The light in Bant’s eyes dimmed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you want to be Qui-Gon’s Padawan,” Obi-Wan said fiercely. “It’s obvious. You keep trying to impress him. You hang around him all the time.”
Bant shook her head. “But I just wanted to help. I’m not trying to be his Padawan. You’re his Padawan, Obi-Wan.”
“No, I’m not. You made that clear to me. I let him down. So maybe he deserves you, instead.”
Bant’s eyes filmed over. “That’s not so,” she whispered.
Obi-Wan caught sight of Garen. He called his name and beckoned him over. “We need your help,” he told Garen as his friend came up.
“Obi-Wan -” Bant began.
“I don’t have time to talk,” Obi-Wan said brusquely.
Bant nodded, her face full of hurt. Quickly, she walked away.
“What did you say to her?” Garen asked him, taking a step toward Bant. “You hurt her feelings.”
Obi-Wan grabbed his arm. “You don’t have time to go after her now. Qui-Gon needs you.”
Obi-Wan led the way out of the dormitory. He felt guilty about his harsh words. Asking for Garen’s help in front of Bant was a deliberate snub.
Garen’s look of disapproval both irritated him and fueled his guilt. His friend was silent as the lift tube hissed upward toward Tahl’s quarters.
After this is over, I’ll apologize to Bant, Obi-Wan thought. let my jealousy take over. It was wrong. I’ll make it right.p>
The lights in the hallway outside Tahl’s quarters were still at half-power. Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon standing by Tahl’s door, his back to them.
“Qui-Gon, I brought Garen Muln,” he called to him.
The tall man turned, and Obi-Wan saw it was Ali-Alann.
“I apologize,” Obi-Wan said. “I thought you were Qui-Gon.”
Qui-Gon stepped out from Tahl’s open door—
way. “That was exactly what you were supposed to think.”
Qui-Gon studied Garen. “You’ll do very well,” he murmured.
“Qui-Gon, I am happy to help you, but what am I going to be doing?” Ali-Alann asked respectfully.
“Not much,” Qui-Gon answered. “You have to be me for a short time, that’s all. And Garen, you will pose as Obi-Wan.”
Garen nodded. Both he and Ali-Alann had caught Qui-Gon’s seriousness.
“Obi-Wan and I will record a voice track,” Qui-Gon went on. “You will activate it when you’re sure that Tahl’s personal navigation droid is nearby. Then you’ll go on a search for the intruders. But you will not find them.”
“Why not?” Garen asked.
“Because we will,” Qui-Gon said, putting a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. His eyes glowed fiercely. “We will put an end to this.”
Qui-Gon’s hand on his shoulder, his steady words, sent a shiver through Obi-Wan. He had been unfair to Bant. If Qui-Gon was encouraging to her, it was only because of his goodness. It didn’t mean Qui-Gon wanted Bant as a Padawan any more than it meant that he still wanted Obi-Wan. It only meant that he was encouraging strength where he saw it.
Obi-Wan realized it wasn’t Bant who stood between him and Qui-Gon. It was Qui-Gon’s own feelings. He had known that. He just didn’t want to accept it.
“We’ll have to exchange tunics,” Qui-Gon said. “Everything they wear and carry must be ours. We can’t underestimate Xanatos. The match must be as perfect as possible.”
Tahl suddenly came to the door. Her sightless eyes zeroed in on Qui-Gon exactly. Her ability to place people by their voices was exceptional.
“Qui-Gon, we could have a problem,” she said. “Bant has disappeared. She knows she’s not supposed to roam the Temple without permission.”
Garen and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance. They knew why Bant had left without permission.
Just then, Qui-Gon’s comlink signaled. He activated it.
“What a pleasure to greet you again, Qui-Gon.”
Everyone froze. The mockery that ran through the deep voice alerted even Ali-Alann and Garen that this was Xanatos.
“What do you want?” Qui-Gon asked tersely.
“My transport,” Xanatos answered smoothly. “Fully fueled, on the spaceport landing platform. And no one around to follow me.”
“Why should I give you this?” Qui-Gon asked scornfully.
“Hmmm. An interesting question. Perhaps because I have bumped into a friend of yours in the water tunnel. I think it might be a good idea if the fish-girl stays with me for awhile. Unless you object.”
It took a moment, no more, for Obi-Wan to realize who Xanatos meant. Bant. He had kidnapped Bant.
Qui-Gon squeezed the comlink so hard that Obi-Wan was surprised it didn’t shatter. Tahl grabbed the doorframe. Garen took a step forward, as if he could reach through the comlink and grapple with Xanatos. Only Obi-Wan did not move. His blood had turned to ice, his muscles to stone.