by Джуд Уотсон
Obi-Wan had called ahead to alert Tahl that they were coming. He saw her erect figure on the landing platform as they docked. She had agreed to supply him with air transport back to Simpla-12.
Astri leaped from the air taxi as soon as it docked.
"My father?"
"The same," Tahl said. "Obi-Wan, who is with you?"
"Some new friends," Obi-Wan explained. He drew Tahl aside and told her what he'd discovered. "I don't know for sure if Zan Arbor's lab is on Simpla-12," he said. "But there's a chance it could be. And there's a good chance that the antitoxin Didi needs is still stored there — along with Qui-Gon."
"A slight chance is better than none," Tahl said thoughtfully. "If you feel strongly that you must pursue this, then you should do so. But if you find that you are right, contact me immediately. If Jenna Zan Arbor knows that someone has found her, she could kill Qui-Gon."
"I know," Obi-Wan said quietly. "But if I could get inside and find Qui-Gon without alerting her, we would have the information we need to send in the Jedi."
"But how could you do this?" Tahl asked. "And are you sure you could get out again?"
He wasn't sure if he could. But it didn't matter. He had to save Qui- Gon and Didi. That was most important. Obi-Wan glanced at Astri. "I have a plan."
"Do not take any impulsive action, Obi-Wan," Tahl warned. "Simpla-12 is not far. I can send several teams to you if they are needed. And make sure there is no surveillance on the building from the outside. Nothing must alert her that you are there."
"I would never endanger Qui-Gon's life," Obi-Wan told her soberly.
"But I feel that the longer he remains her captive, the more danger he is in."
"I believe this, too," Tah I said softly. Her comlink signaled, and she frowned. "Now I must go.
Several teams are pursuing important leads. May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan."
Tahl hurried away. Obi-Wan climbed into the transport, where Astri and the others were waiting. He powered up the engines and headed straight for the upper atmosphere. With every second, he felt Qui-Gon's life was dwindling. With all his heart, he begged Qui-Gon silently to hold on.
Quad Two was on the very outskirts of Sim-First. Here, any attempts to keep order or cleanliness were abandoned. Many of the buildings were sealed with durasteel sheeting. An occasional speeder flashed by, but there were no pedestrians on the walkways.
Astri squinted through the drizzle. "I didn't think Sim-First could get any worse," she murmured.
Obi-Wan consulted a handheld nav computer. "Block Unit Three is this way."
As they walked, the neighborhood deteriorated further. Clouds thickened until the day turned as dark as evening. It was easy to stay concealed. The area was all shadow. Many of the glow lights overhead had not been maintained. Occasionally one would send a weak spot of illumination onto the walkway.
Obi-Wan stopped. A short distance away, across the walkway, was a large, windowless building made of shiny black metal. It took up an entire block unit. He pulled Astri back into the shadow of an overhang.
"That's it."
Remembering Tahl's instruction, Obi-Wan left Astri to watch the entrance and skirted around the side of the building. He moved from shadow to shadow, checking for surveillance devices. He climbed onto the roof of a nearby building to inspect the roof below. He could see no evidence of guards. He used his macro-binoculars to study the building from all sides.
He returned to Astri. "Security must be inside. There's a visual monitor by the front door. There's no thumbprint register or retinal scan.
That's good. I have a feeling about this, Astri. This must be the lab."
She looked behind them. "Are you sure you can trust Cholly and the others to come through?"
"Don't worry. They'll do anything for credits," Obi-Wan said.
They didn't have long to wait. Before long, they heard footsteps approaching. Cholly, Tup, and Weez hurried down the street, casting apprehensive glances around.
"Woosh, I'm glad we found you," Tup said as they approached. His round eyes were full of anxiety. "I didn't know Sim-First could be so scary."
"Did you get what I asked?" Obi-Wan inquired.
Cholly unloaded a number of items from his pack. He handed one to Obi-Wan. "Hope it fits."
"It's for Astri," Obi-Wan said as he handed the black visor to her.
Astri fitted it over her head. It obscured her features and gave her a menacing look. "It's fine," she said.
She took it off and shook out her long, curly hair. Next Obi-Wan handed her a pair of high leather boots. Shrugging out of her tunic, she buckled her utility belt tighter around her waist and pulled on the boots.
"One more thing," Obi-Wan said. "I'm sorry, Astri, but — "
She gritted her teeth. "Go ahead."
Using a vibro-razor Cholly handed him, Obi-Wan first trimmed, then carefully shaved off Astri's pretty curls.
"Such a shame," Tup murmured.
Astri's face was set in determined lines. "It's worth it."
When he had finished, Astri fitted the dark visor over her eyes. Her shaved skull gleamed. Obi-Wan handed her Ona Nobis's whip. She coiled it and fastened it to her utility belt. With the extra height of her heeled boots, she resembled the bounty hunter.
"I just hope they don't look too closely," Obi-Wan said. He turned to Cholly, Weez, and Tup. "You stay here. If the real Ona Nobis turns up, do your best to keep her out of the building. She's very fast, very clever."
