“Wait here,” Qui-Gon told Tahl. “Obi-Wan and I will investigate.”
But Tahl followed them into the hallway just as the front door opened. Security officers ran into the hall, alerted by a hidden alarm. But instead of intruders, Eritha and Alani spilled in. The twins looked pale, their clothing wrinkled and stained, but they were not hurt.
“Where is Roan?” Alani cried. “Take us to him!”
Eritha came forward to Tahl. “You’re here. I am so glad to see you. What has happened? We heard on the streets that Roan is dead. It can’t be true. Is it?”
Balog took a few steps toward them. “I’m afraid it is true. He lies inside.”
Alani turned to Eritha. She put her arms around her sister. “We must go to him.”
“He did not kill our father,” Eritha said. “He put himself in danger for us. Alani, we are the guilty ones!”
“He would not be dead if he hadn’t tried to rescue us,” Alani said, her voice rising.
“No.” Tahl walked toward them. “You are guilty of nothing. Roan made his own choice.”
“Did you escape or did they let you go?” Balog asked them.
“They let us go. We never saw their faces.” Alani wiped tears from her face.
“We believe it’s best if you come with us to Coruscant in the morning,” Tahl said gently.
Alani looked at her sister. “Yes, I think it is best.”
“I do want to leave this place,” Eritha whispered. “I never thought I would say that, but it is true.”
“We need to see Roan now,” Alani said.
Eritha and Alani, their arms around each other, passed into the room where Roan lay. The door closed behind them.
Balog turned to the Jedi. “I was just coming to meet with you. All night we have worked to arrange a peace meeting. We do not know who was behind this, but we cannot wait to find out while unrest fills the streets. The Workers and the Civilized have agreed to meet. Also a representative from the Absolutes has agreed, as long as we give him safe conduct back to where he came from and do not arrest him. We have agreed to that condition because we must. I will also be at the meeting. As a Worker who is part of the current government, I am needed for balance. Irini will represent the Workers.”
“This is good news,” Qui-Gon said. “Only when you begin to talk can you begin to resolve this situation. The government must be stabilized.”
“There is only one condition,” Balog said. “A Jedi representative must be present. Each of the parties has asked for this - except for the Absolutes. However the representative has agreed reluctantly. The meeting is at dawn.” Balog checked his chrono. “An hour away.”
“I will go with you,” Qui-Gon said.
“No,” Tahl said. “I will go.” She turned to Qui-Gon. “It has to be me, Qui-Gon. I infiltrated the Absolute organization. I know things the others do not. If the representative of the Absolutes tries to lie about the organization, I am the only one who will know.”
“That is true,” Balog said. “The Workers and the Civilized trust the Absolutes even less than each other.”
“Take the twins to Coruscant in the morning,” Tahl said. “I will join you there after this meeting.”
Obi-Wan kept his eyes on his Master. Qui-Gon had gone pale. It was clear he was not happy with this turn of events. He wanted to be the one to go to the meeting. But there was something more there, some powerful emotion Obi-Wan did not understand. There appeared to be some sort of titanic struggle going on inside Qui-Gon.
Tahl picked up on it as well. She frowned and seemed about to speak.
Then, to Obi-Wan’s surprise, he saw something flicker in Qui-Gon’s eyes. It was almost as though Qui-Gon was amused by something, something private. It was gone so quickly that Obi-Wan was sure he was mistaken.
His Master shook his head as if to clear it. He appeared both shaken and determined at the same time.
Qui-Gon turned to Balog. “Will you excuse us? I need to speak with Tahl alone.”
“Of course.” Balog bowed and retreated.
Obi-Wan started off with Qui-Gon and Tahl toward the private room. But Qui-Gon turned.
“Please wait here, Padawan,” he said kindly.
Surprised, Obi-Wan could only nod. He watched as his Master followed Tahl into the room and closed the door firmly behind them.
CHAPTER 17
“Dear friend,” Tahl said, “there have been too many arguments between us. Do not let another one arise.”
“I did not ask for privacy to argue with you,” Qui-Gon said.
He knew that outside that door, life went on. People were grieving. Others plotted the overthrow of a government. The planet of New Apsolon continued to revolve in its orbit. Its moons were slowly dropping in the sky.