Qui-Gon's gaze was slightly sharper. 'Here it comes,' he called, relief in his voice. He halted the speeder and Obi-Wan pulled up beside him. In just minutes, the droid returned.
Qui-Gon consulted the readout. 'He's stopped. Good. We might be able to catch up to him by dawn.'
Qui-Gon released the probe droid again, then zoomed off to the next destination. Obi-Wan pushed his engine to follow. Balog was within their grasp.
They rode all night. It was Obi-Wan's second night without sleep. The three moons rose high in the purple sky, and the calls of night creatures came to him faintly. When weariness overcame him, he reached out to the Force to help him maintain a meditative state. He was alert enough to drive, yet was able to allow his body to rest even as he sped over the rocky ground. Qui-Gon did not appear tired in the least.
Dawn broke quickly on this world. The horizon turned red-orange, and the blazing color spread into the dark purple of the sky as the suns rose higher. The flat landscape had changed to foothills that grew larger and steeper as they rode. Trees were thick, and the Jedi had to use caution to keep up their speed.
'We are close, Padawan. Let's slow down a bit. Balog could be breaking camp.' Qui-Gon slowed his engine, and Obi-Wan followed suit.
'We should go on foot from here. He should be over that next hill.'
Obi-Wan jumped off his swoop gratefully. His legs felt stiff. The air was cold, and he moved quickly to warm his muscles.
They climbed the hill silently. Their footing had to be assured, for if they slipped, they could cause a small rock slide that would alert Balog of their presence.
They neared the top of the hill and Qui-Gon dropped to his hands and knees. Obi-Wan did the same. He slithered up to the top and peered over.
All he saw was an empty plain. There was no sign of Balog, even in the distance. He must have left long ago.
Qui-Gon dropped his head into his hands. He did not speak for a moment. Obi-Wan was disappointed, but he could see that his Master was distraught.
Obi-Wan was tired and hungry and cold. There was nothing he would like better right now than to set up the condenser unit for warmth, eat some rations, and settle on the ground for a good sleep of at least a few hours.
Instead, he put his hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder. He spoke softly.
'Let's keep going.'
'Yes,' Qui-Gon said, his expression fierce. 'Let's move on.'
Chapter 5
Before the morning had passed, the probe droid returned with new coordinates. Balog was traveling quickly, with barely any stops. Obi-Wan could see Qui-Gon's frustration harden into cold resolve. He would not rest until they caught up with Balog. He would drive his body to the limit.
The temperature rose, and the combined power of the blazing suns bore down on Obi-Wan. He took a swallow of water from his rations. He felt light-headed from the heat and lack of sleep.
'Do you think Balog doesn't stop because he knows we're behind him?'
he asked Qui-Gon.
'Or he has a destination in mind and knows he will be safe there,'
Qui-Gon responded. 'It would be best for us to catch up to him before he reaches it.'
Obi-Wan wanted to ask Qui-Gon more questions, but he stilled his curiosity. He sensed that talk would disrupt his Master's concentration.
They were using the probe droid, but they also needed their own tracking skills to keep moving. Time and time again they needed to exit their transports and make their way over the ground. Obi-Wan now realized how different a training exercise was from reality. He had to make absolutely sure that he didn't miss a thing, and that what he did read from the ground was correct. Tahl's life depended on it.
As the first sun began to set, the probe droid returned. Qui-Gon consulted the readout and turned to Obi- Wan. His face was streaked with dust, his tunic stained and filthy. Obi-Wan knew he must look just the same.
'We must travel through the night again, Padawan. Can you do it?'
Obi-Wan had reached a place where his body did not feel fatigue. He knew it was there, deep in his muscles and bones, and that he would feel it once this pursuit was over. Until then, he would not allow himself.
'I can do it,' he said.
Qui-Gon nodded and sped off. Again, they rode through the dark night.
The cold air revived Obi-Wan and he took deep breaths of it to restore himself. The night streamed past in a blur of landscape and rising and setting moons.
The sky was just beginning to lighten when the probe droid returned.
It had taken less time for its reconnaissance. That could be a good sign.
Obi-Wan kept his eyes on Qui-Gon as he quickly accessed the readout. When Qui-Gon turned, his eyes gleamed in satisfaction.
'He has stopped. The droid has just left him, so he'll be there this time. We've got him.' He leaped off his speeder. 'We must proceed carefully, Padawan. There is a small canyon just ahead. Balog is there.'
