by Jude Watson
The door hissed open and TooJay walked in, carrying a tray. "I brought your lunch, Sir Tahl," she announced.
"I'm not hungry."
"There is a protein cake, fruit, and--”
"Just put it down," Tahl ordered absently, her mind still on Xanatos. TooJay set down the tray and began to straighten Tahl's desk. "Whatever he is planning, it will happen soon," Tahl said.
TooJay moved one set of papers from one side of the desk to the other.
Qui-Gon stood. "Tahl, can TooJay fetch Bant? We need to talk to her."
Tahl turned toward Qui-Gon, a surprised expression on her face. "Bant?"
Qui-Gon spoke in a meaningful tone. "I'll explain when she gets here."
"TooJay, please fetch Bant from the temporary quarters," Tahl ordered.
"I can wait for your lunch tray, sir," TooJay added.
"Now," Tahl said firmly.
"I will return," TooJay said, hurrying out the door.
As soon as the door closed behind the droid, Tahl turned to Qui-Gon. "What was that about?"
"How did you get TooJay?" Qui-Gon asked her.
"I told you, Yoda arranged for it," Tahl answered.
"Did Yoda bring the droid himself?" Qui-Gon persisted.
Tahl nodded. "Why?"
"It was just a few days after you and I arrived from Melida/Daan," Qui-Gon mused. "Was the droid ever out of your sight?"
Tahl groaned. "Are you kidding? TooJay is always underfoot." Then she frowned. "Except on the second day. I needed TooJay to guide me to the north wing. But I couldn't locate her for several hours. She said she had to attend some kind of indoctrination training. What are you driving at, Qui-Gon?"
Tahl looked mystified, but Obi-Wan saw where Qui-Gon was heading. "The droid appeared at the same time that the thefts began," he told her.
"Are you saying that TooJay is the thief?" Tahl asked. "That droid is pretty conspicuous."
"No, TooJay isn't the thief," Qui-Gon said. He glanced at Obi-Wan. "But I think we could have found our spy."
"We'll have to be sure," Obi-Wan said. "If we could shut TooJay down temporarily--”
"We could find the transmitter," Qui-Gon finished. "We can't have Xanatos know we suspect."
Tahl's mind worked quickly, absorbing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's leaps of thought. "How can we shut TooJay down without arousing suspicion?"
Obi-Wan grinned. "That's easy. Just act naturally."
Tahl turned her head toward him. "What do you mean, Obi-Wan?"
"It's obvious that the droid annoys you," Obi-Wan answered. "Pick a fight and shut her down because you've had enough."
Slowly, Tahl smiled. "I've done it before."
"Very smart, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon approved. "Let's do it when she returns."
Within minutes, TooJay reappeared. "I cannot locate Bant. If I can say this, Sir Tahl, I do not think it advisable for me to be absent. You could need my assistance. For example, there are data sheets on the floor several centimeters from your left foot--"
"I know that," Tahl snapped. "Qui-Gon, those are for you. Why don't you sit here?" She stood, sweeping an arm toward a chair. The tray of food TooJay had brought earlier crashed to the floor. Obi-Wan sprang forward to help, but Qui-Gon held him back.
"Your lunch!" TooJay scurried forward. "It was ten centimeters to your right--”
"Enough, you driveling droid!" Tahl snapped. "If you don't shut your voice activator, I'll shut it for you!"
"But you won't be able to navigate!" TooJay protested.
"I'll be able to think!" Tahl shouted. She reached forward and deactivated the droid completely.
Silence fell. Tahl grinned. "Was that natural enough for you, Obi-Wan?"
Qui-Gon strode forward and began to examine TooJay. "Here," he said after a moment. "Right in the joint of the pelvic servomotor. A transmitter."
"Does it record and send simultaneously?" Tahl asked.
"Yes," Qui-Gon said. "I would guess that Xanatos has some sort of trigger on his end that alerts him if the conversation is important. He could have programmed several word triggers, like my name, or Yoda's, his, Bruck's - there could be any number of triggers. That way he doesn't have to listen to everything that happens to you - only what he needs." Qui-Gon examined the transmitter. "This unit transmits audio and visuals."
"So Xanatos has known what we were planning all along," Tahl said, sinking back into her chair. "He's been watching our every move. This is bad news."
