Secrets of the Jedi Page 10

  "Agreed. But do you have to volunteer for it?"

  She took his hand and laced her fingers through his. "I offered to go because I knew I would be safe. I knew the best Jedi in the Order would be there to protect me."

  He groaned. "Now don't start flattering me."

  She grinned at him. "I meant Obi-Wan."

  He tossed a pillow at her, and she shrieked in surprise. She threw it back, and he held it suspended in the air with the Force.

  "Are you still trying that same trick on me?"

  "It's worked in the past."

  She lay down beside him. They faced each other, almost nose to nose.

  "I'll be careful," she said.

  "I won't leave your side," he said.

  "Don't," she said, drawing him close. "I don't want you to."

  CHAPTER 23

  The planet Genian had so far managed to remain neutral in the Clone Wars. This feat had little to do with canny diplomacy, though the Genians were indeed noted for that particular skill, but more to do with the vast corporate holdings on the planet, the research laboratories, and the treasures locked in secure banks. One day, perhaps, Genian would fall, but it was not in a terribly strategic position and at this point in the war many Senators, both Separatist and Republic alike, found it useful to be able to slip in and out to sit with their wealth and make sure it was safe.

  Taly was not the only one to take advantage of friendly laws and a large, educated workforce. Many businesses thrived on Genian, primarily in the technological and scientific sector. There were a number of large, prosperous cities, but Taly had chosen to site his complex in the vast desert that lay outside the city of Bruit. Mountain ranges ringed the desert, and the countryside was rugged enough that no towns or settlements were within hundreds of kilometers.

  Taly provided for his workers by supplying them with a small city, with entertainment and leisure activities and luxurious dwellings that his workers would not be able to afford in the cities. The only thing he would not allow was families. Workers had to be single and childless. He said this was because personal connections interfered with work habits, but Obi-Wan had to wonder if there was a deeper reason.

  The Jedi and Padme had traveled on a fast Republic cruiser. The journey had taken less than a day. Anakin flew low over the desert, lower than Obi-Wan would have liked, skipping over the boulders and rocks, some of them fifty or a hundred meters tall, then zooming down to hug the ground again.

  "This isn't a Podracer, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. Siri grinned and Padmê smiled.

  "He does this to me on purpose," Obi-Wan grumbled. "I don't see the landing platform," Padmê said. "I don't even see the compound."

  "It's behind a holographic portal," Anakin explained. The Jedi had been thoroughly briefed on Taly's security plan. "The hologram mimics the landscape. It's hard to see."

  Padme drew closer and leaned over Anakin's shoulder. "Can you see it?"

  Obi-Wan watched them, her dark head against his shoulder. They had the ease of intimacy. Long friendship, he wondered, or attraction?

  "When I use the Force, I can. See the shimmer over there, by that big rock?"

  A craggy rock — at least a hundred meters tall — rose over the others.

  "No," Padmê said, half-laughing as she shook her head. "I just see a big rock."

  In answer, Anakin flew straight toward the rock. Padmê braced herself. Obi-Wan sat calmly. He wasn't about to admonish Anakin again. Let him have his fun.

  Anakin did not slow his pace. The rock loomed, closer and closer. Just at the moment of impact, they passed through it, punching a hole through the image of rock, sand, and sky.

  The landing platform lay ahead, a small, circular pad outside a larger hangar. Beyond it rose Taly's compound, a series of connected buildings made of stone that matched the desert tones of ocher and sand.

  Anakin guided the ship to a featherweight landing. A male of middle years stood waiting. Obi-Wan recognized the violet-tinged skin of a native Genian. The visitors grabbed their kits and headed down the ramp.

  Obi-Wan announced their names, and the Genian nodded. "You are expected," he said. "I am Dellard Tranc, head of security for the complex. Please follow me."

  They followed him through the hangar. Anakin whistled softly when he saw the state-of-the-art cruisers lined up in the hangar bays.

  "Very nice," he murmured to Obi-Wan. "He can get anywhere in a hurry, that's for sure."

  The hangar door opened into a long corridor.

