Their reputations would suffer. Was that the goal?
An insider, Fligh had said. It could be someone in the Ruling Power.
Or someone close to the Games themselves.
He called up Bog's file on his datapad again. He flipped through the holographic files, remembering the notations on Uso Yso's screen.
The bets had been placed on the bowcaster skill contest, the obstacle course race, and the Podrace. The same events that Aarno Dering had on his data-pad.
Obi-Wan contacted Didi on his comlink. 'Have you found out where Fligh is staying?'
'The Sleek Cruiser Inn on Grand Eucer Street,' Didi said. 'Room 2222.
But let me assure you, my friend, this inn is no sleek cruiser. More like a garbage barge.'
'Just make sure Fligh doesn't go off-planet,' Obi-Wan told Didi.
'Contact me if he does.'
'I am your servant, Obi-Wan.'
Obi-Wan tapped his finger on his comlink, planning his next move. He could handle Fligh, but on the other hand, this was more than a pesky problem. It was time to call in the other Jedi teams.
He activated his comlink and contacted Siri. He filled her in on what he had discovered.
'It seems as though the Ruling Power could be behind this,' he said.
'They might want to blackmail Senators in order to gain power in the Senate, getting appointed to powerful posts. But we have no real proof, and we don't have much time. All three events are scheduled to take place this afternoon.'
'What do you need?' Siri asked, getting to the point as quickly as possible, as she usually did.
'I have to pay a visit to Fligh, and I'd like some company,' Obi-Wan said. 'I think some additional Jedi presence is needed.'
'I'll be there. And I'll contact Ry-Gaul,' Siri said.
The problem of Anakin entering the Podrace had never left Obi-Wan's mind. Why had his Padawan done such a thing without telling him? It was not the first time Anakin's impulsiveness had worried and alarmed Obi- Wan.
His comlink signaled. Anakin was calling. Obi-Wan answered.
'Master, things have developed here,' Anakin said.
'Sebulba has recognized me. Because of that, Deland stepped in to avoid a fight and was injured. He cannot race. I… I offered to race in his place. Doby and Deland are trying to free their sister — '
'And is that your mission on Euceron, to free Djulla?' Obi-Wan asked sternly.
'No,' Anakin said. 'But was it Qui-Gon's mission to free me? Must we follow a mission so exactly that we turn our backs on beings who need help?
Every mission has a detour. You've told me that.'
'I've also told you that it is the mark of a Jedi to recognize whether or not to follow the detour,' Obi-Wan reminded him.
'Then I ask you to let me make this choice,' Anakin replied.
His Padawan's voice was firm. There was no pleading, no uncertainty.
He wanted what he wanted. Was that the right thing in this circumstance?
Obi-Wan pondered the problem. 'Have you learned anything else?' he asked.
'The Podrace is scheduled to take place this afternoon at three. A viewing area has been set up for spectators in the underground caves.
Sebulba has placed enormous bets on his son to win. The official timekeeper is supposed to send the Podrace route directly to onboard computers. But I don't know who will takeover the job now that Dering is dead. I think the best way I can find out how the race is fixed and who is behind it is to enter it myself.'
'All right,' Obi-Wan said reluctantly. He did not like the sound of pleasure in Anakin's voice. He would ask Siri and Ry-Gaul to send Ferus and Tru to observe while Anakin piloted the Podracer. He could not be there with his Padawan, but he did not want Anakin to be alone.
Chapter Fifteen
'I got it!' Anakin crowed. He tweaked the last screw to the energy- binder plate. 'We're set.'
'Whew,' Doby said, pushing his goggles to the top of his head. Two round circles of grime circled his eyes. 'I was getting worried.'
'Maybe I should give the computer system another check,' Anakin wondered.
'I did it,' Deland said. 'You've done enough, Anakin. I actually think we're ready.' He patted the Pod-racer with his good hand. His other arm was encased in a rigid bandage from elbow to fingers.
Anakin jumped off the scaffold he'd used to work on the turbines. 'I know I am.'
