[Jedi Quest] - 03(13)

He found the pit hangar easily. His Padawan stood over an engine, a hydrospanner in his hand. Obi-Wan came up behind him. Anakin was so absorbed that his usual sensitivity to his Master’s presence was absent.

“It’s got to be calibrated exactly right,” Anakin was saying to two young Aleena mechanics standing nearby. “We might have to do it fifty times to get it right. Or we might get lucky and get it right in two.”

“I hope it’s the latter,” Obi-Wan said. “Because there is a mission you should be attending to.”

Anakin stood up so abruptly that he banged his head on the turbine. “Master! I didn’t see you.”

Obi-Wan examined the Podracer. “I see that you’re busy.”

“I thought I’d lend a hand to Doby and Deland. They’re from Tatooine.” Anakin looked uncomfortable. “If they win, they free their sister. She’s a slave.”

“I see.” Obi-Wan nodded at the two brothers. “I wish you good luck. Anakin, may I speak with you a moment?”

He drew Anakin aside. “You know this is wrong,” he told his Padawan with a frown. “I’m sure you are helping for the right reasons. But this is not our mission. We have more important things to do. And may I remind you that Podracing is illegal?”

“But the Ruling Power is looking the other way - ” “But the Games Council is concerned. As should you be. Once word gets out, spectators will arrive. This could turn into a dangerous situation. Do you know what the course will be?”

“Through the caves,” Anakin said excitedly. “Can you imagine the difficulties? And they’ve already thought about the spectators. They’re going to set up a viewing stand near the finish line.”

“That doesn’t mean that they will be safe.” Obi-Wan’s comlink signaled, and he answered it brusquely.

The unfamiliar voice was frantic with urgency. “There is an emergency - “

“Who is this?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Bog. It’s Bog. You must come immediately. The Official Quarters.”

“What is wrong?”

“Come now!” Bog shouted, and the line went dead.





CHAPTER SEVEN


“We need transport,” Obi-Wan said to Anakin.

Doby approached them. “We have an airspeeder,” he said. “You are welcome to borrow it for as long as you need it. Anakin has helped us with no thought for himself, and we wish to repay him however we can.”

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said. Although he was irritated with Anakin for heading straight to the Podraces, he was always glad to see how Anakin’s generosity endeared him to others. Strangers became friends quickly for his Padawan.

Anakin connected to the Living Force as Qui-Gon had. He had that gift. What he needed to develop was Qui-Gon’s wisdom. That would only take time and missions.

And mistakes. He could hear Qui-Gon’s dry tone in his head.

The speeder was tweaked to run smoothly at high speeds, which Obi-Wan would expect from two Podracer owners. He sped back to the city core, Anakin at his side. He did not speculate on what was wrong. Whatever it was that had caused the panic in Bog’s voice, he would know soon enough. He hoped nothing had happened to Astri or Didi.

They passed through the high-security gate on the outskirts of the Games Quarters, where athletes and officials were housed. Obi-Wan was relieved when he arrived to see Astri and Didi standing nearby as Bog talked earnestly to Siri and Ferus. Tru stood next to Ry-Gaul. Siri turned to greet him with a thinly disguised look of disgust on her face.

Obi-Wan leaped out of the speeder. “What happened?”

“Bog’s speeder was stolen,” Siri said. “He felt an alert to all Jedi teams was justified.” Ry-Gaul sighed.

Obi-Wan gave Bog an exasperated glance. “You called in Jedi help because of a missing speeder?”

“You don’t understand,” Bog said. “The speeder was in a secure area. This is serious. I would think the Jedi would be concerned.”

“There will always be petty crime at a large event like this one,” Siri said. “Everyone should be careful with their personal property.”

“Petty?” Bog flushed. “I don’t call this petty.”

“What Siri means is that this is really a case for the planet security,” Obi-Wan said.

Bog flourished his comlink. “Really? Let’s see what Liviani says when she arrives.”

“You called Liviani?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Of course. As the head of the Council of the Games, I thought she would want to know,” Bog said. “I must remind you that I am a member.”

“I don’t think you need to remind them,” Astri said in a low tone. “You keep mentioning it.”