Star Wars - Jedi Apprentice #2 - The Dark Rival Page 5

  Obi-Wan climbed reluctantly into the thermosuit. He grabbed the tech-helmet and strapped on the servo-tool belt. He had no choice. Not yet. He had to figure out how to escape. Guerra said that no one had ever done it. But a Jedi had never been here before. He hoped.

  Obi-Wan cleared his mind. He pushed away his fear and despair. He focused on the collar around his neck. Surely he could use the Force to override the device.

  He concentrated hard, bringing the Force around him to bear on the collar. He used every ounce of his training and discipline.

  But the collar still hummed with its electro-charge.

  He was too weak perhaps. He would have to bide his time.

  If he survived . . .

  As he returned to the deck, he saw a guard viciously stun a miner who had stumbled. How could he survive this?

  Play along for now, you will.

  The word came to him clearly. Yodas words. Just hearing the tones of the Jedi Master pushed the despair away and gave him courage.

  Obi-Wan lifted his head. He was a Jedi. He would play along. And he would survive.

  Chapter 14

  We have one last mission, was all Yoda would allow Qui-Gon to say to Xanatos. And then you will become a Jedi Knight . . .

  Si Treemba knew nothing. ClatHa told Qui-Gon that one minute Si Treemba had been asleep and the next, he woke up to find Offworld guards hustling Obi-Wan away. Obi-wan had been unconscious. Qui-Gons heart twisted at this news.

  Si Treemba had not seen anyone resembling Xanatos. Still, Qui-Gon knew he had to be involved. He had been away from Bandor. Surely that was no coincidence. Hed heard from SonTag that Xanatos had since returned.

  Yoda had told him not to confront Xanatos directly. But that was before he knew that Obi-Wan had been kidnapped. The rules of the game had changed.

  Of course, he should contact Yoda with an update and await instructions from the Council. But he wouldnt. He was tired of being played with. This wasnt just a game. Xanatos was taunting him, daring him to risk open confrontation, and now he had involved the boy.

  As an apprentice, Xanatos chief failing had been overconfidence. Qui-Gon hoped it still was.

  Qui-Gon knew that Xanatos was overseeing the operation of Offworlds largest azurite mine on the outskirts of Bandor. He waited until dusk.

  He watched Xanatos leave the small cramped administration building that served the mine and the adjoining smelting plant. The shifts had just changed, and the area was clear of miners. All the administrative workers had left. Just as Qui-Gon had hoped.

  Slag piles rose around the yard. Offworld never bothered to keep the mining area clean of debris. The sky was dark gray fading to black. Yet the lights had not been turned on in the yard, probably to save money. Anyone arriving late for a shift would have to feel their way to the mine.

  Qui-Gon waited until Xanatos had crossed the yard. Then he moved from the shadows of the slag pile into Xanatos path.

  Xanatos stopped. There was no surprise on his face. He wouldnt allow himself to show it, not even in a deserted yard at near dark when his oldest enemy appeared out of nowhere.

  Qui-Gon expected no less. If you have plans for Bandomeer, you should know I am here to stop you, he said.

  Xanatos flung one side of his cloak behind him. His hand rested casually on the hilt of a lightsaber. Xanatos had broken a solemn rule by leaving the Jedi and retaining it.

  Xanatos patted the lightsaber. Yes, I still have it. After all, I trained for all those years. Why should I give it up like a thief, when I deserve to carry it?

  Because you deserve it no longer, Qui-Gon answered. You shame it.

  A flush spread over Xanatos face. Qui-Gons comment had hit its mark. Then he relaxed, smiling. I see you are still a hard man, Qui-Gon. Once that bothered me. Now it amuses me.

  Xanatos began to circle around him. We were friends at the end, more than Master and apprentice.

  Yes, Qui-Gon said, tracking him, moving with him. We were.

  All the more reason for you to betray me. To you, friendship is nothing. You enjoyed my suffering.

