Jedi Apprentice 18: The Threat Within (звёздные войны)

by Джуд Уотсон

  Everywhere laborers stood up from their stations and looked around, bewildered. Qui-Gon noticed that when their eyes rested on the Jedi in their flowing brown robes, their already vibrating antennae would wave even more wildly. In this environment even the subdued Jedi dress made them stick out like pulsating beacons.

  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan followed Chairman Port to the turbolift. As they made their way through the maze, Qui-Gon noted a few of the laborers rocking back and forth. Others appeared to be physically ill, grasping their stomachs and leaning on their desks.

  As the turbolift doors closed, Qui-Gon heaved a deep sigh. Obviously the Vorzyd 4's were un? able to handle anything outside of their normal work routine. Only the chairman seemed to maintain relative calm, though he didn't look particularly well, either.

  This was going to be a very interesting mission.

  Chapter 3

  Obi-Wan sat in front of the mainframe computer. He had been there for almost an hour. The Vorzydiak technician assigned to the station paced behind him, stopping regularly to peer over Obi-Wan's shoulder.

  Occasionally the tech's antennae grazed the back of Obi-Wan's head and neck and he could be heard mumbling something about Vorzyd 5.

  Obi-Wan's Master had gone with Chairman Port to try to calm the laborers. The threat to the Vorzydiaks' physical and mental health was equal to their technical difficulties. If the chairman could not get the laborers to calm down, he would have a health crisis on his hands. Judging from the stress level Obi-Wan still felt in the building, he did not think Qui-Gon was having much luck.

  Obi-Wan wasn't having much luck, either. The problem with the computer system was not a simple one. Obi-Wan knew he couldn't clear it up quickly, but was hoping to learn something about who had started it while he tried.

  Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the anomaly was gone. All of the computers in the building were back on-line, running as if the bug had never been there. And there was no trace of what had happened on any of the machines.

  Obi-Wan motioned to the nervous tech, who nodded and spoke into a comlink on the wall. "Back on-line. Laborers to resume work immediately."

  A few of the techs nearby looked at Obi-Wan gratefully as they settled back into their workstations. They thought he had fixed the problem.

  The rest of the Vorzydiaks busied themselves, relieved to have things functioning normally once more. Even the very sick Vorzydiaks struggled to their data stations.

  Obi-Wan stayed where he was. He wanted to continue to search the systems, to see if he could determine what had caused the mysterious problem and maybe come to understand the Vorzydiaks. But the tech standing beside him clearly wanted Obi-Wan to move out of his spot.

  "To work, then?" the tech asked, agitated.

  Obi-Wan stood with a sigh. His curiosity was not reason enough to cause the Vorzydiak discomfort.

  On his way back to the twenty-fourth floor, Obi-Wan considered what he knew. Unfortunately, it wasn't much. The saboteur had been someone who knew the computer system as well as or better than the techs who ran it.

  But there was definitely no evidence that the Vorzyd 5's had planted the bug. Obi-Wan suspected that the culprit was an insider — or at least a spy.

  Before Obi-Wan could share his suspicions with Qui-Gon and the chairman, a long, dull tone sounded in the building. The Vorzydiak laborers groaned in unison, echoing the tone. It was a strange, disappointed sound that penetrated Obi-Wan's skin. Obi-Wan wasn't sure if the laborers were frustrated that their workday had been cut short due to the interruption, or if the sad sound was one they made every day when it was time to leave.

  Like the other laborers, Chairman Port seemed to struggle to tear himself away. At last he stood and motioned for the Jedi to follow him.

  Vorzydiaks poured en masse from buildings like slow-moving liquid.

  Though they stood very close to one another, they gave Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan a wide berth, even aboard the packed shuttles they all rode to the Vorzydiak home-space. Obi-Wan was sorry to see that his presence made the Vorzydiaks uncomfortable, but was grateful for the space just the same. It allowed him to look out the transparisteel sides of the shuttle.

  As they left the city workspace, Obi-Wan waited for the landscape to change. He'd assumed that the identical buildings would fall away and reveal the natural planet landscape, or at least some parks and open spaces. But he was wrong.

  On the outskirts of the city the workspace turned to homespace. But if Chairman Port had not announced that they were in Vorzydiak homespace, Obi-Wan would not have known. The homespace buildings were slightly smaller and stationed around hubs where automated shuttles and airbusses picked up and dropped off passengers. Otherwise it looked exactly like the workspace.

  There were no yards. No pads for private vehicles. No Vorzydiaks relaxing outside.

  In light of this, the Jedi were not surprised to see that the chairman's home, like his workstation and dress, did not differ from the rest of the population's. He lived on a single floor of one of the high- rises.

  "My wife, Bryn," the chairman said, introducing them to a slight Vorzydiak wearing a blandly colored jumpsuit. "The Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi," Port gestured.

  Bryn's antennae fidgeted as she looked the Jedi over.

  "We appreciate your hospitality." Qui-Gon offered a hand. "Chairman Port has kindly invited us to share a meal in your home."

