from the grip of a harsh master?
"Sebulba taught him how to cheat, too," Deland said worriedly. "Come
on, Doby. Let's get back to work."
"You can beat him." The certainty in Anakin's voice made the two
brothers turn to face him. "With my help. Hekula has my old Podracer. I
built it with my own hands. They may have painted it and buffed it, but I
still know those engines. I know its weaknesses. I know how Sebulba cheats.
I can help you win."
Doby and Deland exchanged a glance. "We can't ask you to do that,"
Deland said.
"You're not asking."
"We can't pay you," Doby said. "All of our credits are tied up in the
Podracer. We barely have enough to get home."
"I don't need credits. And I don't need thanks," Anakin said. "I just
need you to win."
CHAPTER SIX
"So you promised me inside information," Obi-Wan said to Didi. They
could not locate an air taxi, and all the Transits were full, so they had
to walk to the swoop seller. Obi-Wan didn't mind. It gave him a chance to
get a feeling of the streets. He reached out to the Force and received
nothing alarming back.
"My son-in-law is an idiot."
"That's not exactly the kind of information I had in mind," Obi-Wan
said mildly.
Didi sighed. "You'd think Astri would have more sense. Did I raise her
to fall for the first tall, handsome idiot who walked through my door? I
did not! Is it my fault she picked such a stiff-necked, rule-following,
small-spirited, mid-Rim, mid-minded, puffed-up bonehead?"
"Well, at least he's not a criminal," Obi-Wan said. "Maybe Astri
wanted a quieter life. Maybe she was tired of dealing with a rule-breaking,
truth-stretching, scam-running scoundrel of a father."
"So it is my fault," Didi sniffed.
"Astri has always made her own choices, Didi. And they are hers to
make. Now, you said you had insider news on the Games."
"Bog thinks that by serving on the Council for the Games, he'll get
the backing of some important beings in the Senate, and that he'll be
assigned important committee assignments. All he does is talk, talk, talk
about how important his role is and what it will mean for his future." Didi
mimicked a snore. "Honestly, I don't know how Astri stands it. His big job
has been arranging the seating for some big-shot Senators. Hoo diggety-hoo.
"
"Didi, you said you had information," Obi-Wan said. "This is
complaining."
"I have plenty of information," Didi said. "How can I not? Bog never
stops talking. But he never says anything worth listening to. Oh, look,
here we are." Didi paused in front of a shop with closed durasteel
shutters.
"It doesn't look open," Obi-Wan observed.
"Oh, it is. The seller just doesn't want to attract too many
customers."
"Really. That doesn't sound typical."
"It's a very exclusive shop." Didi turned to him. "Remember, you don't
have to say anything. Just stand there and give that Jedi-ish look."
"I think I can manage it," Obi-Wan said dryly. "Tell me something,
Didi. If you want to return a swoop, shouldn't you have brought it with
you?"
"I can fetch it in moments. No need to worry."
Didi rapped a rhythmic knock on the door. Several seconds later the
door slid open. Obi-Wan realized that the pause of the few seconds meant
that they had just undergone some sort of security check. Was the shop-
owner concerned about vandalism or theft? It was possible, since Eusebus
was crowded with strangers.
But the security measures seemed excessive for a swoop seller. Obi-Wan
stepped into the dim interior, fully aware that Didi could be leading him
into his usual swamp of deception. Didi didn't so much lie as leave crucial
pieces of information out.
You owe me one, Qui-Gon.
"Good afternoon, good afternoon," Didi said to a massive creature who
suddenly loomed out of the shadows in the shop. The being was two meters
taller than Obi-Wan. Each fifteen-fingered hand was the size of a bantha
haunch.
There were six swoops parked in a random fashion around the open
space. There were no other customers and no sign of business that Obi-Wan
could see.
"You may remember me," Didi said. "Didi Oddo. I was in yesterday."
The massive creature said nothing, just watched Didi with flat eyes.
"Then again, you may not," Didi said nervously. "This is my very good
friend, the great Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan, this is the swoop
seller, Uso Yso."
The creature did not shift his gaze from Didi's face.
"Obviously you are a creature of action and I should get right to the
point," Didi said. "The swoop I bought yesterday... I have changed my mind.
"
A flicker of alertness lit Uso Yso's opaque gaze.
"I would like my money back," Didi said, trying to sound forceful.
"The swoop is not... not what I expected. No doubt I will return another
day to buy a... different swoop, but not this one."
Finally, Uso Yso spoke. "No."
Didi took a delicate step backward. "One moment."
