The Only Witness

  THE ONLY WITNESS

  CHAPTER 1

  Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn sighed deeply as he strode down the hall.

  The Council felt he had been inactive for too long, and he knew it. They

  had been patient as he mourned the death of his dear friend Tahl. And now

  they were waiting for him to decide he was ready to resume his active life

  as a Jedi.

  Except he wasn't. And he was not sure he ever would be.

  Qui-Gon turned a corner, heading for the Council room. The Council

  had summoned him, but hadn't explained why. Perhaps they had grown tired of

  waiting. Perhaps they were going to send him on a mission anyway.

  Maybe it is for the best, Qui-Gon thought, trying to make himself

  believe it. He'd been attempting to convince himself of so many things

  lately, though he did not often succeed. And at least it will be good for

  Obi-Wan.

  Qui-Gon's Padawan walked noiselessly beside him, his face a mask of

  perfect calm. Qui-Gon knew what lurked underneath. He could feel the

  tension growing between him and his apprentice. He sensed that Obi-Wan

  wanted to speak, and yet he was uncharacteristically silent.

  Though Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had never been far apart over the last few

  months, in many ways Qui-Gon had deserted his apprentice. He wished he

  could say something to reassure Obi-Wan. Soothing speeches used to come so

  easily. But Jedi wisdom felt somehow hollow to him now. He would not offer

  the boy empty words.

  Pausing outside the Council room, Obi-Wan turned to his Master. Qui-

  Gon saw he was about to speak, but before he could say anything the Council

  room doors hissed open.

  Only three of the twelve Council seats were filled. Qui-Gon was not

  surprised to see so few members present. He greeted his old friends and

  stood before them in the familiar circle.

  Yoda, Mace Windu, and Plo Koon thanked the Jedi team for coming.

  Their eyes passed briefly over Obi-Wan, then rested on Qui-Gon. They were

  obviously concerned.

  Qui-Gon could feel the Council members looking deep inside him,

  trying to determine if sending him on a mission was the right decision. He

  was surprised to find that he could not hold their gaze. Rather than

  lifting his burden of sorrow, their caring made him painfully aware of the

  weight he was bearing.

  Looking past the seated Masters to the Coruscant skyline, Qui-Gon

  tried to settle his feelings. He wondered yet again why he could not let

  this flood of emotion flow through him. He had been taught to do just that

  by great teachers - some now seated before him - and it had always worked.

  Yet it did not work now.

  Obi-Wan shifted his feet, and Qui-Gon realized that the silence had

  gone on for too long.

  "We've received a request from Senator Crote of Frego," Mace Windu

  began at last. "He has asked for Jedi assistance in transporting a witness

  to Coruscant to testify before the Senate."

  Qui-Gon nodded. Protecting important witnesses was routine for the

  Jedi. As he'd suspected, this first mission would be a simple assignment -

  something easy. A distraction. That was why there were only three members

  of the Council present.

  "A simple task it is not," Yoda said, as if in answer to Qui-Gon's

  thoughts. "There is much danger on Frego."

  Mace Windu continued to study Qui-Gon's face. "We would not send you

  if we did not think you were ready. Do you feel ready, Qui-Gon?"

  Qui-Gon did not know. He had no desire to leave the Temple, or even

  his simple rooms. But it would not be fair to Obi-Wan to live in seclusion

  forever.

  "I am ready," Qui-Gon replied, more firmly than he believed.

  Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan's relief. It rushed from him like a breath

  that had been held for a long time and finally released. The Council

  members, too, seemed to relax upon hearing Qui-Gon's words. They stopped

  searching his thoughts. They had the answer they wanted. Qui-Gon hoped he

  had made the right decision.

  "As Yoda said, the situation is complicated," Plo Koon said. "We've

  asked Jocasta Nu to give you all of the information you need before you

  depart." He gestured toward the Temple archives.

  "Go now you must," Yoda added gravely.

  "We fear the danger for the witness is growing. The sooner you get to

  Frego, the better," Mace said, dismissing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan with a wave

  of his hand. "May the Force be with you."

  Qui-Gon nodded and walked slowly out of the circular room, followed

  by Obi-Wan. Even after hearing the Masters' cautionary words, he felt sure

  that the mission would be simple to complete... as long as his spirit

  didn't fail him.

  Jocasta Nu was a thin, wispy Jedi with long graying hair that she

  wore in a tight bun. She stood up from her work table the moment the Jedi

  entered the room. The picture of efficiency, she gathered her materials and

  gestured toward another, larger table, asking Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to take a

  seat.

