The Defenders Of The Dead(7)

Wehutti introduced his comrades as Moahdi, Kejas, and Herut. Herut clutched his sore wrist and glowered at Obi-Wan, who tried to look friendly.

“It appears we are lucky to have found you,” Qui-Gon said. “If the Daan control the perimeter, I’m surprised you would venture so far.”

Wehutti’s friendly face grew stony. “In the valiant spirit of our honored ancestors, we must protect our Hall of Evidence.”

“Hall of Evidence?” Obi-Wan asked.

Wehutti gestured at the black monolith below where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had wandered. “It is where we store the honored memories of our glorious dead. They are all warriors and heroes. If the lowlife Daan had their way, they would destroy our most sacred places. We need to show them they cannot enter.”

“So the Melida and the Daan are still at war,” Qui-Gon said.

“No, we have a cease-fire at the moment,” Wehutti said. He drew a circle in the dirt with the toe of his boot, then a larger circle around it.

“The bloodthirsty Daan drove the Melida from their homes and contained them here, in the Inner Hub.” He pointed to the inner circle. “The barbarians surround us on the Outer Circle. But victory will come one day. We shall retake Zehava. Block by block we will move outward.”

Qui-Gon eyed the blaster on the ground. “You have a cease-fire, but I see you still shoot.”

“The day I put down my weapon is the day that the Melida are free,” Wehutti said quietly.

“What about Jedi Knight Tahl?” Qui-Gon asked. “Do you have news?”

Wehutti nodded. “I have spoken to the Melida leaders. They have come to see that holding a Jedi will not help our cause. A bit more negotiation might be called for, but I have every certainty that she will be released to your care.”

“That is good news,” Qui-Gon said.

Wehutti nodded. “Now we must go. It isn’t safe here. Like our martyred ancestors, we are in danger every moment.” He turned to Moahdi, Kejas, and Herut. “Gather the weapons. See if you can find the blaster rifle below. I’ll see you back in the Hub.”

His three companions hurried off, gathering up the vibro-shiv and a damaged blaster before they left. Wehutti picked up his blaster and returned it to its holster. “We are very low on

weapons,” he explained to the Jedi. “Even damaged ones must be salvaged for the day of our vengeance.”

“Are you low on med supplies as well?” Qui-Gon asked.

Wehutti nodded and pointed to his absent arm. “No plastoid limbs available, I’m afraid. Some were lucky to get them, but many were not. We ran through everything we had after the last battle of Zehava, and the government has no money to order more. But I do all right. The sacrifice of my people means more than my pain.”

Qui-Gon touched the spot where Wehutti had hit him and winced. “You do just fine,” he told his former attacker.

Wehutti led them back down the rocky slope and turned down a path that ran behind houses at the edge of a park. The park was filled with damaged and rusting starfighters and floaters.

“The Daan don’t seem to have funds, either,” Qui-Gon noted.

“The last war bankrupted both sides,” Wehutti said cheerfully. “At least we’re even.” He handed the Jedi two yellow discs. “In case we’re stopped, these are forged Daan identity cards. But let’s hope we’re not stopped.”

Wehutti led them down twisting alleyways and through the rear gardens of grand houses,

down tiny streets and over rooftops. If they saw people ahead, they ducked into the shadows of buildings, or simply turned in the opposite direction. A fine rain began to fall, keeping most people off the streets.

“You know the city well,” Qui-Gon observed.

Wehutti’s mouth twisted. “I lived in this area as a young man. Now I am forbidden to come here.”

At last they reached a desolate area. The buildings were bombed out, the windows shattered.

“This used to be a Melida neighborhood,” Wehutti explained. “Now the Daan control it, but no one will live here. Too close to Melida territory.”

They hurried down the street. Ahead was a tall fence with two deflection towers flanking it. Cannons were trained at the street ahead.

“Don’t worry,” Wehutti said. “The guards know me.”

They walked past the checkpoint with Wehutti giving a casual wave to the guards. They saluted him respectfully. Obi-Wan noted that they were older, possibly in their sixties. They seemed old to be guards.

Once in Melida territory, Obi-Wan tried to relax, but his nerves were still jumping. He felt just as apprehensive as he had in Daan territory. Maybe it was the severe disturbances he could feel in the Force. Qui-Gon strode by his side, his face impassive, but Obi-Wan knew his Master was alert and watchful.