  The betrayal was yours. As was the enjoyment of suffering. That is what you discovered on Telos. Yoda had already seen it. And that is why he knew you would fail.

  Yoda! Xanatos spat the word. That knee-high troll! He thinks he has power. He hasnt dreamed of a tenth of the power I know!

  You know? Qui-Gon asked mildly. How do you know such power, Xanatos? A mid-level manger of a corporation, sent to do the boards bidding?

  I do no ones bidding but my own.

  Is that why youre here? Is Bandomeer a your of your abilities?

  I dont take test, Xanatos snapped. I make the rules. Bandomeer is mine. All I have to do is reach out my hand and take it.

  He circled closer, his cloak swirling and brushing against Qui-Gon. Its a tiny planet. Galactically insignificant. Yet it pours forth wealth into my hands. If you would only lose the tiresome rules of the Jedi, it would do the same for you. But no, Qui-Gon is too good. He is not tempted. He is never tempted.

  Bandomeer is not yours to own. Qui-Gon pulled an arms length away from Xanatos. You were always overconfident. You have gone too far this time.

  No. Xanatos dark blue eyes glittered. He drew his lightsaber. Now I have gone too far.

  In a flash, Qui-Gons lightsaber hummed to life. When Xanatos leaped to deliver his first blow, Qui-Gon was already moving to deflect it. The sabers met and sizzled. Qui-Gon felt the power of Xanatos stroke move up his arm.

  Xanatos had not lost his fighting edge. He had only grown more powerful, moving with economy and grace. His lightsaber flashed, he thrust again, always with a surprising twist or direction.

  Qui-Gon moved defensively. He knew he would not be able to tire Xanatos, one method of Jedi strategy.

  Xanatos had more than physical skill. Qui-Gon could feel the power of his mind. Xanatos was till in touch with the Force. He had gathered the energy of darkness, not light.

  Qui-Gon leaped aside to avoid another blow. Xanatos laughed. It was time to change the rules of engagement. Enough defense.

  Qui-Gon sprang at Xanatos, his lightsaber humming and flashing. He delivered one blow after another, which Xanatos deflected. Smoke and sizzle filled the air. Xanatos laughed again.

  Qui-Gon used a slashing sequence of moves to position Xanatos against the wall of the building. But Xanatos leaped onto the slag heap and flipped over in midair, landing on Qui-Gons other side.

  You destroyed everything I loved, Xanatos accused, his lightsaber barely missing Qui-Gons shoulder, so close it singed the fabric of his tunic. You destroyed me that day, Qui-Gon. Yet I was reborn. Stronger, wiser. I have surpassed you.

  Their lightsabers tangled, buzzing furiously. Qui-Gon felt the charge in his arm, but didnt waver. Xanatos kicked out with a foot, but qui-Gon was expecting it, and moved aside. Xanatos lost his balance. He almost fell, but recovered in time.

  Your footwork has always been your weakness, Qui-Gon said dryly as he dealt a blow to Xanatos shoulder. Xanatos twisted away, but not before Qui-Gon saw him grimace with pain. If youve surpassed me, its only in your mind.

  Perhaps it was the taunt. Perhaps it was because Qui-Gon had finally caused him real pain. Xanatos whirled the other side of his cape behind his shoulder. A second lightsaber was suddenly in his hand.

  Startled, Qui-Gon lost his focus for an instant. There was only one person to whom that lightsaber could belong.

  And where is your new apprentice? Xanatos sneered.

  So Xanatos had been responsible for Obi-Wans disappearance. Now he knew for sure.

  Xanatos faked a charge to the left, went right, then danced back to the left again. Qui-Gon remembered the move from the Temple. He easily blocked the blow.

  He was fighting the past. His past. Perhaps he could defeat Xanatos, but the battle would not be won. Only the future mattered now. Obi-Wan was the future. The past would wait.

  Qui-Gon paused, knowing Xanatos was ready to escalat
e the fight. Ready to deliver a death blow, if he could.