  "I understand that time is of the essence," Jocasta said. She did not

  bother with introductions. It did not matter. Qui-Gon had encountered the

  Temple archivist before, and surely Obi-Wan knew who she was. She briefed

  many Jedi teams before they went out on important missions.

  In the past Qui-Gon had preferred to use other sources to get his

  information. He had grown used to working with Tahl, and hadn't met with

  Jocasta that often since he took Obi-Wan as an apprentice four years ago.

  "The witness is Lena Cobral." Jocasta showed them a holo image of a

  slight young woman with dark hair twisted into an elaborate bun. "She is

  the widowed wife of Rutin Cobral."

  The image of the young woman vanished and a man appeared in her

  place. He was young, fairly tall, with short brown hair and a relaxed

  smile. "Rutin was recently killed, and his murderer is still at large."

  "Is that unusual?" Qui-Gon asked. "I thought Frego was a planet ruled

  by criminals."

  Jocasta looked slightly annoyed at the interruption, but continued.

  "The Cobral family is the largest power on Frego. They are in charge of a

  crime ring that has successfully controlled the government for twenty

  years. Rutin's father died a few years ago, of natural causes. It was

  widely believed that Rutin was being groomed to take over, although he has

  two brothers who are older than he is. Solan is the oldest and the new

  leader of the Cobral."

  A shorter, stockier version of Rutin appeared on the screen. Besides

  his brother's height, Solan also lacked his thick head of hair and genuine

  smile. He was nearly bald and his scowl looked permanent.

  "Solan is well known on his planet, widely feared and respected. He

  gets what he needs through threats, violence, and influence."

  Now that Jocasta was through imparting information, she was prepared

  to answer Qui-Gon's question.

  "It is not unusual for murders to go u
ninvestigated on Frego. But it

  is unusual for a favored member of the Cobral family to be killed,

  particularly without vengeance."

  Though Qui-Gon's expression did not change, he felt a fresh wave of

  grief wash through him. He longed more than ever for Tahl - for her

  cynicism, her quick mind, and her habit of dispensing information in a way

  that naturally led Qui-Gon's thoughts in the proper direction.

  Qui-Gon reminded himself that theirs was a relationship that had

  taken years to develop. And that the connection he had with Tahl was one he

  would never have with the Temple archivist. Or anyone else, probably.

  "Lena married into the Cobral family three years ago," Jocasta went

  on. "There was a rumor that Rutin no longer wanted to be involved in his

  family's dealings. Although he could not easily divorce himself from the

  crime business, Senator Crote has told us that Rutin was prepared to

  testify before the Senate against his family. He wanted to put an end to

  the crime ring altogether. Not long after Rutin agreed to testify, he was

  killed." Jocasta took a breath, but did not allow more than a second to

  pass before going on.

  "Last night we received a secret communication from Lena. Senator

  Crote did as well. She has decided to take up her husband's cause and

  testify against the Cobral herself." Jocasta pushed several documents on a

  datapad across the table toward the Jedi. "Everything you need is here."

  Qui-Gon stood and took the datapad. "Thank you," he said curtly. "We

  may be contacting you if we need further assistance."

  "Of course," Jocasta nodded. "May the Force be with you."

  Qui-Gon nodded blankly in return. How could he trust that the Force

  would be with him? Where had it been when he'd needed it the most? He and

  Tahl had pledged their love for each other. But nothing - not that love,

  not the Jedi, not the Force - had been able to save her.

  It did not take long for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to gather supplies for

  the short journey. Soon they were stepping onto the freighter that would

  take them to Frego.

  Distracted and exhausted, Qui-Gon was anxious to retire to his

  quarters as soon as they were on board. He was about to say as much to Obi-

  Wan when his Padawan spoke.

  "Master, I know that these last few months have been hard on you."

  Obi-Wan reached out a hand toward Qui-Gon's shoulder but let it drop,

  barely brushing his Master's brown sleeve. "And I... well, I can't help

  remembering what you told me when Bant was missing in the Temple. You said

  that the darkest time is the time when it is most important that you follow

  the Jedi Code. If you let your emotions fl - "

  "Thank you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon cut him off. "You have learned well

  what I've taught you. One day you will make a fine Jedi Master." He turned

  and made his way quickly toward his quarters. He could sense the boy behind

  him, standing, bewildered.

  Qui-Gon knew his apprentice was only trying to make him feel better.

