by Jude Watson
Gon. Your body has not recovered fully. I suppose it would be fruitless for
me to tell you to take it easy."
Qui-Gon winced as he slid off the examination table. "Not until we
find Noor."
Obi-Wan saw the signs of fatigue he had missed in his joy to have his
Master well and safe. Jenna Zan Arbor had drained Qui-Gon's body of blood.
She had kept him confined for long periods of time. His skin looked pale
and his face drawn. The experience had weakened him.
"Are you sure you shouldn't return to the Temple?" he asked Qui-Gon
in a low voice.
"No," Qui-Gon said sharply.
Adi and Siri strode into the room.
"We've checked all the computer files," Adi said crisply. "There's no
indication of where she might go next."
"There was an assistant, Nil," Qui-Gon said.
"Not anymore," Siri said. "We found him in one of the storage rooms.
A lethal injection, we think."
"He was a liability," Qui-Gon said. He turned away. "She will stop at
nothing."
"Yes, that's why we must find her," Adi agreed quietly.
Cholly, Weez, and Tup peered around the corner.
"If you're no longer in need of our services, we thought we would go
back to our poverty-stricken but basically safe existence," Cholly offered.
"She had the credits in her hand," Weez said. "If only Tup hadn't
started the engine - "
"Or knocked over the droids - "
"Woosh, everything is all my fault, all the time, forever," Tup
complained.
"Yes, it is," Cholly and Weez said together.
Qui-Gon's comlink signaled. "It's Tahl."
A miniature hologram of Tahl appeared before them. "I am relieved to
hear that you all are safe and that Didi will recover," she said. "The
Force is with us. Winna, how is Qui-Gon?"
"Fine," Qui-Gon said tersely.
"Excuse me, did I ask you that question?" Tahl demanded. She was one
of the few Jedi who was brave enough to challenge Qui-Gon, let alone tease
him. "Winna?"
"He has undergone a great trauma," Winna said. "My best advice would
be to return to the Temple, but I know he is needed. There will be no
lasting damage. He just needs rest and food."
"Then you will release him on a mission?" Tahl asked.
"Release me?" Qui-Gon thundered irritably. "Am I still a captive?"
"No, you are a stubborn Jedi who might push himself beyond a limit
his body cannot handle," Tahl answered.
"I see no danger to him," Winna said reluctantly. "I have seen how
quickly Qui-Gon is able to recover his strength. As long as he has been
honest with me about how he is feeling and not covering up any weakness."
Qui-Gon glared at her.
"I'm sure he was covering them up," Tahl said crisply. "However, we
must pursue Jenna Zan Arbor. The Council wishes the two Jedi teams to join
together to find Noor."
Obi-Wan glanced at Siri. So he would have to work with her again,
side by side. He hoped she had learned a little more humility since their
last mission.
"I have news for you, Obi-Wan," Tahl said. "And you will not like it.
Nor do I. As soon as she was assured that Didi would make a full recovery,
Astri left the Temple. She has gone off to pursue Ona Nobis in hopes of
getting the reward."
"Astri is no match for Ona Nobis!" Obi-Wan cried in surprise.
Tahl sighed. "I know this. Yet there is nothing the Jedi can do. She
does not wish our protection any longer. We cannot force it."
Obi-Wan felt frustration and worry battle within him. Yet he knew
Tahl was right. The Jedi did not impose protection. And his mission was to
find Jenna Zan Arbor.
"Adi and Qui-Gon, contact me when you decide on your next move," Tahl
finished.
"Meanwhile, I am coordinating the search for Zan Arbor's ship."
"It's a big galaxy," Qui-Gon said.
"Then I'd better get going," Tahl said, and signed off.
More and more, Obi-Wan had grown to appreciate having Tahl as a
liaison within the Temple. When they rescued a blinded Tahl from
Melida/Daan, he had never expected how important she would become in their
lives, as well as their missions.
"It's been a swell adventure, but we must be going," Cholly said.
Adi turned to them. "We are grateful for your help. We regret that
you were caught in a battle."
Weez waved his hand. "It was nothing." "Especially when it was over,"
Tup said, blowing out a relieved breath.
Giving a last bow and a quick wave from Tup, the three hurried from
the lab. No doubt they were anxious to get away from the Jedi, Obi-Wan
thought. It was no wonder that Cholly, Weez, and Tup were such hopeless
criminals. Their courage did not match their greed. At the first sign of
trouble, they ran.