"It's three against one," Cholly said. "How can we fail?"
"You have surprise in your favor," Obi-Wan said. "I gave you a contact number for Tahl at the Temple. If Astri isn't out again in ten minutes, call Tahl and tell her to send the teams after us."
"We will take care of everything," Weez assured them.
Obi-Wan wasn't so sure, but he hoped that Ona Nobis wouldn't show up at all. He didn't need much time.
He and Astri strode across the walkway to the building entrance.
"What did you mean, if I don't come out?" Astri asked him under her breath. "What about you?"
"If we find Qui-Gon and can't release him, you must leave without me, " he told her. "Contact Tahl and tell her what happened."
"I can't leave you, Obi-Wan — "
"You have to," he said firmly. "I am your prisoner. Hand me over if you have to, then look for the medicines. Then leave. Promise me. You could be Qui-Gon's last hope."
He couldn't see her eyes behind the helmet, but Astri pressed her lips together grimly. "I promise."
She pressed the button. Obi-Wan noted that her fingers were shaking.
What if Ona Nobis was already inside? Once again, Obi-Wan marveled at her courage. Astri accepted her fear and charged ahead.
"You're as good as a Jedi," he told her softly.
He could not see her expression under the visor, but she reached out and briefly squeezed his hand in thanks.
The face of a guard appeared on the screen. Obi-Wan recognized the fine, feathery fur and the triangular eyes of a Quint.
"It's me," Astri said bluntly, pitching her voice low.
"What are you doing here?" the guard asked. "I have a Jedi prisoner,"
Astri barked impatiently. "Let me in."
The screen went blank. Obi-Wan felt the seconds tick away. Would they be allowed to enter?
The door hissed open. Obi-Wan saw Astri take a deep breath. Then they walked together into the secret lab.
The door shut behind them. They stood in a narrow hallway with a smooth polished floor. There was one double door ahead of them with a small viewing window. They started toward it.
The door suddenly opened and the same Quint guard who had appeared on the monitor hurried toward them.
"We're busy here, you know," he snapped. "You'll have to bring the prisoner to holding room C yourself."
"I don't take orders from you," Astri snapped back.
"Why isn't the prisoner restrained?" the Quint asked suddenly, his steps slo
wing. "You always use servo-cuffs with prisoners." His hand went for his blaster.
In another moment, Astri's real identity could be discovered. He had hoped to get farther than this, but at least they were inside. Obi-Wan reached out and unfurled Astri's whip in one smooth gesture. He snapped it overhead, aiming for the Quint guard. It wrapped around his ankle and Obi- Wan pulled back with a jerk. The Quint went down with a howl. Obi-Wan jumped forward and quickly wound the whip around the guard, restraining his arms and legs. Then he dragged him past the double doors into a long hallway. Astri ran ahead and accessed a door, which hissed open, revealing an empty holding room. Obi-Wan dumped him inside.
"We'd better hurry," he said. "No doubt he's supposed to report back.
And there are probably more guards."
There were hallways to the left and to the right, and one door at the end of the hallway straight ahead. It was broken and had been left slightly open, its frame bent. Obi-Wan felt the Force surge. His Master was beyond that door.
Obi-Wan motioned to Astri to hang back. Hugging the wall, he moved silently toward the door. He inched over to peer through the opening.
The lab was bright white and filled with equipment. At first he thought no one was there. Then he looked again at a transparent chamber filled with vapor. Through the clouds of gas Obi-Wan clearly saw his Master, imprisoned. Qui-Gon's eyes were closed. He could even be dead.
Obi-Wan wanted to rush into the lab and smash the chamber into a thousand pieces. But he remembered Tahl's warning to be careful. He took a breath and let his anger go. He must concentrate, he must be calm.
He signaled to Astri to follow him and entered.
He approached the transparent chamber. He put his hands on the smooth wall. Qui-Gon floated, his eyes still closed. Obi-Wan felt choked with anguish at the sight. He knew his Master was alive. Yet he felt as though he had witnessed his death.
He didn't think his voice would penetrate the chamber. Obi-Wan spoke his Master's name quietly. "Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon's eyes opened. He saw Obi-Wan. He smiled. He mouthed the words.
I knew that you would come…
Obi-Wan put his hand on his lightsaber. "Obi-Wan!" Astri hissed.
"Someone's coming!"
He hesitated.
"You can't release him yet," Astri whispered. "If anyone knows we are here, we might not be able to get out again."
Obi-Wan looked desperately at Qui-Gon. He had come so far. He had made so many decisions. He did not know what to do now.
Wait, Qui-Gon mouthed. He signaled with a glance that Obi-Wan should hide.
Obi-Wan heard footsteps. He whirled and grabbed Astri's hand. They dove behind a pile of equipment just as the scientist walked in.
Chapter 18
Jenna Zan Arbor spoke into a comlink as she walked to her lab table.
