you’re no longer in need of our services, we thought we would go back to our poverty-stricken but basically safe existence,” Cholly offered.

“She had the credits in her hand,” Weez said. “If only Tup hadn’t started the engine - “

“Or knocked over the droids - “

“Woosh, everything is all my fault, all the time, forever,” Tup complained.

“Yes, it is,” Cholly and Weez said together.

Qui-Gon’s comlink signaled. “It’s Tahl.”

A miniature hologram of Tahl appeared before them. “I am relieved to hear that you all are safe and that Didi will recover,” she said. “The Force is with us. Winna, how is Qui-Gon?”

“Fine,” Qui-Gon said tersely.

“Excuse me, did I ask you that question?” Tahl demanded. She was one of the few Jedi who was brave enough to challenge Qui-Gon, let alone tease him. “Winna?”

“He has undergone a great trauma,” Winna said. “My best advice would be to return to the Temple, but I know he is needed. There will be no lasting damage. He just needs rest and food.”

“Then you will release him on a mission?” Tahl asked.

“Release me?” Qui-Gon thundered irritably. “Am I still a captive?”

“No, you are a stubborn Jedi who might push himself beyond a limit his body cannot handle,” Tahl answered.

“I see no danger to him,” Winna said reluctantly. “I have seen how quickly Qui-Gon is able to recover his strength. As long as he has been honest with me about how he is feeling and not covering up any weakness.”

Qui-Gon glared at her.

“I’m sure he was covering them up,” Tahl said crisply. “However, we must pursue Jenna Zan Arbor. The Council wishes the two Jedi teams to join together to find Noor.”

Obi-Wan glanced at Siri. So he would have to work with her again, side by side. He hoped she had learned a little more humility since their last mission.

“I have news for you, Obi-Wan,” Tahl said. “And you will not like it. Nor do I. As soon as she was assured that Didi would make a full recovery, Astri left the Temple. She has gone off to pursue Ona Nobis in hopes of getting the reward.”

“Astri is no match for Ona Nobis!” Obi-Wan cried in surprise.

Tahl sighed. “I know this. Yet there is nothing the Jedi can do. She does not wish our protection any longer. We cannot force it.”

Obi-Wan felt frustration and worry battle within him. Yet he knew Tahl was right. The Jedi did not impose protection. And his mission was to find Jenna Zan Arbor.

“Adi and Qui-Gon, contact me when you decide on your next move,” Tahl finished.

“Meanwhile, I am coordinating the search for Zan Arbor’s ship.”

“It’s a big galaxy,” Qui-Gon said.

“Then I’d better get going,” Tahl said, and signed off.