[Jedi Apprentice] - 18(3)

Before Qui-Gon could reply in the affirmative, a young Vorzydiak appeared before them. He stood for a moment, then bowed slightly to the Jedi. His demeanor was calm, but his antennae twitched nervously. Qui-Gon knew that it was unlikely the Vorzydiak had encountered beings from outside his planetary system before.

“Welcome. Follow me,” their guide said without expression. He turned and walked quickly out of the hangar. The Jedi had to follow at a rapid pace to keep up.

Qui-Gon had been looking forward to talking with the young Vorzydiak. He’d hoped it would help him to understand the species better. But after the brief greeting, the Vorzydiak offered nothing more. He simply led them briskly through the streets.

When Qui-Gon tried to ask one or two questions it was obvious by the confused looks and twitching antennae that they made the guide uncomfortable. Perhaps Chairman Port had asked their guide not to say anything. Qui-Gon decided to give himself over to the observation of his surroundings. He would come to know the Vorzydiaks soon enough.

The streets of Vorzyd 4 were nearly empty. Though it was midday there were no beings about. Nor did Qui-Gon see any refreshment vendors or public spaces.

The buildings were tall and six-sided. There were no arched doorways or awnings. No large windows or ornamentation. Not one scrap of material was wasted on style or aesthetics. Everything appeared to be designed for maximum efficiency, including the hexagonal system the buildings were laid out in and their drab color-coding.

Glancing at the Vorzydiak in front of them, Qui-Gon realized that the same was true of clothing on Vorzyd 4. So far everyone he had seen wore a plain, closely fitted one-color jumpsuit. They did not even have collars.

The three had not been walking long when the Vorzydiak stopped in front of a nondescript, pale brown building. The plate next to the entrance read MULTYCORP. The guide activated the door and motioned the Jedi inside. Expecting to enter some sort of portico or hallway, Qui-Gon was surprised to find that they were inside a turbolift that was rising to the twenty-fourth floor. A droid like voice called the names of each floor as they whizzed past. “Assembly seven, Assembly eight, Manufacture nine, Manufacture ten…” until they reached “Accounting twenty-four.”

The door slid open and a tall Vorzydiak rushed into the lift without waiting for the others to get off. He nearly ran into Obi-Wan.

“Unproductive entrance,” the Vorzydiak guide murmured.

The tall Vorzydiak glared at the group but said nothing. Qui-Gon wondered who he was.

“Do you know him?” he asked the guide.

The guide shook his head and led the Jedi out of the turbolift and through a maze of beige workspaces. Hundreds of jumpsuit-clad Vorzydiaks sat close together, speaking into headsets and inputting information onto datascreens.

Though many of the beings spoke at once, the overall effect was a low drone. No single voice could be heard above another. There was no idle chatter among the laborers. And aside from the Vorzyd numeric symbol posted above each station, there was no way of telling the workspaces apart.

Could this be where Chairman Port rules his planet? Qui-Gon wondered. From a Vorzyd plant? Qui-Gon glanced at his Padawan and Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows slightly. Obviously he was as surprised and perplexed as his Master.

“Wait here,” the guide instructed. He motioned the Jedi into a small room dominated by a large table surrounded by benches. Then he scurried away, disappearing into the maze.

A moment later Chairman Port appeared in the doorway. Had he not seen the chairman’s image in the Temple archives, Qui-Gon would not have been able to guess that this man was a planetary leader. He wore the same pale jumpsuit as the rest of the planet’s inhabitants, and his manner was no more self-assured. Though his expression did not change, his antennae twitched when he spoke.

“We are glad you have come,” he said. He crossed the room quickly and sat down at one of the benches surrounding the large table. “All known Vorzydiaks from Vorzyd 5 have been cast off our planet. Still there are attacks. They want to lower our productivity. The attacks must stop.”

Qui-Gon drew a deep breath. “I understand that so far no one has been hurt in the attacks.”

“That is true.” Port’s antennae twitched faster.

“The saboteurs have concentrated on things that slow productivity?” Obi-Wan prompted, hoping the chairman would fill in the details.

“Yes. Productivity is hurt. We are unable to work.” Chairman Port’s head bobbed up and down in a nod.

“Why do you suspect Vorzyd 5?” Qui-Gon asked. “Have they taken credit for any of the attacks? Have they outlined terms or made any demands?”