"But Vox will notice that it's missing," Anakin said.
"So what?" Den grinned. "By the time he figures it out, you two will be halfway to Coruscant."
They had started toward the door when Obi-Wan noticed a light flashing on Vox's main control panel. "What's that?"
Den went forward to examine it. "There's a ship approaching the docking bay. Could it be your pickup?"
"If it is, we'd better get back to our quarters," Anakin said ... just as they heard footsteps outside the door.
CHAPTER 19
Obi-Wan signaled them to retreat toward the closet. He would rather avoid confrontation. It was imperative that they get the holoprojector out so that Den could break the code of that file. They squeezed inside Vox's huge closet, pressed up against his many fine tunics and robes. Obi-Wan left the door open a tiny crack.
Vox entered the room. He immediately crossed to his sleep-couch. He accessed the hidden drawer with the crystalline vertex. Obi-Wan heard Den let out a muffled groan as Vox scooped it out into a drawstring pouch. Vox tucked the pouch inside his tunic. He looked around the room for a moment, his eyes taking in the comfortable quarters. Then he hurried out, the door closing behind him.
They eased out of the closet.
"If he's taking all his vertex, something's up," Den said.
"Can you get us to the docking bay to meet Garen without being seen?" Obi-Wan asked. "Another Jedi might come in handy."
"Does a nightcrawler crawl?" Den grinned.
Den knew the unused corridors of the ship, where food and supplies were moved from one area to another. He was able to get them to the docking bay without being seen. They lingered near the outflow pipes. Garen's sleek starship had landed, and he was checking in with the BioCruiser's technicians.
"If they don't know we're missing, they will soon," Obi-Wan said. "We have to get Garen's attention."
Anakin focused inward. He drew in the Force from all the elements around him. He motioned to Garen and saw the tall young man look up. His gaze roamed around the docking bay and then focused on where they were hiding.
"He knows we're here," Anakin said.
Den gazed at him, baffled. "How did you do that?" He shook his head. "Is it really too late for me to become a Jedi? I could use some of those skills. Not to mention those lightsabers."
"Yes, it's too late," Obi-Wan said, his eyes on Garen.
Garen was now talking in a friendly way with the BioCruiser tech worker, gesturing around the giant hangar. Obi-Wan knew that his old friend was complimenting the ship and the design. The tech worker nodded, gesturing at the space, and walked off. Garen began to casually stroll around the hangar, seeming to admire its design.
He came closer and lingered near them. "What's up?"
Obi-Wan spoke in a low voice. "Things have changed. We need you to sneak away and come with us."
"Be happy to." Garen glanced around at the tech workers. They were busy at the console, so he quickly melted back in the shadow of the outflow pipes.
Obi-Wan quickly explained the situation. "We need to investigate what Vox Chun is doing before we leave the ship," he concluded. "I have a feeling the people aboard the BioCruiser could be in danger."
Gravely, Garen nodded.
"I've got a place where we can hole up until I break this code," Den told them. "It's not far."
They sneaked back the way they had come. As they reached the utility corridor they had used to enter, suddenly Den sprang back and motioned to them to do the same. "It's Kern," he whispered. "Why is he heading to the docking bay?"
They pressed back into the shadows of the columns supporting the bay. Kern passed them, looking harried.
Garen frowned. "Who is that?"
"We think he might be in league with Vox," Obi-Wan told him. "We don't have proof yet."
Garen nodded, but his expression still seemed absentminded. "He looks...familiar."
"Come on," Den urged.
Den led them through a maze of utility corridors to the greenhouse where he raised the native flowers and vegetables of Telos. At the sight of blooming purple flowers, Obi-Wan suddenly remembered a ride on a speeder over the fields and mountains of the Telosian wilderness, so many years ago. They had fought so hard to save Telos. Yet its natural beauties had ended up destroyed. Offworld had started the process, under the name of the company UniFy. Other powerful interests had taken up where Offworld had left off. ...
Remembrance flooded Obi-Wan. "Broken Circle," he said to Den. "What happened to Offworld after it was kicked off Telos?"
