Her head turned. Qui-Gon’s heart broke at how lackluster her response was.
“We have to swim. Can you use a breather?”
There was a quirk at the edge of her lips. Almost a smile. “Only since I was three.”
He smiled and gently fitted the tube on her. “When we get to the beach, we’ll have a short way to walk. I’ll carry you. Our transports aren’t far.”
She nodded slightly. He knew she was saving her strength.
Qui-Gon motioned to the emergency exit lever. Eritha had donned Obi-Wan’s breather. Qui-Gon knew that it would be a long swim for Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan was a powerful swimmer, but the leg injury worried Qui-Gon.
They accessed the door, which opened into a small chamber. There was a panel in the ceiling. Slowly, the chamber began to fill with water. The water was cold, and Qui-Gon felt Tahl’s involuntary shiver. They floated up toward the ceiling. Qui-Gon nodded at Obi-Wan and the two Jedi took their deepest breath. The panel slid open and they swam out.
Qui-Gon did not feel the cold water. He did not feel fatigued. Tahl felt buoyant in his arms, so buoyant that he felt his hopes rise. He swam with his Padawan by his side. Both of them kept their eye on Eritha, with Obi-Wan drifting back to help her if she lagged.
His lungs began to ache. The smoke had weakened them. Qui-Gon peered ahead, but couldn’t see the shoreline. There would be no gradual rise, since the pit was dug for mining purposes. His speed was hampered by being able to use only one arm, but his kicks were powerful and propelled him forward.
At last Obi-Wan’s feet touched bottom. He surfaced, then quickly signaled an okay. Qui-Gon surfaced as well, taking deep lungfuls of air. Obi-Wan was doing the same.
Even as they took deep breaths, they moved toward the shore. The Absolutes were lining up to be transported away. No one noticed them as they ran up the short distance to the boulders. From there it was easy to slip into the narrow crevices between the high cliffs. The rough ground made for hard walking. Qui-Gon’s arms began to ache with the effort of holding Tahl. Obi-Wan was limping slightly, but he still was able to move quickly.
“Almost there,” Qui-Gon told Tahl. He did not know if she was conscious.
They found their transports where they had left them. Relief flooded Qui-Gon. His last fear was that the Absolutes would have found them.
“Take my landspeeder, Qui-Gon,” Eritha offered. “It is faster than yours.”
“Thank you.” Qui-Gon gently placed Tahl in the companion seat.
He swung into the pilot seat and glanced over. As always, she could sense when he was looking at her. And as always, she could sense his mood.
“Stop being so worried,” she said quietly. “I’ll try.”
“I’m gaining strength every moment from your strength.”
He took her hand. He called up the Force from the air around them. He felt her do the same, though her hold on the Force was weak. It was all right. He would provide the extra strength she needed. He felt their power combine.
Eritha came to stand by the speeder. “Go directly to the Supreme Governor’s residence,” she said. “I will call ahead and have med care waiting for you.”
Qui-Gon nodded his thanks. He activated the engines.
“I will see you in New Apsolon,” he told Obi-Wan. He reached inside his tunic and handed Tahl’s lightsaber to Obi-Wan. “Until yours recharges.”
“I will guard it with my life.” Obi-Wan swallowed. The concern in his eyes was all for Tahl. He gently touched her shoulder. “Safe journey.”
Tahl answered weakly. “Thank you for finding me, Obi-Wan.”
“May the Force be with you,” Obi-Wan said. “It is,” Qui-Gon said confidently, and raced off.
CHAPTER 18
There was still a long journey ahead of them to New Apsolon. Qui-Gon would not stop. He would drive through the rest of the day and the night. With the extra power of Eritha’s landspeeder, he should be at the edge of New Apsolon by dawn.
Tahl slid into a deep sleep. That would restore her. Qui-Gon reached for a thermal cape and covered her. The temperature fell as the suns slid down in the sky, melting over the horizon in tones of blazing red and gold. The rocks and cliffs around him turned pink. For the first time in a long while, Qui-Gon noticed the beauty. It was because Tahl was next to him, and he wanted her to be a part of it. He did not wake her, but silently he told her, Do not leave me. We have so much left to share together.
The moons rose, three delicate, luminous crescents. The stars seemed even more brilliant next to the waning moons. Qui-Gon activated the speeder’s protective dome and turned on the heating unit. Whenever he reached over to check Tahl’s pulse, the coldness of her skin shocked him. He did not feel hunger but he ate a food capsule and drank water. He had a long night to get through.