[Jedi Apprentice] - Special Edition - 01(6)

“Obi-Wan! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? It’s so good to see you!” Garen collected himself as he realized he had neglected to greet a Jedi Master. “Excuse me, Qui-Gon Jinn,” he said, bowing. “Welcome.”

Qui-Gon smiled. “Obi-Wan and I decided to see how you were doing here at the base.”

“We’re doing great. Except for a few mishaps lately, but Clee Rhara has straightened that all out.”

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

“Just wait until you meet her,” Garen told Obi-Wan, his eyes shining. “She’s incredible. The best pilot I’ve ever seen. She’s got us doing things in the air we only dreamed about. I’ve come such a long way from theTemple!”

“You don’t look like a Jedi any longer,” Obi-Wan said, noting Garen’s flight coveralls and long hair.

“I’m still a Jedi, don’t worry,” Garen said, flashing a grin.

Just then Clee Rhara strode out from the tech dome. She was dressed in flight coveralls, just like Garen. Her bright orange hair was untamed and flew around her face in the wind. Clee Rhara was petite and slender, barely coming up to Qui-Gon’s shoulder, but her compact body was built of wiry muscle. She saw Qui-Gon, and a broad smile broke out on her face.

“What a surprise!” she called, hurrying forward.

“I’d like you to meet my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Obi-Wanwas examined by a pair of intense eyes the same color as Clee’s vibrant orange hair. “I’ve heard good things about you from Garen,” Clee said. “Welcome.” She linked her arms with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. “Let me show you the outfit. And Tahl is here. She’ll be thrilled that you’ve come.”

Clee gave them a tour, showing them the re-tooled starfighters, the student quarters, the study rooms, hangars, and even the kitchens. Qui-Gon noted how the gaze of the Jedi students followed Clee as shestrolled the grounds. Obviously she inspired great loyalty.

Clee ended her tour at the tech center, where her students had hands-on experience with engines and hyperdrives. Tahl sat at a utility desk, using a voice-activated computer. She stopped speaking as they walked in.

“You’ll never guess who-” Cleebegan.

“Qui-Gon.”Tahl said his name flatly. Qui-Gon felt a flicker of apprehension. Tahl had never greeted him so coolly.

If Clee noticed Tahl’s manner, she made no sign of it. “Here we are, the three of us, all together again!” she said cheerfully.

“Yes,” Tahl said.

Qui-Gon shot Clee a look. They hadn’t seen each other in years, but their old friendship gave them a connection that would never weaken. She knew immediately that he wanted to talk to Tahl alone.

“Obi-Wan, do you want to see the starships?” Clee asked.

“Yes!” Obi-Wan answered immediately.

“Come on, Garen and I will show you the fleet,” Clee said, striding toward the door. “Then we’ll head back for the evening meal. See you there, Qui-Gon.”

Qui-Gon waited until the others had left. He did not approach Tahl. “You’re angry that I came.”

She turned away from him so that he could not read the expression on her lovely face. Sometimes she did this so that he would not have an advantage.

“You think I am in need of help. You think I cannot handle a mission alone.”

Qui-Gon was about to insist that such a statement was ridiculous, but he stopped himself. He did not need to see Tahl’s face to realize that she was feeling vulnerable. The act of choosing a Padawan had pushed her up against something deep inside that hurther, that made her doubt herself. He knew that feeling well, for different reasons.

“No,” he said. “I came because Obi-Wan had a hard time with Vox Chun. I am worried about him. I knew he would enjoy seeing the base. If we could help out as well, it might distract him further.”

“Ah,” Tahl said mockingly, “and that is the only reason you came?”

“I heard that you had decided not to take a Padawan—”

“And you thought I might need a heart-to-heart talk.” Tahl whipped her face around again. He read lines of bitterness there. “You want to tell me how reluctant you were to take a Padawan, how much it cost you, how valuable it has turned out to be, how I must realize that even though I am blind I have much to give to an apprentice. Do you think I don’t know every word you would say? So please refrain. Any discussion of Padawans or Bant is off-limits. I mean it, Qui-Gon.”

“All right,” he said quietly. “But will you, as a favor to me and Obi-Wan, let us help you in your investigation?”