Dane jackknifed to his feet. “Rehabilitation? Into what?”
“You will have normal life,” Obi-Wan said. “A roof overyour head, schooling, a chance for a profession -“
“We are past wanting any of that,” Dane said. “We have beenon our on too long.”
“What about your sister?” Obi-Wan asked. “Are you so sureit would not be better for her?”
Dane hesitated.
“Hey, I’m standing right here,” Floria said. “And I wantwhat Dane wants. He knows what’s best. Not you.”
“I’m afraid you have no choice in the matter,” Obi-Wan saidfirmly.
They paused long enough to leave Wren at the Temple. Theyhad called ahead so that a med team was waiting to removehim from the craft. Another Jedi came and carefully tookthe Sith case from Obi-Wan.
“Please inform Yoda that I will report to him shortly,” Obi-Wan told him.
Obi-Wan directed Anakin to pilot the ship directly tosecurity headquarters. There, they left Floria and Dane inthe hands of a young security officer and left the body ofthe Tursha along with the scant information they had abouthim.
Floria leaned closer to the officer. “I’m glad to leavethis life behind” she confided, her blue eyes very wide.”My brother and I regret the life we’ve led. We want tostart over. Our dead parents would want it that way.” Hereyes filled with tears.
Anakin rolled his eyes as the security officer led them off.
“This time I can tell when Floria is lying,” he said. “Ithink I’ve learned my lesson about pretty young girls withwounded eyes.”
Obi-Wan smiled. “Floria and Dan will talk themselves out ofdetention, I am sure.”
“So they will be on the loose again.” Anakin shook hishead. “They are too young for that life. Isn’t thereanything we can do?”
“No, Padawan. It is not our mission to save them. Beingstake their own paths, and sadly there is little one can doto change that.” Obi-Wan stood. “Come, let’s leave thecruiser here for a moment. I want to see a friend nearby.”
As they walked, Anakin marveled at Obi-Wan’s detachment. Hefelt vaguely unsatisfied from the mission-that-wasn’t-a-mission. They hadn’t found the mastermind behind the attackon them. A Jedi had bee wounded and had almost been killed.
And as for the training exercise, in Anakin’s mind it hadbeen a complete failure. It had not strengthened the bondsof trust between them. It had done just the opposite. Ithad brought up questions Anakin did not want to ponder. Ithad made him question the bond itself.
Obi-Wan indicated a cafŠ ahead. “This used to be Didi’sCafŠ.”
“I remember Didi and Astri,” Anakin said. “Did somethinghappen to them?”
“Astri married a homesteader on the Outer Rim,” Obi-Wansaid. “She and Didi sold the cafŠ to Dexter Jettster andmoved out there. I’ll miss them. Didi introduced me toDexter before he left. The first time I met him I didn’ttrust him, and now that I’ve met him a few more times Istill don’t trust him.” Obi-Wan flashed a rare grin. “AllI can say is that Dex is a character. Come and meet him.”
Obi-Wan threaded through tables crowded with being from allover the galaxy. He waves at Dexter, a large four-armed andformidable presence behind the bar.
“Well, id it isn’t Obi-Wan Kenobi. Glad to see you make anappearance,” Dexter boomed. “I was hoping you’d still comeeven though Didi is gone. Naturally I will give you thesame treatment.” Dexter grinned hugely. “Except for thediscount, of course!”
Obi-Wan laughed and pushed over a few credits. “This is myPadawan Learner, Anakin Skywalker. Some juma juice for thetwo of us. And some information.”
Dexter deftly poured the bight yellow juice into twoglasses. “Sure. If I have it.”
“Have you heard of someone called Granta Omega?” Obi-Wanasked, pushing the juice toward Anakin.
Dexter frowned. “No. The name isn’t familiar. I’ll askaround, if you like.”
“Thanks.” Obi-Wan took a sip of the juice as he turned toAnakin. “It was worth a shot. Dexter might haveinformation for us one day. Then we will track Omega.”
“And until then?” Anakin asked. He felt a little better.At least Obi-Wan was thinking of going after Omega at somepoint.
Obi-Wan pointed at Anakin’s glass. “Until then, drink yourjuice.” Obi-Wan waited until Anakin had taken a sip. “Iowe you an apology, Padawan.”
Anakin tore his gaze away from two odd species playingsabaac in a corner. “From what, Master?”
“You said I never share my thoughts. Instead of answering,I corrected you.” Obi-Wan stared down into his juice. “Itis not easy for me to share my thoughts, or my feelings.And sometimes it is necessary that I do not. When I wasyour age, I felt the same as you do. I thought Master andPadawan had to share everything.”