The Day of Reckoning(13)

“Telosian justice used to be fair,” he said to Obi-Wan as he stood in the dank underground cell. “They should allow us the opportunity to clear ourselves.”

“We’re not even sure what the charges are,” Obi-Wan said. “Do you think they’ll discover that the whole thing has been faked?”

“There is always that hope,” Qui-Gon said. “They can’t hold us for long if they can’t prove we did something wrong. At least they didn’t find our lightsabers.”

Using the Force, Qui-Gon had managed to prevent the guards from giving them a thorough search.

“Why don’t we just cut through the door?” Obi-Wan asked, placing his hands against the fortified durasteel.

“Because there will be fifty guards on us before we can move very far,” Qui-Gon said. “Let’s bide our time. We’ll find an opportunity to escape.”

“I can’t believe Den left us in the lurch like that,” Obi-Wan said, disgusted. “He must have known there was a security alert as soon as the viewscreens froze.”

“Yes, I think he did,” Qui-Gon agreed calmly. “But it is better to focus on what we can do now.”

“What can we do?” Obi-Wan asked. “We’re locked up.”

“We can think of our next step,” Qui-Gon said. “It’s a waste of time to blame Den. What did we learn while we were at UniFy?”

“I didn’t learn anything except that people who work for companies send too many memos,” Obi-Wan said, discouraged.

“There were many, it’s true,” Qui-Gon agreed. “And most of them were trivial. Many of them merely confirmed a conversation over a comlink. Did you notice that? This makes me think that so many files could be a way to stop examiners later should the company be investigated. It’s hard to find the truth when it’s buried under data. Does that remind you of anything?” Obi-Wan thought for a long moment. “Offworld,” he said at last. “The company conceals its true intentions and even its headquarters behind other companies. It uses confusion to hide.”

“Exactly,” Qui-Gon said. “And there was something else I learned at UniFy. When the screens froze, I got to see what Den was doing. He was not looking up files on Offworld or the Sacred Pools. He was looking up Katharsis.”

“Why?” Obi-Wan asked.

“I don’t know the answer to that, but the question is interesting,” Qui-Gon said. “UniFy administers the funds from the lottery, so I suppose it should have Katharsis files. But why is Den so interested? Think about his character.”

Obi-Wan remembered Andra’s words. “He must think he can profit in some way.”

“Exactly,” Qui-Gon agreed. “My guess is that’s the reason he agreed to help us in the first place. So you see when we get out, we’ll have another path to investigate.”

“When we get out?” Obi-Wan asked, looking at the fortified durasteel door.

“We’ll get out,” Qui-Gon said in the same calm tone.

Obi-Wan wished he could feel as certain. He had a feeling that now that Xanatos had them where he wanted them, he would not be so foolish as to let them go.

They spent a cold night in the cell. Obi-Wan awoke before dawn. He lay on a sleep mat, his eyes open. There were no windows in the cell, so he could not distinguish the walls from the floor. He was surrounded by black, as though he were floating in a void. Perhaps this disorienting feeling was part of the punishment.

The only indication of morning was when the cell lights blazed on. They were given some hard bread and weak tea for breakfast.

The day passed slowly. Qui-Gon asked repeatedly to speak to someone in authority. The request was refused.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan did a series of muscle stretches to stay limber. Then they meditated. In captivity, a Jedi organized the mind, calmed the spirit, and kept the body strong.

Qui-Gon sat meditating on the hard stone floor. Suddenly, he sighed and raised his head.

“I’m sorry, Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan was surprised by this statement. “Sorry?” he asked.

“You should be back at the Temple. I should not have let you accompany me. It was an error in judgment.”

“The decision was mine to make,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m not sorry to be here.”

Qui-Gon’s smile was as dim as the light. “Even though you are cold and hungry?”

“I am where I should be,” Obi-Wan responded. “By your side.”

Qui-Gon stood. “I was harsh to you after what happened on Melida/Daan.”

“No more than I deserved.” Obi-Wan was surprised to see the emotion on Qui-Gon’s face. This was the first time his former Master had brought up the rift between them with sorrow more than anger. He seemed to be struggling for words.