"Not at all," Qui-Gon said softly. "Now we do not have to chase him. He will come straight to us."
Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan, I need you to go to the temporary dormitory. Pick a senior student with your height and build. Then come back here. And be as quick as you can."
Without taking time to respond, Obi-Wan raced out of Tahl's quarters and headed for the lift tube. He reached the level where the students had set up sleeping areas and hastily scanned the crowd. He already knew who he would choose. Not only was his friend Garen Muln his size, but Obi-Wan trusted his abilities as well.
"Obi-Wan! Are you looking for me?" Bant ran forward from a crowd of students who were busy unrolling bedding.
Obi-Wan continued to scan the sea of students. "I'm looking for someone to help Qui-Gon and me," he said.
"But I can help!" Bant's silver eyes shone eagerly. "I'd be glad to help Qui-Gon."
The jealousy that Obi-Wan had tried to smother suddenly leaped inside him. The hurt and longing he'd been feeling turned into something uncontrollable. The open eagerness in Bant's face made him more furious than ever.
"Yes, I'm sure you would," he told Bant savagely. "I'm sure you'd take any opportunity to show Qui-Gon how valuable you are. How much he needs you."
The light in Bant's eyes dimmed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you want to be Qui-Gon's Padawan," Obi-Wan said fiercely. "It's obvious. You keep trying to impress him. You hang around him all the time."
Bant shook her head. "But I just wanted to help. I'm not trying to be his Padawan. You're his Padawan, Obi-Wan."
"No, I'm not. You made that clear to me. I let him down. So maybe he deserves you, instead."
Bant's eyes filmed over. "That's not so," she whispered.
Obi-Wan caught sight of Garen. He called his name and beckoned him over. "We need your help," he told Garen as his friend came up.
"Obi-Wan--” Bant began.
"I don't have time to talk," Obi-Wan said brusquely.
Bant nodded, her face full of hurt. Quickly, she walked away.
"What did you say to her?" Garen asked him, taking a step toward Bant. "You hurt her feelings."
Obi-Wan grabbed his arm. "You don't have time to go after her now. Qui-Gon needs you."
Obi-Wan led the way out of the dormitory. He felt guilty about his harsh words. Asking for Garen's help in front of Bant was a deliberate snub. Garen's look of disapproval both irritated him and fueled his guilt. His friend was silent as the lift tube hissed upward toward Tahl's quarters.
After this is over, I'll apologize to Bant, Obi-Wan thought. I let my jealousy take over. It was wrong. I'll make it right.
The lights in the hallway outside Tahl's quarters were still at half-power. Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon standing by Tahl's door, his back to them.
"Qui-Gon, I brought Garen Muln," he called to him.
The tall man turned, and Obi-Wan saw it was Ali-Alann.
"I apologize," Obi-Wan said. "I thought you were Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon stepped out from Tahl's open doorway. "That was exactly what you were supposed to think."
Qui-Gon studied Garen. "You'll do very well," he murmured.
"Qui-Gon, I am happy to help you, but what am I going to be doing?" Ali-Alann asked respectfully.
"Not much," Qui-Gon answered. "You have to be me for a short time, that's all. And Garen, you will pose as Obi-Wan."
Garen nodded. Both he and Ali-Alann had caught Qui-Gon's seriousness.
"Obi-Wan and I will record a voice track," Qu
i-Gon went on. "You will activate it when you're sure that Tahl's personal navigation droid is nearby. Then you'll go on a search for the intruders. But you will not find them."
"Why not?" Garen asked.
"Because we will," Qui-Gon said, putting a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. His eyes glowed fiercely. "We will put an end to this."
Qui-Gon's hand on his shoulder, his steady words, sent a shiver through Obi-Wan. He had been unfair to Bant. If Qui-Gon was encouraging to her, it was only because of his goodness. It didn't mean Qui-Gon wanted Bant as a Padawan any more than it meant that he still wanted Obi-Wan. It only meant that he was encouraging strength where he saw it. Obi-Wan realized it wasn't Bant who stood between him and Qui-Gon. It was Qui-Gon's own feelings. He had known that. He just didn't want to accept it.
"We'll have to exchange tunics," Qui-Gon said. "Everything they wear and carry must be ours. We can't underestimate Xanatos. The match must be as perfect as possible."
