Turning to the winged Noro Zak, Qui-Gon continued, "Noro, You'll fly to
Trinkatta, scouting for signs of any unusual activity. Traveling by speeder,
Vel, Obi-Wan, and I will meet you there."
Wyeoking into the cruiser's comm unit to the pilot, Qui-Gon Jinn
commanded,
"Take us down."
Twenty minutes later; Qui-Gon, Val, and Obi-Wan's landspeeder zoomed away
from the Radiant VII. Flying low over a dirt road, Vel Ardux guided the
landspeeder at high speed toward the starship factory.
Trinkatta Starships was a huge complex; covering nearly two square
kilometers. Surrounded by a high stone barricade the complex contained two
karge structures: an observation towed used to monitor incoming and outgoing
starships, and a mammoth factory. The factory's upper levels appeared to be
composed of plastaid with arched transparisteel windows, but the old
foundation indictated the original building had undergone extensive
renovation. Adorning the factory's roof, three tell chimneys pumped dark blue
smoke into the sky. Obi-Wan coughed, then cleared his throat.
"That foul smoke," he gasped, nodding toward the chimneys. "I doubt
T'rinkatta Starships meets environmental regulations!"
Studying the high barricade that surrounded the factory Vel Ardox noted,
"It looks like they don't encourage visitors either."
Slowing the vehicle to hovering stop near the wall, Vel Ardox gazed up,
searching for Noro. Her sharp eyes quickly found the flying figure. Noro
glided high over the factory, carefully avoiding the rising toxic clouds that
billowed from. the three chimneys. Angling his wings, Noro swooped down in a
spiraling descent toward the other Jedi. Seconds later, his taloned feet
touched down on the ground beside the landspeeder;
"A long time ago, this factory must have been a fortress," Noro declared
as Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Yel climbed out of the landspeeder. Pointing to the
observation tower, Noro continued, "Trinkatta's spaceport lies between that
tower and the factory. I saw some repulsorlift vehicles and an old freighter
parked in the spaceport, but there wasn't any. sign of the droid starfighters.
"
" "They might be within the factory," Qui-Gon paused. "Does the wall
surround the entire factory?"
"Yes;" Noro answered. "And on the other side of wall there's a wide moat.
A bridge crosses the moat from a security checkpoint".
"Show us the way to the checkpoint Noro, Qui-Gon requested. Noro guided
the others around. the barricade to a large stone booth. Beyond the booth, a
massive metal door separated the Jedi from the bridge to the starship factory.
Two tall security droids stepped out. - from the checkpoint booth. Approaching
the Jedi, the droid's heavy metal feet clanked against the smooth walkway. One
droid raised a hand, signaling a halt.
"What is your business with Trinkatta?" the droid asked as its barrel-
shaped head scanned the four figures.
"We're looking for a friend of ours Qui-Gon answered "She was supposed to
meet us here. She's a building inspector." The droid shook its head, which
creaked with each turn at the neck.
"No building. inspectors here. Only droids. You all must leave now. We're
closing off the chimneys. The factory is about to be fumigated."
"Fumigated'?" Qui-Gon asked. "But if there are only droids inside, what
are you trying to exterminate?"
"Vermin," the other droid answered quickly.
"Now you must leave..."
"Look!" Obi-Wan called out.
Following his gaze, the other Jedi saw that the factory's three tall
chimneys were no longer releasing toxic clouds into the air. Seconds later,
the high transparisteel windows went dark as smoke began filling the factory.
Qui-Gon Jinn closed his eyes in meditation. Upon opening his eyes, he stated,
"I sense Adi Gallia is within this complex... and she may be. injured. We
have to rescue her before she's consumed by the smoke!" Fixing his gaze on the
droids, Qui-Gon commanded, "You must let us enter the factory immediately."
The nearest security droid's photoreceptors turned red.
"Instructions received from. central droid control," the droid uttered as
it took a step backward. "Trespassers must be terminated".
Without further warning, both droids reached for their blaster pistols.
Obi-Wan's hand darted for his lightsaber; but Vel Ardox moved faster. Her
lightsaber blazed and lashed out in a sweeping flash, cutting down both droids
before they could fire their blasters. The droids crashed to the ground.
"Security droids are supposed to arrest trespassers!" Vel exclaimed.
"Someone reprogrammed these units to kill.
But who would...?"
Obi-Wan began but was interrupted by the bursting wail of a loud siren.
"The other droids must know we're here!" Noro ted; "One of us should stay
here and distract them while the rest of us find a way into the factory. We
have to stop that smoke or open those chimneys!".
"If we can reach the central droid control room,", Vel Ardox added, "we
should be able to override the system and deactivate all the droids!"
"Adi Gallia is our first priority!" Qui-Gon declared as he drew his
lightsaber. "The factory is filling with toxic fumes! We have to find Adi and
get her now!"
After quickly surveying the Trinkatta Starships checkpoint area, Qui-Gon
Jinn turned to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Vel Ardox, and Noro Zak.
