The Ties That Bind Page 9

  The demonstration turned out to be only a few blocks ahead. The crowd

  all turned toward the small park where Workers were massing. Qui-Gon, Obi-

  Wan, and Tahl were left alone.

  "We could hide in the crowd," Qui-Gon said in a low tone.

  "But we would just have to leave it later," Obi-Wan said.

  "Maybe the probe droids will give up."

  "No," Tahl said. "The Absolutes never give up."

  "I say we go now," Qui-Gon said. "It's not far to the Civilized

  Sector and Roan. The kidnappers could be contacting him at anytime. He has

  agreed to a Jedi presence."

  "I agree," Tahl said, and Obi-Wan nodded.

  Quickly they turned away from the demonstration and headed toward the

  Civilized Sector. They had gone a short distance when Qui-Gon felt a

  presence.

  "I feel it," Tahl said.

  "Something is nearby," Obi-Wan agreed.

  The probe droid zoomed into view, flying lower to get a fix on the

  three. Qui-Gon leaped up without warning, slashing out with his activated

  lightsaber. The probe droid crashed to the ground, smoking.

  "There will be more now," Tahl muttered.

  They quickened their pace. Soon three probe droids approached.

  Blaster fire erupted around them. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan kept close to Tahl,

  moving forward while deflecting the fire.

  Qui-Gon was worried. If more probe droids arrived, he and Obi-Wan

  would not be able to deflect that much firepower. Already their pace had to

  slow to protect Tahl and ensure her safety.

  "I can get above them on that ledge," Obi-Wan said. "Can you cover

  Tahl while I do?"

  "Yes," Qui-Gon said. It was their only hope. He was glad his

  Padawan's sharp eyes had seen the building ahead.

  Obi-Wan shot out his liquid cable launcher and within seconds had

  gained the ledge high above. Even as the launcher propelled him through the

  air, he slashed at a probe droid that was zeroing in on Tahl. He cleaved it

  in two and it sputtered as it spiraled below to the ground.

  One of the two remaining droids zoomed up to focus on Obi-Wan while

  the other continued to fire at Tahl. Obi-Wan hung from his launcher and

  pushed off against the building with his feet. He swung out toward the

  droid and attacked, missing it by centimeters. He used his feet to kick off

  the building again, propelling himself higher and farther. Unused to this

  unorthodox action from a being it was tailing, the probe droid circled,

  beeping. Obi-Wan slashed at it, destroying some of its circuits. It began

  to act erratically, circling and diving. On his next swing, Obi-Wan cut it

  apart.

  Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan demolish the droid, but he was busy with the

  remaining one. "There are some durasteel garbage bins ahead," he told Tahl.

  "I'm going to push you behind them and go after the droid."

  In a few steps, he pushed Tahl down behind the bins, then leaped up

  on top of them. Obi-Wan saw his action and quickly ran closer on the ledge,

  still attached to his cable launcher. As Qui-Gon leaped high, Obi-Wan

  released the cable to fly down. They caught the probe droid between them

  and each struck a strong blow. Tumbling, on fire, the probe droid smashed

  into the pavement below.

  Obi-Wan leaped lightly to the ground as Qui-Gon landed and reached

  for Tahl. The three now began to run. They did not tire and did not stop

  until they passed into the Civilized Sector, where the population now

  thronged the streets. They would be safe among them.

  "I can honestly say I couldn't have done it without you," Tahl said,

  panting.

  They pushed on to the Institute of Government Service. They hurried

  inside toward Roan's office. They burst in, but it was empty. His assistant

  came running in after them.

  "You can't - oh, please excuse me. I didn't realize you were the

  Jedi."

  "Where is Roan?" Qui-Gon asked.

  "He has gone to a meeting."

  "What meeting?"

  The assistant hesitated.

  "We are in Roan's confidence, as you know," Qui-Gon said. "Has he

  gone to meet the kidnappers?"

  The assistant nodded.

  Qui-Gon strode to the window, exhaling his irritation against the

  glass. This was unfortunate.

  He did not trust the kidnappers. Roan could have been the real target

  all along.

  Tahl questioned the assistant sharply, but it was clear he did not

  know where Roan had gone or any details of the meeting.

  "What can we do?" Obi-Wan asked.

  Tahl and Qui-Gon spoke together. "Wait."

  They stayed for hours in Roan's office. At last Balog came to them.

  "I have arranged accommodations in the Governor's residence," he told

  them. "You will be more comfortable there, and after all, that is where

  Roan will go when he returns with the twins." He hesitated. "I wish he had

  confided in me, too. I will wait with you."

