Enough, Obi-Wan thought. He struggled to rise, but the electro-jabber had done its work. He knew he wouldn't regain full use of his arms and legs for several more hours. It would be impossible to use his lightsaber effectively until then. Besides, he'd been instructed not to show Keganites that he was a Jedi. Obi-Wan tried to roll closer to Siri but couldn't move.
He watched helplessly as the boot increased pressure on Siri's shoulder, driving her face into the dirt.
'What did I say about back talk?' the man asked again.
Siri gritted her teeth. Her vivid blue eyes blazed. She spat out the dirt in her mouth. Still, she didn't answer.
'V-Tarz!' A voice boomed from behind them. Instantly, V-Tarz took his boot off Siri's shoulder.
Obi-Wan saw another man approach, wearing the same navy chromasheath tunic as V-Tarz.
'Why are these students on the ground?' the second man demanded.
'Resisting capture,' V-Tarz responded.
'No need to use physical force,' the other man said. 'We've discussed this before. The Learning works with love, not fear. Take them to class.'
Obi-Wan was hauled to his feet. He locked his knees so that he would not fall. Siri did the same.
'But we're not Keganites,' Obi-Wan protested to the second guard, who seemed more friendly. 'We're visitors.'
The second guard's dark gaze flicked over Obi-Wan and Siri. 'No one visits Kegan. Three marks for lying.' He turned away. 'Take them to class.'
V-Tarz nudged them with the handle end of his electro-jabber. 'You heard V-Brose. Get moving.'
'Let's make a break for it,' Siri murmured to Obi-Wan as they stumbled across the yard, their muscles like pudding.
