Jedi Quest 0: Path to Truth (star wars) Page 7

  So far the Colicoid search had turned up nothing.

  But did Krayn make mistakes? Obi-Wan kept circling back to that question. From everything he'd read and seen in Krayn's data file, the pirate had managed to survive and thrive when his fellow criminals died in strategic miscalculations, private battles, and ill-judged alliances. Krayn was a despicable life-form, but he had intelligence and cunning.

  Obi-Wan stopped pacing. He was allowing his worry over Anakin and disgust at himself to agitate him. When the body was agitated, the mind was as well He went still. He breathed. He found the place inside himself that knew second-guessing was a waste of time. He had done his best, made the calculations that he could. Any more recriminations would only slow him down.

  As he reached into himself, Qui-Gon's words floated to the surface.

  His Master had often said them when they had reached what appeared to be a dead end in a mission.

  Let's look at the who. That will lead us to the why.

  He found his gaze resting on Captain Anf Dec. The captain's determined unfriendliness did not bother him. But other things did. As Obi-Wan tapped his instincts, he also uncovered a memory. He recalled his unease with Captain Dec's behavior from the first meeting with him aboard ship. The captain did not seem a bit worried about the possibility of Krayn attacking. That was strange, considering the Colicoids had accepted Jedi help.

  Obi-Wan returned to the moment Krayn had first attacked the ship.

  There had been something in Anf Dec's manner that had bothered him then, too.

  Obi-Wan focused on the memory, calling up details. He and Anakin had rushed to the bridge. The captain had given a flurry of orders. He had given every indication of being close to panic. Colicoids were unemotional beings. They were trained and held to a standard of reserve. Captain Anf Dec's obvious fear was an unusual display.

  It wasn't his fear that troubled Obi-Wan, however. It was his outrage.

  That was what had flustered the captain — he had been caught by surprise.

  He seemed to take the attack personally.

  But why? The Colicoids had enlisted the Jedi because they knew Krayn's attack was a possibility.

  Or had they? Obi-Wan recalled that Chancellor Palpatine had been at the meeting. That was unusual. What it could indicate was that the Colicoids had been pressured to accept the Jedi. The Colicoids hadn't wanted them along not because they were wary of strangers, but because…

  Because… Why?

  He didn't have the answer. But when he found it, Obi-Wan knew that it would lead him to his Padawan.

  The Colicoid ship limped into one of the busy orbiting spaceports of Coruscant. Obi-Wan had already briefed Yoda and the Council by holographic transmission. He did not need to check in with the Temple. He took an air taxi to the Senate neighborhood below.

  There, he hurried down the walkway opposite the grand Senate complex.

  He turned a corner and smiled when he saw a cheerful cafc painted blue with yellow shutters. The sign read DIDI AND ASTRI'S CAFE..

  Didi and his daughter Astri had been good friends of Qui-Gon. Years ago Qui-Gon had volunteered to help Didi out of a "small difficulty" that had turned into a major mission involving the health and safety of an entire planet. Didi had survived a severe blaster wound and had gone on to become a successful cafc owner with his daughter. He no longer trafficked in stolen information, but he was still friends with the Jedi, and he kept his ears open.

  Obi-Wan pushed open the door, remembering his first sight of the cafc thirteen years before. It had been cluttered, crowded, and dirty. Didi had reigned over the chaotic cafc with good cheer and a paternal way with his customers, but he'd never managed to keep the tables very clean or the food very nourishing. It was Astri who had transformed the cafc into a thriving restaurant with good food. Their clientele had slowly changed. Smugglers and criminals still ate here, but now they were joined by Senators and diplomats.

  Obi-Wan stood for a moment, gazing over the heads of the customers to see if he could spot Didi or Astri. It had been nearly a year since he'd had the chance to visit them. They had both taken the news of Qui-Gon's death hard.

  A tall woman a little older than Obi-Wan stood by a table, chatting with two customers who wore the robes of Senatorial aides. The woman's springy dark hair spilled out from underneath a white cap, and her white apron was stained with various colors. As she motioned to the aides, she nearly knocked over the teapot. Despite his anxiety, Obi-Wan grinned. Astri hadn't changed.

  She looked up and her gaze met his. Astri's pretty face bloomed into a wide smile.

  "Obi-Wan!" She rushed toward him, knocking over a chair in her haste to greet him. She threw herself into his arms. Obi-Wan hugged her, feeling her curls brush his cheeks. He had once felt awkward at such displays of emotion. Not anymore. Qui-Gon had taught him by example. Obi-Wan remembered how surprised he'd been as a Padawan to see Qui-Gon enthusiastically hug Didi.

  She drew back. "Are you hungry? I have delicious stew today."

  He shook his head. "I need help."

  Her dancing eyes turned grave. "Let's find Didi."

  A small, rotund man was already heading for them, his soft brown eyes widened in pleasure. He, too, enveloped Obi-Wan in a huge hug, though he barely reached Obi-Wan's shoulders. "How my eyes delight me!" he burbled.

  "The brave and wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, my good friend to whom I owe my life and my daughter!"