  Qui-Gon nodded. "Thank you."

  Balog escorted them the short distance to the residence. Dusk had

  fallen, and the crowds protesting in the square had dwindled.

  "Apparently the lure of the evening meal has caused some to lose

  their dedication," Balog observed.

  As they neared the residence, Qui-Gon noticed a large package on the

  walkway leading up to the house. It was outside the security field.

  "Balog, there is something - "

  "I see it." Balog spoke quickly into his corn-link, calling for

  security, even as he ran alongside Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

  There was a deep unease in Qui-Gon that only grew as he ran. As he

  drew closer, what he feared took shape before him.

  It was not a package. It was Roan, wrapped in dark fabric and tied

  with wire.

  Qui-Gon knelt by his side. Roan's sightless eyes stared up at the

  gathering night. The Supreme Governor was dead.

  CHAPTER 16

  Gently, Qui-Gon placed his hand over Roan's eyes, closing them. Balog

  and Obi-Wan came forward. Balog sank to his knees.

  "You can rest now, my friend," he murmured brokenly.

  Carefully, Balog, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan lifted the body. They carried

  Roan inside his home for the last time. Tears now streamed down Balog's

  cheeks, but his face was composed and he said nothing.

  "I must see to the arrangements," he said as they laid Roan in the

  reception room. "We must try to conceal this for as long as we can. We must

  find the twins first. I think it best that we not tell anyone just yet."

  "This will be hard to conceal," Qui-Gon said. "Whoever killed Roan

  will want it known."

  Qui-Gon was right. In a short time the darkness outside was lit with

  glow rods and candles. Obi-Wan had thought there were many in the streets

  that afternoon. Now it seemed that the entire population of New Apsolon was

  outside, pouring out their grief or their rage.

  Balog stared outside at the demonstrations. "I must get a message to

  Manex. He should not find out this way."

  The Jedi sat in an inner room. Obi-Wan was unsure of their next step.

  He knew they would not leave until the twins were found. Perhaps they would

  escort them off-planet since the situation was so volatile. He watched Qui-

 
; Gon and Tahl, who sat opposite each other but did not speak.

  A short time later they heard a disturbance in the hall. Obi-Wan

  followed Qui-Gon and Tahl out of the room.

  It was Manex. His voice was high with his distress. "I was hosting a

  dinner. They brought me the news." He looked slightly foolish in an opulent

  green velvet robe and a red tasseled cap that Obi-Wan thought inappropriate

  under the circumstances.

  Balog spoke to him in a low tone. "We believe the cause of death was

  a paralyzing agent that attacked his heart and lungs. We do not know if the

  attempt was to kill or stun, but it was too late to revive him."

  Manex nodded sadly and looked at the Jedi." I saw this end for my

  brother," he said. "I think he did as well. Yet he went forward."

  "He always went forward," Balog said.

  Manex put his hand on Balog's shoulder. "Thank you for all you have

  done. Now I will sit with my brother until morning."

  "I will send in refreshment for you," Balog said.

  "Send nothing." Manex walked softly to the door where Roan lay,

  opened it, and disappeared inside.

  The Jedi returned to the small room. "Do you think he was genuine?"

  Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon. "He hardly looked the part of a grieving brother."

  "Yes," Qui-Gon said. "But there is another perspective. You could say

  that he did not take the time to change but rushed here when he heard. His

  attire could be confirmation of his grief."

  "Is that what you think?" Obi-Wan asked.

  "I don't know. But I need to hold the two perspectives so my vision

  will be clear."

  Obi-Wan nodded. They sat again. The hours passed. The lights were

  powered down until they gave off a soft glow. Obi-Wan felt himself

  beginning to nod off, but he did not want to suggest sleep until Qui-Gon

  did. It was unusual for Qui-Gon not to take notice of his fatigue.

  Suddenly, Qui-Gon stood, his hand on his lightsaber hilt. "Someone is

  outside," he murmured.

  Obi-Wan stood, ready for action, his sleepiness gone instantly.

  "Wait here," Qui-Gon told Tahl. "Obi-Wan and I will investigate."

  But Tahl followed them into the hallway just as the front door

  opened. Security officers ran into the hall, alerted by a hidden alarm. But

  instead of intruders, Eritha and Alani spilled in. The twins looked pale,

  their clothing wrinkled and stained, but they were not hurt.