Qui-Gon turned to Adi. "Did you and Siri discover anything that could
help us while you were investigating Noor's disappearance?"
"I don't think so," Adi said thoughtfully, "but let me tell you a
little about him. Noor had a deep connection to the Force that led him to
choose a life of meditation when he became an elder. He left the Temple and
returned to his home planet, Sorl, where he planned to live in quiet
seclusion. He built a simple home in the foothills of the great mountain
range of Cragh. Things did not turn out quite the way he expected."
"As they seldom do," Qui-Gon noted.
Adi nodded. "When Siri and I reached Sorl, we discovered that to pass
the time, Noor had begun to craft small landscapes out of stone, sticks,
and vegetation. He made small animals and figures and placed them in these
imaginary landscapes, places he had seen over his long life. We saw them in
the yards and fields surrounding his home. They were charming. Beautiful."
"Ah," Qui-Gon said. "And they began to attract some attention."
Adi smiled. "From the children. They began to come by to watch Noor
work. He began to make toys for them. Soon he was involved in the life of
the community. His life of seclusion became a life of engagement."
"'Life surprises you. Accept the gift,"' Qui-Gon recited. It was a
Jedi saying.
"So you see, all we know about Noor will not help us here," Adi
finished. "I think we must concentrate on Jenna Zan Arbor. Yet so much of
her life is a mystery...."
Obi-Wan's comlink began to signal him. He stepped off a few paces to
accept the communication.
"My name is No Muna and I am a medic at the Med Center on Sorrus," a
voice said. "I was given your name by Astri Oddo - "
"Is Astri all right?"
"I am afraid she is not. An accident - she is not conscious, I'm
afraid. She gave me your name before she passed out. She asked you to come
here. Yinn La Hi is the capital city of Sorrus, in the system of - "
"Yes, I know where it is," Obi-Wan interrupted. "Thank you. If she
awakens, tell her I am on my way."
He cut the communication. The others had stopped talking and were
listening to him. He met Qui-Gon's gaze.
"I have to," he said.
Qui-Gon frowned, but Obi-Wan knew it was a frown of concentration,
not displeasure.
"Yes," he said. "We cannot leave Astri on Sorrus alone. But the
chances of finding Zan Arbor and Noor diminish with every moment of delay.
Adi and I will remain here to begin the search. You go with Siri to Sorrus
and escort Astri back to the Temple, if she is able to travel. We'll either
meet back at the Temple or tell you where you must come." Qui-Gon seemed to
recall that he was supposed to collaborate with Adi. He turned to her. "Do
you agree?"
There was a beat before Adi responded. "I agree." She turned to Siri.
"I am sending you alone with Obi-Wan. This means I am trusting you not to
engage with the bounty hunter Ona Nobis or pursue any lead unless you
contact me."
"The same goes for you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon told him. "Ona Nobis will
have revenge on her mind if she knows you are on Sorrus. Keep a low
profile. Do not cause any disturbance. And contact us immediately after you
see Astri. Now let's find you some transport."
CHAPTER 7
Sorrus was a large planet in a busy system, and it was easy to find a
hauler making a direct run. After landing at the capital city of Yinn La
Hi, Obi-Wan and Siri thanked the pilot.
"Now we'll have trouble," Obi-Wan said to Siri as they exited the
busy landing platform area. "There are no signs in the cities on Sorrus,
and we have to find our way to the Med Center."
"Why don't we just ask someone?" Siri asked.
"We won't get very far. Sorrusians don't like strangers."
"You make everything so hard, Obi-Wan," Siri scoffed. "You just have
to be polite." She approached a Sorrusian couple, their arms filled with
produce from the open-air market.
"Excuse me," Siri said. "Can you tell us where the Med Center is
located?"
The couple gave her a blank stare, then moved on, chatting in
Sorrusian as if Siri didn't exist.
"That was rude," Siri said. She hailed a young Sorrusian who was
strolling by, his hands tucked into his tunic pockets.
"Excuse me. My companion and I are strangers here. We need directions
to - "
The young man wheeled about and walked away from them.
"Do you believe me now?" Obi-Wan asked. "Are you sure you were polite
enough?"
"They're positively paranoid," Siri grumbled, running a hand through
her hair. "How are we going to find the place?"
"The center should be fairly large, and on a main street," Obi-Wan
said, his eyes scanning the street ahead. "And the pilot said he thought it
was close to the city center. It should be right around here."
