Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan was as impatient as he was. They walked in the MedCentre's front doorway, watched over by Kuhd escorts stationed at the door: another service provided by the government of Wefhuk. As soon as they were through, the escorts turned their attention elsewhere. They didn't bother to watch as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan headed straight for the front desk, manned by a male Kuhd nurse.

"Hello," said Qui-Gon, leaning over the counter. "We'd like to check on the condition of several patients admitted here. Ben Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Emalda Colash."
"Just one moment," said the nurse, squinting at his terminal screen. "What were the names again?"
Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan twitch with impatience at his side. He understood the feeling. He took a deep breath and repeated himself calmly and clearly.
"Ben Kenobi..."
"Is that with a c or a k?"
"With a k."
"Looks like he hasn't been admitted to a ward but he's still in one of the treatment rooms. What were the other names?"

"Anakin Skywalker..."
"I've got an Anaken Skywelker. Could that be him?"
"If someone spelled his name incorrectly, yes."
"Well, he's in the same room as Ben Kenobi. The third name?"
"Emalda Colash."
"Same story again. All three are in treatment room 3M," said the nurse. "Take the lift to the third floor, and it's the twenty-second room on your right."
"Thank you," said Qui-Gon, already moving away.
"Hm-hmm," said the nurse absently, as the next worried face approached his desk.

Obi-Wan managed to hold a lift that was already half-full. The other occupants of the lift moved over to accommodate the two Jedi. Obi-Wan jabbed at the button for the third floor.
"Remember to breathe, Obi-Wan," said Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan let out the breath he'd been holding sheepishly.
"Sorry, Master."
It was a tense ride to the third floor, and then a long corridor where Obi-Wan counted the doors under his breath. Qui-Gon had mostly regained his calm when they finally reached Treatment Room 3M.

Anakin opened the door before they reached it, smiling tiredly at them. Obi-Wan rested a hand on Anakin's shoulder as he checked him briefly from head to toe.
"I'm fine," said Anakin. "Just tired."
Anakin waved them into the room.
"We are all perfectly fine," said Ben, perched on a treatment bed across the room. "They just insisted on more bureaucracy before they released us. Typical."
Qui-Gon gaze was drawn to Ben's right hand where it rested on his knee. Several shallow cuts peppered the fingers, extending up to the wrist where Ben's sleeve began.

Emalda sat hunched over on the bed beside Ben, her jacket and parcel cushioned in her lap. Ben's robe was draped across her shoulders and she seemed to be trying to disappear inside it. Emalda returned Qui-Gon's look without any of the usual hostility. In fact, her expression was so devoid of emotion that it worried Qui-Gon instantly.
"Simple flash grenades," explained Ben. "We were stunned temporarily but there should be no permanent harm. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my lightsaber. My blade made contact with a detonating grenade."
Qui-Gon looked back to Ben's injured hand with new eyes, recognizing the shallow cuts as shrapnel wounds from an exploding lightsaber. Ben was more than lucky that the hand was still attached.

"Any idea who attacked you?" asked Qui-Gon.
"There were two," said Ben. "Anakin injured one but they both got away."
"I'm assuming you weren't exactly in a condition to pursue," agreed Qui-Gon. "Any idea what they were after?"
"None," said Ben. "They seemed to go for Emalda first but Anakin and I were very nearby. There was also a local law enforcement officer as well."
"Maybe they were just after money," said Emalda hollowly. "Maybe nowhere is really safe."
"These things happen," said Qui-Gon, advancing with the intention to lay a reassuring hand on her knee. "You shouldn't let it control your life."
Emalda stiffened as he approached and shot a panicked look at Ben. Qui-Gon let his hand drop before it made contact. Ben leant sideways to touch his shoulder to Emalda's. It reassured her enough that she made eye-contact with Qui-Gon again.

"That officer nearly died," said Emalda. "She heard me yelling and came to help. Now she's paralyzed and on life support."
"Was she there when the attack began..." asked Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan was interrupted when the door to the treatment room swung open. Investigator Tylip stood them for a moment, squinting at them.
"Investigator Irus' paralysis is fading slowly," said Tylip gruffly. "In a few weeks she should be fun."
"Sorry?" said Qui-Gon.
"I said she should be fine."
Tylip paused and looked Qui-Gon up and down suspiciously.
"Why do you ask?" said Tylip.
"I just misheard you," said Qui-Gon. "I hope she has a speedy recovery."

