School of Fear (9781484719770)

by Watson, Jude

  She would come to him, he knew. After the class, she would find a pretext to talk to him. He was driving her crazy because he had waited her out.

  Better to wait to catch your prey than strike too soon.

  Obi-Wan had counseled him again and again on the virtue of patience. At last he was beginning to understand why his Master pushed it. It worked. Sometimes.

  The class ended. Anakin headed out the wide carved door. He left the hallway and accessed the brushed durasteel doors that led to the courtyard. Even though it was overlooked by windows, it felt removed. It was a gloomy, dark day, and he had it to himself. Students avoided isolated places now. They traveled in pairs or groups and went directly to their classes.

  “All right, I give up the battle,” Marit said from behind him.

  He turned. “I didn’t know we were in a war.”

  She held up the stone. “You know I have this. Don’t you want it back?”

  “Yes,” Anakin said. Even in the gloom, the river stone shone, its shiny black surface like a mirror full of reflected light.

  “And you didn’t report me.”

  “No.”

  “This stone is important to you. I can tell. Why?”

  “It was a gift,” Anakin said.

  “From your father?”

  Longing burst inside him. He did not have a father. Shmi had been very clear about that. He didn’t understand it, but he accepted it. He did not think about his lack; he never had. But unexpectedly the ache would well up in him and take him by surprise.

  Then he thought of Obi-Wan, and the ache went away.

  “Yes,” he said. “Are you going to give it back?”

  She held it up, fingering it thoughtfully. “I’m not sure yet.”

  It would be so easy for him to use the Force to get it back. Instead, Anakin moved. His kick barely grazed her fingertips, but it dislodged the stone and sent it flying straight toward him. He reached up with one hand and caught it.

  Marit blinked. She looked down at her hand, still outstretched but now empty. “I didn’t even see you move. How did you do that?”

  Anakin slid the stone back into the concealed inside pocket of his tunic. “Lots of practice. Now it’s your turn to answer questions. Why did you take it?”

  Her dark eyes glinted. “Because I wanted to see what you would do.”

  “A test,” Anakin said. “Did I pass?”

  Marit only smiled and changed the subject. “I saw you in the flight simulator the other day. You were pretty good.”

  It was the one area where he had not hidden his skill. It was hard for Anakin to sit in a cockpit and not fly fast and expertly. “Thanks.”

  “I’d like you to meet some friends of mine. Will you come with me now? It’s our free mod.”

  Anakin nodded. Marit may not have answered his question about passing her test, but she didn’t need to. He had passed. The question was, for what purpose?

  Chapter Seven

  Obi-Wan stared down at the holofile in front of him. He flipped through the data for what felt like the thousandth time. He couldn’t find the key.

  Something had happened the night Gillam disappeared, yet the security record showed that nothing had been breached. Obi-Wan had gone over the report. The best security expert at the Temple, Jedi Knight Alam Syk, had gone over it. Nothing was out of the ordinary. It was as though Gillam had disappeared into thin air.

  Obi-Wan had also gone over the short note sent by the kidnappers. It was strange that they had not asked for credits or made any demands. The note seemed more like a delaying tactic than anything else. There was a chance the note could be linked to a particular datapad, but until they had a suspect, they could do nothing with it.

  Obi-Wan looked at the security report again. He had the nagging feeling that he was missing something obvious.

  His comlink signaled, and he answered it brusquely. “Yes?”

  Tyro’s excited voice vibrated through the air. “I’ve got something. I analyzed the data from the past five years of Sauro’s illicit activity—the stuff he’s been caught at, anyway—and ran it through my probabilities program, looking for connections. I narrowed his secret meeting places to three. Then I cross-referenced his schedule and committee meetings, and—”

  “Tyro,” Obi-Wan said with great patience, “please, get to the point.”

  “He’s meeting Rana Halion secretly,” Tyro said in a rush.

  “Now?”

  “I think so. I’m following her right now, and she’s heading to a place he’s used for secret meetings in the past. It’s just a hunch, but—”

  “Tell me where,” Obi-Wan demanded.

