Before Obi-Wan could share his suspicions with Qui-Gon and the chairman, a long, dull tone sounded in the building. The Vorzydiak laborers groaned in unison, echoing the tone. It was a strange, disappointed sound that penetrated Obi-Wan’s skin. Obi-Wan wasn’t sure if the laborers were frustrated that their workday had been cut short due to the interruption, or if the sad sound was one they made every day when it was time to leave.
Like the other laborers, Chairman Port seemed to struggle to tear himself away. At last he stood and motioned for the Jedi to follow him.
Vorzydiaks poured en masse from buildings like slow-moving liquid. Though they stood very close to one another, they gave Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan a wide berth, even aboard the packed shuttles they all rode to the Vorzydiak homespace. Obi-Wan was sorry to see that his presence made the Vorzydiaks uncomfortable, but was grateful for the space just the same. It allowed him to look out the transparisteel sides of the shuttle.
As they left the city workspace, Obi-Wan waited for the landscape to change. He’d assumed that the identical buildings would fall away and reveal the natural planet landscape, or at least some parks and open spaces. But he was wrong.
On the outskirts of the city the workspace turned to homespace. But if Chairman Port had not announced that they were in Vorzydiak homespace, Obi-Wan would not have known. The homespace buildings were slightly smaller and stationed around hubs where automated shuttles and airbusses picked up and dropped off passengers. Otherwise it looked exactly like the workspace.
There were no yards. No pads for private vehicles. No Vorzydiaks relaxing outside.
In light of this, the Jedi were not surprised to see that the chairman’s home, like his workstation and dress, did not differ from the rest of the population’s. He lived on a single floor of one of the high-rises.
“My wife, Bryn,” the chairman said, introducing them to a slight Vorzydiak wearing a blandly colored jumpsuit. “The Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Port gestured.
Bryn’s antennae fidgeted as she looked the Jedi over.
“We appreciate your hospitality.” Qui-Gon offered a hand. “Chairman Port has kindly invited us to share a meal in your home.”
Bryn nodded again but did not take Qui-Gon’s hand. Instead she turned toward the galley. After pressing a few buttons, she placed two more settings at the table that was already set for two.
“Grath will not be eating,” she said. Chairman Port nodded.
“Will he be home later?” Obi-Wan asked. He was anxious to meet the Ports’ fifteen-year-old son. Vorzyd 4 seemed so… boring. He couldn’t imagine what life must be like for the teenagers on the planet, and was hoping that they would be easier to talk to than the Vorzydiaks he’d already met.
“After mealtime. He is working,” Bryn replied flatly.
While they waited for the meal to be served, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon looked around the small residence. It was furnished and reasonably comfortable, but revealed nothing about the inhabitants. It reminded Obi-Wan of the sterile spaces travelers could rent on Coruscant. With so many different species coming through, the quarters were designed to be nothing more than clean and inoffensive.
“Is Grath away from home often in the evenings?” Qui-Gon asked when they sat down to dine. “It must be disappointing when you cannot share your last meal of the day together.”
Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon was also looking for a sign of emotional connection in the family.
“It is an honor to work,” the chairman said tersely.
His wife nodded. “May he be as productive tomorrow as he is today,” she said.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged a look as the table fell silent.
Obi-Wan chewed a particularly tough and flavorless bite of whatever food was in his bowl. “What do you do in the evenings, to entertain yourselves?” he asked, still hoping to spark some conversation. Though he was getting the feeling that the endeavor was useless, he felt he had to try.
Bryn looked up from her food, a confused expression on her face. “We read instructuals to better our work,” she replied, as if it were obvious.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan wondered if Grath chose to work late to avoid the evening meal. He found it hard to imagine that the young people on Vorzyd 4 were as work-driven as their parents. In some ways, he thought, it was similar to life at the Temple. There, children and adults were completely dedicated to learning the ways of the Force. The path of the Jedi was fascinating, of course. Far more fascinating than anything Obi-Wan had seen here. But Obi-Wan had to admit that sometimes, at the Temple, he just wanted some time off - to take a break.
Looking up from his bowl, Obi-Wan noticed Qui-Gon staring at him. He felt his face redden. More than once Qui-Gon had seemed able to read his mind, and he hoped this was not one of those times.