Tarkin did not reply. He stared down through the captain's broad viewport at the cloud-shrouded southern hemisphere, and above the equator at the battle still being fought between the planet's defenses and droid starfighters. Flashes and sparkles of laser fire and blazing jungle illumined the night-bound planet beyond the orange and gray band of the terminator.
He was not pleased with what he saw. 'Still not subdued.'
'You're trouncing their defenses badly,' Sienar said. Other lights glimmered in the darkness, as well, and Sienar, less arrogant and less pleased with himself, traced their outlines with interest. Longitudinally oriented rectangles hundreds of kilometers long were outlined by what looked like lightning. Some large change was disturbing the atmosphere.
He doubted starfighters could be blamed for that.
'How soon until we dock with the Einem?' Tarkin called back to the captain, still hidden in shadow.
'Fifteen minutes, Commander,' the captain replied in a croak.
'Antiquated,' Tarkin murmured in disgust. 'Time for the new and for the young.' He turned for the turbolift. 'Let's interview the boy before we dock.'
Chapter 61
I don't know what shape he's in,' Obi-Wan told Charza Kwinn as the Star Sea Flower pulled up through the atmosphere. The sky darkened and the faint sound of rushing atmosphere diminished beyond the port. 'I think he's shrunk inward, pulling all his signs with him.'
'But he is still alive, you are certain?' Charza Kwinn asked.
'He was captured with the ship. They'll keep him alive to keep the ship alive.'
'I can't believe the Republic would do such a thing, attack this planet,' Charza said. The food-kin arrayed themselves on the instruments, eyes fully extended, alert and ready for action.
'I suspect there's confusion during the assimilation,' Obi-Wan said. 'Some ambitious and unscrupulous elements are taking advantage of it.'
'You are sworn to protect the Republic,' Charza said. 'Can you fight against them?'
'I am sworn to protect my Padawan,' Obi-Wan said. It was a deeper law, a more ancient tradition, but Charza's question still hit home. How did Obi-Wan know what had been decided back on Coruscant?
Charza anticipated his thoughts. 'They would never allow the destruction of a helpless world,' he said. 'That is more like the Trade Federation of late. And if they know the boy is Jedi-'
'It doesn't matter,' Obi-Wan said. 'We are under illegal attack. We will rescue the boy.' And the senate will have to sort it all out when we get back to Coruscant.
'I have already plotted a course,' Charza said, and showed Obi-Wan the projected orbit and rendezvous. 'The mine ship will be more vulnerable just before it docks. These big old control ships have poor eyesight from above and below. I will slip in through the lower blind spot, push up against the underside of the mine ship, where its hull is thinnest, and try out a new toy.' Charza made a high, brushy, sloshy sound to show his amusement.
'What sort of toy?' Obi-Wan asked.
'Perfect toy for an age of pirates,' Charza said. 'I have to make plans, in case the Jedi no longer need my services, no?'
Obi-Wan folded his arms. He was still chilled by the memory of the Blood Carver, the manner in which he had died. Anakin has made his first kill in direct combat. I know it was in self-defense. He did it without a lightsaber, against a much stronger foe. Why then do I feel that something went badly wrong'?
Chapter 62
I'm very impressed,' Tarkin said to Anakin Skywalker as the Sekotan ship was winched out over the closed bay doors, now serving as the bay's floor. Racks of empty sky-mine cradles overhead and on all four sides jangled with the vibration of the old ship. 'You made this?'
Anakin stood still, head bowed, and said nothing. He could feel the ship's mind, quiet, waiting. Like him.
Raith Sienar climbed up on the harness and walked around the top of the ship, kneeling at one point to examine its hull with a special instrument. 'Very healthy,' he pronounced.
The taller one, Sienar, is smarter, Anakin thought. The shorter one is very powerful and resourceful. Ruthless as any man I've met. This was the older voice speaking once more. Anakin realized that in his present situation, with no real chance of rescue, he would have to listen to this voice very carefully in order to survive. And survive he would, at all costs. There was too much unfinished business in his life, even if his career as a Jedi was now at an end.
He did not believe they would return him to the Temple.
Believe nothing they say. You are just a part of the ship to them.
'Are these ships as special as the rumors say?' Tarkin asked him in a conversational tone.
'I haven't had much chance to try her out,' Anakin said. 'You attacked the planet and nearly killed us all.'
'I'm sorry you had to experience that,' Tarkin said, focusing on the boy intently. 'Strategy is a tough master at times, as any Jedi should understand. We protect the greater interests, sometimes at the expense of the smaller.'
