[Jedi Apprentice] - 15(14)

“Once appointed, she will bring back the Absolutes and slowly restore the government to what it was. The Workers will be trampled. No.” Eritha crossed her arms. “I will not return. My dead father is at my shoulder. He sacrificed too much. I am coming with you.”

“Eritha, we think Balog is probably heading to his supporters. You are not trained for battle,” Obi-Wan said.

“Oh, but I am.” Eritha drew back her cloak, exposing the blasters and explosive devices on her belt. “I have excellent aim.”

“I admire your dedication,” Qui-Gon said. “However - “

“Tahl was a great friend to me when I needed one,” Eritha said, staring Qui-Gon down. “I can’t desert her now. And you forget that I have been through the same thing. I was trapped in that device. I know what it does to you. I have to do this, Qui-Gon.”

Qui-Gon was about to speak, but suddenly an explosion shattered the rocks at their side. Shards flew out at them. Both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon sprang forward to protect Eritha. Qui-Gon shielded her with his body while they leaped behind her speeder.

“Keep your head down,” Qui-Gon ordered sternly. “It looks as though our battle has found us.”





CHAPTER 9


It wasn’t Balog who was attacking. After the dust cleared, Qui-Gon and Obi—Wan caught a glimpse of a group of beings who blended in with the rocks and dirt. They wore gray unisuits and their skin was the same ashy color. They moved from boulder to boulder, trying to close in on the Jedi.

Obi-Wan saw a thin beam of light pulse over their heads toward the canyon wall. “Move back!” he shouted to Qui-Gon and Eritha.

They jumped back just seconds before a slide of rock and shale landed where they had been.

“They’re using a beamdrill to create rock slides,” Obi-Wan said.

Qui-Gon looked behind them. “They most likely are driving us into an ambush.”

“What should we do?” Eritha asked. Her face was taut, her eyes wide with fear.

Another pulse hit the rock face, and the three jumped back in time to avoid another shuddering explosion of rock. The shards flew toward them, and they covered their heads until the dust settled.

“We need to get above the range of the beamdrill,” Qui-Gon said, scanning the canyon wall. “If we can get on top of the rock, they can’t follow us.”

“Our cable launchers don’t go that high,” Obi-Wan said. “We’ll have to keep relaunching.”

“And meanwhile they’ll still be using that beamdrill,” Eritha said.

“I think it’s our only chance,” Qui-Gon decided. “Stay close,” he warned Eritha.

She shuddered. “Don’t worry.”

“Qui-Gon! Our probe droid is approaching!” Obi-Wan called.

“We need better cover!” Eritha shouted, panicked. She darted forward suddenly as the beamdrill pulse hit an area over their heads.

As rocks began to rain down, Qui-Gon leaped toward Eritha to bring her to safety. Obi-Wan followed, activating his lightsaber to deflect the rocks from the probe droid.

Qui-Gon grabbed Eritha and landed safely behind a pile of debris. Obi-Wan wasn’t as lucky. He was seconds too late to save the probe droid. A large boulder hit the droid straight on, shattering it. Obi-Wan barely had time to register this before he realized a shower of rocks was headed toward him. He twisted in midair, but a large rock caught him in the leg. He fell, and his leg gave way underneath him.

“Stay here!” Qui-Con roared to Eritha, pushing her head down. He raced forward, picked Obi-Wan up in his arms, and with a mighty leap, landed beyond the safety of the new pile of rocks the attack had created.

“Master… the droid    I’m sorry…” Obi-Wan’s breath came in gasps. His leg throbbed.

Qui-Gon felt the leg gently. “It’s not broken. After you catch your breath you might be able to stand on it. If not, I’ll carry you.”

Obi-Wan nodded. He gathered himself to accept the pain, to open himself to the Force so he could begin to heal.

They were almost at the end of the narrow canyon. Obi-Wan knew he would not be able to use his cable launcher to get above the beamdrills. By the grim look on Qui-Gon’s face, he knew his Master had already realized this and was formulating another plan.

Suddenly two explosions went off farther down the narrow passage, and a rock slide began, larger than the ones before. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan covered their heads.

When they were able to see through the choking dust, the end of the canyon was blocked off by a towering pile of rock and rubble.

“We’re trapped,” Obi-Wan said.

Qui-Gon activated his lightsaber. “They still have to come and get us. And we have the cover of the landslides they’ve already created.”