[Jedi Quest] - 08(15)

Which, Anakin reasoned, meant there were resistance members, or spies, in the city itself.

“What do you want with us?” Anakin asked. “We only just arrived on Romin.”

“Exactly,” Joylin said. “You do not yet have ties here. You have no friends, no loyalties. So you don’t need to betray anyone to help us. Instead, you will do a straight trade. We will pay you, and you will help us. We are in need of your special skills.”

“Why should we help you?” Ferus asked.

“Because you are thieves, and we will pay you,” Joylin said impatiently. “And if you wish to remain on Romin, it would be a good idea to be on the winning side.”

“The winning side? Are you going up against Teda and expecting to win? ” Ferus looked around at the decaying structure. He was playing the game well, Anakin saw. A member of the Slams would naturally be incredulous and disdainful.

He decided to give Ferus the lead. In contrast, he would be the sympathetic one. They needed to find out as much as they could about this group.

“We will win because we have to win.” Joylin spoke without anger, without bravado. “What never fails to amuse me is when beings underestimate the power of desperation.”

Ferus said nothing. Anakin waited.

Joylin spread his arms. “This is how we live on the other side of the wall. This is a typical dwelling. The only difference is, two or three families are usually crowded within its walls. Disease is rampant. Many of our children die before their second birthday. The ones who survive have no hope of getting better than a menial position, of traveling to the city once a day to rake a lawn, clean a sewer, fix a dataport.”

“We have nothing to do with your troubles,” Ferus said.

“Ah, of course not. You just take advantage of them. You accept the offer of a tyrant for a hideout.”

Anakin broke in. “Are you going to insult us or offer us a job?”

A strained smile creased Joylin’s face. “Right. Okay, here is the offer. We’ll pay double your going rate for stealing a certain piece of information at Teda’s villa. We’ve been waiting for the right events to coincide, and at last they have. Teda is giving a big reception, and thieves with special skills have arrived on Romin.”

“You want us to steal from Teda?” Ferus blustered. “Forget it!”

“What do you want us to steal?” Anakin asked quickly.

“A small item from his private office,” Joylin said. “It contains information that will guarantee our success. Within a short time we will be able to take over the government. Which means you will be the only group of criminals allowed to stay on Romin. Each member of your gang will be given lifetime citizenship. As long as you don’t break Romin’s laws, you’ll be welcome here.”

“Keep talking,” Anakin said. “We need more to take back to our boss.”

“We happen to know that in Teda’s study there is a list of codes that control the security gates to all official government offices and residences, as well as the sheltered criminals.”

“Wait a minute.” Anakin pretended not to understand. “Are you telling us that Teda has access to everyone’s personal security?”

Joylin nodded. “It’s not a secret. Most of them accept it as the price for staying on Romin. He says he needs to be able to lock down the palace neighborhood in case of unrest.”

“How do you know he has the codes in his residence?” Ferus asked.

“You will have to trust that our information is accurate,” Joylin said. “We have someone on the inside.”

“Can that someone help us get into the palace?” Anakin asked.

“No,” Joylin said. “We can’t compromise our agents. Besides, you don’t need help. You have an invitation to a reception, don’t you? That is the night we want you to steal the codes.”

“How do you know we’ve been invited?” Ferus challenged.

“We know,” Joylin said. “I told you, there are many of us. Enough to ensure success, if we strike quickly and decisively.”

Anakin looked at Ferus. It was strange. He didn’t even like Ferus, but now that they were together in this situation, he could read him without speaking. They were in tune. They needed to get more information. To do that, they had to draw Joylin out. They would do it in tandem.

Ferus shook his head. “I’m sorry, but we have to refuse.”

Joylin’s face tightened. “Can you tell me your objections?”

“Delighted,” Ferus said. “You’re asking us to stake our future on a bet. That normally wouldn’t be a problem. We risk our future all the time. But the reason we’re successful is that we’re careful. You’re asking us to make a powerful man our enemy, just when he’s offered us safe refuge.”