They were in a storage area filled with bins and crates. There was no sign of Tahl or of the sensory deprivation device she had been imprisoned in. Instead, the room was filled with explosives. Crate after crate was labeled, showing that there were extremely powerful devices within.
“This must be what they stole from the Rock Workers,” Obi-Wan said.
“And some bought on the black market, as well,” Qui-Gon added. “Look. This is Mota’s mark. They have enough explosives here to level the city.”
Obi-Wan looked worriedly at his Master. “What does this mean?”
“That they are prepared to take over with violence, if they must,” Qui-Gon said. “But why the change in plan? As far as we knew, the Absolutes were working to gain power through infiltration and deceit.”
Qui-Gon gave a last swift look around. “Let’s go, Padawan. There’s nothing here to lead us to Tahl. And I don’t like leaving Eritha back there alone.”
Not to mention that they had left a gaping hole in a security door, Obi-Wan thought. As soon as that was discovered, the complex would go on alert.
They ran back down the tunnel toward the main cave. Suddenly, Obi-Wan felt a disturbance in the Force. His steps slowed just as Qui-Gon’s did.
They didn’t need to compare notes. They both knew what they had felt. Something had gone wrong.
They melted back against the wall of the tunnel, then proceeded carefully. The cave came into sight. They saw Eritha surrounded by security. Obviously she was trying to bluff, and not succeeding. She gave one last, desperate look down the tunnel.
Qui-Gon put his hand on Obi-Wan’s arm to prevent him from moving.
“We can’t,” he murmured. “As soon as they see us, they’ll sound an alarm. Whoever is holding Tahl will know the cave has been invaded. We can’t risk it. Let’s see how Eritha deals with this.”
Eritha pitched her voice loudly, and it echoed off the walls of the cave. “You fools, don’t you know who I am? I am Eritha, daughter of Ewane. Contact my sister Alani right this minute. We are helping the Absolutes, you idiots!”
“You are a Worker - ” one of the security officers started.
“I am a patriot!” Eritha shouted. “Now let me go!”
“We’ll have to check this out first,” the officer said. “You’ll have to come with us.”
“I will not forget this!” Eritha said as they placed her in the center of the group and began to march her off. “I will get each of your names and you will be hearing from us!”
“She certainly didn’t show fear,” Obi-Wan said admiringly.
“Yes, she handled it well,” Qui-Gon said as he stepped out from the shelter of the tunnel wall. “Unfortunately, now we have two to rescue.”
CHAPTER 15
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan waited a moment, then slipped out of the tunnel. Obi-Wan could see that his Master was disturbed by this turn of events. They kept a good distance between themselves and Eritha and her guards, but kept her in sight. The guards marched her farther inside the cave until they came to another high-security entrance to a tunnel. One of the guards accessed the security panel and punched in a code, then pressed his eye against the sensor. When the sensor cleared him, they half-carried Eritha through the opening and down the tunnel.
“They could be keeping Tahl there,” Obi-Wan said. “No doubt it’s where they take prisoners.”
“Most likely,” Qui-Gon said. He studied the tunnel entrance. “But this time we are not so lucky. The sensors are well placed. We won’t be able to get in without attracting attention. When those sensors go off, we could be putting Eritha’s and Tahl’s lives in danger. And the Absolutes aren’t stupid. They probably suspect that Eritha wasn’t alone when she infiltrated the cave.”
“Any other ideas?”
“I think there’s only one thing to do,” Qui-Gon said. “We need a diversion.”
They retraced their steps back to the weapons tunnel. Using the same method, they propelled themselves past the sensors and safely into the tunnel. Then they ran back to the room where the explosives were kept.
Qui-Gon quickly read the labels on the various bins. “We must be careful,” he warned. “Too much, and we risk collapsing the cave. But there has to be enough to cause confusion and chaos.”
Obi-Wan was not an expert on explosives. He let Qui-Gon choose what they needed. Qui-Gon handed him a supply of small explosives.
“We’ll have to set these up away from here,” Qui-Gon said. “If we’re too close, it could cause a chain reaction.”
He tucked more explosives inside his tunic along with timing devices. “This should do it. No one should get hurt, but there will be confusion. That’s all we’ll need. As soon as we get Tahl and Eritha, we’ll head to the cave entrance.”