[Jedi Quest] - 08(34)

Joylin was sitting with his closest allies eating a large meal in the dining area when the Jedi arrived with Teda and Zan Arbor in tow. He pushed away his food and stood.

“So, you came,” he said, looking at Teda with hatred. “Not by choice, I see. Typical of your cowardice.” Teda looked at the meal. “That’s my food!” “It is the food of the citizens of Romin.”

Zan Arbor rolled her eyes. “Ah, democracy,” she sneered.

“Here is what the Senate requires,” Mace said. “No executions may take place. Trials must be held, evidence gathered. You cannot begin a new government using the tactics of the one you overthrew. Surely you can see that.”

Joylin said nothing. He stared with hatred at Teda. “Give the order to stop the execution,” Mace said. Joylin did not move.

“The Jedi have destroyed Teda’s army,” Mace said. “Would you like us to do the same to yours?”

Ferus spoke. “Senate support will be crucial in building your new world,” he said to Joylin. “You have done so much. Your vision deserves the best chance to flourish.”

Joylin turned. He blinked at Ferus, as though he had been disturbed out of a deep sleep. “Yes,” he said. He picked up his comlink. “Stop the execution. Teda has surrendered.”

“I hope you won’t be putting me with the others,” Teda said. “I wouldn’t think they’d be very… pleased to see me.”

“I think it’s the perfect place for you,” Joylin said. “Guards!”

The guards led Teda and Zan Arbor away. Joylin leaned over to speak to an aide on the other side of the room.

“I feel sorrow that lives were lost, but the outcome is good,” Mace said to the Jedi. “This change on Romin will make a better world.”

He turned to Ferus. “You spoke well just now. You allowed Joylin to make his decision and save face in front of his supporters.”

“There is a bit of pride mixed in with his politics,” Ferus said.

“Ferus showed a greater grasp of this situation than we did,” Siri said lightly. “He predicted a chaotic takeover. He said that Joylin would surprise us, and he was right.”

“Good, Ferus. We need to anticipate problems,” Mace said.

Obi-Wan noted that Anakin looked unhappy. Mace had singled Ferus out for praise. He moved closer to his Padawan.

“I am proud of you,” he said. “You fought well, with compassion and precision.”

But Anakin was not listening.

Something was wrong.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN


Anakin hung back, watching Joylin carefully. He knew the Force was helping him, he knew that this sudden power was a new side of the Force that he hadn’t yet tapped, and he was filled with a sudden sense of exultation. He had even more power than he knew. Suddenly, he saw into the heart of Joylin. He did not see just what Joylin wanted them to see, or didn’t care if they saw, but the most secret part of him. Joylin suddenly looked so small. He was such easy prey.

I didn’t know this, Anakin thought. The Force isn’t just about manipulating objects. I can manipulate beings, too. I can use their fears and secrets.

“You did it,” he said to Joylin. “You let him go.” The Jedi turned to look at him, surprised.

“Those guards aren’t taking Teda to prison. You never wanted him to surrender,” Anakin said. “You knew he was too much of a coward to do so. You just gave him the ultimatum so you would have an excuse to execute all his loyal followers. You were afraid if they survived they would build a power base and ultimately destroy you. You knew that Teda was nothing without them, that he wasn’t capable of running a government. He’s just a figurehead. You don’t fear him, so you don’t need him dead. You just need him gone. So if someone like Zan Arbor pays you enough, you’ll allow him to escape. She made the deal with you at the beginning of the revolt, didn’t she?”

The Jedi turned back to Joylin. His angry silence told them everything.

“Where are they?” Mace asked.

“I’d guess Teda and Zan Arbor are heading for the Slams’ ship,” Anakin said. “And I would also guess that the Slams have permission to leave Romin, no matter what Joylin has told us. He has kept the permission order for the Slams to leave in place despite the lock-down.”

“Withdraw that permission,” Mace ordered. “It is too late,” Joylin replied.

With a withering look of contempt at Joylin, Mace led the Jedi out of the room.

They rushed to the landing platform, zooming up in one of the turbolifts. When they reached the top, the Jedi quickly hid behind a gravsled stacked with equipment. They could see the Slams readying the ship for departure. Through a windscreen, Anakin saw a blond head.