  Bryn nodded again but did not take Qui-Gon's hand. Instead she turned toward the galley. After pressing a few buttons, she placed two more settings at the table that was already set for two.

  "Grath will not be eating," she said. Chairman Port nodded.

  "Will he be home later?" Obi-Wan asked. He was anxious to meet the Ports' fifteen-year-old son. Vorzyd 4 seemed so… boring. He couldn't imagine what life must be like for the teenagers on the planet, and was hoping that they would be easier to talk to than the Vorzydiaks he'd already met.

  "After mealtime. He is working," Bryn replied flatly.

  While they waited for the meal to be served, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon looked around the small residence. It was furnished and reasonably comfortable, but revealed nothing about the inhabitants. It reminded Obi- Wan of the sterile spaces travelers could rent on Coruscant. With so many different species coming through, the quarters were designed to be nothing more than clean and inoffensive.

  "Is Grath away from home often in the evenings?" Qui-Gon asked when they sat down to dine. "It must be disappointing when you cannot share your last meal of the day together."

  Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon was also looking for a sign of emotional connection in the family.

  "It is an honor to work," the chairman said tersely.

  His wife nodded. "May he be as productive tomorrow as he is today,"

  she said.

  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged a look as the table fell silent.

  Obi-Wan chewed a particularly tough and flavorless bite of whatever food was in his bowl. "What do you do in the evenings, to entertain yourselves?" he asked, still hoping to spark some conversation. Though he was getting the feeling that the endeavor was useless, he felt he had to try.

  Bryn looked up from her food, a confused expression on her face. "We read instructuals to better our work," she replied, as if it were obvious.

  Suddenly, Obi-Wan wondered if Grath chose to work late to avoid the evening meal. He found it hard to imagine that the young people on Vorzyd 4 were as work-driven as their parents. In some ways, he thought, it was similar to life at the Temple. There, children and adults were completely dedicated to learning the ways of the Force. The path of the Jedi was fascinating, of course. Far more fascinating than anything Obi-Wan had seen here. But Obi-Wan had to admit that sometimes, at the Temple, he just wanted some time off — to take a break.

  Looking up from his bowl, Obi-Wan noticed Qui-Gon staring at him. He felt his face redden. More than once Qui-Gon had seemed able to read his mind, and he hoped this was not one of those times.


  Obi-Wan had felt frustrated lately, yes. But he did not wish to leave the Jedi path. He had done that once — and it had turned out to be the biggest mistake of his life. Still, there were times — especially when he felt he was not progressing — that he wondered where all of this hard work was leading him.

  Chapter 4

  Chairman Port led the Jedi into a building a short distance from his house. "This is our retirement complex. My mother lived here after she retired. Now she is dead. The room is empty," he said. His voice registered no feeling.

  "I'm sorry to hear of your mother's passing," Qui-Gon said gently.

  "Was it recent?"

  "One month ago," Port replied.

  Qui-Gon noticed that Chairman Port's antennae quivered slightly. "It is difficult to lose a parent."

  "Laborers do not last without work," Port replied steadily. But he stopped outside the retirement complex, as if he were reluctant to go in.

  "Second floor. Third door on the right," he said.

  Pressing a key pass with access codes into Qui-Gon's hand, he turned to go. "Tomorrow we will contact Vorzyd 5. Work must go on."

  As the door slid shut behind them, Qui-Gon heard a tapping in the corridor. Door lined halls stretched in all directions, and to the left a figure struggled toward them using a support. He waved to attract their attention. It was an elderly Vorzydiak.

  "To work," he called in a raspy voice. "Is the shuttle here? To work.

  " Obi-Wan started toward the nearly crippled being, but Qui-Gon put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. The Vorzydiak turned and walked in the other direction, still rambling. He had not been talking to them. He was raving to no one in particular, and Qui-Gon knew there was nothing they could do to help.

  Port's mother's room was as gloomy as the rest of the complex. But it held two sleep couches, and was certainly adequate for the Jedi. Obi-Wan paced the small space between the couches. Qui-Gon knew he had been waiting for a chance to speak. A year ago he would have shared his thoughts by now.

  But his Padawan was growing older, wiser. He was becoming a Jedi.

  "Master, I do not think that Vorzyd 5 is responsible for today's…

  mishap," Obi-Wan said. "I do not know who is responsible, but we must not contact Vorzyd 5 until we have a clearer sense of what is going on."

  "Of course." Qui-Gon nodded.

  "I feel… I feel that all is not right on Vorzyd 4," Obi-Wan continued. "There's something more here, there's some sort of… well, secret."

  Qui-Gon nodded again. He had sensed it, too, but had not realized it until Obi-Wan said it aloud. There was a secret on Vorzyd 4. They would have to proceed very carefully.

  Qui-Gon lay down and breathed deeply. Beside him, Obi-Wan did the same. It had been a strange day and Qui-Gon looked forward to meditation.

  But even after several minutes of trying to relax, the deep calm that usually filled him did not come.