  "We're now in the main building," Dellard Tranc said. "I'll escort you to the main business office."

  The natural stone around them was like being in a cave. It was cool and dim. Obi-Wan was used to business complexes being built of durasteel and transparisteel, as if the corporations were trying to advertise their purity by using transparent materials in their buildings. He found the natural materials here refreshing.

  They entered a large office suite, and Tranc left them with a bow. Two people stood in the center, waiting for them. A trim woman about Obi-Wan's age came toward them. Her skin was lavender-colored and her hair was white. "Welcome," she said. "My name is Helina Dow. I'm Talesan Fry's executive in charge of production and distribution." She smiled briefly. "In other words, his second-in-command."

  The male Genian at her side nodded at them. "And I'm Moro Y'Arano. Executive in charge of business outreach. Talesan asked me to be present at the meeting."

  These were the trusted advisors Mace had spoken of, the ones who were Taly's connection to the outside. Obi-Wan introduced them all. Helina bowed. "It's an honor to meet such distinguished Jedi and officers in the Republic army. Senator Amidala, your reputation precedes you. Thank you all for coming. Please follow us."

  The double doors opened into Taly's office. In contrast to the neutral colors of the walls and floor, a table made out of a golden-tinged stone served as a desk. Two tall lamps behind the desk sent out a glow with an orange-yellow tint. On one side of the office, a seating area was set up, a long, cushioned sofa and a low table made out of the same gold-hued stone.

  Taly sat behind the desk, his hands clasped in front of him. Obi-Wan was surprised at the man he'd become, but he couldn't say why. He recognized the same sharp intelligence in the eyes, the thin features, the rusty shock of hair. Taly had not grown very tall or broad. He was thin, and vibrated with an intensity Obi-Wan remembered well. But there was something missing. . . .

  Ah, Obi-Wan thought. The eagerness in Taly's eyes. The wish to be liked. That was gone. But of course it was. Taly was a man now, not a boy. A vastly wealthy man. Obi-Wan could not imagine the amount of grit and guile it would take to amass such a fortune, to be such a success in the cutthroat business of surveillance.

  "Obi-Wan Kenobi and Siri Tachi." Taly rose and came toward them. He stood in front of them, searching their features. "You look older."

  "That seems inevitable," Siri said.

  For a moment, Obi-Wan felt rocked on his feet. Seeing Siri and Taly standing together had brought back a memory of a night in a cave, a thermal cape draped around two bodies, low voices, laughter. Of the cold, hard floor of a cargo hold, a coldness he did not feel.

  Memories that, when they came, he always pushed down and buried.

  He pushed, but the memories did not obey. They surfaced again, rising. Siri's smile. Her lips resting against his cheek.

  Whatever happens, I'll remember this.

  She met his eyes. He saw the memory there, reflected back. Or did he? A light went out, a shutter closed. She turned away.

  "Please sit down," Helina said. Obviously, it was up to her to observe the polite rituals of meetings. "I'll ring for refreshments."

  Taly led the way to the seating area. Within moments, food and drink arrived.

  Taly leaned forward earnestly. "I don't pay attention to politics. I had my fill of Coruscant and the Senate a long time ago. But when I made this discovery, it was obvious how valuable it was. Politics has found me again, for the secon
d time in my life. I am as unhappy now as I was the first time it did."

  "Politics is another name for greed and corruption these days," Padmê said. "But we must not forget that it is also about compassion and justice."

  Taly frowned at her for a moment as though she was speaking a language he didn't understand. "I had to choose between the two of you. The Republic and the Separatists. So I examined the two sides. The Separatists have much in their favor. They have the guilds and the trade associations. They have vast amounts of wealth and much power in the Senate. Most important, they have ruthlessness. There is nothing they won't do for power. But you — the Jedi — you tip the balance. Thousands of you are ready to fight for the Republic. I have seen what a handful of Jedi can do. I decided to bet on you. Because, believe me, I want to be on the winning side."

  "Thanks," Obi-Wan said. "But we see this struggle as a noble cause, not a gamble to wager on."