  Suddenly, Xanatos whirled around, took three long steps toward the slag heap, and pushed himself off, flying through the air with both lightsabers slashing toward Qui-Gon, every muscle ready to drive the blow home.

  He met empty air. Qui-Gon twisted away, grabbing Obi-Wans lightsaber from Xanatos unprepared grip.

  Then, for the first time in his life, Qui-Gon ran from battle. He had to find Obi-Wan. The cold wind whistled past his ears as he crossed the mine yard at top speed.

  He heard Xanatos voice rise from the mist.

  Run, coward! But you cant escape me!

  It appears that I have! Qui-Gon shouted.

  Xanatos laugh was chilling. Only for now, Qui-Gon. Only for now.

  Chapter 13

  For two nights and two days, Obi-Wan struggled to use the Force to override his electro-collar. His wounds were healing slowly. His body was worn down by work in the mines.

  The miners were kept in half-starved condition, but id anyone faltered, the guards beat them savagely with an electro-jabber. All of the guards were Imbats, creatures known for their size and cruelty, not their intelligence. They were tall as trees, with leathery skin and massive legs ending in broad, grasping toes. Their heads were small for their bodies and dominated by large, drooping ears.

  Lift tubes took the miners below the sea floor. The small tunnels were hazardous. There were frequent leaks, and occasionally a tunnel would burst, drowning everyone inside. But what the miners dreaded most was a backflow of bad air into the tunnels. It was a slower death by suffocation.

  Ive been looking forward to today, Guerra remarked as they waited for their turn on the lift tube.

  Obi-Wans heart dropped. Whenever Guerra was especially pleased, he knew he was in for trouble. Guerra dealt with the terrors of mining by treating it as a huge joke played on them all.

  Why? he asked warily.

  You there! a guard shouted. Obi-Wan stiffened, but the guard crossed to a Meerian who had stopped to adjust his servo-tool belt.

  Stop holding up the line! he bellowed, lashing out with the jabber. The miner cried out and crumpled to the floor. The guard kicked him aside. No food for three days for that!

  Nobody tried to help the Meerian. They all knew that they would get the same treatment. Obi-Wan squeezed into the tube with Guerra.

  Today we go to the deepest sublevel, Guerra said. Traces of ionite.

  Whats wrong with ionite? Obi-wan asked.

  Even traces of the mineral carry an alternative charge, Guerra explained. Not positive, not negative, void. So! The instruments can go dead. If bad air backflow happens, no warning. Makes the work fun. Ha! Not so. His yellow eyes stared bleakly at Obi-Wan amid the white circles.

  Last week Biers warning timer went dead because of high ionite concentration, another miner said. He was in an aquasuit, out mapping the sea floor. Ran out of oxygen and didnt make it back to the tunnel.

  Obi-Wan watched the indicator lights tick down their descent. He felt like a void himself. He had absolutely disappeared. He was deep under the sea floor, in a place where Qui-Gon would never think to look.

  And even if Qui-Gon could trace him . . . would he actually save him? Xanatos mocking words sang in Obi-Wans mind. Would Qui-Gon betray Obi-Wan as Xanatos claimed he had betrayed his former apprentice? Would Qui-Gon leave him to die?

  Obi-Wan thought nothing could be worse than the grinding hard work during the day But at night, the guards loosened their controls. The miners needed some sort of outlet. Fighting was their amusement of choice. They had nothing to loose, and bets were placed according to a complex system of how badly someone would be maimed. The night before, a miner had lost an eye. Obi-Wan learned to stay out of the way.

  He left the miners quarters and found Guerra out on deck. It was bitterly cold, but Guerra didnt seem to feel it. He lay stretched out on the metal deck, watching the stars.

  Someday Ill get back up there, he told Obi-Wan.

  Obi-Wan sat on the deck next to him. Im sure youll make it, Guerra, he said.

