get to you at all."
"And where was security?" Siri asked. "I saw officers all around
undercover, but when they were needed, they were strangely absent."
"Perhaps fewer of them should be undercover," Obi-Wan suggested. "Some
should be more visible."
Siri frowned. "The Eucerons hate the security forces. That's why
they're undercover. But still, with so many visitors, keeping the peace is
the first order of business."
"I'll talk to Liviani Sarno about it," Obi-Wan said, referring to the
head of the Games Council.
Anakin couldn't believe it. Obi-Wan hadn't seen Siri in a while, and
he only spoke of the mission! Anakin had great respect for Obi-Wan's
wisdom, but sometimes he wondered how his Master could connect to the
Living Force when his feelings were kept so tightly under wraps.
"Anakin!" Anakin heard the cheerful voice behind him and quickly
turned. Tru Veld was loping across the plaza next to his Master, the tall
and silent Ry-Gaul. Tru extended one long, flexible arm in a floppy wave
that conveyed his excitement and happiness at seeing his friend. He and Tru
had been in the same year of training at the Temple, but they had become
friends after they had been chosen as Padawans.
Ry-Gaul nodded at Obi-Wan and Siri as they came up, but gave no verbal
greeting. The three Masters huddled together for a discussion, leaving the
three Padawans to talk among themselves.
"I can't decide, can you?" Tru asked Anakin, his eyes dancing. They
were the color of the silver seas of Teevan, his home planet, and when he
was excited they sparkled like sunlight on waves.
Anakin was used to Tru starting a conversation midway through. He
lifted an eyebrow at him.
"Which Game events to attend," Tru explained. "They all sound fun."
"We are here to keep the peace," Ferus said. "Not to have fun."
Annoyance ran through Anakin. Ferus could spoil a good mood quicker
than a double nova. Tru merely shook his head good-naturedly and nudged
Ferus with a shoulder. "Relax, friend. I can keep the peace and watch the
Games, too. Even our Masters will allow that."
"We haven't received our instructions," Ferus said.
"I am sure our instructions will be to avoid having a good time at all
costs," Tru said to Ferus in a mock-serious tone, his eyes still twinkling
with silent amusement.
Ferus sighed. "Padawans are always trying to get me to relax," he
said. "I'm just not made that way."
Siri, Ry-Gaul, and Obi-Wan turned away from their conference and
approached their Padawans.
"We've decided that you three can go off on your own for a while,"
Obi-Wan told them. "But be sure your comlinks are functioning at all times.
"
Anakin and Tru exchanged an excited glance. They hadn't expected this
good fortune. They had hoped to run into each other, but now they could
actually attend at least some of the Games together! Anakin would even put
up with Ferus if it meant he could spend time with Tru.
"I contacted Liviani Sarno. She's on her way here," Obi-Wan told them.
"After we receive a briefing, you'll be free to go. Then we'll all meet
back at the Games quarters for the evening meal."
Within moments they saw a tall female Euceron heading toward them. She
was dressed in a scarlet robe embroidered with orange and gold threads, and
her crown of braids was woven with bright jewels. Liviani Sarno was not
hard to spot.
Traveling in her wake were three other beings, and Anakin was
surprised that he knew two of them. He had met Didi and Astri when they
still owned the Coruscant caf© that Dexter Jettster now ran. He knew that
they had been close to Qui-Gon Jinn and were friends with Obi-Wan as well.
Didi's round brown eyes widened when he saw Obi-Wan. Astri ran
forward, her pretty face flushed.
"Obi-Wan!" Dark curls flying, Astri threw herself at Obi-Wan, wrapping
her arms around him. Anakin was surprised to see his reserved Master break
out into a huge smile and hug Astri back. Didi came up and tried to hug
both of them, but his plump arms were too short. He settled for thumping
Obi-Wan on the back.
"This makes my eyes new and my heart glad!" Didi cried.
"It is so good to see you!" Astri exclaimed.
"It is good to see you, too," Obi-Wan said. "You are here to see the
Games?"
"In an official capacity," Astri said. "I'd like you to meet my
husband, Bog Divinian. He's on the Games Council. Bog, this is the great
Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Bog Divinian was a tall, handsome man in a plumfruit-colored tunic
almost as bright as Liviani Sarno's.
"I am honored to meet a Jedi," Bog said. "Do you know Liviani Sarno?"
"This is our first meeting," Obi-Wan said with a quick nod. He
introduced the Padawans. Siri coolly assessed the Council member. Ry-Gaul
stood silent.
"We are glad the Jedi accepted the request of the Ruling Power to
monitor the Games," Liviani said. "We can use the help. Many more came than
we expected."