  But he could not bear to listen to the wisdom that was now failing him. He

  simply wanted to be alone.

  CHAPTER 2

  Obi-Wan stood silently, watching the planet Frego grow larger on the

  freighter's view-screen. Qui-Gon had not emerged from his quarters during

  the journey. Obi-Wan was not sure if he should disturb him, even now that

  they were drawing close to their destination. He desperately wanted to give

  Qui-Gon the same comfort his Master had given him so many times. But the

  more he tried, the further Qui-Gon retreated. The gulf between them seemed

  to be growing wider, and Obi-Wan was at a loss. How could he span the

  distance alone?

  "That must be Frego."

  Qui-Gon's voice surprised Obi-Wan and filled him with relief. He

  would not have to disturb his Master's solitude after all.

  "And that glowing spot must be the capitol city of Rian," Qui-Gon

  continued.

  Obi-Wan could tell that Qui-Gon was still sad and distracted. It was

  almost like standing beside a ghost. But at least he was speaking. He was

  making an effort.

  As they exited the craft, Obi-Wan felt on edge. It was up to him to

  focus on this mission. He could not depend on his Master in his emotionally

  wounded state.

  Obi-Wan did not think the Cobral family had been alerted to their

  arrival, but a planet ruled by criminals was always a dangerous place. He

  half expected to see dark dealings and black market bargains right in the

  freighter hangar, but there was only one person present as the Jedi

  disembarked - and she looked at them without interest. Obi-Wan relaxed a

  little, until the freighter captain slid down the ramp toward him.

  "I'll be taking off as soon as possible, if that's okay," he said

  nervously. "I don't want to spend any more time here than is absolutely

  necessary, with the Cobral airways tax and all."

  Obi-Wan nodded. Though he did not know exactly what the pilot was

  referring to, he could tell it was not pleasant, and most likely not legal.

  He thanked the captain for their safe passage and watched him slip back

  inside his craft.

  As soon as the ship's door shut, the lone woman in the hangar

  approached the Jedi.

  "I trust you had a pleasant journey from..." she paused.

  "Coruscant," Obi-Wan finished for her. "Are you Lena?"

  "No," the woman said, lowering her hood to reveal closely cut hair

  and a youthful face. "I am Mica, but I will take you to Lena now." Mica

  glanced around the hangar once more.

  She's nervous, Obi-Wan thought. He drew a deep breath and

  concentrated on the Force. But he did not sense danger, only Mica's fear.

  "Follow behind me, but not too close. If I am approached I will

  pretend not to know you." Mica's eyes were large and dark and she turned

  them on Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in turn, waiting for each to nod in agreement.

  "We will do as you ask," Obi-Wan assured her.

  Raising her hood, Mica started out of the hangar at a brisk pace.

  Obi-Wan enjoyed being introduced to a new planet on foot. Qui-Gon had

  taught him that the slower pace was best for observation, and there was

  much to observe in Rian. None of it was what Obi-Wan had expected.

  The streets were clean; the footpaths were filled with Fregans

  carrying colorful bundles and walking unhurriedly together. Just a short

  distance from the municipal hangar, stalls lined the paths. Food vendors

  sold heaps of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and grains, shouting out

  prices and greeting regulars. Farther into the open market more vendors

  sold household goods and even crafts. Everywhere people seemed happy and

  relaxed.

  In the heart of the market the crowd was so dense and there was so

  much to see that Obi-Wan nearly lost sight of Mica. But whenever he looked

  up he saw Qui-Gon's eyes trained on the gray peak of Mica's hood. He did

  not seem to be taking in the surroundings as he normally would. His

  thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

  Obi-Wan would have liked to discuss his observations with his Master.

  Wasn't it unusual that a planet controlled by criminals would have such a

/>   seemingly happy populace? But he was quite sure Qui-Gon wasn't thinking

  about the Fregans, so he kept quiet.

  At last the market stalls ended and the crowd thinned. After

  following Mica through a maze of dark but clean alleys, the woman stopped

  and beckoned the Jedi toward her. When they drew close Mica punched a

  control pad and a large warehouse door groaned open to reveal a huge room

  filled with abandoned equipment.

  "We're here," Mica said, waving the Jedi in first and taking a last

  look up and down the alley before shutting the door. "I am the only one who

  knows where Lena is hiding. Besides you. It is important that you are never

  followed to this spot."

  "Of course." Obi-Wan nodded.

  At the top of several flights of durasteel stairs, the yawning spaces