He leaned back and whispered to Obi-Wan. "Can't you draw your
lightsaber or Jedi-move something? You don't have to kill him."
"No," Obi-Wan said.
"A deal is a deal," Uso Yso said, crossing his huge arms. "You are
insulting me with your presence. I do not like to be insulted."
"Ah, no insult intended. None at all," Didi said rapidly. "Just a
polite request. Surely there beats a heart underneath that . ah,
magnificent physique."
"Two hearts, actually," Uso Yso said. He withdrew an electro-jabber
from his belt. "Would you like to continue the argument?"
Didi froze, staring at the weapon. He took another step back. "No
argument. Just a thought. Such a pleasant afternoon. We must be going."
Didi almost ran from the shop. Obi-Wan followed. The door slid shut
behind them, and Obi-Wan turned to Didi disgustedly.
"That was no swoop seller," he accused him.
"An unusual type, yes," Didi said. "Most helpful. Well, it's been such
an unexpected pleasurable experience to see you, my friend, but I must be
going - "
Obi-Wan stepped into his path. "Explain."
"Most happy to oblige, Obi-Wan," Didi said. "It is possible that the
swoop seller might have an additional business."
"Ah," Obi-Wan said.
"Perhaps he sells swoops - I am sure he does, in fact, a few here and
there - but that was not my business with him," Didi said evasively. His
eyes darted about as if trying to find an escape route.
"Your business with him was?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A small bet," Didi said. He held up his hands as Obi-Wan glowered at
him. "Such a tiny bet! On one of the events. Even the Jedi must realize
that such an opportunity exists here on Euceron and there will be many who
wish to place a wager."
"Certainly we realize that," Obi-Wan said. "It is also illegal. The
Senate has banned gambling on the Galactic Games, and for good reason. It
attracts criminals." He underlined the last wor
d, giving Didi a sharp
glance.
Didi nodded, frowning. "True. It would attract the wrong sort. Unlike
me, who only places a bet now and again for the fun of it."
Obi-Wan sighed. "So why did you try to get your money back?"
"I was too impulsive," Didi confessed. "One of my faults, along with
my generosity, that gets me into trouble. I made a wager and then my guilt
overwhelmed me."
"Since when have you felt guilty about breaking the law?"
"I prefer to think I bend it, Obi-Wan. But that's not what caused my
great guilt. It is because the credits I used were not mine."
"Whose were they?" Obi-Wan sensed he was nearing the real story at
last.
"Bog and Astri's." Didi hung his head. "It was wrong. You cannot
reproach me more than I have reproached myself. But they have a little
wealth hidden away for some land Bog wishes to purchase, and this purchase
will not be made for some time. The credits were just lying there! Such a
waste. I assumed I could take the credits, make the bet, collect my
winnings, and return the credits I borrowed without Astri knowing."
"And what if you lost?"
"I had such a sure tip, I did not think it possible."
Obi-Wan tapped a finger on his belt. Drawing information out of Didi
was like trying to siphon water from sand. "If it is such a sure thing, why
do you want your money back?"
"My guilt happened!" Didi said, his brown eyes wide. "I can't do that
to Astri."
"And you also discovered that Bog and Astri would need the credits
sooner than you thought," Obi-Wan guessed.
"Well, they happened to meet the owner of the land they want to buy
here at the Games, and he is willing to sell at last..."
"So they will find the credits missing." Obi-Wan sighed. "There is
only one thing to do. Confess what you've done to Astri. She will forgive
you. She always does."
"Yes, doesn't she? That is a good idea, my friend. That is exactly
what I will do."
Obi-Wan knew perfectly well that Didi would do nothing of the kind.
"And do not involve me any further in your schemes," he said sternly. "You
are on your own from now on. You cannot use the Jedi Order to threaten
others."
"Not I!" Didi exclaimed in a hurt tone. "How can you say this, when I
am the biggest supporter of Jedi in the galaxy? I did give you insider
information, after all," he pointed out. "You now know the most important
bookie at the Games."
"Am I supposed to thank you now?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously.
"No, no, of course not. Thanks is never what I want."
"Thanks are never what you deserve," Obi-Wan murmured.
"Ah, you joke." Didi smiled. "Then you are not angry with me. What a
noble being you are, Obi-Wan Kenobi! How lucky I am to have you as a
friend!"
"Not for much longer, if you try this again," Obi-Wan said. "Now I've
wasted enough time. I must do my duty."
"Of course. Vastly more important than my humble problems. Do not
worry about me. I will be fine," Didi said bravely.
