Just then the announcement system on Kad's console crackled to life. 'Attention, attention,' a voice said. 'Ships are ringing our vessel, claiming they received a distress call. We cannot trace the call. Pleaseadvise.'
Kad moved his head in increments, as though it was painful for him. At last he locked gazes with his father.
'You have done this?' he croaked.
Vox did not answer.
'Answer me!' His voice was suddenly full of strength.
Vox took a step toward his son. 'You can come with me. They will take care of both of us, they promised-'
'No!' Kad covered his ears like a child for a moment, then dropped his hands. 'You've betrayed me, you've betrayed my cause-'
'Your cause,' Vox corrected angrily. 'Did I have a choice in the matter? I am an old man.'
'Obviously, you have made sure that your own nest is feathered,' Kad said scornfully. 'Didn't I give you everything you desired? The finest quarters on the ship, the ability to visit other worlds? You had a good life here. You did not need money. Is your greed so ravenous?'
'It is not money I want,' Vox answered, drawing his fine cape around him. 'It is power. You are right about only one thing in this philosophy of yours, my son. The galaxy is changing. Corruption is everywhere. And I will not be left behind! You have never understood that to be ruthless is to win. I have powerful friends, I always have. Yes, I would stop at nothing to get what I want. I wanted justice twelve years ago. So did you. If I arranged to sabotage a few Jedi starfighters, what of it?'
Kad straightened his shoulders and fixed his father with a steely gaze. 'This ends now. I will inform the Offworld ships that the BioCruiser is not in danger. Then you may choose a planet, and I will transport you there. I will never see you again.'
Vox appeared shaken by his son's cold tone. 'I see I must agree.' He strode from the room without a backward glance.
Kad turned away from the Jedi for a moment to composehimself. When he turned back, his eyes were clear.
'I had no idea,' he said.
'We know that,' Obi-Wan told him.
Suddenly, the ship was rocked by an explosion. Kad was thrown to the floor. Obi-Wan and Garen planted their feet and rode out the blast. Anakin staggered.
The comlink Den had given him signaled. Obi-Wan activated it. Den's agitated voice boomed out.
'Kern has sabotaged the ship! It's breaking apart!'
Chapter 21
Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Garen raced to the docking bay. Kad tried to keep up, but lagged behind. When the Jedi reached the docking bay, they saw Den desperately trying to detain both Kern and Vox, who were attempting to access the escape pod. Kern had his blaster drawn. Den was unarmed, and had grabbed a hydrospanner for defense. The attempt was foolish and brave.
Obi-Wan reached out to the Force. He held out a hand and a pile of equipment barrels shot out from a stack and tumbled to the floor between Kern and the pod airlock doors. That should also give Den cover.
Vox grabbed at Kern's arm. 'You stole the treasury! That wasn't the plan! What is Offworld going to do with me?'
Kern shook him off and tried to aim at Den. 'Get away from me, old man!' He caught sight of the Jedi and turned the blaster fire toward them.
Garen and Obi-Wan deflected the fire as they ran, their lightsabers swinging and circling in a blazing trail. Frail Vox summoned up a burst of strength and dodged around the barrels toward the pod. He accessed the doors and jumped inside the pod.
Kern leaped over the barrels clumsily, keeping up a furious rain of fire at the Jedi. Obi-Wan jumped forward, accessing the Force to cross a great distance. He landed on the opposite side of Den. With a casual gesture, Kern turned for a split second, shot Vox, then threw him out of the pod. A wounded Vox hit the ground.
'Father!' Kad screamed. He had arrived at the landing bay and now began to rush forward.
Kern aimed his blaster at Kad as he dove backward into the pod. Anakin sprang forward to deflect fire as Obi-Wan lunged for the closing escape pod doors. He was too late. Kern jumped inside, and the escape pod blasted off. Kad raced to his father's side and fell to his knees. Garen checked Vox's vital signs and shook his head at Obi-Wan. Vox was dying.
The ship reeled from another blast. Tech workers began to rush into the landing bay, trying to ready escape ships. Kad did not notice. He gathered up his dying father in his arms.
Vox's lips were white. 'Forgive me, son.' Tears fell like soft rain from Kad's cheeks onto his father's uplifted face. He wiped them away from his father's face with great gentleness.
'Yes, Father,' he said. 'I forgive you.' Vox barely managed a nod. Then, his gaze still on his son, he died.
Kad bowed his head over his father. Obi-Wan motioned to the others to step back.
'We have to get everyone off the ship,' he said. 'I've no doubt that if Kern really double-crossed Vox and stole thetreasury, he has rigged the ship to explode.'