  Instead his mind was filled with images of Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan as a boy in a practice duel with Jedi student Bruck Chun, letting his anger rather than his instincts direct him. Then an image of Obi-Wan when he had gone to help him on Melida/Daan, wounded, humble, and brave enough to face his mistakes — even if doing so meant never becoming a Jedi. The boy had grown so much in the last four years. More than getting stronger and taller, he was learning to trust himself, his instincts, and the Force.

  Another image of Obi-Wan flashed in Qui-Gon's mind. An older Obi-Wan, ready to begin the intensive path toward the trials. Soon he would be more man than boy. He would take the leap toward becoming a Jedi Knight.

  Pride and sadness flooded Qui-Gon as he pictured Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He looked forward to the day that the two of them would work side by side as Jedi Knights, but with this thought no image came. Qui-Gon's chest tightened. He was so proud of Obi-Wan's path, of his achievements.

  Why couldn't he see him as a Knight? Perhaps I do not want to see the boy grow up, he thought.

  The whir and click of the door forced the thought from Qui-Gon's mind. His eyes flew open. Immediately he saw that the room was empty. Obi- Wan was gone.

  Chapter 5

  Obi-Wan moved silently down the hall toward the exit. Unlike his Master, he had been too restless to meditate. Though he sometimes wished he had Qui-Gon's ability to calm his mind, he had learned when it was impossible and to simply accept it. There were times when it was best to put his energy to more active use.

  The corridor in the retirement complex was dim and quiet, and Obi-Wan was almost through the door when a sound broke the silence. Startled, he turned on his heels. Was that laughter?

  Obi-Wan quickly made his way back toward the noise. Rounding a corner, he spotted two Vorzydiaks — one young and one elderly — together in one of the retirement rooms. The elder sat on her sleep couch, while the other leaned casually against a wall.

  "Grandfather was so silly," the younger Vorzydiak said.

  The elder nodded. "That is what I loved about him." She smiled, and her small, thin body seemed to surge with energy as she straightened up on the sleep couch. "He was like a breath of fresh air. Of course, we are not allowed to show such silliness. Especially not now."

  The young Vorzydiak nodded solemnly. "Things are going to change, Grandmother," she said. The girl glanced at a timepiece on her belt and pushed off the wall, moving toward her grandmother. "I have to go now, but I will be back soon."

  The elder softly stroked her granddaughter's face with her antennae.

  Her eyes were full of sadness. "Promise me," she said softly. "I do not have much time."

  The girl frowned and shook her head. "Do not say that, Grandmother.

  You might live for a long time." She wrapped her feelers around the elder's and they stood quietly together for several long moments.

  In spite of the girl's words, Obi-Wan sensed that she knew her grandmother spoke the truth. The elder Vorzydiak was quite frail-looking, and it appeared as though her life systems were beginning to fade.

  "To wor — " The elder stopped herself from giving the traditional Vorzyd greeting. "Goodbye, then," she said with a sad smile.

  "See you soon, Grandmother," the girl replied in a near-whisper. But she waited a few more seconds before unwrapping her feelers from her grandmother's. Then she turned and quickly left the room.

  Obi-Wan ducked behind a corner, not sure if the girl had seen him. He felt a little bit guilty, for the visit was clearly meant to be private.

  But he was glad to know that there were relationships on Vorzyd 4 that were emotional. It gave him a sense of hope.

  The girl hurried down the corridor and out the door. Obi-Wan followed. Outside, the night was dark and still. There was no sound except the echo of the girl's footsteps. Most of the planet was clearly asleep.

  As the girl slipped into a nearby building, another figure appeared just outside the Ports' dwelling. It was a boy. The Ports' son, Grath, Obi- Wan guessed. He felt a small surge of excitement. He had already gathered valuable information tonight and might be able to gather even more before the suns rose.

  Looking around furtively, Grath made his way across the street to the shuttle platform. This surprised Obi-Wan. If almost everyone was in bed, why would the shuttles be running? It would not be an efficient use of transportation.

  While Obi-Wan hid in the shadows, Grath waited on the platform. It wasn't long before a small maintenance shuttle pulled up and came to a halt. A second later the doors opened, and Grath stepped inside.

  Obi-Wan knew he wouldn't be able to ride in the shuttle without being seen. That left only one option…

  Quickly scanning the outside of the vehicle, he spotted a durasteel overhang running along the top. It was a few meters above his head and very narrow. He wasn't sure it would bear his weight or if he could successfully hold on to it. There was nothing for his feet to rest on, and no way of knowing how long the ride was going to be.

  Obi-Wan didn't have much time to think. At that moment the doors whisked
closed. He leaped off the platform and grabbed the railing. His fingers arched over the top, barely securing a grip.

  This was not going to be fun.

  The small shuttle gradually picked up speed and was soon roaring along. Obi-Wan tried to ignore his aching arms and fingers so he could focus on the conversation taking place inside the shuttle. It was difficult with the vehicle's noise and the wind in his ears. But one of the portals was open, and he was able to overhear occasional tidbits.

  "The meeting…" "Our best one yet…" "Our parents' attention…"