"Nil!" she barked. "Nil! Where are you?"
She banged the comlink down on the table. "Probably turned it off again, the brainless fool."
Bending over, she studied the data streaming across the screen. She turned and smiled at Qui-Gon. Then she pressed a button on the console. No doubt this would carry her voice inside the chamber.
"Ah, some Force activity. Thank you. But it won't save you, my friend. I am done with you. But I'll take all your blood before I let you go."
She released the button and picked up the comlink again. "Nil! Bring Ona Nobis to me immediately! Nil! Usually she's in a hurry to get paid."
She looked at the comlink in disgust, then threw it down and stalked out of the lab.
As soon as she was gone, Obi-Wan hurried over to Qui-Gon. He knew now that if he let Qui-Gon remain in that chamber, his Master would die. He activated his lightsaber and cut a hole in the chamber. The vapor escaped, and Qui-Gon began to fall. Obi-Wan reached in to help support him. Qui-Gon half fell and Obi-Wan half dragged him to the floor.
"Master," Obi-Wan murmured brokenly. It was shocking to see Qui-Gon so weak. He always counted on his Master's strength.
"You… must… help me, Padawan," Qui-Gon said, his white lips barely moving. His face was very pale. He held up his hands, palms out.
Obi-Wan pressed his own palms against Qui-Gon's.
He felt his Master's power flicker and reach out toward him. The Force moved between them. Obi-Wan gathered it around him. He felt the Force grow with their combined effort, felt it flow from his fingers into Qui- Gon.
After a moment, the cloudiness in Qui-Gon's eyes vanished. "I can walk now," he said.
He rose to his feet. Obi-Wan rose with him.
Qui-Gon glanced at Astri's outfit. "I see you have a new profession."
"Yes," she said with a shaky grin. "Saving you."
"We must hurry," Qui-Gon said. "There is at least one other prisoner here. I felt a presence. It is Force-sensitive."
"Didi is dying," Astri blurted. "Zan Arbor has withheld the antitoxin that could save him."
"Then that will be our first priority," Qui-Gon told her. "Come. I think I know where to find it."
Qui-Gon did not move as quickly or gracefully as he usually did. But he gathered strength as he went. They quickly jumped through the half-open door and ran down the hallway. Qui-Gon led them to the supply room he had stumbled upon earlier. He accessed the door and they rushed inside.
"Do you know the name of the antitoxin?" Qui-Gon asked, indicating the shelves.
Astri tore off her helmet and scanned the labels. She placed her hand on a shelf. "Here." She removed several vials and filled a pouch on her utility belt with them. She then filled her pockets with as many other vials as she could. Obi-Wan took handfuls of medicines and tucked them in his tunic.
"What now?" Qui-Gon asked. "Do you have a way out?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "We've tied up one guard. Are there other guards?"
"I don't think so," Qui-Gon said. "She relies on Nil and the security system. Between the three of us we should have no difficulty. Zan Arbor does not yet know she has been invaded. Our odds are excellent."
The intercom crackled, and they turned to watch the screen. Ona Nobis appeared.
"I have arrived," she said. "Nil, give me access. Nil!"
"It appears our odds have changed," Qui-Gon said.
Chapter 19
Qui-Gon looked over at Astri's panicked face. He could not imagine what it had taken for this young woman to come this far. She had cooked and run a cafc, and now she was facing death on a dangerous mission to save her father.
"Do not worry," he said softly.
"But now Zan Arbor will realize she's been tricked," Astri said.
"We'll all be trapped. What should we do?"
"Leave," Qui-Gon said, opening the door. "We'll have to come back for the other prisoner. Zan Arbor will discover that she has been invaded. But she won't know where we are."
They raced down the hallway. Qui-Gon felt the weakness in his legs as he ran. Strength was returning, but he knew he would have trouble if he had to fight the bounty hunter. He wished he had his lightsaber.
Before they turned the corner toward the double doors, Qui-Gon stopped and peered around. Jenna Zan Arbor had left the doors ajar. She had her back to them. Ona Nobis stepped into the building.
"There's been a security breach," Jenna Zan Arbor said breathlessly.
"I can't find Nil. I think someone is here, trying to rescue Qui-Gon. Two people, one of them a Jedi. Maybe both of them. You must find them."
"My mission has been completed," Ona Nobis said in a flat tone. "I came for my payment."
"What are you talking about?" Zan Arbor's voice rose. "I'm telling you I'm in trouble!"
"I am telling you it is not my concern," Ona Nobis said in the same emotionless tone. "You sent me after that friend of Ren S'orn on Simpla-12.
The Jedi beat me there. That was my last task for you. I have taken on another job. And I have my own plans for that Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Listen to me," Jenna Zan Arbor spat out. "There are intruders in this lab.
You must search the premises and destroy them."
Ona Nobis did not answer. She held out her hand for payment.
"But Obi-Wan Kenobi could be here right now!"
"I will meet him on my terms. Not yours. Not here."