  Tyro gave him the directions. Obi-Wan rushed out of the Temple. He took one of the Temple’s speeders and raced through the jammed space lanes of Coruscant, diving several hundred levels below to a grassy quad surrounded by stores and cafés. He parked the speeder and quickly hurried to the prearranged spot where Tyro was waiting.

  Tyro sat in a crowded café under an awning that cast deep shade. From here he had a view of the quad seating. With a nod at Tyro, Obi-Wan sat next to him and surveyed the area.

  It was a wise choice of location for a secret meeting, he thought. The many stores and cafés made for crowded passageways. There were numerous entrances and exits, and several busy space lanes converged nearby. Glass turbolifts connected to levels above and below. If someone needed to get lost quickly, it would be easy to do.

  “There she is,” Tyro said in a low tone. “Right on schedule.”

  Obi-Wan looked curiously at Rana Halion. He had studied her image in her docs, but she appeared more commanding in person. Dressed to blend with the crowd, she was wearing a brown traveler’s cloak with a hood. She was a tall, lanky humanoid with white hair cut short and twisted into spikes. Wide gold cuffs encircled each strong wrist. Even from this distance, he noted the intensity of her eyes, a blue so light they were almost colorless.

  She strolled around the quad, glancing in shop windows. To a casual passerby, she appeared to be window-shopping. But Obi-Wan saw how her glance continually darted to the seats on the quad. She was definitely waiting for someone.

  Tyro ordered a round of drinks so that they wouldn’t be conspicuous. Obi-Wan sipped his juice, alert for any sign of Sano Sauro. The minutes ticked by.

  He could see the impatience in Rana Halion’s walk. Her hands twisted together, then relaxed. She sat for several minutes, then got up to stroll again.

  “Where is he?” Obi-Wan asked.

  “I don’t know,” Tyro fretted. “I’m certain he’s meeting her. It’s too much of a coincidence, her being in this place. You’d think if you go to all the trouble of putting someone under surveillance that they would cooperate. How can Sauro do this to us? It’s like he knows we’re here.”

  Obi-Wan suppressed a groan. He held out his hand. “Let me see your comlink.”

  Tyro handed it to him. “What is it?”

  Obi-Wan took out his own comlink and contacted Alam Syk at the Temple. “Can you run a trace on this?” he asked, reading off the data from Tyro’s comlink.

  Within seconds, Alam answered, “It’s got a trace on it. Coming from…the Senate. Hang on…” Obi-Wan heard data keys clicking. Alam could trace any signal. “Hmmm. Do you know a Senator Sano Sauro? It looks like he’s interested in what Tyro Caladian is up to.”

  Obi-Wan tossed the comlink back to Tyro. “There’s your answer. I suggest that you do a routine sweep of your comlink transmission security in the future.”

  “I was never important enough before to need to do so,” Tyro said. “I guess that’s a good sign.”

  “Except that we lost our chance to trap Sauro,” Obi-Wan said.

  Across the quad, a disgusted Rana Halion strode off and hailed an air taxi.

  “What next?” Tyro asked. “I doubt Sauro will use any of the usual places again.”

  “Which is why it’s time to confront him directly,” Obi-Wan said. “Time is running out f
or Gillam.”

  Sano Sauro was at a Senate function attended by many dignitaries. Obi-Wan and Tyro slipped easily into the crowd. Obi-Wan spotted Sano Sauro and made his way over to listen. Tyro joined a group surrounding Berm Tarturi.

  “So glad you could join us after all,” a Senator was saying to Sauro. “The commemoration of the dedication of the plaque on the south-facing wall of the main north-south corridor of the northeast wing of Complex B is an important step forward in promoting the harmony of the galaxy.”

  “I agree,” Sauro said smoothly. “Another plaque with a quotation concerning the necessity for peace will certainly heal the many bloody, savage conflicts.”

  The other Senator proudly puffed out his scaly green cheeks. “The artisans of my home system were responsible for the plaque.”

  “Then I am doubly sure it will do its job,” Sauro answered. There was no trace of irony in his tone, Obi-Wan noted, but Sauro managed to convey it. Yet the apparent sincerity of his tone would make it difficult to challenge him. So did his impassive expression. The skin was stretched so tightly over the bones of his face that he rarely registered an emotion.