"We have to keep things running smoothly," Bog added. "Liviani is
doing an amazing job of organization."
Liviani inclined her head in the fashion of one who is used to
compliments.
"If you need an insider's perspective, I'll be glad to help," Bog
added, speaking to Obi-Wan. "Because you're such a good friend of Astri's,
I'll make time for you."
Obi-Wan's polite expression did not falter, but Siri's ice-blue eyes
flashed at the notion that Bog would only help the Jedi because one of them
was a personal friend. Ry-Gaul just blinked impassively.
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said smoothly. No doubt he had noticed Astri's
embarrassment.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi is the greatest of all Jedi Knights," Didi said
proudly. "He will not need our help, I guarantee." He suddenly realized
that he had insulted Siri and Ry-Gaul and turned to them quickly. "Not that
Siri and Ry-Gaul aren't equally great. All Jedi are great!" Didi beamed at
all of them. "Even Padawans!"
"How are the preparations going?" Obi-Wan asked Liviani. "Any
problems?"
"So smoothly, no problems," Bog Divinian answered. "The Games Council
is handling everything beautifully. Maxo Vista is a native of Euceron and
on the Council, and he has been very helpful. You know of him, of course."
Obi-Wan shook his head politely. Anakin couldn't believe his Master
didn't know the great Euceron hero who had stunned the galaxy seven years
before by winning five events at the Galactic Games on Berrun.
"But everyone knows Maxo Vista!" Bog said, surprised. "He is renowned
throughout the galaxy! He might not be wealthy, but he is famous. And he is
a good friend of mine, so if you need an introduction..."
Siri snorted, then tried to turn it into a cough. Anakin remembered
that Obi-Wan had told him that Siri had never done very well in her
diplomacy classes at the Temple.
Even Didi looked embarrassed at Bog's bragging. He smiled at the Jedi
in turn. "Who needs galactic heroes when we have Jedi?"
> "Precisely," Liviani said crisply. "And Bog is wrong about our not
having problems."
Bog looked crestfallen at having disappointed Liviani. "I know of no
problems, Liviani."
Liviani ignored Bog and turned to the Jedi. "There are rumors that
there will be an illegal Podrace on the outskirts of the city."
Anakin suddenly became very interested.
Siri frowned. "We had not heard this."
Liviani nodded. "Podracers from all over the galaxy have been spotted
arriving on Euceron. We have heard that they are gathering on the city's
northern border in the Great Dordon Caves, whose extensive tunnels are,
unfortunately, ideally suited for this suicidal sport."
"Podracing is illegal in the Core Worlds," Bog said disapprovingly.
"If I were Senator - I am running for Senator of my home planet of Nuralee,
by the way - - I would consider introducing a law to outlaw Podracing
galaxy-wide. It only promotes gambling and violence." Bog gave a quick
glance at Liviani to see if she approved of his declaration.
Liviani continued to ignore him, however. "You see our problem," she
said to the Jedi. "The Ruling Power is worried about bad publicity, so it
wants us to ignore the rumors. If Podracers die in the caves, no one will
care, officially." Liviani's delicate eyebrows drew together in a worried
frown. "But the authorities underestimate how popular these races are.
Beings will hear of them. Betting will take place, and spectators - some of
them quite important on their home planets - will find the race. We cannot
guarantee safety and crowd control."
"The Games must proceed smoothly," Bog added. "Absolutely."
Anakin barely heard their voices. His brain had started to buzz as
soon as he'd heard the word Podrace. He hadn't seen or been in one since he
was a slave on Tatooine.
It was as though the thick clouds overhead parted, for suddenly he
felt the blow of the hot suns of Tatooine on the back of his neck. He could
taste the grit of sand between his teeth. And he could feel the rise of the
same fierce desire that had filled him as a young boy, the simplest, most
powerful feeling he knew: the will to win.
Anakin felt his Master's eyes on him, as though the surge of feeling
had touched Obi-Wan like a warning finger. A mask of serenity dropped over
Anakin's face. He could call it up at will for times such as this, times
when his blood seemed to race closer to his skin.
Liviani was speaking, and Obi-Wan turned back to her. Anakin kept his
expression calm but interested, Like a Jedi would be. But inside... inside
he was a slave boy, on fire to race again.
CHAPTER THREE
Does he really think he's fooling me?
Obi-Wan's exasperation with his Padawan did not show on his face.
Anakin's attempts to hide his excitement may have tricked the others, but
Obi-Wan felt it charge the air. He had never seen Anakin compete in a
Podrace, and Qui-Gon had not given him many details, but he knew how
outrageously dangerous Podracing was. Pilots sat in open cockpits, racing
fragile crafts that were powered by massive engines tethered to the racer
by flexible cables. Obi-Wan could imagine that the prospect of Anakin once
again pitting his skills and reflexes and daring in such a race would be
irresistible.
