[Jedi Apprentice] - Special Edition - 01(24)

“I can ask for no better guide,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin hurried forward as Andra turned to walk down the corridor with them. “How do you two know each other?” he asked her. Better to ask Andra than Obi-Wan. He’d get a more complete story.

“Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon helped our world when it was dying,” Andra explained. “A mining corporation called Offworld had secretly bought up our national park spaces and had begun to mine them. I was part of the underground then-“

“A one-woman underground,” Obi-Wan said admiringly.

“True, I didn’t have many followers at the time,” Andra said ruefully. “Just a thief and gambler short on ethics and long on charm. He became my husband, Den. Despite the fact that we were outlaws, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon trusted us. They exposed Offworld, and the people got control of our sacred spaces again. Or so we thought. In the end, we lost the battle.”

Andra stopped in the middle of the circular bridge. “But I’ll never forget what they did for us.”

“And what you did for us,” Obi-Wan pointed out. “You saved us from execution.”

“Execution?”Anakin asked, staring at Obi-Wan, wide-eyed.

“Xanatos was a terrible enemy,” Andra said softly.

“Xanatos?”Anakin asked.

“A story for another time,” Obi-Wan said firmly.

Andra nodded, understanding that Obi-Wan wished to change the subject. She gestured at the busy workers surrounding them and the banks of controls. “As you can see, our bridge is more complicated than most starships’. The BioCruiser is made of different components, some of them originally designed to run differently from others’. Here is where everything is coordinated. Already our scientists have discovered a number of technological breakthroughs. The size and complexity of the ship is unprecedented.”

“Do you have a defense system?” Obi-Wan asked.

Andra nodded.”State of the art. We have a valuable treasury aboard. Each of us brought all our assets aboard when we joined. We use that money for research and development. Eventually, we want to be a fully self-sustaining ship, as though we were a floating planet.”

“Most planets are not fully self-sustaining,” Obi-Wan pointed out. “They depend on trade and the free exchange of information.”

“When you open your doors to the galaxy, you invite corruption to overtake you,” Andra said, shaking her head. “I have seen it happen on Telos. I have talkedto many aboard who have seen it happen on their own worlds. Criminal gangs grow more powerful every day in the galaxy. More and more, giant corporations gobble up natural resources. They just move on to the next planet ripe for exploitation. I believe that Uni is right. This,” Andra concluded, spreading her arms to take in the ship, “is our greatest hope. Now, let us proceed. We have much to see.”

Anakin had never seen such a fascinating ship. It was crowded with beings from all over the galaxy, and there seemed to be plenty to do. Most of the beings worked at least part of the day, either in the tech centers, scientific labs, or service industries. There were all kinds of restaurants and cafés, with food from many worlds. There were game rooms and libraries and music rooms. One whole area of the BioCruiser was devoted to theCollectionCenter, where plants, flowers, and animals from many worlds were kept. Anakin could not imagine ever being bored. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Uni’s philosophy, but he thought living aboard a ship would be outstanding.

The tour took several hours. Andra left them at their quarters.

“I hope you can tell the Senate that we wish no harm. All aboard are here of their free will,” she said to Obi-Wan.

“I hope so as well,” Obi-Wan answered politely.

Andra cocked her head. “Ah. I had forgotten how noncommittal the Jedi can be.”

“We reserve our judgment until we can speak plainly,” Obi-Wan said. “We enjoyed the tour, Andra. Thank you.”

“I’ll tell Den you’re aboard. I’m sure he’d like to see you.” With a last friendly wave, Andra headed off.

As soon as she was gone, Anakin turned to Obi-Wan. “Who is Xanatos?”

The question seemed to startle Obi-Wan. But Anakin had sensed something when Andra had mentioned the name. He had felt something from Obi-Wan, something he wanted to know more about.

“Not now,” Obi-Wan said.

“Shortly?”Anakin asked, discouraged. “I keep hearing that word. Why won’t you tell me now? Is there some reason I can’t know?” Again, he felt frustrated. It was hard to penetrate Obi-Wan’s reserve.

Obi-Wan studied him for a moment. “No,” he said finally. “There is no reason you can’t know. Xanatos was a former apprentice of Qui-Gon’s. He turned to the dark side. He used the Force to build his own power. He was the head of the Offworld Mining Corporation and laid waste to whole worlds. Life meant nothing to him.”