windows that offered a panoramic view of the busy space lanes of Coruscant.
Qui-Gon had noted Obi-Wan's nervousness and now was proud of the way his Padawan stood, erect and seemingly at ease in front of the scrutiny of so many Council Masters.
Only Qui-Gon knew how nervous Obi-Wan reallywas. He had faced the Council before. His Padawan had reason to be apprehensive. He knew how firm the Jedi Masters could be.
As usual, Mace Windu opened the meeting. He always looked grave, but today Qui-Gon sensed an uncharacteristic disquiet. He had hoped that this sudden summons meant that the Council had decided to send them on a special mission. But now he feared there was something wrong.
'Do not be nervous, Obi-Wan,' Mace Windu said, fixing him with an intent gaze. 'You are not here to be reprimanded.'
It was unusual for Mace Windu to reassure anyone. Qui-Gon's concern shot up a notch. He glanced at Yoda, but he could never tell what Yoda was thinking. He turned his quick gaze to Adi Gallia. Her bearing was as regal as ever, but her eyes were full of compassion for Obi-Wan.
Mace Windu placed his hands on the arms of his chair. 'We have received a communication from Vox Chun, Bruck Chun's father.'
Obi-Wan gave a start. Qui-Gon was just as surprised.
'He has recently been pardoned of his crimes against the state on Telos,' Mace Windu continued. 'Now he wishes to come to theTempleto receive a report on the death of his son. This is his right, and the Council has agreed.'
Obi-Wan nodded. His skin had gone pale. 'I must speak with him?' he asked.
'You must relate the details of the death of his son, yes,' Mace Windu said in a voice that held a rare gentle quality.
'Know we do that this is not easy for you, Obi-Wan,' Yoda said.
'He arrives in two days,' Mace Windu said. 'Qui-Gon will be by your side. May the Force be withyou. '
They were dismissed. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed, turned, and walked from the room. As soon as the door slid shut behind them, Obi-Wan's step faltered.
'Must I do this?' he asked Qui-Gon.
'You know the answer to that question,' Qui-Gon said. 'I know this will be hard. But I feel it could be helpful, Padawan. You will have to speak of something you think you cannot, something deep in your heart. Perhaps if you see this thing plain and honest in front of you, it will cease to plague your dreams.'
Obi-Wan gave him a startled glance.
'Yes, I know how much it still troubles you,' Qui-Gon said gently. 'Isn't it time to put an end to it?'
Obi-Wan's face was still drawn. Qui-Gon put a hand on his shoulder. 'Find Bant and get some food. It is past time for themiddaymeal.' Food always revived Obi-Wan somewhat. Qui-Gon did not want the boy to worry too much about the upcoming interview. No doubt it would be rough, but Obi-Wan was in the right, and so he would survive it.
After Obi-Wan headed for the turbolift, Qui-Gon lingered outside the Council Room. He hoped to have a talk with Yoda. Tahl's decision not to take a Padawan and her sudden disappearance troubled him. It was always helpful to have Yoda's perspective.
The door slid open noiselessly, and the Council members filed out. Yoda spotted him and nodded. Qui-Gon had an idea that Yoda knew exactly why he was waiting.
'Worried you are, Qui-Gon,' Yoda said as he walked toward him, his robe rocking with his sideways gait. 'Yet not just aboutyour Padawan, I think.'
'Tahl,' Qui-Gon said shortly. 'Why did she not take a Padawan? And why did she leave so suddenly?'
Yoda leaned on his staff. 'Should I be the one you ask this?'
Qui-Gon sighed. 'You mean I should ask Tahl. I wanted your opinion first.'
Yoda nodded. 'Think I do that Tahl did not want to burden Bant with a blind Master. Afraid she was that it would limit Bant's experience.'
'Burden! Limits!' Qui-Gon exclaimed incredulously. He could not associate those words with Tahl. 'That's ridiculous!'
'Yet not think so, Tahl does. Time she needs, Qui-Gon. Help her with this, you cannot. Her decision, it is.' Yoda's wise gaze rested on Qui-Gon. 'And time it was she left theTempleto take on wider duties. We sent her to the pilot program on Centax 2.'
Qui-Gon was surprised. Centax 2 was a satellite of Coruscant. Transports and spaceliners often docked there in order to ferry goods and passengers to Coruscant on smaller ships. The Jedi had chosen Centax 2 to set up their new pilot program, run by Jedi Knight Clee Rhara.
'Is there a problem?' Qui-Gon asked.
'That we do not know,' Yoda answered, blinking his large eyes. 'We only suspect. Aware you are that this project does not have the full support of the Council. Clee Rhara believes that the Jedi should have a squad of starfighter pilots. Some agree. Some do not.'
Qui-Gon knew the project was controversial. The Council had finally agreed to the operation, but only on a trial basis. Some of the gifted older students, like Obi-Wan's friend Garen Muln, had been chosen for it. There were some on the Council who believed that Jedi should continue to take rides on consular ships or haulers, or borrow small transports for short flights. They believed that Jedi pilots would lead to a Jedi fleet, a complex operation that would divert their attention from peacekeeping efforts in the galaxy.
'Clee Rhara, you know,' Yoda said. 'Charismatic, she is. A following among the young pilots, she has. Many are delaying their Padawan status. Allow this, the Council does, but many are uneasy.'
