'But you didn't rescue Tahl,' Bant said evenly. 'At least, not in time. Did you?'
Obi-Wan was stung. Bant had said nothing more than the terrible truth, but it wasn't like her to hurt him that way.
She seemed to realize how severely her words had wounded him. 'She was my Master, Obi-Wan,' she said in a slightly softer tone. 'She needed me. I wasn't there. You can't imagine how that feels.'
'No,' he said quietly. 'And I never would want to. I am truly sorry, Bant. You are right. We should have contacted you.'
Bant nodded stiffly. Obi-Wan's actions had caused a rift in their friendship. He didn't know how deep that rift was, or how long it would last.
Tahl was dead. Qui-Gon was like a stranger. And now Obi-Wan's best friend had turned away from him.
He had never felt so alone.
Chapter 3
The last thing Qui-Gon wanted was a private talk with Mace Windu. He felt such a heaviness of spirit that it was all he could do to be courteous to the Jedi Master. The pain inside him ebbed and flowed like an unpredictable tide. Sometimes it reared up so fiercely that it tore at his insides like a beast.
Out of all the Jedi, why did Mace have to take this mission? There was a great deal of respect between the two Jedi, but Qui-Gon had never felt particularly close to his formidable colleague.
The door slid shut behind them. Even here in his private reception room, Manex had turned the lights to pale blue. It gave an eerie cast to the gleaming black stone that covered the walls and floors, and turned the bright vivid greens of the seating areas and lush pillows into a sickly hue.
'Do you wish to accompany Tahl's body back to the Temple?' Mace asked. 'Bant, Obi-Wan, and I can remain here and conduct the mission.'
Qui-Gon saw that Mace was trying to be kind. There was deep sympathy in his sober gaze. He felt a rush of relief that Mace did not inquire into his feelings, or ask if there had been something deeper than friendship between Qui-Gon and Tahl. Qui-Gon suspected that Mace already knew these things without words.
Qui-Gon did not intend to give up the search for Tahl's killer. But he needed to be careful. He could not tell Mace that his need to find Balog was burning inside him. His anger might show in his voice or his face. Mace might think that the anger was not under control. He would not understand that despite his grief, Qui-Gon's control was complete.
It is because it has to be. It's the only way I can go on.
'Thank you for the offer,' he said. 'But I must continue the mission in order to honor Tahl's memory.'
To Qui-Gon's relief, Mace nodded. He was not going to argue with him.
Tahl would have. She always knew when he was trying to sidestep his own feelings. A fresh spurt of agony caused him to clench his hands together into fists by his side. If Mace noticed, he did not comment.
The light over the door flashed, then slid open partway. Manex's protocol droid, fashioned of highly polished black plastoid, hovered.
'Manex has returned and would like a word with the Jedi,' it said.
Glad for the interruption, Qui-Gon turned. 'Please tell him to come in.'
A moment later the door opened wider and Manex entered, along with Obi-Wan and Bant.
'Excuse the interruption please,' Manex said, running a hand through his cropped curly hair. For the first time, Qui-Gon noticed that it had begun to turn gray like his brother's. 'I have just come from the United Legislature, and I have some news that I thought you needed to hear. I'm glad to see the new Jedi team has arrived.'
'I am Mace Windu and this is Bant,' Mace said.
Manex bowed his greeting. 'I'm honored to have distinguished Jedi in my home. But I'm afraid that my news is not good. Information has been leaked to the Senators that Tahl was helping the Absolutes. There is a holotape of a meeting that she chaired in which she is discussing taking over the government.'
'Tahl was working undercover in order to expose the Absolutes,' Obi- Wan explained.
'The Senators don't know what to believe,' Manex said.
'How did this tape get circulated?' Mace asked.
'Balog,' Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon said together.
'Obviously it's been leaked by him,' Obi-Wan continued. 'He needs to discredit the Jedi in order to prepare the way to return to power.'
'It doesn't matter,' Qui-Gon said. 'We'll clear Tahl's name when we find Balog.'
'If you can find him quickly,' Manex said gravely. 'My fear is that he will come to, power and we won't be able to charge him with anything. Do you know who is backing him? Whoever it is, he or she must be powerful.'
'We are not certain of anything,' Mace said. The Jedi were not ready to confide in Manex. He knew nothing of Alani's treachery. He might even be an ally of hers.
'I have further news,' Manex said. 'I have been appointed Acting Supreme Governor until the elections are held. I haven't sought this position, nor do I want it. I'm a businessman, not a politician. But the Senators prevailed on my love of my planet and my desire for peace. They feel that Roan's brother has the best chance of holding the