  "Obi-Wan needs our help, Didi," Astri interrupted, for Didi would have gone on with flattery and sentiment.

  Didi nodded. "Then come to the private office."

  Obi-Wan followed Didi and Astri to a small, messy office behind the long counter. Although the cafc had improved significantly since Astri had taken over, the office was still a jumble of fading datasheets, mismatched plates, stacks of fresh tablecloths, and half-filled teacups.

  "What can we do for you, my friend?" Didi asked. "Inadequate as I am, I am in your service."

  "I'm searching for information only," Obi-Wan said. "Perhaps if you do not have answers, you could direct me to the party who does. I am investigating possible ties between a slave trader named Krayn and the Colicoids."

  Didi frowned, and Astri wrinkled her nose.

  "I don't like the Colicoid senators," she said. "Nothing is ever good enough for them."

  "I have heard of Krayn," Didi said. "The galaxy would be well rid of such a fiend. I know of no connection, but.."

  Obi-Wan waited. He knew that Didi was running over his vast list of contacts in his mind.

  "Try Gogol at the Dor," Didi said at last. "I won't let him in this place since I found out what he traffics in. He did some work for Krayn, I heard."

  "The Dor? I don't know it," Obi-Wan said.

  "Of course you do," Astri said. "The Splendor. The readout letters kept getting shot off by stray blaster fire, so they finally gave up replacing them. Now everyone calls it the Dor." Astri shuddered. "Not that I'd set foot in the place."

  Didi looked anxious. "You must be careful of your person, Obi-Wan.

  Gogol has mean bones."

  He gave Obi-Wan a quick description, and Obi-Wan was treated to two more fierce hugs from Didi and Astri. Promising to return for a meal, he hurried from the cafc.

  He had been to the Splendor with Qui-Gon several times. He had come to know sections of the hidden city below the gleaming surface levels of Coruscant, where sunlight did not reach. Here, the walkways were narrow and littered, the twisting alleyways dangerous, and all of it barely lit by glow lamps that were constantly shot out and not replaced. Here was where one found the dregs of the galaxy, the worst criminals and lowlifes, where one could bargain cheaply for a death mark on an enemy's head.

  The sleazy Splendor hadn't changed. The metal roof sagged, and the windows were ominously shuttered. The door was pockmarked with blaster fire. The letters ID 0 R sputtered faintly in the dim light. Years ago as a Padawan, Obi-Wan had entered it nervous and unsure. Now he strode in as if h
e owned it.

  It was not the same Imbat bartender at the bar, but it might well have been. He projected the same indifference to his customers, the same penchant for swatting his customers off their stools with a massive palm for trying too vigorously to signal for a refill.

  Obi-Wan stood at the corner of the bar and waited.

  He knew better than to signal for the Imbat's attention. Eventually the lmbat wandered over and bent his tall frame closer to hear Obi-Wan over the noise of the music and the whirl of the jubilee wheel.

  "Gogol," Obi-Wan told him.

  The lmbat signaled a table with his eyes. Obi-Wan slid a few credits across the bar.

  Gogol was just as Didi had described him, a humanoid with a half- shaved head and long hair that straggled down his back. He played a dice game by himself, and bets were piled at both ends of his small table.

  Obi-Wan sat across from him and said nothing. Gogol did not look up from his game. "What do you want, chum?"

  Obi-Wan slid a pack of credits across the table. "Information on Krayn."

  Gogol eyed the packet without touching it. "Then I'll need to see more than that."

  Obi-Wan slid another packet of credits into the middle of the table.

  Gogol counted the two packets.

  "I want to know what he's up to these days," Obi-Wan said.

  "That's a tall order, chum." Gogol looked up. His beady eyes blinked rapidly. "Nobody knows the whole answer to that question."

  "Give me part of it, then. Does he have any dealings with the Colicoids?"

  "The table looks awfully empty," Gogol said. Obi-Wan peeled off a few more credits.

  Gogol licked his fingers in satisfaction as he counted the credits.

  Obi-Wan profoundly hoped that he was trustworthy, at least as far as information. Most types such as Gogol knew better than to lie. That would only get them in more trouble than they no doubt were in already.

  "Word is that the Colicoids are taking over the spice trade," Gogol said. "They have secretly taken over the Kessel mines. Now they need a big processing planet. The last piece is the moon of Nar Shaddaa. The only way they can get it is to deal with Krayn. He controls the factories on Nar Shaddaa. He can't get enough spice from the caverns there, so he imports it from Kessel. It's a marriage made in paradise," Gogol cackled.

  Obi-Wan knew Nar Shaddaa. Often called "smuggler's moon," it was a haven for criminals of all sorts. It was also an important link in the illegal spice trade. He had not known that Krayn was involved, however.

  "Aga Culpa is the ruler of Nar Shaddaa. Doesn't he control the factories?" he asked.

  "He might rule it, but he doesn't control it. Everyone on Nar Shaddaa answers to Krayn. So Krayn promises not to attack the Colicoid ships, and they promise to buy his slaves for the spice mines and use his factories. A good deal, eh, chum?"

  A very good deal, Obi-Wan thought heavily, if one overlooked the fact that it involved cruelty, greed, and the selling of living beings for profit.