"Here's the. plan," Qui-Gon Jinn told them. "I'll withdraw the security
droids to the checkpoint and distract them while you three try to find another
way into the factory. We'll have a better chance of finding Adi Gallia. by
splitting up and searching different areas of the complex."
"Shall we maintain communication?" Noro asked.
"If. the factory droids are monitoring the frequencies; they might
intercept our messages;". Qui-Gon pointed out. "Use your comlink only if you
need help or have located Adi Gallia. Go now. And may the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan and Vel ran off while Noro took to the air, leaving Qui-Gon alone
at the checkpoint. Stepping over the fallen security droids, Qui-Gon
approached the giant sliding door. He heard the sound of clicking gears as the
door began to slide up into the high wall. As the door rose, Qui-Gon could see
the wide bridge that crossed the meat and led to the starship factory.
Suddenly, six security droids emerged from the factory and lurched forward
onto the bridge. Seeing Qui-Gon, the droids raised their blaster arms. Moving
faster than the droids photoreceptors could follow, Qui-Gon activated his
lightsaber and surged forward. Swinging the lethal blade with deadly accuracy,
the Jedi Master cut down the six security droids within seconds. The droids
crashed to the surface of the bridge with a clanging racket.
That should draw the attention of the other security droids, Qui-Gon
thought to himself, hoping it would allow his friends to find another way into
the starship factory. Qui-Gon stepped over the metal bodies of the fallen
droids, passing through the smoke that rose from their fried remains. As he
began to cross to - ward the starship factory,
Qui-Gon glanced below the
bridge. Suspended ten meters over a deep, water filled moat, the bridge was
bracketed by low guardrails.
Switching on his comlink, Qui-Gon whispered, "I'm on the bridge that
leads to the entrance. Are you inside the factory yet?"
"Not yet, Master!" Obi-Wan replied. "We ran into some more droids.
Getting in will be more difficult than we realized.
" Switching off his comlink, Qui-Gon was halfway across the bridge when a
bright
glint from above drew his attention. Three stories up, on a rooftop that
supported an elevated water tower, Qui-Gon caught sight of eight security
droids running into position. Suddenly, the menacing droids raised their
blaster rifles and fired from above.
Qui-Gon's lightsaber came up fast, striking at the oncoming energy bolts.
He batted them back to the elevated water tower above the droids, striking the
tower's base in rapid succession. As the droids continued firing, the water
tower ruptured from the repeated battery and exploded over their heads,
knocking them from the roof. Thousands of liters of water plummeted-in a
devastating cascade, carrying the droids to the bridge below. Despite the fact
he'd targeted the water tower, Qui-Gon Jinn was surprised by the magnitude of
the resulting blast and turned off his lightsaber's power. In an effort to
avoid. being swept away by the torrential burst or crushed by the tumbling
droids, Qui-Gon jumped. over the: guardrail and dived into the moat below.
After knifing into the water, Qui-Gon arched back to the surface. for sir. As
he broke the surface, he was nearly struck by an energy bolt.. Two droids had
survived the fall to the bridge, and both were determined to kill the human
invader. Taking a quick deep breath, the Jedi Master dropped underwater and
swam directly under the bridge, staying out of range of the droid's blaster
fire. Swimming to the foundation of the starship:factory, he saw what appeared
to be the opening of an underwater tunnel. Qui-Gon hoped it might be an
entrance to the factory. He reached for his util belt and retrieved his
breather. After placing the device over his face, he was soon breathing
easily. He propelled himself forward into the dark tunnel..
Seconds later, Qui-Gon was engulfed by pitch-black darkness. The Jedi
Master. concentrated on the interior of the cave, using the Force to let him
sense the rough, rocky walls. Absent of fear, he swam forward. Soon, the
tunnel narrowed, making it difficult to swim. Reaching out with his hands and
feet, Qui-Gon could barely manage to crawl through the underwater access. He
felt along the walls of the tunnel, trying to grab hold, but the stone walls
were covered with an oily muck; He could not find a handhold; Something slimy
bumped against Qui-Gon's leg. In the-next instant, his left ankle was caught
in a tight grip. Qui-Gon had company.
Chapter 3
Reaching to his lower leg, Qui-Gon touched a thick tentacle coiled around
his foot. Snaking out through a hole in the tunnel wall, the tentacle tugged
in ankle, drawing him into the gap. Some broken stones from the foundation lay
below the hole. Despite the creature's attack, Qui-Gon did not react with
violence. It was in his nature to be empathetic to all life-forms. When he had
been a Padawan, his tendency for kindness had often confounded his own Master.
In the underwater tunnel, Qui-Gon found himself wondering, If I lived quietly
e' in, a hole somewhere, how would I like it if some large organism came
crashing through my home?