  "Where is Roan?" Alani cried. "Take us to him!"

  Eritha came forward to Tahl. "You're here. I am so glad to see you.

  What has happened? We heard on the streets that Roan is dead. It can't be

  true. Is it?"

  Balog took a few steps toward them. "I'm afraid it is true. He lies

  inside."

  Alani turned to Eritha. She put her arms around her sister. "We must

  go to him."

  "He did not kill our father," Eritha said. "He put himself in danger

  for us. Alani, we are the guilty ones!"

  "He would not be dead if he hadn't tried to rescue us," Alani said,

  her voice rising.

  "No." Tahl walked toward them. "You are guilty of nothing. Roan made

  his own choice."

  "Did you escape or did they let you go?" Balog asked them.

  "They let us go. We never saw their faces." Alani wiped tears from

  her face.

  "We believe it's best if you come with us to Coruscant in the

  morning," Tahl said gently.

  Alani looked at her sister. "Yes, I think it is best."

  "I do want to leave this place," Eritha whispered. "I never thought I

  would say that, but it is true."

  "We need to see Roan now," Alani said.

  Eritha and Alani, their arms around each other, passed into the room

  where Roan lay. The door closed behind them.

  Balog turned to the Jedi. "I was just coming to meet with you. All

  night we have worked to arrange a peace meeting. We do not know who was

  behind this, but we cannot wait to find out while unrest fills the streets.

  The Workers and the Civilized have agreed to meet. Also a representative

  from the Absolutes has agreed, as long as we give him safe conduct back to

  where he came from and do not arrest him. We have agreed to that condition

  because we must. I will also be at the meeting. As a Worker who is part of

  the current government, I am needed for balance. Irini will represent the

  Workers."

  "This is good news," Qui-Gon said. "Only when you begin to talk can

  you begin to resolve this situation. The government must be stabilized."

  "There is only one condition," Balog said. "A Jedi representative

  must be present. Each of the parties has asked for this - except for the

  Absolutes. However the representative has agreed reluctantly. The meeting

  is at dawn." Balog checked his chrono. "An hour away."

  "I will go with you," Qui-Gon said.

  "No," Tahl said. "I will go." She turned to Qui-Gon. "It has to be

  me, Qui-Gon. I infiltrated the Absolute organization. I know things the

  others do not. If the representative of the Absolutes tries to lie about

  the organization, I am the only one who will know."

  "That is true," Balog said. "The Workers and the Civilized trust the

  Absolutes even less than each other."

  "Take the twins to Coruscant in the morning," Tahl said. "I will join

  you there after this meeting."

  Obi-Wan kept his eyes on his Master. Qui-Gon had gone pale. It was

  clear he was not happy with this turn of events. He wanted to be the one to

  go to the meeting. But there was something more there, some powerful

  emotion Obi-Wan did not understand. There appeared to be some sort of

  titanic struggle going on inside Qui-Gon.

  Tahl picked up on it as well. She frowned and seemed about to speak.

  Then, to Obi-Wan's surprise, he saw something flicker in Qui-Gon's

  eyes. It was almost as though Qui-Gon was amused by something, something

  private. It was gone so quickly that Obi-Wan was sure he was mistaken.

  His Master shook his head as if to clear it. He appeared both shaken

  and determined at the same time.

  Qui-Gon turned to Balog. "Will you excuse us? I need to speak with

  Tahl alone."

  "Of course." Balog bowed and retreated.

  Obi-Wan started off with Qui-Gon and Tahl toward the private room.

  But Qui-Gon turned.

  "Please wait here, Padawan," he said kindly.

  Surprised, Obi-Wan could only nod. He watched as his Master followed

  Tahl into the room and closed the door firmly behind them.

  CHAPTER 17

  "Dear friend," Tahl said, "there have been too many arguments between

  us. Do not let another one arise."

  "I did not ask for privacy to argue with you," Qui-Gon said.

  He knew that outside that door, life went on. People were grieving.

  Others plotted the overthrow of a government. The planet of New Apsolon

  continued to revolve in its orbit. Its moons were slowly dropping in the

  sky.

  Yet it all meant nothing to him, not at this moment. At last he had

  come to see the truth. He had touched it and marveled at it and laughed at

  himself for not seeing it earlier. He had done all this in the space of a

  moment.

  Oddly enough, the key to his revelation had been simple - the ima
ge

  of the pastry he had handed to Obi-Wan just yesterday. He had remembered

  the taste of it, the sweetness filling his mouth. That had been the lesson