Tylip stepped forward to stand toe to toe with Qui-Gon, undeterred by the fact that the Jedi Master towered over him by at least a foot. Ben gently moved Emalda from his side and stood up from the bed.
"We're glad to hear that," said Ben.
Tylip swiveled to face Ben, his forked tongue flickering out to taste the air. At last Tylip took several steps back to a more polite distance. He still looked Ben up and down, likely looking for weapons. Qui-Gon reflected that it was a good thing Ben's lightsaber was no longer clipped to his belt. The other three Jedi had all concealed their lightsabers beneath their robes.

"And who exactly are you?" asked Tylip.
"My name is Ben Kenobi," said Ben crisply, bowing respectfully in greeting.
"I am Investigator Tylip, as I'm sure your friends have told you by now."
"They had not yet had the chance but I am very pleased to meet you," said Ben evenly. "This is Emalda Colash and Anakin Skywalker. Am I to assume you have already met Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan?"
"We met very recently," said Tylip. "And speaking of recent events, am I to understand that you were all present for this... attack?"
"Only Anakin, Emalda and myself," said Ben. "I contacted Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan afterwards, and asked them to meet us here."

"Did you know your attackers?" asked Tylip.
"We did not recognise them," said Ben. "Though I suspect one of them was a twilek."
"There are almost a thousand twileks on the planet so that hardly narrows it down," scoffed Tylip. "Do you know why you were attacked?"
"Because my escort chose that moment to get lost?" suggested Emalda bitterly.
"Investigator Irus was hit by a dart coated in a very distinctive poison," said Tylip. "This poison is not particularly common - except that it is used by the smugglers currently operating on Wefhuk. I ask you again, are you sure you don't know why you were attacked?"
"We do not," said Ben firmly.

Anakin stepped forward, Obi-Wan at his side. Tylip's gaze didn't leave Ben.
"How was Investigator Irus' friend?" asked Anakin.
"Friend?" asked Tylip.
"The one who was injured. Irus said she was escorting an injured colleague to the MedCentre."

Tylip whirled to face Anakin, puffing out his cheeks. Anakin paused, looking to Ben for help. Tylip saw the exchange of glances and his expression turned nasty.
"I know you people are hiding something from me," said Tylip. "And if I find out you had anything to do with these robberies or the deaths of those Investigators - believe me, you'll be sorry."
"We had nothing to do with these things," said Qui-Gon.
Tylip snorted and walked to the door. He paused in the doorway to pin each of them with a look.
"If I were you," he said. "I wouldn't be leaving Wefhuk unless you want to be in any more trouble."
With that, he turned and marched off down the corridor. The two other Investigators hurried to catch up.

Emalda slid off the bed, folding Ben's borrowed robe tighter around herself and hugging her parcel.
"So, before all this excitement," she said. "Any luck finding my mother?"
Qui-Gon started guiltily as Ben shook his head regretfully. In all honesty, Qui-Gon had been so focused on his plans for the future he'd nearly forgotten their current mission. He would certainly have scolded the Padawans for such a lapse in concentration.
"There is a matter that we were discussing earlier...," began Qui-Gon.
"Now, however," interrupted Ben smoothly. "Is probably not the best time to revisit the subject. Anakin can escort Emalda back to the Fahren to rest but I see no reason the rest of us cannot continue the search."
Qui-Gon wanted to argue that he did not see the point in delaying a conversation that was going to be unpleasant. Emalda was the least hostile she'd been since they'd met. However, with Ben's robe wrapped around her she also reminded Qui-Gon of a small child seeking comfort. She looked exhausted and lost and Qui-Gon acceded to Ben's wishes with a nod.

Anakin looked at Ben.
"Are you sure you're alright?" asked Anakin.
"I'm fine," said Ben. "Just see that Emalda makes it back to the Fahren safely."
Anakin bowed to Ben and Qui-Gon.
"Stay in the populated areas," added Ben.
"Not necessarily safer, Master," said Anakin.
"Humour me."
"If you say so."