[Jedi Quest] - 00(20)

But why? The Colicoids had enlisted the Jedi because they knew Krayn’s attack was a possibility.

Or had they? Obi-Wan recalled that Chancellor Palpatine had been at the meeting. That was unusual. What it could indicate was that the Colicoids had been pressured to accept the Jedi. The Colicoids hadn’t wanted them along not because they were wary of strangers, but because…

Because…Why?

He didn’t have the answer. But when he found it, Obi-Wan knew that it would lead him to his Padawan.

The Colicoid ship limped into one of the busy orbiting spaceports of Coruscant. Obi-Wan had already briefed Yoda and the Council by holographic transmission. He did not need to check in with the Temple. He took an air taxi to the Senate neighborhood below.

There, he hurried down the walkway opposite the grand Senate complex. He turned a corner and smiled when he saw a cheerful cafŠ painted blue with yellow shutters. The sign read DIDI AND ASTRI’S CAFE..

Didi and his daughter Astri had been good friends of Qui-Gon. Years ago Qui-Gon had volunteered to help Didi out of a “small difficulty” that had turned into a major mission involving the health and safety of an entire planet. Didi had survived a severe blaster wound and had gone on to become a successful cafŠ owner with his daughter. He no longer trafficked in stolen information, but he was still friends with the Jedi, and he kept his ears open.

Obi-Wan pushed open the door, remembering his first sight of the cafŠ thirteen years before. It had been cluttered, crowded, and dirty. Didi had reigned over the chaotic cafŠ with good cheer and a paternal way with his customers, but he’d never managed to keep the tables very clean or the food very nourishing. It was Astri who had transformed the cafŠ into a thriving restaurant with good food. Their clientele had slowly changed. Smugglers and criminals still ate here, but now they were joined by Senators and diplomats.

Obi-Wan stood for a moment, gazing over the heads of the customers to see if he could spot Didi or Astri. It had been nearly a year since he’d had the chance to visit them. They had both taken the news of Qui-Gon’s death hard.

A tall woman a little older than Obi-Wan stood by a table, chatting with two customers who wore the robes of Senatorial aides. The woman’s springy dark hair spilled out from underneath a white cap, and her white apron was stained with various colors. As she motioned to the aides, she nearly knocked over the teapot. Despite his anxiety, Obi-Wan grinned. Astri hadn’t changed.

She looked up and her gaze met his. Astri’s pretty face bloomed into a wide smile.

“Obi-Wan!” She rushed toward him, knocking over a chair in her haste to greet him. She threw herself into his arms. Obi-Wan hugged her, feeling her curls brush his cheeks. He had once felt awkward at such displays of emotion. Not anymore. Qui-Gon had taught him by example. Obi-Wan remembered how surprised he’d been as a Padawan to see Qui-Gon enthusiastically hug Didi.

She drew back. “Are you hungry? I have delicious stew today.”

He shook his head. “I need help.”

Her dancing eyes turned grave. “Let’s find Didi.”

A small, rotund man was already heading for them, his soft brown eyes widened in pleasure. He, too, enveloped Obi-Wan in a huge hug, though he barely reached Obi-Wan’s shoulders. “How my eyes delight me!” he burbled. “The brave and wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, my good friend to whom I owe my life and my daughter!”

“Obi-Wan needs our help, Didi,” Astri interrupted, for Didi would have gone on with flattery and sentiment.

Didi nodded. “Then come to the private office.”

Obi-Wan followed Didi and Astri to a small, messy office behind the long counter. Although the cafŠ had improved significantly since Astri had taken over, the office was still a jumble of fading datasheets, mismatched plates, stacks of fresh tablecloths, and half-filled teacups.

“What can we do for you, my friend?” Didi asked. “Inadequate as I am, I am in your service.”

“I’m searching for information only,” Obi-Wan said. “Perhaps if you do not have answers, you could direct me to the party who does. I am investigating possible ties between a slave trader named Krayn and the Colicoids.”

Didi frowned, and Astri wrinkled her nose.

“I don’t like the Colicoid senators,” she said. “Nothing is ever good enough for them.”

“I have heard of Krayn,” Didi said. “The galaxy would be well rid of such a fiend. I know of no connection, but..”

Obi-Wan waited. He knew that Didi was running over his vast list of contacts in his mind.

“Try Gogol at the Dor,” Didi said at last. “I won’t let him in this place since I found out what he traffics in. He did some work for Krayn, I heard.”