The Defenders Of The Dead(13)

“Come,” Nield said. “Let’s see the happy dead speak.”

He strode forward* and they followed. He entered the stone door and walked quickly down the aisles, past monument after monument. He activated hologram after hologram but did not stop to hear their tales. Their voices filled the huge chamber, echoing with their stories of revenge and hatred. Nield began to run, pressing globe after globe to activate the ghosts.

Finally, he stopped in front of the last hologram he’d activated. It was a tall man with shoulder-length hair, wearing armor.

“I am Micae, son of Terandi of Garth, from the North Country,” the hologram said. “I was but a boy when the Melida invaded Garth and herded my people into camps. There, many died, including -“

“And why did the Melida do that, you fool?” Nield mocked the figure, drowning out the list of the dead. “Perhaps because the Daan soldiers in the North Country attacked the Melida settlements without warning, killing hundreds?”

The warrior’s tale went on. “- and my mother died that day without ever being reunited with my father. My father died in the great Battle of the Plains, avenging the great wrong of the Melida during the Battle of the North -“

“-Which had taken place a century before!” Nield scoffed.

“- and today I go to battle with my three sons. My youngest son is too young to join us. I fight today so that he may never have to fight -“

“Fat chance!” Nield jeered.

“We seek justice, not vengeance. And that is why I know we shall triumph.” The warrior raised his fist, then opened it in a gesture of peace.

“Liars and fools!” Nield shouted. He turned

abruptly away from the hologram. “Let’s get out of here. I can’t bear their stupid voices any more.”

They walked out into the open air. Gray clouds were massing overhead, and the water looked almost as black as the great hall that floated above it, casting a long shadow. It was hard to tell where the building ended and the water began.

“Do you see?” Nield demanded of Qui-Gon. “They will never stop. The Young are this world’s only hope. I know the Jedi are wise. You must see that our cause is just. Don’t we deserve a chance?”

Nield’s golden eyes burned with fervor. Qui-Gon glanced at Obi-Wan. He saw that the boy had been not only moved by Nield’s words, but deeply stirred.

That made him uneasy. Though a Jedi’s heart could be touched, it was his duty to remain unbiased and calm. The situation here was complicated and volatile. They would need clear heads to navigate it. His instinct told him it was better not to take sides.

But there was the question of Tahl. Rescue was their primary mission. Nield had promised his help. Could he deliver on his promise?

“I know where Tahl is being held,” Nield said,

almost as though he’d read Qui-Gon’s mind. “She is alive.”

“You can get us to this place?” Qui-Gon asked.

“Cerasi can,” Nield said. “It is heavily guarded. But I have a plan to take care of that. While you are rescuing Tahl, the Young will launch a surprise attack.”

“I am not sure how surprising an attack would be, given that the Melida know that the Jedi are on the loose,” Qui-Gon said. “They will be expecting it.”

“But they will not be expecting a Daan attack.”

“Are the Daan planning to attack?” Obi-Wan asked.

“No,” Nield answered. “But that doesn’t mean the Melida can’t think they are. Our plan is to stage diversionary attacks in both the Melida and Daan sectors. The Melida will think that the Daan are attacking and send their forces out into the streets to defend themselves. The Daan will do the same. I promise you confusion and chaos. Then you can go after Tahl.”

“But you have no weapons,” Obi-Wan said. “How do you expect to attack?”

“We have a plan,” Nield said mysteriously. “All we ask of you is to stay in the vault and not contact the Melida. Right now they are searching for you everywhere. It is better that their forces be busy with that chore so that we can do our work.”

“So you see how easy we’re making this for you?” Cerasi asked. “All we ask is that you do nothing.”

“We’ll take care of the diversion,” Nield continued. “You take care of Tahl. I also know that her wounds were severe. She needs medical attention.”

Annoyed, Qui-Gon gazed out at the water to buy time. He knew Nield was blackmailing him, forcing him to bend to his wishes so that Qui-Gon could fulfill his mission. He had been out-maneuvered by a child.

And Obi-Wan, he saw, was enjoying it. Another curl of apprehension registered along his spine.