"I suppose they went on to ravage the rest of the galaxy," Den said. "They reorganized under a different name, I heard. They were never allowed to operate on Telos again."
"Xanatos had a scar on his cheek," Obi-Wan said. "He made it himself by pressing his father's molten ring against his skin. The ring had been broken by Qui-Gon's lightsaber. It was a broken circle."
"Do you think Broken Circle
is Offworld?" Garen asked.
"It makes sense," Obi-Wan said. "Vox was secretly in league with Xanatos and Offworld. What if he never broke those ties? And Offworld was used to setting up other companies to conceal their involvement."
"So Vox could have never stopped working for them!" Den said excitedly. "Let me tackle that coded file."
Quickly, Den set up the holoprojector. He used the code "Offworld," and nothing happened.
"Try UniFy," Obi-Wan suggested.
Den typed out the word. "We're in," he said in satisfaction. The others pressed forward to read the file.
"We're right," Obi-Wan said. "These are the records of a mining corporation."
Anakin's face fell. "But this is just a list of planetary operations. That doesn't help us much."
Obi-Wan exchanged a glance with Den. "Unless ..."
Den nodded grimly. He called up the file that listed the BioCruiser's scheduled stops.
"Each of the stops the BioCruiser has made has been to a planet targeted by Offworld for development," Obi-Wan noted. "Vox Chun is always in the landing party."
"And up to no good, I'm sure. Bribes or intimidation, who knows," Den said. "And look how successful he's been. BioCruiser shows up at a planet, and a few weeks later they allow Offworld development. It's a beautiful system. Kern is in the readout room. He triggers the need for fuel or repairs. It's not done often enough to cause suspicion. We orbit the planet, and Vox goes down to do Offworld's dirty work. No wonder his secret drawer was filled with crystalline vertex. He probably uses it for bribes."
"Do you think Uni knows?" Anakin asked.
"No way to tell," Den said. "I don't think so, though. I may not agree with Uni, but I don't think he's a crook like his father."
"I don't either," Obi-Wan agreed.
"But why was Kern heading to the docking bay now?" Den wondered. "Is he planning to leave the ship?"
Obi-Wan leaned forward again and studied the list of planets where Offworld had mining operations. "What system are we near now, Garen?" he asked.
"Tentrix," Garen answered. "It's a few hours away."
"That must be TRX. It's the only system that's coded." Obi-Wan accessed the name, and a new file appeared. Once again, they all leaned forward to study it.
After a moment, Den let out a long breath. "Kill me now," he breathed. "I can't believe this. Let me look at those evacuation plans again."
Den activated the evacuation file. He carefully studied the blueprints for long minutes.
"This is different from the official plan," he said finally. "The official plan calls for an escalating series of emergency codes so that we don't panic anyone. We would need organization and control to offload so many beings. This plan calls for an immediate Code Five. That means the vessel is breaking up, and evacuation has to proceed immediately. And the code is instituted in the tech readout room--not the bridge."
"Kern," Anakin said.
"It's clever," Obi-Wan said. "A false Code Five will be instituted. A fake distress
signal will be sent. And who will answer it?"
"Offworld ships," Garen said grimly.
"According to the Broken Circle
plan, all the beings will be evacuated," Obi-Wan continued. "Offworld droids will board the vessel and remain -- only they won't be helping with the rescue effort, they'll be stealing the treasury. Then Offworld will blow up the BioCruiser. None of Uni's followers will realize that the ship was blown up intentionally. Offworld will look heroic, and no one will know it stole the entire treasury."
"How will Offworld blow up the ship?" Anakin asked.
"It must be already set to blow," Den said, his face white. "It's already been sabotaged."
"We did find out that Kern knows his way around a starship engine," Anakin said.
"Kern!" Garen burst out. "I know where I've seen him before. His name was Tarrence Chenati. He sabotaged the Jedi starfighters twelve years ago. He disappeared without a trace."
"And was given a new identity," Obi-Wan said. "Strange that both times Vox has been around, isn't it?"
"Do you think he was behind the sabotage of the starfighters?" Garen asked, his face grim.
