Was this it, was this the meaning of his vision? Would he find Tahl curled up between the columns? Would the probe droids have found her?
Her eyes were black and dull, but they sparked to life when she saw him..
He had seen Tahl"s eyes in the vision, and they were dark, the color of the lenses she had donned to conceal their distinctive color.
Qui-Gon remembered this detail like a blow. Did that mean the rest of the vision would come true?
"Qui-Gon, we"re here." Obi-Wan spoke quietly by his side, his breath roughened by the hard run. "We should be cautious now. The probe droids might be searching for us, too."
It was a good point. He should have thought of it. He slowed his pace to a walk so that they were not obvious among the pa.s.sersby. Then they gradually increased their speed, mingling with the crowd. Because of the unrest concerning the twins" disappearance, the streets were crowded.
Qui-Gon counted off the blocks, struggling not to run. Attuned to the air above, he did not see any probe droids. He did not know whether to be rea.s.sured or worried by this.
At last they reached the corner where the monument to the dead Workers stood. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan hurried toward the glowing columns.
They searched through the rows, at last finding Tahl near the back, at a place where she was hidden but still had room to escape the cube and run.
She turned her face up at the sound of their footsteps. Her eyes were dark, but not dulled with pain. She was fine. Her wry smile tore at his heart. "Thanks for coming."
Qui-Gon crouched down and signaled to Obi-Wan to do the same.
"There are many on the streets. It will be hard for the probe droids to track you. I think the safest place for us now would be with Roan. Even if he is behind the kidnapping, he must maintain the illusion that he is not. Since your cover is blown, it doesn"t matter who knows that you are Jedi."
"True," Tahl said. "Let"s go."
Obi-Wan scanned the sky. "Surveillance will be heaviest around here. Once we get into the Civilized Sector, the probe droids might give up."
"Stay between us, and stay close," Qui-Gon told her.
They made their way cautiously out from the glowing gla.s.s columns, then into the flow of pedestrians. Gradually it became clear that the pa.s.sersby had a destination.
"They are heading somewhere," Qui-Gon murmured.
"Probably a demonstration," Tahl guessed.
The demonstration turned out to be only a few blocks ahead. The crowd all turned toward the small park where Workers were ma.s.sing. 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 pa.s.sed 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 Inst.i.tute of Government Service. They hurried inside toward Roan"s office. They burst in, but it was empty. His a.s.sistant 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 a.s.sistant hesitated.
"We are in Roan"s confidence, as you know," Qui-Gon said. "Has he gone to meet the kidnappers?"
The a.s.sistant nodded.
Qui-Gon strode to the window, exhaling his irritation against the gla.s.s. This was unfortunate.
He did not trust the kidnappers. Roan could have been the real target all along.
Tahl questioned the a.s.sistant 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 ta.s.seled cap that Obi-Wan thought inappropriate under the circ.u.mstances.
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 pa.s.sed. 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.