[Jedi Apprentice] - 18(20)

Grath stood in front of Flip for a moment, trying to get the boy to soften. When it was clear that he wouldn’t, the leader’s focus shifted to the meeting at hand. He stood up on one of the desks and called everyone’s attention.

“If we can show the laborers that there is more to life than productivity without hurting them, they will help us,” he said calmly.

“The laborers are too far gone,” the dark-haired girl replied hotly. “Fear is the only thing that will keep them from stopping us.”

Grath frowned. “That’s not true, Tray,” he said. “And you know it.”

It didn’t take long for the disagreement and anger from the earlier meeting to overtake the group. Everyone shouted to be heard. Antennae twitched and stabbed the air, punctuating shouts. Hands were balled into fists. The two groups began to separate - Grath and his followers on one side of the office and Flip and his on the other.

“We need to make ourselves known,” someone yelled. “The laborers have no idea that we’re pulling the pranks. They don’t even think we’re capable. “

“We’re not getting any credit,” a different voice called out.

“Or blame,” someone on the other side shouted.

The shouts were getting louder and louder. It was almost impossible to hear what was being said. Obi-Wan looked from one side of the room to the other, not sure what to do. He felt that some action was necessary, but he didn’t want to blow his cover.

Suddenly the lights outside the office blinked on. Voices echoed outside, and footsteps thundered up the stairs.

Grath looked up, alarmed. The kids were suddenly silent.

The Freelies had been discovered.





CHAPTER 16


The footsteps and voices got louder as they came closer. The Freelies began to look worriedly at one another, their antennae twitching in fear.

Out of the corner of his eye, Obi-Wan saw Flip toss a small capsule to the ground. A thick, green smoke immediately began to billow into the room. Interestingly, the smoke did not seem to irritate the Freelies’ lungs. There was no coughing or sputtering among the group.

“This way,” Flip said calmly. He led the kids out of the office through a secret exit, down a tunnel, and up several flights of stairs. When they emerged through a heavy durasteel doorway, they were standing on the roof of a neighboring workspace building. It was dark, but the stars in the sky gave off a dim light.

All was quiet below. The kids were safe.

No sooner were the Freelies on the roof than Flip turned toward Obi-Wan. “There’s something you don’t know!” he shouted to the group. “Grath has been keeping it from you. This boy has been sent here to stop us. He is a Jedi - and a traitor!”

There was an audible gasp as the Freelies gaped at Obi-Wan. For a moment Obi-Wan sensed that the group wasn’t sure this was the truth - and thought he might be safe.

The moment passed quickly.

“it’s true!” the dark-haired girl shouted. “I’ve seen him at the retirement complex. My grandmother is there, and he was spying on us!”

“Yes, Tray, he is a Jedi.” Grath lowered his head in defeat.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a moment. He’d had no idea that Grath knew he was a Jedi. Taking a deep breath, he tried to gather strength. He was not looking forward to what was coming. Someone pulled at his hood, exposing his antennae-less head.

“Traitor!” someone shouted.

“Grath is a liar, not a leader!” Flip yelled.

“What kind of leader doesn’t trust his team enough to tell them the simple truth?” came a quieter voice.

Kids on both sides of the violence issue were coming out against Grath and Obi-Wan. Only a few stood by Grath.

“Grath has to make difficult decisions for all of us,” Nania said reasonably. “We may not like each and every one, but he makes them for the good of the group. He has never led us astray.”

“The Jedi should still leave us,” Tray spoke out. “Immediately.”

There was silence as the group nodded - almost unanimously. Only Grath’s head remained still.

Obi-Wan looked to Grath for support, hoping he would say something to the group. Grath looked distraught, but he kept quiet.

Obi-Wan felt defeated, but knew he could not just walk away.

“Peace is the only way to true victory,” he told the Freelies. “If you continue down this path you’ll build a permanent wall between yourselves and the workers. There will be no chance for dialogue, or a new way of life.” Obi-Wan looked beseechingly at the group, his eyes moving from one face to another. None of their expressions had changed. There was no way for him to convince them.

Obi-Wan dropped his head and turned toward the stairs. The last thing he saw before the door slid closed behind him was the smiles on Tray’s and Flip’s faces.