[Jedi Quest] - 08(27)

Obi-Wan and Siri walked into the inner office. Joylin had cleared out most of the fine furniture and rolled up the rug. Along with an assistant, he was methodically going through Teda’s datafiles.

“I have enough here to convict him on state crimes ten times over, and I’ve only just begun an hour ago,” Joylin said. In person, Obi-Wan could see both fatigue and triumph on his face. Joylin didn’t look at them, but spoke as he flipped through files. “I suppose you heard about Zan Arbor. She escaped with Teda. Believe me, we tried to trail them. I don’t know yet how they got away. Or where they are. Her ship was destroyed when the rioters hit the landing platform. Don’t worry - I was able to stop them before they destroyed your ship. I even had it refueled for you.”

Joylin looked up at last. “I did what I could. I assume you came for the last half of your payment.”

“We don’t care about the payment,” Obi-Wan said. “We’ll give you back what you paid us already. Put it toward restoring the hospital.”

For the first time, Joylin seemed to notice the difference in their appearance.

“Who are you?” he asked. His eyes narrowed.

“We are Jedi,” Obi-Wan said. “We have the authority of the Senate.”

“We’ve come about the executions you plan,” Siri said. “You cannot do this.”

Joylin’s skin seemed to tighten over his bones. “I am the leader of Romin. I can do anything I want.”

“That tone is familiar,” Obi-Wan said. “Recognize it, Joylin?”

“I am not Teda,” Joylin said. He shook his head at them. “How dare you,” he continued softly. “You arrived on my world two days ago. You’ve seen nothing. You know nothing. You have not seen the prisons, filled to overflowing with those who Teda felt threatened by, filled with those who displeased him. You have not seen even one corner of the misery he has caused.”

“This does not justify murder,” Siri said. “You are judge, jury, and executioner for these people. That goes against galactic law.”

“They are all murderers!” Joylin exclaimed. “Don’t you understand? If Teda is allowed to go free, we will never be safe. Our movement will collapse. We don’t know how many of the army deserted or how many went with him. If I don’t do this, we could lose control of the government!”

“Delay,” Obi-Wan said. “The Jedi can help you. More are arriving.”

“I did not call for the Jedi.”

“I did,” Obi-Wan said. “The Senate has approved.”

Joylin stood. “This is my world,” he said, his voice steely. “I have worked and sacrificed for twenty years to stand here. I will not risk the collapse of a government by the people.”

“Excuse me,” Obi-Wan replied. “From where we are standing, it appears that you are the government.”

Joylin planted his fists on the desk and leaned forward. His face was composed, but his eyes shone bright and hostile.

“Your interference is unwelcome. I have nothing more to say. Go, or I’ll have you thrown out.”

Obi-Wan was perfectly aware that no one in the palace had the power to throw them out. Yet a battle now would do no good. He and Siri turned and walked out.

On the way back to the villa, they talked over what to do next. It was clear that they had antagonized Joylin. They didn’t know how much longer he would allow them to remain on Romin. That didn’t mean they had to leave. It would just make things more difficult.

“I think our best bet is to find Teda,” Obi-Wan said. “If Zan Arbor is with him, it will solve two of our problems.”

“Agreed,” Siri said. “But where can we look where Joylin’s people haven’t already?”

They walked past the gates of the villa. Ferus hurried toward them.

“We just received a message,” he said. “It’s from Teda and Zan Arbor. They request a meeting with the Slams. And since the revolt took place before the real Slams met Teda, that’s us.”





CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Teda and Zan Arbor were at a safe house well outside the city. The Jedi borrowed a Gian airspeeder from one of the refugees they’d taken in. The house was in a forest so densely wooded that they had to abandon the speeder and hike in to the prearranged coordinates. They were met by General Yubicon, Teda’s chief of staff.

“It’s just a quarter kilometer this way,” he said.

Anakin could tell that the general led them in a way designed to confuse them. He did not realize he was dealing with Jedi. Anakin knew he could find his way back easily.

They came to a small clearing. The house in front of them was made of prefabricated plasteel materials so it could be dismantled and moved quickly. That must have been Teda’s secret. His safe house never stayed in the same place.