  He caught sight of Obi-Wan. “Will you excuse me?”

  Sauro suddenly headed for the exit, slithering through the crowd with the expertise of one used to escaping dull gatherings. Obi-Wan started after him, but suddenly Berm Tarturi’s voice boomed out. Sauro stopped abruptly but did not turn.

  “How kind of you to say that,” Berm said to the group of Senators surrounding him. “No, I’m trying to keep it very quiet. It is a private matter. Yet others seek to exploit my sorrow. Oh, it’s not that I expect special treatment, but those who would take advantage of a father’s despair…” Tyro raised his eyebrows at Obi-Wan. Obviously, Tarturi abandoned discretion when he could gain sympathy.

  Obi-Wan saw Sauro’s sneer. He was contemptuous of Tarturi’s tactics.

  Sauro turned. His voice, hard as ice, cut through Berm’s blustering like a laser. “Yes, anyone who exploits private pain is despicable.” He gave Tarturi a withering look. “No matter who does it.”

  The Senators looked back and forth between the two enemies, some with apprehension, others avidly looking forward to a war of words. Tyro’s eyes gleamed, no doubt hoping Sauro would let something slip in anger. But Sauro simply turned his back on Tarturi and slipped off through the crowd, a slim figure in black.

  A group of Senators suddenly converged on Berm Tarturi while others faded back, and it took Obi-Wan several precious seconds to extricate himself from the crowd. When he pushed his way out the door, Sauro had already disappeared. Obi-Wan headed toward Sauro’s suite of offices.

  As soon as he entered, Sauro’s personal assistant stood up. “He isn’t here.”

  “Did he tell you to say that?” Obi-Wan brushed past him, heading for the door.

  “I am calling security.”

  “Your choice.” Obi-Wan had no more patience for protocol. He waved a hand and used the Force to slide open the door to Sauro’s inner office.

  Sauro turned, startled, as Obi-Wan strode in. “This is outrageous!” he sputtered, losing his usual cool.

  “You are meeting with Rana Halion secretly,” Obi-Wan said.

  “You don’t have any evidence of that,” Sauro said, regaining his composure.

  “I have evidence that you put Tyro Caladian under surveillance,” Obi-Wan continued.

  Sauro stood behind his long desk. He was not a tall man, but the desk was low to the ground in order to give that impression. The tall red thorns of the claing bush rose from the corners, stabbing the air. His thin lips twisted as he leaned forward, resting on his knuckles. “And why shouldn’t I? I don’t take kindly to being investigated by young upstart attorneys. I have a legitimate concern as to who exactly this Caladian is and what he wants. The risk of assassination and sabotage are part of this job, and I must take any steps I can to protect myself. If you wish to take it up with the Senate security committee, do so.”

  “You rely on those committees,” Obi-Wan said. “No doubt because you have bribed your way onto most of them.”

  “What is this personal vendetta you have against me, Kenobi?” Sauro’s voice purred now. “I must confess, I don’t understand it. I’ve done nothing to antagonize you. Perhaps I should bring you up on charges.”

  “What charges?”

  “Breaking and entering, for one,” Sauro said, his gaunt face expressionless. “The Force is a weapon like any other.”

  “The Force is not a weapon,” Obi-Wan snapped. “Let me warn you, Sauro. I am investigating Gillam Tarturi’s kidnapping. If I find you had anything to do with it—”

  Sauro laughed. “A child’s kidnapping! Hardly something I would dabble in. You are grasping at straws, Kenobi. And once again you are wasting my time.” He picked up his comlink and stabbed at a button with his index finger. “I think I will report you for harassment. Perhaps a few hours of being detained by Senate security will help you calm down.”

  “Your threats reveal your fear,” Obi-Wan said. “I’ll be back.”

  Chapter Eight

  Marit’s friends sat together on the athletic field outside. They seemed to be expecting Anakin. He noted one friend looking him over carefully, from the top of his head to his boots. The student, a Bothan, stood as soon as they came up.

