“May the Force be with you,” Tahl murmured.
“May it be with us all,” Qui-Gon quietly replied. He signaled to Obi-Wan, and they headed for the lift tube.
“Where are we going?” Obi-Wan asked.
“To Xanatos’ ultimate destination,” Qui-Gon answered. “Everything he’s done has led to this. Capturing Bant was a bonus - he can now use her as leverage to get his transport back. He knew Miro would eventually have to shut down the entire power core, including the security system. In those precious minutes when security is down, Xanatos is planning to strike.”
Of course! “He’s going after the vertex in the security chamber,” Obi-Wan said.
“And we will be waiting,” Qui-Gon replied grimly.
The security chamber was built like a strongbox. It could not be reached by turbolift, only by a short stairway down from the Jedi Council room itself. Access was limited to Jedi Council members, who underwent a retinal scan to enter. Approval had to be received and coded into the central system.
Ali-Alann and Garen’s impersonation had given them time to arrange the ambush. Yoda arranged for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to enter before security shut down. The hallway outside the chamber was narrow and dark, the lights at half-power.
“Three minutes until Miro shuts down the power,” Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan softly. “Xanatos and Bruck will come through one of the air ducts. Do not wait to engage them. Surprise is key. But don’t activate your lightsaber too early or the glow will alert them that someone is here.”
Obi-Wan nodded. He gripped his lightsaber, keeping his eyes on the ceiling above. The minutes slid by slowly. The unventilated air caused him to perspire. His fingers slipped on the lightsaber hilt. Quickly, he wiped his palm on his tunic.
He tried to summon up Qui-Gon’s calm, but it slipped by him. He did not know why he was having such trouble with his composure. Every nerve was on fire. All he could think of was Bant. Was she alive or dead?
The thought of Bant sent panic shooting through him again. Obi-Wan bit down against it. They would save Bant. They would defeat Xanatos. Their enemy was not invincible. He trusted Qui-Gon’s strength and cleverness.
Suddenly, the lights went out. Even though Obi-Wan knew this would happen when Miro shut down the central power core, it still made him start. He wrenched his mind to stillness.
A slight noise overhead alerted him that someone was now traveling in the duct system. Qui-Gon kept his eyes trained on the duct closest to the treasury door.
Moments later, the grate slid open. Xanatos and Bruck somersaulted through, both dressed in black, blending into the darkness. The only gleam of light was of Bruck’s white ponytail and Xanatos’ pale skin.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon moved as one. They sprang forward, lightsabers activated.
The surprise on Xanatos’ face was gratifying. He gave a strangled cry of rage and sprang back, his hand reaching for his lightsaber.
Bruck was not as quick. He stumbled back, fumbling. The hilt of his lightsaber was in his hand when Qui-Gon, with a delicate touch, knocked it away without touching Bruck’s skin. He did not want to harm the boy, just capture him.
Obi-Wan sprang toward Xanatos as Qui-Gon came at him on the other side.
But this time Xanatos surprised them. Instead of trying to elude them, he leaped forward and grabbed Bruck. He held his glowing red lightsaber against the boy’s neck.
“Don’t come any closer,” he said, his eyes snapping a challenge. “You know I’ll do it, Qui-Gon.”
“Xanatos?” Bruck’s eyes wobbled in fear.
“Be quiet,” Xanatos snapped. “Now I have two hostages, Qui-Gon,” he continued. “Do you want to sacrifice two young lives?”
Qui-Gon made a subtle movement toward Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan felt the Force surge. Qui-Gon was reaching out to him, trying to tell him something. But what?
If your plan is good, there is no reason to abandon it.
Obi-Wan remembered that Qui-Gon had wanted him to seem impatient, close to the edge of control. Xanatos would not look at him as a threat.
“You’re not going to let him get away with this, are you?” Obi-Wan shouted, pumping desperation in his voice. “I don’t care about Bruck! Let’s charge him!”
“The boy is ruthless, Qui-Gon,” Xanatos purred. “Did he learn this from you?”
With a cry, Obi-Wan started toward Xanatos. At the same time, Qui-Gon sprang forward. Xanatos gave Bruck a violent shove away from him, trying to use the boy to block Obi-Wan’s advance. At the same time, he stepped forward to meet Qui-Gon’s first strike.
Bruck dropped to the floor and scrambled for his lightsaber. Obi-Wan leaped to prevent it, but Bruck grasped it, rolled away, and sprang to his feet.