Suddenly, the tentacle relaxed its grip and vanished into the gap in the
tunnel wall. To Qui-Gon's amazement, he heard a soft, alien voice echo in his
mind, responding to his own thoughts: I apologize for attacking you, strange
creature. I mistook you. for a large fish. You are welcome to swim these
waters, But be careful of the current.
Behind his breather, Qui-Gon Jinn. smiled.
Thank you.
Leaving the creature behind, - Qui-Gon swam on through the underwater
tunnel. As he propelled himself through the darkness, his thoughts turned to
Adi Gallia. Because she had rescued him some time ago, Qui-Gon believed he
owed his life to her. But he also knew it was not the time to contemplate the
past. The Jedi Master cleared his mind and swam faster. A. steady, mechanical
thumping sound grew louder as he moved forward. He paused to listen to the
sound, and realized that although he'd stopped swimming, he was still moving
at a steady pace through the tunnel; Caught in its powerful current, he was
being dragged deeper into the darkness. Qui-Gon wished he had paid more
attention to the tentacled creature's warning. The mechanical thumping became
increasingly louder. Battling the current, he extended his arms and legs,
trying to brace himself within the tunnel; Unable to get a grip on the smooth,
slick tunnel, he was dragged onward. In an explosive surge, Qui-Gon was
launched out of the tunnel in s concentrated waterfall, spilling him into a
wide circular silo.
Tumbling through the air and falling water, he splashed down into a deep
pool at the base of the silo. The thumping sound was nearly deafening, echoing
off the silo walls in thunderous booms. Like a gigantic drain; the water
churned and swirled around-Qui-Gon, dragging him below the surface.
Underwater, he realized the cause of the horrendous noise; At the base of the
silo, a giant hydraulic propeller spun rapidly, drawing the water down and
circulating it in the factory's moat. Qui-Gon knew the great propeller would
slice him to ribbons unless he could escape the silo; Struggling against the
downward flow, Qui-Gon; broke the surface of the pool. Pounded by water
falling from above, he swam for the silo wall. The inner silo appeared to be
lined with thick layer of ferrocrete, a mixture of concrete and steel-like
materials bonded at the molecular level. Like the tunnel, the slick walls
allowed no purchase. Looking up to the top of the silo, Qui-Gon saw a
maintenance hatch.
The hatch was illuminated by several greenish-yellow glow rods that
dangled from a narrow beam. Qui-Gon considered throwing his compact grappling
hook to the glow rods, but with both arms busy keeping him abovewater, he knew
it would be a difficult effort. He also knew his breather's air supply was
nearly exhausted. Another possibility occurred to him, Saving his energy, Qui-
Gon let himself be pulled beneath the surface. As he drew closer to the
propeller, he concentrated on the spinning blades, visualizing them bending
and twisting as they rotated. A loud cracking sound followed, then the
propeller wobbled in its fixed setting. Using the Force, Qui-Gon! had turned
the machine's power against itself. The result was an underwater explosion
that shook the interior of the silo and shattered the propeller. Large bits of
shredded metal sailed past Qui-Gon in a rush of bubbles as he broke for the
surface With the propeller's destruction, the steady thumping sound ended and
the water level began to rise. As the rising water carried him to the top of
the silo, Qui-Gon quickly reached the hatc
h. Grabbing the wheel-shaped opening
mechanism, he turned hard; The rusted wheel crumbled in his hands as the water
continued to rise. He was trapped!
Qui-Gon tried concentrating on the hatch's unseen inner tock mechanism,
but he found it difficult to remain calm. The rising water would soon be over
his head. The Jedi Master's hand reached for his light - saber, tore it from
his belt clip, and activated the blade. With a single, circular swing, he
drove the lightsaber deep through the metal hatch. Then he deactivated the
lightsaber and threw his weight hard against the center of the hatch, pushing
it through its damaged frame. As the battered hatch crashed onto the floor of
the next chamber, Qui - Gon leaped headfirst through the hole. A loud crunch
sounded from his belt as he landed within a dry chamber. He had accidentally
crushed his own comlink. Qui-Gon quickly rose to his feet and lifted the
hatch's wreckage. He jammed the cut metal back in the hole just as water began
to spill into the chamber. With the hatch sealed, Qui-Gon removed his breather
and inspected his new surroundings. He stood in a large subterranean chamber.
Dimly illuminated by glow rods, the stone-wailed room smelled of dust and
decay. In the center of the chamber, three tall pillars rose from the stone
floor to the brick ceiling.
"Unnnnn," a voice moaned from behind one pillar.
Running around the column, Qui-Gon found a semiconscious alien lying on
the floor. A small yellow-scaled reptilian creature with a pronounced beak,
the alien was clothed in a one tunic. His left foot was chained to the pillar
and his right arm was missing below the elbow joint.
"Are you okay?" Qui-Gon asked as he checked the alien's pulse. In this
close proximity, Qui-Gon could tell that the alien's right arm had only
recently been removed.
"Oh, I'm just fine," the alien groaned, "except that the droids cut off
Search For Lost Jedi Page 2