  “So this is the one,” he said. He was short, shorter than Marit, and the curling hair down to his shoulders gave him a soft look that was undercut by his shrewd gaze. This was clearly not someone to underestimate.

  “This is Anakin,” Marit said. “Anakin, meet Rolai Frac. And this is Tulah, and Hurana, and Ze.”

  “Have you ever ridden a swoop?” Ze asked. He was a humanoid, short and plump, with close-set green eyes and two pigtails that hung down his back. He seemed eager for action.

  “A couple of times,” Anakin said.

  “We were going to have a swoop race,” Tulah said. Anakin recognized the elongated head and pale skin of a native of Muunilinst. Tulah was tall and skinny, with a shock of bright yellow hair that stuck straight up from his head. His voice was all business. “Do you want to join us?”

  “Just once around the school grounds,” Marit said.

  “Sounds like fun,” Anakin said.

  “The only thing is, it’s technically against the rules,” Hurana said. She gave him a shy smile, but he could tell he was being tested. “You’re going to have to avoid the roving surveillance droids.”

  “Sounds even better,” Anakin said.

  Marit pointed to a nearby swoop with her chin. “That’s yours, then. Watch out for professors and security cameras. Let’s go.”

  Marit and her friends slung their legs over their swoops. Anakin followed. He took a moment to get used to the swoop controls and was a few seconds behind them. He wasn’t worried. He knew how to fly a swoop faster than anyone.

  He took off after them, streaking across the gray sky. Ahead was a security checkpoint. Anakin could see the camera lenses revolving. Marit gunned her motor and flipped her swoop sideways to avoid being tracked. A second later, Hurana dipped below it, missing it by only a fraction. Anakin saw her grin and knew she had timed it that way. The others followed expertly.

  Anakin was impressed. He increased his speed, timing his approach with the revolving camera lenses. He pulled the swoop up and then down quickly, missing the lens by a comfortable half second.

  He pushed the engine to maximum and quickly caught up to the others. He didn’t slow down but zoomed by them. He saw Rolai’s surprised face, but Marit looked worried.

  He saw why. Below him a group of professors had paused on the stairs outside one of the academic buildings, talking. Any moment they would see him.

  He turned the swoop to the left and headed for the dense branches of an enormous tree. Behind him, he saw Marit pull her swoop up and circle out of range of the professors.

  Anakin could hover in the branches, but he was too impatient. He dipped below one branc
h and zoomed up to skim above another. He snaked in and out of the thick branches, leaning his body first one way, then the other. He did not make even one leaf tremble. The professors continued to talk, completely unaware of the swoop above them.

  The others skirted the trees, looping around to avoid the professors and adding crucial minutes to their times.

  He cleared the grove of trees out of sight of the professors, as well as Marit and her friends. A surveillance droid revolved ahead, surprising him for only an instant. Anakin pulled the swoop to a hard right, avoiding the rotating sensors. Then he dove beneath the droid and zoomed on.

  Grinning, Anakin leaned over the handlebars and gunned the motor. He skirted a security camera and dove beneath a tractor beam. This was child’s play for him.

  The others were in sight again but still well behind him as he cleared a rooftop and did a quick triple loop dive to avoid being seen by a class of students playing laserball below. Then he dropped from the sky and landed in the same precise spot he had left from. He sat down and crossed his legs in a leisurely fashion.

  A short two minutes later, Marit and the others pulled up. Anakin was surprised at their speed. They were almost as fast as a Jedi on a swoop. Marit swung off her swoop and strode toward him, tossing her braid behind her shoulder.

  “Okay, hotshot,” she said. “You win.”

  “What do I win?” Anakin asked. “If it’s the chance to break out of here,” he joked, “count me in.” He spoke lightly, but he could feel how close he was to being accepted. He didn’t need the Force to pick up on the humming energy among the group of friends. Something was definitely up. Had he found the secret squad the Jedi High Council spoke of?

  “You see?” Marit said to Rolai. “I told you he could fly.”

  “He can fly,” Rolai agreed.

  “He’s almost as good as me,” Hurana said. Her pale gold eyes held a new respect.