Obi-Wan could not help but feel chided. Didn't his Master think he could handle the situation? Wasn't it clear that he was approaching the problem in a new way?
Obi-Wan swallowed his utensilful of broth and looked across the table at his Master. 'I would like to go alone,' he said slowly. 'To finish what I have started by myself. We will both be at the meeting between the Freelies and the laborers, of course.' Obi-Wan hoped this last comment might sway his Master a bit.
There was a moment of silence before Qui-Gon spoke. 'Very well,' he said. 'I understand that it could be important for you to go alone. My presence might upset the balance you have been trying to create. I will contact Chairman Port and make sure the laborers are ready to meet. I will need to be present when he contacts Vorzyd 5 to apologize. And I may know a few others who would be interested in coming to the Freelie/laborer meeting as well,' he added thoughtfully.
Obi-Wan wondered who his Master was talking about, but a knock on their retiree room door halted their conversation. A second later the metal portal slid open and Grath stood in the doorway. He looked sheepishly at Qui-Gon, as if he wasn't sure how to greet a Jedi Master.
Qui-Gon got to his feet and lowered his head slightly before Grath.
'It's an honor to meet the leader of the Free-lies,' Qui-Gon said.
Grath looked surprised, but Obi-Wan just smiled. His Master was exceptionally skilled at setting others at ease.
'Obi-Wan has told me much about you,' Qui-Gon continued with a friendly smile.
Grath smiled back. 'It's an honor to meet you as well,' he said. 'And I'd like to thank you for your help. I'm hoping Vorzyd 4 will be on a new path before you leave.'
'That is my wish as well,' Qui-Gon agreed as he began to clear the eating utensils from the table. Obi-Wan sensed that it was his way of not intruding on their departure. Silently grateful, Obi-Wan left the room with Grath.
The two crossed the courtyard and waited for Nania to pick them up in the shuttle. In spite of his apparent confidence back in the retirement complex, Obi-Wan felt quite nervous. What if the Freelies wouldn't listen to what he and Grath had to say? What if they still thought he was a traitor?
By the time they got to the refuse facility, Obi-Wan was practicing a calming breathing technique. But he did not have to worry. The Freelies were quiet as they heard Grath out.
'I must apologize to you all for not telling you that we had a Jedi among us,' Grath said from atop a heap of rubble. 'But at the time I thought I was doing the right thing.'
While he listened to Grath, Obi-Wan looked around the facility. Kids were listening intently, and many were nodding. Only Tray stood apart, alone in a corner, looking angry. There was no sign of Flip.
'Obi-Wan has come to help us,' Grath went on. 'He understands what we are trying to do. And he can bring us and the laborers together.'
'No!' Tray shouted, stamping her foot. Looking at her, Obi-Wan wondered why she was so bent on violence. What did she want to accomplish?
There was a murmur in the crowd, and kids began to speak. But they were much more orderly than they had been the previous day, taking turns and listening to what others were saying. Obi-Wan took this as a good sign.
'They don't care about us,' someone said. 'It's all about productivity.'
'And they won't listen,' another Freelie added. 'They'll just stop the pranks, and the pranks are…' The boy struggled to find the right words.
'I agree,' Grath interrupted. 'Our coming together to make the pranks happen is the only fun I've had, and could be the best thing I've ever done. But we are not solving the problem. We are not getting any closer to our parents. We have to start somewhere if we are going to bring about the changes we need.'
There was a moment of silence as the Free-lies looked at one another.
Obi-Wan noticed that Tray's antennae were jabbing at the air, as if fighting something invisible. But the others seemed to be getting what Grath was saying. They understood that violence wasn't the answer.
'You do not have to come to the meeting if you are opposed,' Nania said, looking directly at Tray. 'But we hope you will. It is for all of us.
It is the only way.'
Nania kept her eyes locked on Tray, as if she expected an argument.
But the girl remained sullen and silent. Then Nania's antennae straightened.
'Where is Flip?' she asked.
Tray shrugged. 'I do not know,' she said. But there was a glint in her eyes that made Obi-Wan suspect she wasn't telling the truth.
Obi-Wan switched on his comlink. It was time to contact Qui-Gon. The device crackled for a moment, and then he heard his Master's voice.
'The Freelies have agreed to meet,' Obi-Wan said.
'That is good news,' Qui-Gon replied. 'We are in the Multycorp annex next to Chairman Port's office. We have made peace with Vorzyd 5, and a large group of laborers has gathered here, along with some retirees. We are anxious to get started.'
'Excellent,' Obi-Wan said. For the first time in days he felt relieved, and truly hopeful. 'We are on our way.'
Obi-Wan ended the communication and climbed onto a small pile of rubble. 'The laborers are waiting to meet with us — to hear what we have to say,' he told the Freelies. 'Some of the retirees are there as well. They want to begin the dialogue. We should all head over to the Multycorp annex at once.'