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan left Didi, no doubt to concoct further
schemes to get himself out of trouble. The gleam in Didi's eyes told him
that.
Which reminded him of his Padawan. The gleam in Anakin's eyes had
clearly told Obi-Wan that his Padawan would not be able to resist the lure
of Podracing for long.
No doubt he was there now. After checking in with Siri and Ry-Gaul,
Obi-Wan squeezed aboard a crowded Transit Red. By the time it reached the
northern edge of the city he was the only one aboard. He jumped out and it
turned around to speed back to the city. Obi-Wan stood in the center of a
dusty road. Hills shimmered in the distance. He saw no sign of living
beings.
He summoned the Force. As clearly as a directional laser, the Force
told him where the cave entrance would be.
He struck off toward the hillside and climbed until he found a screen
of thick green foliage. He pushed the bushes aside and found the cave
entrance. Obi-Wan hiked inside. The coolness of the air felt good on his
warm skin.
He found the pit hangar easily. His Padawan stood over an engine, a
hydrospanner in his hand. Obi-Wan came up behind him. Anakin was so
absorbed that his usual sensitivity to his Master's presence was absent.
"It's got to be calibrated exactly right," Anakin was saying to two
young Aleena mechanics standing nearby. "We might have to do it fifty times
to get it right. Or we might get lucky and get it right in two."
"I hope it's the latter," Obi-Wan said. "Because there is a mission
you should be attending to."
Anakin stood up so abruptly that he banged his head on the turbine.
"Master! I didn't see you."
Obi-Wan examined the Podracer. "I see that you're busy."
"I thought I'd lend a hand to Doby and Deland. They're from Tatooine."
Anakin looked uncomfortable. "If they win, they free their sister. She's a
slave."
"I see." Obi-Wan nodded at the two brothers. "I wish you good luck.
Anakin, may I speak with you a moment?"
He drew Anakin aside. "You know this is wrong," he told his Padawan
with a frown. "I'm sure you are helping for the right reasons. But this is
not our mission. We have more important things to do. And may I remind you
that Podracing is illegal?"
"But the Ruling Power is looking the other way - " "But the Games
Council is concerned. As should you be. Once word gets out, spectators will
arrive. This could turn into a dangerous situation. Do you know what the
course will be?"
"Through the caves," Anakin said excitedly. "Can you imagine the
difficulties? And they've already thought about the spectators. They're
going to set up a viewing stand near the finish line."
"That doesn't mean that they will be safe." Obi-Wan's comlink
signaled, and he answered it brusquely.
The unfamiliar voice was frantic with urgency. "There is an emergency
- "
"Who is this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Bog. It's Bog. You must come immediately. The Official Quarters."
"What is wrong?"
"Come now!" Bog shouted, and the line went dead.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"We need transport," Obi-Wan said to Anakin.
Doby approached them. "We have an airspeeder," he said. "You are
welcome to borrow it for as long as you need it. Anakin has helped us with
no thought for himself, and we wish to repay him however we can."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said. Although he was irritated with Anakin for
heading straight to the Podraces, he was always glad to see how Anakin's
generosity endeared him to others. Strangers became friends quickly for his
Padawan.
Anakin connected to the Living Force as Qui-Gon had. He had that gift.
What he needed to develop was Qui-Gon's wisdom. That would only take time
and missions.
And mistakes. He could hear Qui-Gon's dry tone in his head.
The speeder was tweaked to run smoothly at high speeds, which Obi-Wan
would expect from two Podracer owners. He sped back to the city core,
Anakin at
his side. He did not speculate on what was wrong. Whatever it was
that had caused the panic in Bog's voice, he would know soon enough. He
hoped nothing had happened to Astri or Didi.
They passed through the high-security gate on the outskirts of the
Games Quarters, where athletes and officials were housed. Obi-Wan was
relieved when he arrived to see Astri and Didi standing nearby as Bog
talked earnestly to Siri and Ferus. Tru stood next to Ry-Gaul. Siri turned
to greet him with a thinly disguised look of disgust on her face.
Obi-Wan leaped out of the speeder. "What happened?"
"Bog's speeder was stolen," Siri said. "He felt an alert to all Jedi
teams was justified." Ry-Gaul sighed.
Obi-Wan gave Bog an exasperated glance. "You called in Jedi help
because of a missing speeder?"
"You don't understand," Bog said. "The speeder was in a secure area.
This is serious. I would think the Jedi would be concerned."
"There will always be petty crime at a large event like this one,"