  Taly waved a hand. "Noble cause — sure, okay. The point is, I want you to know that if we can't come to an agreement, I'm ready to turn the codebreaker over to the Separatists. I'm giving you the first shot because I owe you, first of all, but also because I think you can win — if you have my device."

  "We are authorized to make a deal," Padmê said. "What are your terms?"

  Taly named a price. Obi-Wan sucked in his breath, but Padme's face was impassive.

  "That can be done," she said. "You would have to accept two installments, however. The first immediately, the second after the codebreaker is in our hands and has been proven to work. Do we have a deal?"

  "Whoa, not so fast, Senator," Taly said. "I haven't finished. I also want an exclusive contract with the Republic. You only use Fry Industries surveillance and communication devices in the Republic army for the duration of the war."

  "But that would mean abandoning systems that we already deploy and putting millions of credits into a system we don't need," Padmê said.

  Taly shrugged.

  Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. The brilliant, vulnerable boy he'd known had turned into a war profiteer.

  "All right," Padme said. "We will agree to this if you give us six months to make the transition. And, of course, if your system works. We have to do it gradually. I will not endanger our troops for your profit."

  "Fine. I don't want anyone to get killed for me. I just want the business," Taly said. "We have a deal. Helina, can you get the contracts?"

  Helina rose and departed.

  "And Moro, can you bring me the model scenarios we developed for deployment of the codebreaker? We can surely share them with our new friends."

  "Of course." Moro rose and left.

  Obi-Wan noted how Taly watched until the door closed behind Moro and Helina. Then he activated a small device he had hidden in his palm.

  "What —" Siri started, but Taly held up a finger.

  He entered a code into the device, then waited for a green light.

  "We have been under surveillance," he said. "Recently, I have discovered that there is a spy in my organization. Someone who wants to launch a takeover of the business. I have been able to intercept the surveillance device, but only for very short periods. I don't want him or her to know I'm onto them."

  "Do you have a suspect?" Obi-Wan asked. "Is that why you sent Helina and Moro out of the room?"

  "I don't suspect them any more than I do the rest of my top executives," Taly said. "Anyone who has access to my inner office. That is a handful of workers."

  "Do you think the Separatists know about the code-breaker?" Padme asked.

  "All communication leaving the compound is monitored," Taly said. "That's what happens when you work for a surveillance company — I make it impossible for you to spy on me. I control all access to communication. I monitor all outgoing messages."

  "Just like Quadrant Seven," Siri said.

  "I learn from experience," Taly said. "So no, Senator, I don't think the information has been passed. Yet. But this brings me to my third condition for making a deal."

  "We already made a deal," Padme said.

  "Not quite. You must find out who the spy is. And you must do it in the next twenty-four hours. Only then will I hand over the codebreaker."

  Anakin's gaze was flinty. "The Jedi are not detectives."

  Taly rose. "They are now. It is non-negotiable." The Jedi and Padme exchanged glances. Padme turned back to Taly.

  "We accept," she said.

  CHAPTER 24

  "This is ridiculous," Anakin said as soon as they were left alone in their quarters. They had already done a sweep to ensure that they were not under surveillance of any kind. "He's holding us hostage, expecting us to solve his business problems."

  "True," Obi-Wan agreed.

  "We're wasting time," Siri said, sounding as impatient as Anakin. "I hate wasting time. He's taking advantage of us, and he knows it."

  "The codebreaker could make the difference for the Republic," Padme reminded them. "It's vital that we obtain it. Isn't that worth a little snooping?"

  Siri threw down her survival pack with an irritable gesture. It thunked against the floor. Obi-Wan gave her a curious look. He had seen Siri be impatient before —many times, as a matter of fact — but there was an edge to her mood now that he couldn't identify.

  "Well, we might as well start now," Anakin said. "Taly said he'd get us a list of the executives who have access to his private office. Until then, I'm going to take a look around, get a feel for the place."

  "I'll join you," Padme said. "Maybe we can come up with something to go on."

  The door hissed behind them. Siri's survival pack had snagged on the leg of a table, and when she tugged at it, some of the contents spilled out onto the floor. She gave it a swift kick for its disobedience.