"It's a big coincidence if he wasn't," Obi-Wan pointed out. "Vox wanted to discredit the Jedi and distract us--“ He frowned. "That reminds me of something Qui-Gon told me when Xanatos was sabotaging the Temple. The keys to destroying something are disruption, demoralization, and distraction." He exchanged a glance with Garen. "Vox wanted to win in that hearing. He certainly managed to distract and disrupt us. I think we solved the mystery of who was behind the sabotage of your starfighters."
"Can we get back to the present?" Den asked. "Uh, I hate to remind you, but the ship might blow up."
"We must go to see Kad now," Obi-Wan said. "He needs to hear this information. Den, you try to find Kern."
"Do you think Kad will listen?" Anakin asked doubtfully. "You're his worst enemy."
"It doesn't matter," Obi-Wan said. "We have to try."
CHAPTER 20
Kad's face was pale. He was so furious he could barely form words. "How dare you accuse my father of this?"
"We have the holographic files," Obi-Wan said. "And your father has a pouch full of vertex. If you would only look ..."
Vox Chun sat impassively during the Jedi's denunciation. Now he rose and pointed a shaking finger at them. "Liars and thieves! Nothing has changed, my son."
"Are you so bent on destroying my family?" Kad asked Obi-Wan hoarsely. "Do you hate us so much?"
"It is not hate that brings me here," Obi-Wan said earnestly. "It is justice, and the safety of those you have brought aboard the BioCruiser. At any moment, Offworld ships will be surrounding us."
"I assume this is your pilot," Kad said, indicating Garen. "I am ordering you to leave my vessel. You have intruded on my peace for the last time. Go!" He shouted the last word, his pale face suddenly suffused with red.
Just then the announcement system on Kad's console crackled to life. "Attention, attention," a voice said. "Ships are ringing our vessel, claiming they received a distress call. We cannot trace the call. Please advise."
Kad moved his head in increments, as though it was painful for him. At last he locked gazes with his father.
"You have done this?" he croaked.
Vox did not answer.
"Answer me!" His voice was suddenly full of strength.
Vox took a step toward his son. "You can come with me. They will take care of both of us, they promised—“
"No!" Kad covered his ears like a child for a moment, then dropped his hands. "You've betrayed me, you've betrayed my cause—“
"Your cause," Vox corrected angrily. "Did I have a choice in the matter? I am an old man."
"Obviously, you have made sure that your own nest is feathered," Kad said scornfully. "Didn't I give you everything you desired? The finest quarters on the ship, the ability to visit other worlds? You had a good life here. You did not need money. Is your greed so ravenous?"
"It is not money I want," Vox answered, drawing his fine cape around him. "It is power. You are right about only one thing in this philosophy of yours, my son. The galaxy is changing. Corruption is everywhere. And I will not be left behind! You have never understood that to be ruthless is to win. I have powerful friends, I always have. Yes, I would stop at nothing to get what I want. I wanted justice twelve years ago. So did you. If I arranged to sabotage a few Jedi starfighters, what of it?"
Kad straightened his shoulders and fixed his father with a steely gaze. "This ends now. I will inform the Offworld ships that the BioCruiser is not in danger. Then you may choose a planet, and I will transport you there. I will never see you again."
Vox appeared shaken by his son's cold tone. "I see I must agree." He strode from the room without a backward glance.
Kad turned away from the Jedi for a moment to compose himself. When he turned back, his eyes were clear.
"I had no idea," he said.
"We know that," Obi-Wan told him.
Suddenly, the ship was rocked by an explosion. Kad was thrown to the floor. Obi-Wan and Garen planted their feet and rode out the blast. Anakin staggered.
The comlink Den had given him signaled. Obi-Wan activated it. Den's agitated voice boomed out.
"Kern has sabotaged the ship! It's breaking apart!"
CHAPTER 21
Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Garen raced to the docking bay. Kad tried to keep up, but lagged behind. When the Jedi reached the docking bay, they saw Den desperately trying to detain both Kern and Vox, who were attempting to access the escape pod. Kern had his blaster drawn. Den was unarmed, and had grabbed a hydrospanner for defense. The attempt was foolish and brave.
