they already had. He asked for priority, but he could never be sure what other Jedi missions were at stake. Obi- Wan cut the communication but did not put away his comlink.
'What is it?' Anakin asked.
'I have an idea.' Obi-Wan contacted Tnani again. 'While you're doing the search, can you also investigate any Kerns who have died within the last twenty years?'
The impassive Jedi Knight did not question Obi-Wan. 'I will do so.'
Obi-Wan cut the communication again. Den looked at him quizzically.
'What was that about? Sure, the guy is ugly, but he doesn't look dead,' Den said.
'I'm still thinking about that high security clearance,' Obi-Wan said, tucking his comlink back into his utility belt. 'I remember that Qui-Gon told me that there are secret operatives called 'no-names' who are used by the Senate. They use fabricated identities that are retired when they die. Except Qui-Gon knew of several cases where if someone had enough money or influence they could buy a retired identity.' Obi-Wan shrugged. 'Maybe Kern is a purchased identity. It's worth checking into.'
'I knew I needed you!' Den said, clapping Obi-Wan on the back.
'But if Kern is a bought identity, that means that somebody powerful wanted him to infiltrate this ship,' Anakin said. 'Who could it be? And why?'
'That,' Obi-Wan said, 'just might turn out to be the most important question of all.'
Chapter 17
Den had to return to his job-'They've got me raising vegetables, can you believe that?' — so while he was waiting for Tnani to reply, Obi-Wan suggested to Anakin that they strike up conversations with some of the residents of the BioCruiser. They spoke to as many beings as they could-a librarian, a tech worker, a teacher, a former ruler of her planet who was now an administrator aboard ship. Each of them spoke glowingly of Uni and their life aboard the BioCruiser. Each of them looked at their decision to leave their worlds as a kind of salvation.
'What do you think?' Obi-Wan asked Anakin as they headed to a nearby cafe for themiddaymeal. 'Do they seem brainwashed to you?' He was always curious about Anakin's perceptions. Often he was startled to discover they were sharper than his own. Anakin saw things intuitively, while Obi-Wan knew he had a tendency to overanalyze.
'Not brainwashed,' Anakin said.'Just sad, somehow.'
'Sad?'
'Well, they gave up. That's always sad, isn't it? And leaving your family and friends behind makes you sad, too. They push it way down. But it's there. It's there in their dreams. Where else can it go?'
Intrigued, Obi-Wan mulled over Anakin's words. He would not have phrased it that way or perhaps even formed the same thoughts, but Anakin had put his finger on what was bothering him.
The only trouble was, they couldn't bring a charge of 'instituting sadness' back to the Senate. They hadn't really found any evidence against Uni.
A group of security officers suddenly wheeled around the corner in lockstep. Obi-Wan watched them curiously at first. Then his instinct kicked in. The officers were coming for the Jedi.
The officers were armed with blasters (still in their holsters) and electro-jabbers (in their hands). Anakin had picked up on the disturbance in the Force a beat later than Obi-Wan. He tensed and glanced at his Master, uncertain of what to do. Obi-Wan didn't want to engage with security aboard the vessel. This was to be a peaceful investigation, nothing more.
The lead security officer brandished his electro-jabber. 'You must come with us.'
'On whose authority?' Obi-Wan asked.
'Uni's. Now move.'
The officer raised his electro-jabber and moved toward Anakin. Obi-Wan saw that he meant to use it. Such a blow could paralyze Anakin's arm or leg for some time. The security officer didn't have a chance to blink. Obi- Wan's lightsaber was activated and moving before the electro-jabber had shifted even a few centimeters. The lightsaber neatly cleaved the jabber in two. The officer crashed to his knees from the strength of the blow. He was unhurt, but dazed.
Immediately the other security officers sprang forward. Anakin had already whirled away from the first officer and drawn his lightsaber. It was only a training lightsaber on loan from theTemple, but even its low power was effective.
'No harm, only disarm,' Obi-Wan had a chance to murmur before he flipped backward to avoid a security officer who tried to come at him from his left. Obi-Wan turned, his lightsaber a blur of heat and energy, and turned the electro-jabber into a smoking heap on the floor.
Anakin's training lightsaber circled and whirled before an upward sweep sent the third officer's electro- jabber crashing to the floor in two molten piles. Obi-Wan and Anakin sprang forward to defend themselves against the last two officers, who stumbled backward, unnerved by the display of Jedi skill. One dropped his electro-jabber and fumbled for his blaster. Obi-Wan cleaved the other's electro-jabber in two and turned the blade of the lightsaber close to the last officer's face.
'Do you really want to draw that weapon?' he asked.
The security officer's eyes wobbled. He licked his lips. 'Not-no.'
'We will come with you voluntarily,' Obi-Wan said, looking at each officer in turn. 'Do you understand?'
The first officer stood. 'We are well trained,' he said to Obi-Wan. 'We just never met Jedi before. If you'll follow us…'
