Obi-Wan quickly untied Lena. “Are you all right?” he asked.
Lena nodded. “Another thug working for the Cobral,” she said, cracking a half smile. “I’m almost getting used to them.”
“Good timing, Master,” Obi-Wan said wryly as he helped Lena to her feet.
“Thank you,” Qui-Gon replied as he bent over the man. “He’s going to wake up with quite a headache, I’m afraid.”
Qui-Gon had not cracked a joke in weeks, and it was music to Obi-Wan’s ears.
Qui-Gon searched the man’s pockets and quickly retrieved Rutin’s datapad. He retrieved something else, Obi-Wan saw, but concealed it in his hand.
Qui-Gon stood up and faced Lena and Obi-Wan. His face was grave with concern.
“There’s been a change in plans. We must leave Frego as soon as possible,” he said.
CHAPTER 17
Lena, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan were silent as they once again made their way through the darkened streets of Rian. It was almost dawn, and a pale yellow light was beginning to overtake the sky. Qui-Gon was anxious for the mission to be over. But as he strode purposefully ahead, he could not shake the feeling that they were far from the end.
When they arrived at one of the city’s many landing platforms, Obi-Wan headed straight for the Degarian II. He was practically boarding the ship before Qui-Gon was able to catch up to him. Lena was at his heels.
“No, Padawan,” Qui-Gon said quietly, pulling him aside. “We will not be taking this ship.” Qui-Gon gestured with his head toward a lone vehicle in the corner of the launch bay. “I believe that this one will better serve our purposes.”
Obi-Wan looked momentarily confused, then he nodded. He gently steered Lena away from the Degarian II and guided her to a shadowy area of the platform.
Qui-Gon approached the pilot of the smaller ship. “We’re looking for passage to Coruscant,” he explained in a low voice. “We’d like to leave as soon as possible.”
The pilot stopped what he was doing and stood to his full height, which was considerable. He did not say anything at first, but simply looked Qui-Gon in the eye. Qui-Gon returned his gaze without flinching. He felt confident that this man was not in league with the Cobral. Flying with him would be relatively safe.
“I can fly you to Coruscant,” the pilot finally said. He named his fee, which seemed a fair price.
Qui-Gon agreed. “We have some business to attend to, but will return shortly,” he said. The pilot nodded. “I will be ready.”
Qui-Gon turned and headed back to Obi-Wan and Lena. Now he only had to make it appear as if they were leaving the planet on the Degarian II, as planned.
“Time to board,” he said in a normal voice as he walked up the boarding ramp. Then he quietly added to Obi-Wan, “Let me do the talking.”
The Degarian II was a large and comfortable ship, with a diplomatic lounge and roomy sleeping quarters for its passengers. The Jedi and Lena were greeted by a droid host as soon as they got on board.
Qui-Gon was surprised to see that the droid was identical to those he and Obi-Wan had cut down earlier in the evening, but greeted the droid as if he were expecting him. After chatting for a few brief moments and accepting a message of welcome from Senator Crote, Qui-Gon declared that they were all very tired and would like to retire to their resting quarters.
“That will be fine,” the droid replied. “I can show you the way.” It led them down a long hall to a trio of spacious rooms.
“Thank you,” Qui-Gon said. “Please be sure to wake us before we arrive.”
The droid nodded. “Of course. We have clearance to leave in twenty minutes.” He stood for a moment, as if waiting to make sure that each of them went into a room. Lena yawned and said good night, then disappeared through a doorway. Obi-Wan did the same, and Qui-Gon followed.
Qui-Gon waited for a good fifteen minutes before knocking on Lena’s door.
“We’re getting off early,” Qui-Gon said as Obi-Wan appeared behind him.
Lena looked confused. “Do you think it is safe?” she asked.
“Safer than staying on board,” Obi-Wan replied with a grimace.
Qui-Gon started down the hall and the others followed closely behind. They escaped through a small hatch at the back of the ship just as the craft’s engines hummed to life. They were boarding the other ship by the time the Degarian II disappeared into the atmosphere above them.
As soon as everyone was safely on board, Qui-Gon explained what had just transpired. “I’m afraid Senator Crote is not what he appears to be.” He pulled a travel order bearing the official Fregan senatorial seal from his pocket. It also bore Senator Crote’s signature. “I found this on the thug who tried to steal Rutin’s evidence.”