But it would not be worthy of a Jedi. Jedi did not seek thrills.
Obi-Wan could understand a momentary tug toward the past. He would
expect his Padawan to overcome it. A longing for such things was childish,
in his opinion. As soon as they were alone, he would speak to Anakin about
it....
"Obi-Wan, my friend?" Didi spoke in a low tone at his elbow. "A word?"
Liviani had received a call on her comlink and had turned away, so
Obi-Wan followed Didi a few paces away from the others.
"I just wanted to say," Didi began, smoothing his tunic with plump
fingers, "how my entire being is convulsed with joy to see your handsome
and noble face once again - "
"You want a favor," Obi-Wan said flatly. He was fond of Didi, but he
did not for one second think that Didi would hesitate to take advantage of
their friendship.
Didi looked wounded. "Not a favor. Some company on a little errand - "
Obi-Wan began to turn away in dismissal.
"All right, all right! The truth! A favor!" Didi said quickly. He
spread his hands, palms out. "But such a tiny one it hardly qualifies."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a second in irritation. Qui-Gon would ask
for my patience. "What is it?"
"Shortly after arriving in Eusebus, I bought a swoop bike," Didi said.
"I thought it would make navigating these crowded streets much easier.
However, hardly had I gone two meters when the engine... whoosh, ka-blam!"
Didi's fingers traced an explosion in the air. "I want my money back, yet I
fear that slimy son of a monkey-lizard will refuse me."
"But not if a Jedi is along," Obi-Wan said wearily.
"You would not have to do a thing! Just stand there and look
invincible. Maybe casually take your lightsaber out and test it..."
"No. No lightsaber."
"Then your presence only." Didi put his hands together. "Such a big
favor it would be, and I would repay it a thousand times over."
"Do you really think," Obi-Wan said, exasperated, "that I have time to
help you make up a bad deal?"
"Of course not, you are so busy being strong and good," Didi said.
"But while we are together, I can give you a behind-the-scenes, sneak-peek
look at the Games. Bog is my son-in-law and on the Council. I have a unique
perspective." Didi could see that Obi-Wan was unmoved. "Now, don't do it
for Qui-Gon's sake. I would never want you to remember how much he loved me
and how many times he helped me. Don't even mention his beloved name!"
"I don't have to," Obi-Wan said. "You just did." But he knew from the
first moment that Didi had drawn him aside that he would help him. The
truth was that Obi-Wan had a soft spot for Didi just as vulnerable as Qui-
Gon's had been. And he had come to see that it wasn't such a bad thing, to
feel affection for a worthless scoundrel with a big heart.
Still, there were limits.
"I will give you ten minutes," Obi-Wan said. "You are the best and
kindest friend I ever - " "Nine minutes, fifty-seven seconds - "
Didi's mouth snapped shut. "I will tell Astri. One moment."
Didi dashed off, and Siri came up next to Obi-Wan. "You are worse than
Qui-Gon," she said in an amused tone
Obi-Wan shrugged. "I am still his Padawan in many ways."
"Ry-Gaul and I are going with Liviani. She has some swoops available
for us so we can get an overview of the area. We're sending the Padawans
off on their own. The opening rituals will begin in a few minutes."
"I'll keep in touch and meet up with you," Obi-Wan said. "This won't
take long."
Siri cocked her head. Her hands slid into the pockets of the unisuit
she wore instead of a tunic. "The amazing thing is that you actually
believe that," she said.
CHAPTER FOUR
When Anakin had first seen Tru, he had immediately wanted to spe
nd
time with him. Now he could hardly wait to leave him behind. This wasn't
Tru's fault-Anakin just wanted time alone to explore. About Podracing.
He walked alongside Ferus and Tru. The streets were crowded and they
had trouble staying together. Ferus didn't seem to notice. He strode ahead
at the pace he always set, talking without making sure the others were able
to hear.
"The opening rituals are at Stadium One," Ferus said. "We could take
an air taxi, but there don't seem to be many around."
"We can get there on Transit Yellow," Tru said. "Four stops. I
memorized the transit system maps on the way here."
"It's the perfect opportunity for us to see all sorts of beings from
all over the galaxy," Ferus said. "We should observe customs and protocol."
Leave it to Ferus to have a lesson plan for the afternoon, Anakin
thought.
As if he had read Anakin's thoughts and was afraid he would speak them
aloud, Tru extended one flexible arm and slid his hand over Anakin's mouth.
Anakin batted it away with a grin. No doubt Tru was remembering their
mission to the planet Radnor, when Anakin and Ferus had argued every step