Chapter Ten

A life in The Lowers of Coruscant had taught Obi-Wan one thing, and that was patience. However, as he awaited Padme's return, he found his endurance being sorely tested.

What was taking so long?

Now quite worried, Obi-Wan slid open the balcony door and stepped inside the apartment. He slowly made his way to where Padme had gone until he felt a spike in his awareness and a wave of fear engulf him.

Bursting through the bedroom doors, Obi-Wan was just in time to see a man carrying Padme's still form out into the hall. He dashed across the common room in pursuit, only able to see the man's face just before it was concealed behind the lift's closing doors.

It was the man Padme often went out with at night. The Emperor's security advisor -- who seemed quite surprised to see Obi-Wan standing in Padme's apartment, but the man was in for another as well, when he was met downstairs and Obi-Wan kicked his ass.

Obi-Wan ran to the stairwell and flew down the steps. By the time he'd reached the lobby, though, Padme and her abductor were nowhere to be seen. He hurried out into the street, his feelings telling him he was too late, confirmed by the roar of a single-engine speeder racing away overhead.

Angry, but not defeated, Obi-Wan hurried back to Padme's apartment.

"What have you gotten yourself into?" Obi-Wan muttered as he switched on some lights and searched the area. She had mentioned following someone into The Lowers but that was all. However, he'd noticed the small disk she'd held tight in her fist on the way to her apartment, and figured there was something incriminating on it. He had to find out what. Perhaps, the information could be a bargaining tool.

Assuming Padme was going to transmit the evidence, Obi-Wan checked her home office, and was amazed to discover the information that was revealed upon her computer screen.

Here was all he required to answer every question he'd ever asked, all the secrets Dexter kept from him. If only he had more time. Obi-Wan only took a few seconds to look over the screen before directing his attention to the task at hand.

He found the disk Padme had been holding inserted into the computer's port and quickly opened its directory. He decided to play the file and listened carefully to the conversation which Padme had overhead that day.

So, the Emperor and his head henchman were planning on clearing out The Lowers, and going through Hutts to do so. It was worse than he'd imagined.

Padme was in terrible danger, but how could he help her?

The best way, Obi-Wan figured, was to do what Padme hadn't had the opportunity to do. He'd take this information to the authorities and ask for their help. He wasn't going to get anywhere Upside on his own.

He'd take the disk to the Holonet Studios himself. What was Padme's boss' name? Oh yeah, Assistant Manager, Bail Organa. He'd seen that name on the news credits almost every night. He grabbed the disk and put it in his pocket. Before leaving Padme's apartment though, Obi-Wan found another datadisk and quickly recorded the Core World History he hadn't had time to read. He'd have to look at that later.

He made his way into the streets, covered by the darkness of night and the shadows of the city, finding a public terminal to help him locate the News Studio. While standing there, Obi-Wan checked his credit balance and sneered at the information. He only had enough left for a couple of more transports, and then he was on foot, but he didn't have a choice.

Obi-Wan hailed an air taxi and was soon at the Studio. The inside was busy with workers who stared at him hard. He was almost immediately intercepted by a large Bothan wearing a badge upon his long, leather jacket.

"Can I help you?" the being growled.

"I need to speak with Bail Organa."

"He's in a meeting."

Obi-Wan glared up into the Bothan's beady eyes, pushed away his frustration and firmed his voice. "You will take me to Bail Organa now."

The guard looked confused for a second and then motioned for Obi-Wan to follow. "I'll take you to Bail Organa now," he agreed.

The trick was something Obi-Wan had learned as a teenager. It had gotten him into some clubs where he was underage, and gotten him out of some sticky situations, but this was the first time he'd used mind control for the benefit of someone else. He didn't feel guilty in the least.

Obi-Wan was taken directly to Bail's office and told to wait. Soon, the stylishly clothed man with the short, trim beard made an appearance, looking Obi-Wan up and down with obvious distaste.

"Can I help you?"

"I hope so. I'm a friend of Padme Amidala's."

"You are? " A shocked Bail interrupted, "then tell her I'm docking her a week's pay for missing tonight's transmission."

Surely, the man was more considerate than that, Obi-Wan thought, or else Padme wouldn't work for him, would she? Maybe he needed another chance.

"I'm afraid she's in trouble. She was taken from her home before she had a chance to show you this."

Obi-Wan handed over the datadisk into Bail's outstretched palm. The older man looked at it and then tucked it into the pocket of his coat.

"Thanks. I'll take a look at it as soon as I have the time."

"You don't understand..." Obi-Wan pleaded while Bail walked behind his desk and pressed one of the many buttons there.

"Don't worry. Everything will be taken care of. Leave your address with my secretary and I'll see what I can do about delivering you some type of reward."

"I don't want a fucking reward." Obi-Wan jerked his arm out of the large Bothan's grip and stormed from Bail Organa's office.

Bail disdainfully shook his head as he watched the young man go and made sure he was alone before picking up his communicator.

"My Lord, I have the information you require."

"Well done, General Manager," rasped the voice of the Emperor. "Destroy it."

"Yes, sir."