[Jedi Apprentice] - Special Edition - 01(4)

“This way,” Qui-Gon said, indicating the passage into theTemple. “We have refreshments waiting, if you—was “I’ve come for answers, not for tea,” Vox Chun said brusquely.

“Fine. We have prepared a conference room-“

“Take me to the place where my son was killed.”

Qui-Gon bristled at his choice of words, but answered carefully. “You may see where your son died.”

Obi-Wan trailed after Kad. From behind, the boy’s stocky build and stance brought Bruck back to Obi-Wan vividly. Bruck had been a bully who had tormented Obi-Wan during his years at theTemple. For some reason, Obi-Wan had gotten under his skin. He did not have any good memories of the boy.

Yet Bruck had developed a close core of friends at theTemple. He had inspired loyalty. There had been a side of him that Obi-Wan hadn’t seen. That was what tormented Obi-Wan. There must have been good in Bruck.

They did not speak in the turbolift or during the walk through the corridors to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. Usually, visitors were immediately struck with a peaceful feeling as they entered the vast space filled with fragrant greenery and hidden trickling fountains. The air smelled fresh and cool. Kad stopped for a moment, but Vox pushed him along. Sano Sauro’s dour expression did not change.

“Let us begin,” Vox Chun said abruptly. “How exactly did my son die?”

“TheTemplehad been under siege from an unknown assailant,” Qui-Gon began. “We knew that your son was involved-“

“I am not interested in your Jedi history,” Vox Chun interrupted rudely. “I want to know facts.” He turned to Obi-Wan. “Where did you engage with him? Who drew his lightsaber first?”

“I followed him here from outside the Council Room,” Obi-Wan said. “We both already had our lightsabers drawn.”

“You mean your lightsaber magically appeared in your hand? You did not draw it in attack or defense?” Vox Chun asked sarcastically.

“I drew it when Xanatos and Bruck came through the vent outside the Council Room,” Obi-Wan said.

“Did Bruck have his lightsaber drawn?”

“No,” Obi-Wan answered. “He was hiding in a vent, waiting to steal—”

“Jedi history,” Vox interrupted, waving his hand. “Not relevant to my question. So he drew his lightsaber when he saw yours?”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said. “We battled, and Xanatos ordered him to go make sure Bant was dead. He ran, and I followed.”

“Did you attack him from behind?”

“No, he turned and came at me. We fought. We ended up near the fountain.”

“Show me this fountain.”

Obi-Wan led the way down the winding paths to the thundering waterfall and deep green pool.

“The waterfall was not operating at the time, since theTemplesystems had been shut down,” he explained. “But there was water in the pool. I saw Bant chained to the bottom. Her eyes were closed. She was alive, but barely. We fought all the way up that hill,” Obi-Wan said, pointing to the rocky slope. “When we got to the top, I realized that in a few seconds all the water systems would be reactivated in theTemple. They had been shut down because of a bug Xanatos had planted in the system. I drove Bruck into the dry waterfall bed. My plan was that when the water came back on, Bruck’s lightsaber would short out. That would disarm him, and I could then free Bant.”

“And leave your enemy standing?” Vox Chun asked. “That does not sound like a Jedi warrior.”

“On the contrary,” Qui-Gon broke in. “We avoid death at all cost. To disarm our opponent is our first objective.”

Vox Chun shrugged, as if Qui-Gon had just spouted empty words. “Obviously, this plan did not work out,” he said evenly to Obi-Wan.

“His lightsaber did short out,” Obi-Wan said. “He was knee-deep in water. He scrambled to get his footing nearer the bank, where the rocks are. He picked them up and began to throw them at me. In his struggle to get the rocks, he went too close to the edge of the waterfall. The rocks are very slippery there.” Obi-Wan paused. His throat felt dry. “The current was pushing him. He lost his balance. I reached out a hand … it was too late. He fell below and hit his head. I ran down. I checked his vital signs, but he was already dead. He died as soon as he hit, I am sure. He did not … suffer.”

“So that is your story,” Vox Chun said.

“It is the truth,” Obi-Wan said quietly.

“We are leaving now.” Vox turned to go. Kad and Sano Sauro followed. Then Sano Sauro turned back and fixed his dark, opaque gaze on Obi-Wan.

“In your opinion, did Bruck Chun really intend to kill Bant?” he asked softly.