As soon as they were out of sight, Obi-Wan sank onto the soft grass of the bank. He felt emptied out and light-headed, as though he'd been sick with a fever. He had told the truth, and they had not believed him. He tried to take comfort in the fact that at least it was over.
Yet deep insidehe feared that it was only beginning.
Chapter 4
Qui-Gon watched Vox Chun's sleek transport rise in the sky. The meeting had not gone well. In fact, it could not have gone worse. He had seen in Obi-Wan's face that meeting Vox and Kad Chun had only increased his feelings of guilt. Yet guilt must ease for Obi-Wan so that sorrow could take its place.
He had spoken to the boy, but the words had not reached him. Life needed to teach him. Time. Experience. These he could not hand over like a piece of advice.
But he could do something for his Padawan. He could distract him.
Obi-Wan had returned to his quarters. He lay on his sleep-couch, staring at the ceiling.
Qui-Gon leaned against the door frame. 'How would you like to take an excursion to Centax 2?'
Obi-Wan sat up. His troubled look vanished.'Really? I can see Garen! And those starfighters!'
'Yes, I thought you would like that. Tahl is investigating some problems there. I thought she might be able to use our help.'
Obi-Wan gave a vigorous nod. He would do anything for Tahl. 'When do we start?'
'Now, if you like,' Qui-Gon said. 'Get your gear together. We can take an air taxi there.'
Obi-Wan grabbed his survival pack, and they headed for the landing platform. There, they boarded an air taxi. It was a short flight to the upper atmosphere, where Centax 2 was located. The satellite was a small, bluish moon with no vegetation or water. Its deep valleys and mountain ranges had been leveled in order to accommodate huge landing platforms and various tech support buildings and hangars.
The landing platforms were busy with traffic, and the air taxi joined a line waiting to dock. At last they were given clearance to land. They exited the air taxi, and Qui-Gon led the way to a covered moving walkway that had exits for different landing platforms. They got off at the very end, where the walkway looped around to return. Then they trudged along a windswept lane to a small, private landing area in the distance. Obi-Wan could see five starfighters lined up outside a tech dome.
As he got closer, he saw two starfighters zooming overhead, just silver streaks in the sky. He kept his eyes on them as they dove, screaming, toward the surface, then pulled up. They flew side by side in mirror formation, then broke apart.
'I wish I could learn to fly like that,' Obi-Wan said admiringly.
After the two starfighters landed, Obi-Wan recognized a familiar figure jumping out of one of the cockpits. Garen Muln removed his helmet and shook out a head of thick, shoulder-length hair. To Obi-Wan's surprise, Garen no longer wore the short hair and long braid of a seniorTemplestudent. He saw that the other pilot had grown his hair as well.
Garen's keen gaze picked out the two figures approaching. After only a few seconds, he recognized Obi- Wan. With a delighted shout, he leaped off the starfighter and ran toward him.
'Obi-Wan! Why didn't you tell me you were coming? It's so good to see you!' Garen collected himself as he realized he had neglected to greet a Jedi Master. 'Excuse me, Qui-Gon Jinn,' he said, bowing. 'Welcome.'
Qui-Gon smiled. 'Obi-Wan and I decided to see how you were doing here at the base.'
'We're doing great. Except for a few mishaps lately, but Clee Rhara has straightened that all out.'
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
'Just wait until you meet her,' Garen told Obi-Wan, his eyes shining. 'She's incredible. The best pilot I've ever seen. She's got us doing things in the air we only dreamed about. I've come such a long way from theTemple!'
'You don't look like a Jedi any longer,' Obi-Wan said, noting Garen's flight coveralls and long hair.
'I'm still a Jedi, don't worry,' Garen said, flashing a grin.
Just then Clee Rhara strode out from the tech dome. She was dressed in flight coveralls, just like Garen. Her bright orange hair was untamed and flew around her face in the wind. Clee Rhara was petite and slender, barely coming up to Qui-Gon's shoulder, but her compact body was built of wiry muscle. She saw Qui-Gon, and a broad smile broke out on her face.
'What a surprise!' she called, hurrying forward.
'I'd like you to meet my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi.'
Obi-Wanwas examined by a pair of intense eyes the same color as Clee's vibrant orange hair. 'I've heard good things about you from Garen,' Clee said. 'Welcome.' She linked her arms with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. 'Let me show you the outfit. And Tahl is here. She'll be thrilled that you've come.'
Clee gave them a tour, showing them the re-tooled starfighters, the student quarters, the study rooms, hangars, and even the kitchens. Qui-Gon noted how the gaze of the Jedi students followed Clee as shestrolled the grounds. Obviously she inspired great loyalty.
Clee ended her tour at the tech center, where her students had hands-on experience with engines and hyperdrives. Tahl sat at a utility desk, using a voice-activated computer. She stopped speaking as they walked in.
'You'll never guess who-' Cleebegan.
'Qui-Gon.'Tahl said his name flatly. Qui-Gon felt a flicker of apprehension. Tahl had never greeted him so
