Part 2 (2/2)
One thing Qui-Gon did not remember from his last visit was the presence of slender gla.s.s columns about his own height, lit from within.
The columns appeared on street corners or in public squares. Sometimes they were arranged in groups; occasionally they stood alone. Some were glowing white, some ice-blue.
”What do you think they are?” Obi-Wan asked. ”They don't seem to have any function,”
Qui-Gon recognized a street crossing. ”This is where the energy wall to the Civilized Sector used to be.” The largest cl.u.s.ter they'd seen yet of the glowing columns stood ahead in a small plaza. ”Let's take a closer look at those columns.”
The columns were arranged only a few centimeters apart. Together, they formed a tight glowing cube. Near the front of the cube Qui-Gon saw a polished black slab with words chiseled in its smooth surface.
HERE WE COMMEMORATE OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, WORKERS ALL, FORTY IN.
NUMBER, WHO WERE SLAIN BY THE ABSOLUTE FORCES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BREACH.
THE ENERGY WALL.
Obi-Wan counted the columns. ”There are forty columns. One for each Worker. These are memorials.”
”Every spot where a Worker died is commemorated,” Qui-Gon guessed.
The two Jedi gazed at the glowing columns. Now they seemed to take on the presence of living beings. Qui-Gon could imagine the forty Workers, striding toward the energy wall. Perhaps their arms had been linked together.
”I remember on our mission to Melida/Daan how shocked I was at the devastation in the city,” Obi-Wan said. ”Every ruin held so much sadness.
You could see the lives lost and disrupted. This feels just as terrible, somehow. The city has not been touched, yet so many beings are gone. And life continues to go on around them.” Obi-Wan touched the gla.s.s. ”It is good to see what has been lost.”
”Yes, I feel that, too.” Qui-Gon also felt moved by the mute testimony of the standing columns.
They walked on, past the site of the old energy wall. The checkpoint was still standing, a security booth covered in armor. Across the front someone had scrawled ROAN KILLS.
As they walked into the Civilized Sector, they saw more evidence of the same graffiti. ROAN MUST GO read some. EWANE LIVES ROAN MUST DIE read others.
Workers in coveralls were busy trying to scrub the graffiti off the polished stone.
”There is unrest here below the surface,” Qui-Gon said.
”I sense it,” Obi-Wan agreed. ”The people are not easy in their minds.”
The streets became more crowded, the difference between the Civilized and the Workers perfectly clear. The Civilized had all the trappings of wealth - fine clothes and gleaming airspeeders. Since it was the middle of the day, the rich were on the streets, talking in small groups or lingering in the opulent cafes that lined the broad boulevard.
The Workers were dressed in plain tunics and trousers and seemed to be hurrying to fulfill duties, not strolling and enjoying the day.
”We must report for a security check,” Qui-Gon said. ”It is required of all visitors. Just a formality, but perhaps we can learn something.”
The government buildings were cl.u.s.tered in one grand neighborhood, all built around a series of interlocking large squares filled with flowers and benches. Unlike the gleaming tall structures around them, the buildings were not very tall and were built with more ornamentation, columns and ledges and sweeping grand staircases leading up to gleaming metal doors.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were welcomed cordially at the front desk of the Administration Services Building, then led to the office of the Chief Security Controller. He was a short, balding man with a powerful chest and shoulders. He stood and nodded.
”I am Balog, your official greeter. Welcome to New Apsolon. We thank you for obeying our check-in procedures promptly. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”
”We have heard of the pleasures of New Apsolon,” Qui-Gon said. ”We are here as tourists.”
Balog nodded. ”Tourism has not been forbidden... yet. But I must warn you that the government is close to issuing an official warning to all who plan to travel here. New Apsolon is now a dangerous place for any foreigners. Our leader is under siege, and there is unrest here. Tempers are high. The society is volatile. I cannot guarantee your safety.”
”We are not looking for guarantees,” Qui-Gon said. ”We do not plan to stay long, and we will be careful.”
Balog nodded. ”Then enjoy your stay.”
Qui-Gon started toward the door, then pretended to hesitate. ”You mention that your leader is under siege. We have heard that the former leader was a.s.sa.s.sinated. Do you feel that Roan is in danger as well?”
”There are some who believe that he placed the order for the death of Ewane,” Balog said. ”Of course this is false. Yet that is where the danger lies. These people want revenge. We have it under control. Ewane was a great man, but Roan is as well. He is a Civilized with great wealth, yet even before the bloodless revolution he defied members of his party to champion the Workers. I am an example of that. Roan was the one to raise me to this position. He has done the same for others. Roan has support among the Workers. Those who suspect him of murder are a small but vocal minority.”
”Ewane's daughters are in hiding, are they not?”
Balog looked surprised. ”Not at all. They were taken in by Roan after their father's death. They are living in the official residence, two blocks away.”
CHAPTER 5.
Obi-Wan looked at his Master as they left the security building. He could see that Qui-Gon was worried. If the twins were safe, why did they summon Tahl?
”Do you think the twins don't want anyone on Apsolon to know that they are afraid?”
”Most likely,” Qui-Gon said. ”Still, it is odd that they lied about being in hiding. I think it's time we saw them.”
They asked a pa.s.serby for directions. Everyone knew where Roan's residence was. It was a gracious building built of the same mellow gray stone, not far away. Qui-Gon threw back his hood as he entered. He knew he would have to give his true ident.i.ty in order to be allowed to see the twins.
At the security checkpoint, the screen flashed blue and a voice asked for his name. Qui-Gon gave it, explaining that he was friend of Eritha and Alani.
”Step forward for a retinal scan.”
Qui-Gon, then Obi-Wan, did so. Qui-Gon didn't object. He was glad to see that the security was tight.
At last the door opened and the two were ushered into the private quarters of the residence. There, two young women waited in a brightly furnished room with a cheerful fire. They were identical, with long, braided blond hair and narrow faces enlivened by bright dark eyes. They both broke into dazzling smiles when they saw Qui-Gon.
”Qui-Gon!” they cried together, and hurried toward him.
Qui-Gon bowed. ”I was not sure you would remember me.”
”Of course we do.” Qui-Gon was not sure which one had spoken. Six years ago, Alani had been slightly taller than Eritha, but now they were the same size.
As if recognizing his difficulty, the other girl smiled. ”I am Eritha. This is my sister Alani.”
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