Obi-Wan reached out to the Force. He held out a hand and a pile of equipment barrels shot out from a stack and tumbled to the floor between Kern and the pod airlock doors. That should also give Den cover.
Vox grabbed at Kern's arm. "You stole the treasury! That wasn't the plan! What is Offworld going to do with me?"
Kern shook him off and tried to aim at Den. "Get away from me, old man!" He caught sight of the Jedi and turned the blaster fire toward them.
Garen and Obi-Wan deflected the fire as they ran, their lightsabers swinging and circling in a blazing trail. Frail Vox summoned up a burst of strength and dodged around the barrels toward the pod. He accessed the doors and jumped inside the pod.
Kern leaped over the barrels clumsily, keeping up a furious rain of fire at the Jedi. Obi-Wan jumped forward, accessing the Force to cross a great distance. He landed on the opposite side of Den. With a casual gesture, Kern turned for a split second, shot Vox, then threw him out of the pod. A wounded Vox hit the ground.
"Father!" Kad screamed. He had arrived at the landing bay and now began to rush forward.
Kern aimed his blaster at Kad as he dove backward into the pod. Anakin sprang forward to deflect fire as Obi-Wan lunged for the closing escape pod doors. He was too late. Kern jumped inside, and the escape pod blasted off. Kad raced to his father's side and fell to his knees. Garen checked Vox's vital signs and shook his head at Obi-Wan. Vox was dying.
The ship reeled from another blast. Tech workers began to rush into the landing bay, trying to ready escape ships. Kad did not notice. He gathered up his dying father in his arms.
Vox's lips were white. "Forgive me, son." Tears fell like soft rain from Kad's cheeks onto his father's uplifted face. He wiped them away from his father's face with great gentleness.
"Yes, Father," he said. "I forgive you." Vox barely managed a nod. Then, his gaze still on his son, he died.
Kad bowed his head over his father. Obi-Wan motioned to the others to step back.
"We have to get everyone off the ship," he said. "I've no doubt that if Kern really double-crossed Vox and stole the treasury, he has rigged the ship to explode."
Just then Andra burst in, running toward them at full tilt. Her eyes took in the scene of Kad cradling his father's body. Another explosion sent the ship trembling.
br /> "What's happening?" she asked, her gaze wide and fearful.
"We must evacuate the ship," Den told her. "Kern has sabotaged it."
"We are also under attack," Andra told them. "Those ships that arrived due to a false distress call are now shooting at us. The defensive shield has been sabotaged."
Anakin stepped forward. "We need to fight them from the air."
Obi-Wan knew his Padawan was right. He also knew that Anakin wanted to be a part of that fight. His need to protect Anakin and the knowledge of Anakin's extraordinary skills as a pilot battled inside him. Anakin kept his gaze on Obi-Wan. There was no pleading in it. It was the steady gaze of a Jedi, not a boy.
Obi-Wan turned to Andra. "Do you have a fast attack ship?"
She nodded. "We are peaceful, not stupid."
"Anakin will pilot it."
"I'll use my starship," Garen said. "Come on, Anakin."
"I'll organize the evacuation with Andra," Den said. "There's no time to lose."
Kad rose from the floor. "I'm needed on the bridge. We'll have to find the closest port."
Kad's comlink signaled, and a panicked voice boomed out. "An attack droid team has boarded the ship! They're—“
A burst of blaster fire sounded over the comlink, and the voice was cut off.
CHAPTER 22
"I'll handle the droids," Obi-Wan said. He tucked his lightsaber back into his belt and took off.
He raced down the corridors of the lurching ship. While he ran, his mind clicked over the facts that he knew, searching for what didn't fit. He had learned from Qui-Gon that even in the midst of battle, he must not stop thinking.
Vox had accused Kern of stealing the treasury. If Offworld knew that Kern would steal the treasury before leaving the ship, why would they send droids to board it? The only answer was that Offworld did not know that the treasury was missing. Either Kern had double-crossed Offworld, or he had been a double agent and had never really worked for them at all.