whenever he needed to talk to his Padawan, circumstances got in the way? There was always a mission to complete, and then, these days, as soon as they were done, there was somewhere else important to go, another crucial battle to fight.
Across the empty tables Obi-Wan spied Feeana Tala, slumped over a mug of tea. This was a bit of luck. He could approach her informally. Sometimes that was better when you were trying to hold on to a deal. It would be easier to ensure the Senate's support if he could be sure Feeana would not fold.
Feeana looked as tired as Euraana had. She waved Obi-Wan off as he approached. 'Go away.'
Obi-Wan sat down, summoning up a cheerful smile. He motioned Anakin to do the same. He dunked a piece of muffin into his tea. 'Good morning to you, too.'
'Don't bother with the pleasantries,' Feeana said. 'I know why you're here. You're going to tell me that my cooperation is essential in holding the city. You're going to say that as a Mawan I owe it to my home planet.
You're going to say that if I take my gang and retreat belowground that eventually I'll be imprisoned.' She stirred her tea moodily. 'I know all those things. But I've got my soldiers out on the streets, and there's not enough of them to hold the city against Striker — or Omega, as I hear his name is. What am I supposed to do? Send them to their deaths?'
'I would not ask you to continue patrolling the city if I thought that,' Obi-Wan said. 'I am not willing to sacrifice so many lives to get what we need.'
'But Decca and Omega — '
'We can handle Decca and Omega.'
She placed her spoon down carefully. 'So you say. And yet a Jedi Master evaporated into dust particles just a few hours ago.'
'Yaddle died in order to protect your soldiers and the people of Mawan,' Obi-Wan said sharply. 'That should tell you how far the Jedi are willing to go.'
There was a short silence. Feeana sipped her tea and made a face.
'It's cold,' she said. Then slowly, she nodded. 'All right,' she continued quietly. 'I'll remain.'
With Feeana's cooperation and the promise of Yoda's arrival, Obi-Wan was able to convince the Senate to aid Mawan. He found it difficult to keep his temper cool and speak reasonably. He wanted to shout at everyone that Yaddle had sacrificed herself for their peace and security, so the least they could do was follow through. He knew that grief was making him short- tempered. His heart was heavy, and he was angry, too, angry that Yaddle had to die.
These were emotions he could not carry with him, for they would drag him down. He had to absorb them and let them go. Yet he felt as though he was struggling against a rising tide.
Anakin said so little. He could not get up the energy to address his Padawan's need, either. And somewhere below, Granta Omega was biding his time, concocting his plan for revenge, and he would surely try to exploit Anakin's sadness for his own ends. Omega had already killed a member of the Jedi Council. That had been his great goal, and he had achieved it.
How could Obi-Wan get rid of his anger when he knew of Omega's satisfaction?
A silver streak in the sky told them that Yoda was arriving. They were on the lookout for it, and they hurried toward the landing site. The day had dawned gray and cold. A sudden dip in temperature had kept most beings inside. It was a lucky break. If Feeana's security patrols didn't have to worry about petty crime, it would be easier to keep them at their posts.
Yoda alighted from the cruiser. His gaze immediately went to Anakin.
'First, see it, I must.'
Anakin nodded. He knew immediately what Master Yoda was asking. Yoda wanted to see the place where Yaddle had died.
For long moments, Yoda stood underneath the spot where Yaddle's life had ended. He leaned his head back as if to taste the air. He closed his eyes as if to feel the presence that still lingered. Obi-Wan imagined that he was saying a private, final good-bye to the friend he'd had for so long.
He turned away, wanting to give Yoda the moment. Anakin's gaze rested on the ground.
At last Yoda turned. 'Ready, I am,' he said.
They headed back toward the command center. They found Swanny and Rorq waiting for them, sitting on the steps. They stood as the Jedi approached.
'Bad news,' Swanny said. 'Decca and Omega have settled their feud.
They've formed an alliance.'
'I was afraid of this,' Obi-Wan said.
'It gets worse. Now Omega has access to Decca's fleet, and Decca has access to Omega's weapons. They are planning an assault on the city.'
'We have no way to protect the city,' Obi-Wan told Yoda. 'All we have are security patrols.'
'Then prevent the attack we must,' Yoda said. 'The strengths they have are transports and weaponry? Then strengths we must attack.'
'I'm getting tired of saying that's impossible,' Swanny said. 'But this time, it really is. Decca just got a big shipment of fuel. It was part of the partnership deal — Omega supplied it. They just brought it below.'
'A shipment of fuel,' Obi-Wan murmured. 'That might help us.'
Swanny looked at him, incredulous. 'I don't see how. But I have a feeling I will.'
'Keep the information about the alliance quiet for now,' Obi-Wan said.
