[Jedi Apprentice] - Special Edition - 01(21)

“You are the Jedi inspection team.” The tone was curt and businesslike. Obi-Wan turned to see a tall, balding human in a unigarment of pale blue.

“I am Obi-Wan Kenobi and this is Anakin Skywalker,” Obi-Wan answered.

“I am Nort Fandi,” the man said. “I am the freighter pilot. We are scheduled to depart. Board the craft. We do not linger on other worlds.”

There was no trace of friendliness or courtesy in Nort Fandi’s curt tone. Obi-Wan and Anakin boarded the freighter and found seats. In just a few minutes, Nort Fandi and two crew members joined them. Within seconds, they blasted off toward the BioCruiser.

“Will you be taking us directly to Uni?” Obi-Wan asked Nort Fandi.

He did not turn. “No. You will be given instructions.”

He did not say another word. As they approached the BioCruiser, hatch doors slid open in the main ship and Obi-Wan saw the landing area. Nort Fandi slid the freighter inside. The engines powered down.

A short woman in the same pale blue unigarment stood waiting as they walked down the ramp.

“I am Deleta,” she said. “I am to show you to your cabins.”

“Will we meet with Uni after that?” Obi-Wan asked.

Deleta led them to a bank of turbolifts. “He will contact you shortly.”

Obi-Wan picked up no fear or anxiety in the many beings they passed on the way to their sleeping quarters. There were beings from across the galaxy, some wearing the same pale blue garments, some in tunics, some sporting a headdress or leggings from their home worlds. They appeared busy andcalm, and he could discern no evidence of thought control. Their gazes were clear and focused as they regarded Obi-Wan and Anakin with lively curiosity.

The Jedi’s quarters were small and spare, but with a shared small library, a cubicle for showering, and even a small cooler with fresh juices and snacks.

“Meals will be brought to you,” Deleta said. “Do not wander the ship alone. If you wish a tour, one will be arranged for you shortly.”

“How can I contact Uni?” Obi-Wan asked.

“He will contact you shortly,” Deleta answered serenely, and left.

“So what do you think “shortly” means here on the cruiser?” Anakin grumbled. He lay back on his sleep-couch on his elbows, his expression sulky.”A year? More?”

“It’s been two days,” Obi-Wan said. “Each mission takes its own time.” He repeated the words automatically. Like Anakin, he, too, felt frustrated. Any additional requests he had made to speak to Uni or even to get a tour of the ship had met with the same “You will be contacted shortly.” When he and Anakin had ventured out on their own, they had been politely and firmly escorted back to their quarters and told they would be contacted … “shortly.”

At first Obi-Wan had been reluctant to press the issue. They were guests of the BioCruiser, and he never liked to start out a mission by being insistent. But he had his limits, and he had reached them. Obi-Wan pressed the button on the built-in message console. As always, he was addressed by a pleasant, neutral voice.

“May I be of service?”

“I would like to leave a message for Uni,” Obi-Wan said.

“He will contact you shortly-“

“Fine. Please inform him that if he does not meet with us in ten minutes I will call back my transport and the full power of the Senate will be unleashed against the BioCruiser.”

Obi-Wan did not wait for a reply but cut off the connection.

Anakin was now sitting erect. “Will you really do that?”

“Jedi do not threaten,” Obi-Wan said. “We inform.” He sat calmly, but his eyes were on the chrono. Anything could happen. They could be locked inside their quarters. Or Uni could decide to boot them off the ship to the nearest planet.

In exactly eight minutes, the door hissed open. Deleta stood with the same neutral expression on her face.

“Uni will see you now.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin followed her through a maze of corridors to a single turbolift. It brought them to a higher level of the ship. They emerged into a deserted hallway.

Deleta accessed a door at the far end of the corridor. They walked into a round room lined with low seating and recessed glow lights. The walls, floors, and furniture were pale blue. Deleta left, the doors hissing shut behind her.

“Do you think this is Uni’s private quarters?” Anakin asked in a hushed tone.

“Most likely,” Obi-Wan answered.

The doors opened behind him. Obi-Wan saw a tall, slender human walk in. His hair was close-cropped and as white as a moon. His eyes were clear and very blue.

“I am Uni,” he said.

But Obi-Wan knew immediately that it was Kad Chun.