Part 7 (1/2)

”No, Padawan,” Qui-Gon said quietly, pulling him aside. ”We will not be taking this s.h.i.+p.” Qui-Gon gestured with his head toward a lone vehicle in the corner of the launch bay. ”I believe that this one will better serve our purposes.”

Obi-Wan looked momentarily confused, then he nodded. He gently steered Lena away from the Degarian II and guided her to a shadowy area of the platform.

Qui-Gon approached the pilot of the smaller s.h.i.+p. ”We're looking for pa.s.sage to Coruscant,” he explained in a low voice. ”We'd like to leave as soon as possible.”

The pilot stopped what he was doing and stood to his full height, which was considerable. He did not say anything at first, but simply looked Qui-Gon in the eye. Qui-Gon returned his gaze without flinching.

He felt confident that this man was not in league with the Cobral. Flying with him would be relatively safe.

”I can fly you to Coruscant,” the pilot finally said. He named his fee, which seemed a fair price.

Qui-Gon agreed. ”We have some business to attend to, but will return shortly,” he said. The pilot nodded. ”I will be ready.”

Qui-Gon turned and headed back to Obi-Wan and Lena. Now he only had to make it appear as if they were leaving the planet on the Degarian II, as planned.

”Time to board,” he said in a normal voice as he walked up the boarding ramp. Then he quietly added to Obi-Wan, ”Let me do the talking.”

The Degarian II was a large and comfortable s.h.i.+p, with a diplomatic lounge and roomy sleeping quarters for its pa.s.sengers. The Jedi and Lena were greeted by a droid host as soon as they got on board.

Qui-Gon was surprised to see that the droid was identical to those he and Obi-Wan had cut down earlier in the evening, but greeted the droid as if he were expecting him. After chatting for a few brief moments and accepting a message of welcome from Senator Crote, Qui-Gon declared that they were all very tired and would like to retire to their resting quarters.

”That will be fine,” the droid replied. ”I can show you the way.”

It led them down a long hall to a trio of s.p.a.cious rooms.

”Thank you,” Qui-Gon said. ”Please be sure to wake us before we arrive.”

The droid nodded. ”Of course. We have clearance to leave in twenty minutes.” He stood for a moment, as if waiting to make sure that each of them went into a room. Lena yawned and said good night, then disappeared through a doorway. Obi-Wan did the same, and Qui-Gon followed.

Qui-Gon waited for a good fifteen minutes before knocking on Lena's door.

”We're getting off early,” Qui-Gon said as Obi-Wan appeared behind him.

Lena looked confused. ”Do you think it is safe?” she asked.

”Safer than staying on board,” Obi-Wan replied with a grimace.

Qui-Gon started down the hall and the others followed closely behind. They escaped through a small hatch at the back of the s.h.i.+p just as the craft's engines hummed to life. They were boarding the other s.h.i.+p by the time the Degarian II disappeared into the atmosphere above them.

As soon as everyone was safely on board, Qui-Gon explained what had just transpired. ”I'm afraid Senator Crote is not what he appears to be.”

He pulled a travel order bearing the official Fregan senatorial seal from his pocket. It also bore Senator Crote's signature. ”I found this on the thug who tried to steal Rutin's evidence.”

Lena's eyes widened. ”The senator?” she exclaimed. ”I felt certain he was above this - that he was not part of the corruption.”

”I have felt certain of many things that have not been so,” Qui-Gon replied. ”There are many hidden truths in a galaxy such as ours.”

Lena sat back and rubbed her eyes. She was clearly overwhelmed. It seemed there was no end to the Cobral web of lies.

”Obviously I did not think it worth the risk to fly on the Degarian II,” Qui-Gon continued. He flashed a brief smile. ”I think we've taken enough risks already.”

The small vessel took off a short while later, and the Jedi and Lena settled in for the journey. Though the s.h.i.+p was not nearly as large or as fancy as the Degarian II, Qui-Gon noticed that a sense of calm came over the group as they rose into the air. They were finally leaving Frego behind.

When the s.h.i.+p was about halfway to Coruscant, Qui-Gon was startled out of his meditative state by the buzz of his comlink. A moment later Yoda's familiar voice began to speak.

”Been attacked the Degarian II has,” he said simply. His statement was followed by a few seconds of silence. Then, ”Survivors there are not.”

CHAPTER 18.

Jedi Master Mace Windu met Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Lena at the landing platform. It had been a long journey, and it was afternoon on the city- planet of Coruscant. The sun was high in the sky, making reflections on the thousands of on-planet transport vehicles and glinting off of the towering skysc.r.a.pers.

”You must be Lena Cobral,” Master Windu said, taking her hand for a moment. ”It is good to finally meet you.”

He looked at each of them in turn before leading them into the Jedi Temple. ”We are grateful that you are safe,” he said. ”The news of Senator Crote came as a surprise, and obviously not a pleasant one. Then when the Degarian II was destroyed...”

Obi-Wan winced as he remembered how close they had all come to being killed.

”We would like to get Lena on the stand as soon as possible,” he said, changing the subject.

”Of course,” Mace agreed. ”The chancellor has called a special hearing for this afternoon. It is scheduled to start in just a few hours.

The entire senate will be present.”

”Excellent,” Qui-Gon said. ”We do not want to give Senator Crote or the Cobral time to realize that their plan has failed - that we are all still very much alive.” He briefly touched Lena's shoulder. ”And we can take care of this matter once and for all. It is best for Frego, I think.”

Lena nodded. ”In the meantime I'd like to freshen up and change my clothes.” She gestured to her dirty travel clothing. ”I fear this is not appropriate for a special session of the Galactic Senate.”

Obi-Wan smiled. Even under extreme pressure, Lena attended to details. He would miss her when their mission was over, he realized. And it would be over very soon.

”We have readied some chambers in the Fregan consulate for you,”

Mace said. ”We believe that Senator Crote will be out of the building until the hearing. But if we run into him we must all behave as though we have not linked him to the Cobral in any way.”

”I understand,” Lena said. ”But I hope you are right when you say he is out of the building.”

Mace led the way to Lena's temporary quarters and the Jedi waited while she quickly freshened up and changed her clothes.

Obi-Wan was amazed when she reemerged a few minutes later. Her hair had been tied into an elaborate twist, and a pair of sparkling gem earrings dangled from her earlobes. A simple light blue gown hung just to her ankles. She looked lovely and not at all like she had been through a long, harrowing night.

The group left the consulate and went directly to the Senate.

Lena gasped when she entered the Senate chamber. ”I had no idea the galaxy was so big!” she whispered to Obi-Wan nervously.

Obi-Wan gave her a rea.s.suring smile. ”You'll be fine,” he whispered back. ”Remember, you are doing what is right.”