  He stood and quickly exited the Dor. He paused outside for a moment.

  It had started to rain, and he welcomed the coolness on his cheeks.

  The mention of the spice trade had immediately sparked a memory. He knew that Adi Gallia and Siri's last mission together had involved the smuggling activities on the Kessel Run. Spice was a legally controlled substance, but it also held enormous profits on the black market. The Jedi had been asked to try to break the back of the illegal trade once and for all. Adi Gallia and Siri had not been successful. Something had happened on the mission that had caused a deep rift between them.

  Could this be connected to the Colicoids… and Krayn?

  Obi-Wan began to walk in search of an air taxi. When he was unsure of which direction to go in next, his thoughts always returned to his Master.

  He remembered Qui-Gon's counsel, counsel Obi-Wan had passed on to Anakin about trusting his instincts and not allowing anger to cloud judgment. He should have listened to his heart.

  Now his heart told him a simple truth. Siri would never betray the Jedi.

  Chapter 12

  Once again, Obi-Wan stood before the Jedi Council. It was just about the last place he wanted to be. He had lost his Padawan, who had been captured by a slave trader. The Colicoids were furious at the Jedi and had already raised objections in the Senate. He did not imagine that the Jedi Council was pleased with the outcome of his mission.

  He wasted no time in trying to explain what had gone wrong. Jedi always focused on solutions.

  "I have discovered that it is likely that the Colicoids are secretly in league with Krayn," Obi-Wan said immediately after greeting the Council members respectfully. "They wish to take over the spice trade, and Krayn wishes to be the sole supplier of slaves for the spice mines, both in the Kessel system and at Nar Shaddaa."

  Some on the Council exchanged glances. If this were true, the illegal spice trade would thrive and grow.

  "Bad news this is for the galaxy," Yoda remarked.

  "We have reason to investigate what is happening on Nar Shaddaa, both to expose the Colicoids and bring down Krayn," Obi-Wan said. "And most important, I believe Anakin is on Nar Shaddaa. My guess is that the Colicoids were heading there after dropping us off at the original location."

  "What is it you want of us, Obi-Wan?" Mace Windu asked, his dark eyes fixed on Obi-Wan's face.

  "A very fast ship and permission to infiltrate Krayn's operation,"

  Obi-Wan answered. "That is first of all. But second, and most important, I wish to be let in on a secret." He turned to Adi Gallia. "I believe that Siri has not turned to the dark side. I believe she is working undercover.

  If I infiltrate Krayn's operation, I need to know her mission."

  Adi Gallia's regal face was impassive. Then she flicked a quick glance at Yoda and Mace Windu.

  Slowly, Yoda nodded. "Correct you are, Obi-Wan."

  "Siri is gathering information only," Adi Gallia said. "We discovered that the layers of power and control between Krayn and various governments are deep. We needed a full picture. Siri infiltrated the pirates and worked her way up to a position of trust.

  Krayn has no idea she is a Jedi. It is well known that he considers all Jedi his enemies and all his crew are ordered to execute any captured Jedi on the spot. It has taken Siri almost two years to gain this level of power in the Krayn organization. We cannot jeopardize her safety."

  "But Anakin is with her — "

  "Then she will protect him," Adi Gallia said firmly. "I am not sure if sending another Jedi is wise. It could compromise her identity."

  "Perhaps," Mace Windu said. "But perhaps we have waited long enough.

  If the Colicoids are involved, that intensifies the pressure to bring about the collapse of the spice trade."

  "I am worried about Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "There is only one way Siri can protect him. She must make him a slave. I do not know how he will react to that."

  "Assume we do that he will act like a Jedi," Yoda said sharply, his gray-blue eyes blinking at Obi-Wan. "Patience he will find."

  Obi-Wan could not argue without it reflecting badly on Anakin. But he knew that patience was not his Padawan's strong suit.

  "Siri has sent us a coded message, Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said. "If you had not come to us, we would have sent for you. Anakin is safe. He is indeed a slave in a spice factory on Nar Shaddaa. She is keeping an eye on him."

  "I must go there," Obi-Wan said.

  "Patience you must have as well, Obi-Wan," Yoda said. "Confer with Adi Gallia we must."

  "Please wait outside, Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said firmly.

  Reluctantly, Obi-Wan left the room. He was too restless to sit in the waiting area outside the Council Room so he stood facing the door.

  He had spoken bitterly to Siri aboard Krayn's ship. He regretted it now. He should have paid attention to what he had come to know about her over the years. He should have remembered how impressed he'd always been with her integrity and courage, her
fierce commitment to the Jedi path.

  Instead he had spoken words of anger and betrayal.

  And now Siri was the only thing standing between Anakin and survival.

  He did not have long to wait. In just a few minutes, Adi Gallia slipped out of the Council Room.

  "We have decided to grant your request. You can join Siri on Nar Shaddaa," Adi Gallia told him. He saw a rare crack in her regal bearing as she hesitantly put out a hand toward him, then withdrew it. "I know you will be careful, Obi-Wan, so I should not say it. But I must. Siri is in great danger. She has risked much. Please…"