Tahl suddenly came to the door. Her sightless eyes zeroed in on Qui-Gon exactly. Her ability to place people by their voices was exceptional.
"Qui-Gon, we could have a problem," she said. "Bant has disappeared. She knows she's not supposed to roam the Temple without permission."
Garen and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance. They knew why Bant had left without permission.
Just then, Qui-Gon's comlink signaled. He activated it.
"What a pleasure to greet you again, Qui-Gon."
Everyone froze. The mockery that ran through the deep voice alerted even Ali-Alann and Garen that this was Xanatos.
"What do you want?" Qui-Gon asked tersely.
"My transport," Xanatos answered smoothly. "Fully fueled, on the spaceport landing platform. And no one around to follow me."
"Why should I give you this?" Qui-Gon asked scornfully.
"Hmmm. An interesting question. Perhaps because I have bumped into a friend of yours in the water tunnel. I think it might be a good idea if the fish-girl stays with me for awhile. Unless you object."
It took a moment, no more, for Obi-Wan to realize who Xanatos meant. Bant. He had kidnapped Bant.
Qui-Gon squeezed the comlink so hard that Obi-Wan was surprised it didn't shatter. Tahl grabbed the doorframe. Garen took a step forward, as if he could reach through the comlink and grapple with Xanatos. Only Obi-Wan did not move. His blood had turned to ice, his muscles to stone.
"So do we have a deal?" Xanatos asked. "My transport, and I send the girl back to you. I'll give you fifteen minutes. That is all."
"How do I know you have Bant?" Qui-Gon asked.
Seconds later, a firm, high voice came over the comlink. "Qui-Gon, don't do it. I'm fine. I don't want you to--”
Bant's voice was cut off abruptly. The comlink went dead.
Qui-Gon went inside Tahl's quarters to confer with her. Ali-Alann and Garen followed. Obi-Wan still found himself unable to move. It was as though his body had taken over, refusing to listen to his mind. No matter how forcefully he told his legs to move, they would not. Never before had this happened, not during battle, not even when Cerasi had been killed in front of his eyes.
The words passed through his mind rapidly, like figures streaming across a data screen.
My fault. My fault. Bant will die. She will die. Xanatos is merciless. She will die. And again it will be my fault.
Bant and Cerasi merged in his mind. His grief was a howl inside his body. It tore at his stomach, his throat, and yet he could not let it loose. The loss of Cerasi rushed through him, as keen as the moment he had seen the life ebb in her crystal green eyes. She was gone to him forever. For the rest of his days, he would think of her, need her, turn to say something to her, decide to contact her... and he would never be able to reach her again.
He loved Bant as he had loved Cerasi. How could he have spoken so harshly to her? How could he have suspected the most loving heart he knew of plotting against him? She would never have tried to take his place with Qui-Gon. He knew that as surely as he knew his own name. He had spoken out of bitterness, out of fatigue, out of his own shame, out of everything but truth.
Bant always spoke the truth. What a valuable friend she was.
And he would lose her. He would lose her forever.
My fault.
If Bant died, the grief would destroy him.
He bent over and stared at the floor, his heart racing as though he'd just fought a battle. He gulped down his panic, but he could not make it go away. Instead it rose in his throat again and again, choking him.
He heard footsteps approach him, then pause. He recognized Qui-Gon's step.
No. Don't let him see me this way.
He struggled to compose himself. But the panic was too real. The fear squeezed his throat, cramped his muscles. He could not move.
He saw Qui-Gon's boots stop in front of him. Then, to his surprise, the large man crouched next to him. His voice was close to his ear.
"It is all right, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said gently. "I understand."
Obi-Wan shook his head. Qui-Gon could not possibly understand.
"Never fear your feelings, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said. "They can guide you if you control them."
"I - I can't." Obi-Wan forced the words out. How he hated to admit his weakness to Qui-Gon! But he could not lie.
"Yes, you can," Qui-Gon said with the same gentleness. "I know you can. You are a Jedi. You will focus. You will reach your calm center. Do not try to tamp down the fear. Do not let it grip you. If you let it move through you, it will leave you. Breathe."
Obi-Wan breathed. A tiny part of the panic loosened its grip. He breathed again, and felt the fear rise. This time he did not battle it. He pictured it rising on his breath, leaving his body. His muscles loosened slightly.
