Murk Lundi was dead.
Several emotions clashed inside Obi-Wan. Confusion, frustration, relief..
Anakin turned to face him. 'I knew he was going to die,' he explained. 'And I didn't think he should end his life in a cage. So I let him out. I thought it was the right thing to do.' His face was full of worry, and Obi-Wan realized that he had probably upset the boy with his outburst on Kodai.
'It is all right, Padawan,' Obi-Wan said, placing a hand on Anakin's shoulder. He had much to learn as a Jedi Master, he realized. And it had taken him and Qui-Gon years of working together to develop their strong ties of trust.
Those ties would develop for him and Anakin as well, in time. As for Lundi, it didn't matter now. The Quermian and his evil were gone.
Obi-Wan saw relief wash over Anakin's young face. 'I'm sorry about the hologram message,' he said. 'I didn't mean to keep it from you, I just — '
Obi-Wan nodded. 'I know,' he said. 'I should not have reacted so strongly. Next time we will both do better.'
'I hope there — ' Anakin was suddenly interrupted by a flash of blinding light, followed by an earsplitting roar. The ship hurtled backward as debris pummeled the exterior.
'Cut the power,' Obi-Wan barked.
Anakin raced to the controls and flipped the master switch. A second later they were enveloped in darkness. If they were lucky they would hurtle away with the flaming wreckage unnoticed by the mysterious gray ship — Obi-Wan held his breath. He reached out to the Force and felt immediately that Norval was dead. The poor clever student was wrong.
Whoever was aboard the gray ship was not his friend. The blast had been intended for the Jedi, and whoever had caused the fiery explosion had been willing to kill an ally to keep the Sith Holocron out of Jedi hands.
Chapter 27
The ship docked in the Coruscant hangar and Anakin and Obi-Wan disembarked. They'd drifted for hours while they patched the hyper-drive back together. Even with Anakin's skills as a mechanic they'd only just managed to limp the craft home. Now, there was much to do.
'I will see about getting the ship back to Kodai,' Anakin offered.
Obi-Wan nodded. He had removed the Holocron from the cargo bay and was eager to get it to its permanent home in the archives. He'd learned to ignore the nausea, but would never be comfortable around this kind of dark power.
'Come to the Council Chambers when you are finished,' Obi-Wan said.
'I am sure the Council will want to hear from us as soon as possible.'
Anakin nodded. 'And Lundi?' he asked.
'I will have his body removed from the ship and brought into the Temple. The Council will decide what to do with him.'
Obi-Wan watched Anakin cross the hangar, then hurried to the Jedi Temple. Jocasta Nu was waiting for him, the safe for the Holocron already open. They placed the artifact inside, then sealed the door and lowered it into the archive vault.
When the Holocron was out of view, Obi-Wan sighed in relief. He hoped he would never have to see or touch that evil object again.
By the time Obi-Wan arrived outside the Council Chambers door, Anakin was waiting for him. The boy smiled broadly as the Chambers door slid open.
'Congratulations,' Depa Billaba said as they stepped inside. 'A job well done.'
'Indeed,' agreed Saesee Tiin.
Anakin's eyes were lit with excitement. 'It was a great mission,' he said. 'The most exciting one yet.'
Obi-Wan noticed that Yoda's eyes registered concern as they rested on the boy. But the other Council members seemed only pleased and relieved to have the Sith Holocron safe in the Temple archives.
'Make a mission great, excitement does not,'
Yoda said gravely. The wise Master looked over at Obi-Wan, and Obi- Wan felt a twinge of guilt. Did Yoda think he was failing as Anakin's Master? Was he concerned that he was not capable of leading the boy?
These were his own fears, of course. Qui-Gon had been such a wonderful teacher. He was brave, strong, and wise. A gifted leader.
Would Qui-Gon think I am failing Anakin? That the boy needs an older and wiser Master?
Qui-Gon had been dead for almost four years, yet Obi-Wan suddenly felt his Master's presence. He was grateful for that, and took comfort in it. But sometimes he felt the loss so strongly that his chest ached.
'We will see that the remains of Professor Lundi are properly attended to,' Mace Windu said.
The mention of Lundi's name brought Obi-Wan back to the moment.
'Well done, Jedi,' Ki-Adi Mundi said, smiling. 'You may go.' The other Masters were nodding in agreement.
As Obi-Wan followed his Padawan out of the chambers, several images flashed in his mind: Dr. Lundi's mad, contorted face; the crude drawing of the Sith Holocron; the strange gray ship and its mysterious passengers;
