Part 30 (1/2)

He tried hard to sound confident. ”They have to start running low on ammunition soon. It'll get better. Don't worry. ”

”If you say so, ” she said wearily. ”Anakin... ”

He knew what she was going to ask. The same question was in the eyes of every villager he came across. ”Soon, Devi. I don't know exactly, but they'll be here soon. ”

”I can't tell if you believe that, ” she said, after a moment. ”Or if you only want to believe it. Or if you're lying because you don't know what else to say. ”

”I'm not lying!” he snapped. ”Help is coming. We just have to hold on a little longer, that's all. ”

She turned away, the servos on her antigrav harness grinding like broken bones. In silence they listened to the monotonous thud of blasterfire against the s.h.i.+eld.

”I am holding on, Anakin, ” she said at last. ”As hard as I can. We all are. But... ”

”I know, ” he said, almost whispering. ”I'm sorry. Devi, let me look at your harness. The servos have slipped. ”

”Fine, ” she said, listless. ”If you want to. I don't care. ”

125.

So he fixed her harness, knowing that by morning the servos would have slipped again, worse than ever.

”Will you be all right here on your own for a while longer?” he said, tossing the mini hydrospanner back into the plant tool kit. ”I want to check on Obi-Wan, make sure he's not overdoing things. ”

She shrugged. ”Sure. I'll comm you if there's another crisis. ”

When there was another crisis. The problem was that aside from him and Obi-Wan there wasn't anyone to relieve her. Not now, with Rikkard dropped greensick. Anakin pressed his flesh- and-blood hand to her shoulder.

”I'll come back as soon as I can. ”

”No, ” she said, shaking her head. ”Anakin, you need to rest. Take an hour. Take two. If you go down greensick-if you go down for any reason-then it's over for us. You do understand that, don't you? Without you we die. ”

Struck dumb, he stared at her. Without you we die. She was right, he knew she was right, but he'd never wanted to hear it said aloud.

”I'm sorry, ” she said, and stood on unsteady tiptoe to kiss his cheek. No hint of flirting from her anymore, just a warm, sisterly affection. ”I didn't mean to make things harder. I'll see you later. Don't forget to eat. ”

On his way to the village center he met up with Tarnik, and they compared notes. So far so good, still. The generators were holding.

The old man promised to keep on doing rounds awhile longer.

”Get a bite and some shuteye, boy, ” he said. ”We need you. ”

And if one more person reminded him...

He didn't need to use the Force to find Obi-Wan. When his former Master wasn't in the power plant he was in the sick house, trying to ease the load on Teeba Sufi. Thanks to the toxic smoke from the burned refinery, more than half the people of Torbel were suffering greensickness even though they'd had a lifetime of swallowing their secret pill. Thanks to the Force, he and Obi-Wan were managing to avoid the malady. He didn't know whether to feel grateful or guilty for that.

Standing unnoticed in the sick house's open doorway, he took one look at Obi-Wan's face and cursed under his breath.

You fool. What are yon doing; Teeba Sufi glanced up from straightening one patient's blanket, saw him, and frowned. Then she looked over at Obi-Wan, who was seated beside a burdened cot oblivious to everything save the suffering man he was trying to help. Lips pursed, Sufi picked her way between the other cots to the door.

”Anakin, ” she said, pressing one hand to his forehead. It was her habit to test him for fever every time they met. He was used to it now. ”Take your friend out of here. Get him into what pa.s.ses for fresh air in Torbel these days. I don't want to see him again till morning, but since I know that won't happen, keep him away for at least an hour. ”

Nodding, Anakin looked again at the score of sickened villagers. ”I'll do my best, Teeba. Is Rikkard here?”

”You heard?” With a sigh Sufi gestured to the crowded room's far corner. ”I've put him with Arrad. Thanks to Obi-Wan, the boy's making progress. I think it does Rikkard good to hear his son's voice. If he can hear anything. He's gone down hard. ”

”How soon before you run out of your home remedy?”

”A day or two, ” she said heavily. ”I stripped the herb field bare this afternoon. The last of it's brewing now, out back. I'm diluting it, and portioning it into half measures. If I have to I'll drop that to quarter doses but what good it'll do us then, who can say?” Frowning again, she nodded at Obi-Wan. ”I think he's doing us more good than the potion, but he's not going to last much longer than my herbs.

Not even with Greti helping him- though I've put a stop to her for now. So you talk some sense into that man, Anakin. He'll not listen to me. ”

”I can't guarantee he'll listen to me, either, ” he said. ”He's pretty stubborn, Sufi. ”

Thin arms folded, she pulled a wry face. ”I'd noticed. Must be something they look for when they're choosing Jedi. ” And then she hesitated. Her smock-dress was baggy on her, draped in wrinkles and folds. She'd lost weight since the first time he saw her.

”Anakin...”

126.

And here we go again. He touched her hand, seeking to comfort. ”Sufi, I've been fighting on the front lines since the war began. And if I've learned anything, it's that a battle can turn from lost to won in a heartbeat. But if you give up before the end? If you accept defeat as inevitable? You'll never live to see victory. ”

She sucked in her cheeks, staring at all her sick friends and neighbors. ”I hope you're right. Now go away-and take your friend with you. ”

”Yes, Teeba, ” he said, and left her to brood.

So exhausted was Obi-Wan, coming out of his healing trance, that he didn't even realize a Jedi was standing practically on top of him.

Anakin waited a minute, then risked taking hold of his shoulder.

”Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan. Come on. Let's go. ”

Startled, Obi-Wan looked up. ”Anakin. The power plant? The s.h.i.+eld generators?”

He dropped to a crouch. ”They're holding. Don't worry. Come on. Sufi wants you out of here for a while. ”

”Anakin... ” Obi-Wail frowned. ”You look dreadful. ”

”You think so? Then do yourself a favor, Obi-Wan. Don't go near a mirror. ”

”Me? I'm fine, ” Obi-Wan said vaguely. ”But you should get some rest. And when was the last time you ate?”

Hooking a hand under Obi-Watt's elbow, Anakin got them both on their feet. ”Don't remember. But if you want to nag me about it, you'll have to do it outside. ”

”In a minute, ” said Obi-Wan, and looked down at his greensick patient. ”I just need to...”

”No, you don't, ” he insisted. ”You're relieved of duty. Master Ken.o.bi. And that's an order from General Sufi. ”

On the other side of the sick room, as though she'd heard her name mentioned, Sufi turned, caught Obi-Wan's eye and pointed silently at the open door. Her severe expression was like a shouted command.

”Oh, ” said Obi-Wan. ”Right. I see. ”