  Obi-Wan leaned down and gently unwound the strap of the pack from the table leg. "Are you angry at the pack, or the table? Or me?"

  Siri sat on the floor and looked up at him. "I didn't think we'd have to stay here."

  "Only for a day."

  "A day can feel too long, if it's long enough. What do I know about corporate intrigue?" Siri growled. "I'm not the right Jedi for this job."

  "You're the right Jedi for any job." Obi-Wan sat next to her on the floor. "What is it?"

  "I just told you."

  "No, you didn't."

  She looked at him, chin first. Defensive, challenged, annoyed. Then she let out a breath, and she shook her head ruefully.

  "Do you remember," she said, "in the cave, when I wanted to help him escape?"

  Obi-Wan felt his breath catch. They had not talked of this in almost twenty years. The subject of the mission with Taly was too close to the reality of what had happened between them.

  He kept his voice light. "One of our many arguments."

  "What good did it do to have him testify?" Siri asked. "A bounty hunter alliance was smashed. Some bounty hunters went to prison worlds. I haven't kept track, but I bet some of them are free now. His parents were killed, and now look at him. Look at what that boy has turned into. This unstable, suspicious, bitter man who only cares about wealth and power. But inside, the boy is there, I feel it, and he's still in pain. Did you notice his office? The desk, the lamps? What did they remind you of?"

  Obi-Wan shook his head, baffled.

  "The two orange lights," Siri said softly. "The golden desk."

  Obi-Wan let out a breath. "Cirrus. The two suns, the golden sea."

  "He hasn't forgotten what he lost. Not for a minute," Siri said. "What if we'd let him go? What if he'd been allowed to grow up in a loving family?"

  "Jedi do not deal in ifs."

  Siri shook her head, exasperated. "Obi-Wan, for star's sake, you can irritate me like nobody else. Jedi don't become Generals in galactic-wide wars, either. Jedi don't watch their fellow Jedi be blown apart in great battles. Things have changed. Have you noticed?"

  "Yes," Obi-Wan said quietly. "I've noticed. But I still don't believe that looking back and questioning decisio
ns you made twenty years ago is helpful or fair."

  "Once, for me, there were no questions, only answers," Siri said. As her mood altered, her brilliant blue eyes shifted to navy. He had forgotten how that happened, how the color of her eyes could deepen with her feelings. "I've changed. Now I question everything. I've seen too much, I fear too much of what the galaxy is becoming, " She turned her direct gaze to him. "Don't you ever look back and question what you did about something? Wonder if there was something you could have done differently?"

  "That is a dangerous place for a Jedi to be," Obi-Wan said. "We do what we do, as Qui-Gon used to say."

  "Qui-Gon lived in a different time," Siri said. She leaned her head back against the wall. "When Ferus was still with me, we went on a mission to Quas Killam, out in the very edge of the Mid-Rim. We were to oversee peace talks between two government factions who were trying to form a coalition. One side was a cartel that controlled much of the planet's supply of trinium, a mineral used in the manufacturing of weapons systems. Very important, and it made many Killams very rich. We oversaw the talks, saw a coalition government formed. A very successful mission. But Ferus said to me, Something isn't right here. The cartel made too many concessions. It's as though they know something we don't. And I said, What can we do? Our mission is done. Jedi do not interfere in planetary politics. And we have many places to go. I'm sure you've said the same to Anakin." Siri stopped. She sighed. "At the start of the Clone Wars, the Trade Federation worked in alliance with the head of that cartel to take over the government f Quas Killam. Now they own all the factories, all the mines of trinium. The Killams who were not in the cartel — many of them were killed. Many of them were forced to work in the factories."

  "I've heard this of Quas Killam," Obi-Wan said. "Are you saying you could have prevented it?"

  "I don't know," Siri brooded. "But what if I had stayed? What if I had observed a little more closely, wondered a little more? We know the Separatists and Count Dooku plant seeds. They're willing to wait years for results. They were preparing for this, while we were going on peace missions. What if we had listened better and did more years ago, when it would have had an impact? "