“Tahl came to the planet alone and infiltrated the disbanded Absolutes, who had gone underground. After we arrived, Eritha and Alani were kidnapped. Roan disappeared to pay the ransom and was killed. Shortly afterward, the twins were released, which led us to believe that Roan was the true target all along. Tahl’s identity as a Jedi was discovered but she escaped. She went to a peace negotiation meeting of Workers and Civilized organized by Balog. Only we have discovered that there was no meeting. Balog lied in order to kidnap Tahl. The question is, why? Balog was a Worker. It doesn’t seem likely he’d kidnap a Jedi.”
“Anything is likely on this planet,” Qui-Gon said grimly, shoving Tahl’s lightsaber into his belt.
“Another question is whether Tahl’s kidnapping is linked to the twins,” Obi-Wan went on. “Was Balog responsible for that, too? If so, he is most likely responsible for the murder of Roan.
Irini gave us information from the Workers that suggested that the person who masterminded the twins’ kidnapping was in the inner circle here. But why Balog?”
Qui-Gon’s gaze was clear now. “We don’t know the answers to any of these questions,” he said. “But it seems clear that it is all linked - Ewane’s assassination, Roan’s murder, the kidnapping of the twins - and that someone or some organization is behind these things. They want power.”
“So kidnapping Tahl is a way for them to get that power? How?”
“Uncovering the answers will take longer than a day. Time we don’t have. We need to find Tahl first.” Qui-Gon turned back to Obi-Wan. “What was the principal method the Absolutes used to keep the Workers in line?”
“Probe droids,” Obi-Wan answered after a moment. “The droids on New Apsolon are technologically advanced. They can track subjects and attack to stun or kill. The vital information of all Workers was kept in files, and with that information a probe droid could be programmed to target a specific person - ” Obi-Wan slowly rose. “Of course. Balog is a Worker. If we can get his vitals - “
“And a probe droid,” Qui-Gon finished.
A soft voice came from behind them. “But they are illegal now.”
It was Alani. The slight sixteen-year-old stood in the doorway for a moment, dressed in a simple tunic, her golden hair braided and coiled around her head. She had dark smudges under her eyes. The twins had stayed awake mourning Roan, and the news of Tahl’s disappearance had devastated them. Tahl and the twins had a special bond.
She took a few steps into the room. “I didn’t mean to overhear. I came to see if I can bring you refreshment.”
“We’d rather have a probe droid,” Qui-Gon said.
“I might be able to help you with that as well,” Alani said. “At least, I know someone who can find one. Lenz.”
“Lenz,” Obi-Wan said, repeating the name. Lenz had been among the Workers in a secret meeting he and Qui-Gon had overheard.
“He is the leader of the Workers,” Alani said. “He will say he doesn’t know how to get one, but that’s a lie. Tell him I sent you.”
“You know him well?” Qui-Gon asked.
“Lenz took us in when our father was imprisoned,” Alani said. “So yes, I know him well. We are not in touch anymore, but he will help you if I ask him to. The trouble will be finding him. He moves from place to place.”
“We have no time to waste,” Obi-Wan said in frustration. Would they need a probe droid to track Lenz, too?
Alani frowned, thinking. “Irini will know how to find him. She will be at her job at the Absolute Museum by now.”
The Jedi knew Irini. But knowing her didn’t mean she would help them. She was a prominent leader in the Worker movement, and she had made it clear that she did not consider the Jedi her allies. They suspected her of trying to kill them when they had first arrived on New Apsolon. But there was no one else to turn to.
CHAPTER 2
It had been a time of great confusion for Qui-Gon. It had been as though his body temperature had risen, as if there was a fever in his blood. He had been restless and irritable. Deep meditation was hard to sustain. Tired of waiting for a mission to distract him, he had taken Obi-Wan on a survival trip to Ragoon-6, hoping the discipline would calm his mind and body. It had not.
The first vision appeared on Ragoon-6. He saw Tahl in distress. In his vision, he caught and held her. Her body felt so weak. He was filled with helplessness and fear.
When he returned to the Temple, anxious to find her, he discovered that Tahl was on the verge of leaving on a mission to New Apsolon. Qui-Gon could not interfere. Yet after she had gone he was once again visited by that same disturbing vision. He knew she was headed for danger. He knew that she would need him. He knew she would resist his help.