"We will rescue Bant," Qui-Gon continued. "We will defeat Xanatos. We will bring him down."
The panic was lessening. But not the shame.
"I hurt her." The words were jerky, forced out on a hiccup of air. "I made her run away."
"Ah." Qui-Gon paused. "Did you send her to Xanatos? Speaking sharply to a friend is wrong, Obi-Wan. It is cause for an apology. But it is not cause to be responsible for what happens afterward. Bant knows that. Her kidnapping is not your fault, and she would be the first to say so. She knows she should not use the water tunnels alone."
Obi-Wan kept his eyes on the floor. He grabbed onto Qui-Gon's calmness like a raft. He strove to find it within himself. He knew that Qui-Gon was frantic to find Bant, was full of anxiety to rid the Temple of Xanatos . Yet Qui-Gon crouched next to him, perfectly willing to wait out his panic.
"You want to return to the Jedi," Qui-Gon continued. "Now be a Jedi. This is the moment. This is exactly the moment when you must. The very worst time is the time you must follow the Code. Cast away your doubt. Let the Force flow through you."
Obi-Wan lifted his head and met Qui-Gon's steady gaze. Now he could feel the Force move between them, gather itself and surround them. He knew that together they could defeat Xanatos. He was able to cast doubt aside and believe.
Qui-Gon saw the change in his face. "Are you ready?"
Obi-Wan nodded.
"Then come." Qui-Gon stood. Obi-Wan found that his legs moved easily. The strange paralysis was gone.
"What are we going to do?" Obi-Wan asked.
"When your enemy strikes unexpectedly, things change," Qui-Gon said. "But if your plan is good, there is no reason to abandon it."
Tahl sent TooJay on an errand while Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged clothes with Garen and Ali-Alann.
"Your boots are too big," Garen said, clomping around Tahl's quarters.
"No, your boots are too small," Obi-Wan said, wincing.
Qui-Gon and Tahl stood in a corner, speaking softly to Miro Daroon on the comlink. Their voices blended, interrupted, spoke rapidly and crisply as they conferred on strategy, deciding what Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan would say on the voice track.
When Tahl and Qui-Gon signed off, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon went over what
they would say several times. They would need to have the rhythm of natural conversation, Qui-Gon drilled into Obi-Wan. It was perfectly all right to hesitate or interrupt. But the information had to be exact.
The conversation had to be recorded in the hallway. The noise level and ambient sound had to mimic the area where TooJay would overhear. Ali-Alann and Garen stood at opposite ends of the hallway, making sure no one would pass. They also served as lookouts for TooJay.
While these preparations were made, Obi-Wan felt a constant tightening inside himself. Thanks to Qui-Gon, he had driven out his fear. Now his task was to find his center. He was impatient to engage Bruck and Xanatos. Yet impatience was not an ally in battle. It was an enemy. Qui-Gon had drilled that into him many times. He tried to draw on Qui-Gon's composure. The Jedi Knight seemed perfectly unhurried, yet Obi-Wan saw how quickly and surely he moved and spoke. In barely any time at all, everyone was clear on what had to be done and everyone was in position.
Qui-Gon activated the voice track. "We must talk, Obi-Wan. We must move fast. No doubt Xanatos has moved Bant from the water tunnels. We'll begin the search in the north wing of the Temple . Did you get the infrared sensors?"
"I have them here," Obi-Wan replied. "Where will the other search teams be?"
"They'll start at the high floor of the north wing while we begin at the lowest. We'll meet in the middle and then shut down the wing completely and move onto the south wing. We'll trap them eventually."
"I don't know why we have to leave Xanatos' transport on the landing platform," Obi-Wan protested. "Why should we give him what he wants?"
"Because he might be checking to be sure that we do. We can't endanger Bant. Patience, Obi-Wan. Xanatos will never reach the transport."
"I can't help it," Obi-Wan said fiercely, making his voice rise. "I want to fight them!"
Qui-Gon had directed Obi-Wan to seem impatient. He wanted Xanatos to think the boy was close to the edge of his control. It could give them an advantage in the coming battle if Xanatos underestimated Obi-Wan.
"You must have control," Qui-Gon said sternly. "Now, as we search, remember that Miro will be shutting down the power system. We can't run the risk of other systems failing while we search. Miro will have to shut down the system in order to run a program to find all the bugs."