After only a few minutes of quick walking, Obi-Wan and Siri found the
complex. Yinn La Hi was a teeming city, and the Med Center was spread out
over a large area. Soon it would take up even more space. A new wing was
under construction.
"Now we'll have to get someone to tell us where Astri is," Siri
observed as they walked through the doors into a gleaming atrium that
swarmed with Sorrusians.
"Why don't you try?" Obi-Wan asked. "You did so well earlier."
Siri gave him an irritated glance. Obi-Wan walked ahead to the
reception desk.
"I received a message from No Muna that Astri Oddo was brought here
for treatment."
The Sorrusian clerk behind the desk said nothing, just continued
tapping on the keyboard.
Obi-Wan leaned over the desk in frustration. He spoke clearly and
insistently. "My friend is hurt and I must see her!"
The clerk looked up at him warily. "What did you say your name was?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi."
A spark of recognition lit the clerk's blank gaze. "Ah, I was told to
expect you. Please see Medic Rai Unlu. He is waiting for you over there."
Obi-Wan saw a short, slender Sorrusian standing by a pillar. He wore
a med smock and carried a small datapad. Obi-Wan and Siri hurried over, and
Obi-Wan introduced himself.
"Oh, yes, Astri Oddo. Sad case. We do not know how she received her
injuries," the Sorrusian doctor said gravely. "Let me check to see her
status." He pressed several keys. "Ah. She has regained consciousness. That
is a good sign." I must see her," Obi-Wan said.
"Of course. But first you must fill out registry information. All
foreigners must do so on Sorrus. You will have to go to Wing A, Level 27,
Room 2245X. Astri is in Wing M, at the opposite end of the complex. After
you fill out the information, you can ask for directions to her room at the
Registry Office."
"Good luck," Siri muttered.
"But that will take too much time!" Obi-Wan objected. "I need to see
her now."
"Why don't I fill out the papers while Obi-Wan visits Astri?" Siri
suggested. "Would that be all right?"
Rai Unlu looked uncertain. "It is not procedure - "
"I've come so far to see her," Obi-Wan said persuasively. "And she's
been badly hurt."
"All right," Rai Unlu said, looking around furtively. "But don't tell
anyone. I will take you to Astri. Your companion can follow signs to Wing
A. There will be signs to the Registry Office from there."
Siri nodded. "Good luck, Obi-Wan. I will come to Astri's room as soon
as I am finished."
Siri strode off, and Rai Unlu beckoned to Obi-Wan. "This way."
Obi-Wan followed him from the soaring atrium through a series of
gleaming corridors. They stepped onto a moving ramp and were swept through
wing after wing.
At last, Rai Unlu stepped off the ramp at Wing L. "We must walk from
here."
They walked quickly through the wing, past the closed doors of the
ward. Then they came to a sign that read NO ADMITTANCE.
"Restricted ward for foreigners," Rai Unlu explained, hurrying
through.
To Obi-Wan's surprise, they stepped through a doorway into a
partially completed hallway. Small graysleds with construction materials
littered the corridor, and through the open grid-work of the ceiling Obi-
Wan saw ducts and wires.
"The Med Center is very crowded. We had to put her in the new wing,"
Rai Unlu said.
"But it's not finished," Obi-Wan said, stepping over a pail full of
rivets.
"She is still getting the best care," Rai Unlu assured him. "Sorrus
has the best med facilities in the galaxy."
It was a claim Obi-Wan had heard on other worlds. Had Astri been
shuttled to this far wing because she was a stranger? Sorrusians weren't
noted for their hospitality, but he expected a more sterile environment.
"She is just through here, third door on your left," Rai Unlu said.
"I must return. I have an emergency."
"Wait," Obi-Wan said.
"Sorry, must go," Rai Unlu said. "I'm being signaled. Emergency!"
He turned and almost ran down the hall. Obi-Wan's growing wariness
turned to concern. He felt a disturbance in the Force that alarmed him.
Prepared for anything now, his hand went to his lightsaber hilt.
Cautiously, he opened the third door on the left. Instead of a
private room, he found himself in a partially built hospital ward. There
were beams overhead and a durasteel frame. Only two walls had been
co
nstructed.
He just had time to see a shadow flicker, nothing more. Obi-Wan
stepped back, lightsaber activated, as the bounty hunter Ona Nobis suddenly
flew from a beam overhead straight toward him.