[Jedi Apprentice] - 16(13)

Suddenly a look of sadness came over Irini’s usually impassive face. “I would if I could,” she said. “I have to get these to Lenz now.” Then, cradling the package in her arms, she walked off.

Qui-Gon contemplated his next move. It was hard to keep his mind clear. He felt as though he were stumbling around in the dark. So much of his pursuit of Balog was based on guesswork.

But it was all he had.

The list was still the key. Even if Balog had it, his next move would be to consolidate his power. If Oleg had already sold it, who would be in the market to buy it?

The answer was easy. New elections were about to be held. Those who would benefit most by the list, or be the most threatened by it, would be politicians. A Legislator who held that list would hold great power.

He hated to admit it, but Mace had been right. He needed to go to the United Legislature. It was night now; he wouldn’t have much luck finding Legislators. But surely there was something he could accomplish. Qui-Gon turned and headed back to the Civilized Sector.





CHAPTER 9


Obi-Wan and Bant stood outside the Luster, an opulent cafŠ near the United Legislature building. Inside under the great domed lamps they could see the elite Civilized at polished tables, laughing, eating, and talking, their heads together in government gossip. Chairs were drawn up at already crowded tables, making it difficult to move around the room, but no one seemed to mind.

Mace was somewhere inside, trying to gather information. He had said that the two could wait in more comfortable quarters at Manex’s residence, but neither Obi-Wan nor Bant wanted to leave. There was a feeling of urgency, as though every moment counted.

Bant stood, her arms folded, her eyes on the brilliantly lit cafŠ. Obi-Wan wondered how to start a conversation. Suddenly, after years of talking to Bant about everything that was on his mind, he had to struggle to find something to say.

Bant held her slight body rigid. Her stare was as fierce as Mace’s. Her stiffness and concentration made it even harder for him to break the silence.

Then he noticed that she was not as contained as she appeared. Her hands were gripped together tightly. He realized that far from being lost in concentration, Bant was struggling to maintain her composure.

When he looked closer, he saw that her eyes were full of tears. She was struggling to keep them from falling.

“Bant.” He said her name gently. He didn’t know what else to say.

“She should be here,” Bant said in a choked voice. “It seems impossible that she’s not here. I can’t believe she won’t come around the corner any second. I keep hearing her scold us for making such a big fuss and coming here to save her.” The tears tumbled down her face. “It hurts so much, Obi-Wan. I can’t find peace in her death. I know I’m supposed to accept it. I can’t.”

It was the longest flood of words she had spoken since she’d arrived. Obi-Wan realized that Bant had said all the things he had been feeling. It did seem impossible that Tahl was dead. He knew that part of him hadn’t absorbed it.

He knew that he was focusing on his worries about Qui-Gon so that he wouldn’t have to.

“I know what you mean,” he said. “When we found her, and she was so weak, I never for one moment thought she could die. Tahl was so strong. She was as strong as Qui-Gon.”

“Did she say anything?” Bant asked timidly. “Anything before…”

“She was too weak to talk when I saw her,” Obi-Wan said. “Qui-Gon was with her when she died.”

“I’m glad such a good friend was there,” Bant said.

Obi-Wan hesitated. He did not know whether he should speak. But didn’t he owe Bant his confidence? Maybe it would help to close the gap between them.

“I think Qui-Gon and Tahl had become more than friends,” he told her. “Here on New Apsolon, something changed. That’s why Qui-Gon is grieving the way he is.”

Bant turned, surprised. “You mean they loved each other?”

Obi-Wan nodded.

Bant looked down at her clasped hands. “Then it is even more sad, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said. “It’s the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. That’s why I’m worried about Qui-Gon.”

Bant reached out and squeezed his arm. Obi-Wan was happy to feel the spontaneous gesture. “We will help him, Obi-Wan,” she promised. And for the first time, Obi-Wan felt that maybe they could.

Just then Mace emerged from the cafŠ, his robe swirling around his ankles. He crossed the road and came up to them.

“I haven’t learned much,” he admitted. “But I did pick up an item of interesting gossip as I was leaving. Just today Legislator Pleni has announced that she will run for Supreme Governor. She has kept a low profile in the Legislature, so this was surprising. In just an afternoon, she managed to sway some powerful Legislators to support her.”