  So! Im sure, too Guerra said. Then he murmured Not so, softly under his breath.

  Guerra, youve been all over the rig. Have you ever seen a box with a broken circle on it? Obi-Wan asked.

  So, sure, Guerra answered to Obi-Wans surprise. I just had inventory detail. They rotate the job so no one gets a chance to steal. There was a box like that in the explosives room. It wasnt listed on my sheet, but the guards told me to shut up about it. So I did. Im not stupid!

  Do you think you could get me into the explosives room?

  Guerra bounced up. I hope thats a joke, Obawan. You get thrown off the platform for stealing!

  Im not going to steal anything, Obi-Wan promised. I just want to look.

  Guerra smiled. Great idea, Obawan! Lets go! He lay down again. No so, I lie. I stick out my neck for nobody, remember?

  What if I knew a way to dismantle your electro-collar? We could steal a boat and make it back to the mainland.

  Guerra gave him a sidelong look. If this is true, why does your collar hum, my friend?

  I can do it, Obi-Wan said. Im waiting for the right moment. He knew that as soon as he recovered completely from his injuries, he would be able to harness the Force. He had to. Trust me.

  I trust no one, Guerra said softly. Ever. Thats why after three years I am still alive.

  Well, what do you have to loose? Obi-wan asked urgently. Just bring me to the guard, then show me where you saw the box. Ill take all the blame if I get caught.

  Guerra shook his head. The guard will never give up the keys. Its against regulations.

  Just leave that up to me, Obi-Wan said.

  I need to do some extra checking, Guerra told the guard. I need the keys.

  The guard rose his electro-jabber. Get lost or youre over the side!

  Obi-Wan summoned the Force. He knew he didnt have the power to alter physical objects. But he was counting on the fact that the small, limited mind of an Imbat would bend to his will.

  That might not be a bad idea, Obi-Wan said. We should check the supplies again.

  Might not be a bad idea, the guard said, tossing Guerra the electronic keys. check the supplies again.

  Guerra stared at Obi-Wan. What did you do, Obawan?

  Never mind, Obi-Wan said. Hurry.

  Guerra led him to the explosives room. He opened the door and Obi-Wan hurried inside.

  Wheres the box? he asked. Guerra? Just show me and then you can go.

  Guerra paused in the doorway. His yellow eyes went wide. I hear footsteps, he whispered. theyre running. Its the guards! Must be a silent alarm on the door.

  Come in and close the door! Obi-Wan hissed.

  But instead, Guerra began to shout. Hes in here! I found him! He turned to Obi-Wan sadly. Even though Im in danger, I would never betray a friend. So -

  Not so, Obi-Wan finished for him as the guards rushed in.

  Guerra pointed, and the guard brought his electro-jabber down on Obi-Wan. Pain sent him crashing to his knees. He felt himself being carried to the lockup and thrown in.

  Penalty for stealing is being thrown overboard, he heard a guard say.

  My shift is over, the other one replied with a yawn. Tomorrow morning is soon enough.

  Chapter 14

  The trip to Telos should have been uneventful. Yoda had found someone willing to transport them, a pilot ferrying a shipment of droids to the Telos system. From the first, tension sparked between the pilot and Xanatos. Stieg Wa was young, brash, and confident. Hed been on his own since he was a child and had prospered in treacherous adventures. /he good-naturedly needled Xanatos about being sheltered in the Jedi Temple and knowing nothing of real life.

  Perhaps Yoda had foreseen the clash of personalities. Perhaps this was another test. Qui-Gon warned Xanatos to keep his temper, to not let the pilots genial barbs affect him. Smiling, Xanatos assured Qui-Gon that he would.

  The danger of the journ
ey was crossing the Landor star system, known to be overrun with pirates. Stieg Wa was confident that they could slip through; hed done it countless times. But when three pirate ships ringed the transport and warned Stieg Wa to surrender, he discovered that a crucial indicator light was faulty. The transports cloaking system had malfunctioned.