A starfighter bearing the badge of the Wefhuk Investigative Service passed by the windows of the Spaceport Administration building. Anakin frowned and swiveled in his seat to face their escort, Investigator Ranun. Ranun was not as tall as Anakin but he was stockier. His silver hair was slicked into soft spikes and he looked around him with a wide-eyed expression. Combined with his overstarched and ill-fitting uniform it gave the impression of child-like innocence, with a blaster at it's side.
"Where is Investigator Tylip going?" asked Anakin.
Ranun ignored him. Anakin kept his attention on Ranun while Obi-Wan leaned forward to peer out through the window.
"I thought he was in the middle of an important investigation," said Anakin, knowing perfectly well that their escort had been instructed not to talk to them. "Why is he leaving?"
The two young Jedi were waiting in a small courtyard at a long table with Ranun standing at attention at one of the arched entrances. Three of the entrances opened into other corridors of the building but the fourth overlooked the wide expanse of the Spaceport. Anakin and Obi-Wan had shifted their chairs to watch the Fahren's departure. They hadn't moved since and Ranun hadn't spoken a word in that time.
"Sure is a talkative sort of fellow," observed Obi-Wan dryly, glancing at Ranun before turning back to watch as a freighter took off.
"Can't shut him up," agreed Anakin. "It's embarrassing."
Ranun turned to frown at them, the first change in facial expression they'd witnessed. Anakin laid a hand over his heart and seized Obi-Wan's hand in mock horror.
"Obi! Star's end, I think he can hear us..."
Ranun grinned before he could help himself. Then he looked mortified and turned to face the wall. Once he'd regained his humourless expression, he turned back only to be confronted by Anakin's cockiest grin. Ranun's lip twitched and he seemed glad when his commlink sounded, distracting him. He slipped out into the corridor to answer it, leaving the two young men alone.
"Well," said Anakin. "I don't think we're going to be able to do much in the way of investigation while we're locked in here."
"This room doesn't have any doors to lock."
"Figure of speech, Obi." Obi-Wan was gearing up to respond in detail when Ranun appeared. He was still eying them warily.
"Come to talk our ears off, again?" asked Anakin pleasantly.
"Not me - Investigator Irus," said Ranun. "Her paralysis has faded to the point where she can talk again. And she wants to talk to you."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow and turned to Anakin.
"She's the Investigator who nearly hit me with her swoop," said Anakin. "She was paralysed protecting Emalda."
"Ah. Well, in that case, we shouldn't keep the lady waiting."
Ranun directed them towards a speeder waiting out the front of the building. Ranun climbed behind the controls and Obi-Wan settled into the seat beside him. Ranun craned his neck to watch Anakin slide into the back seat. Anakin opened his palms and held them out in front of him.
"Nothing up my sleeves," promised Anakin.
Ranun scowled and took off into the morning streets of Wefhuk. Anakin rolled his eyes at Ranun's back and Obi-Wan hid a smile behind his back.
The markets were bustling and crowded, pedestrians spilling out onto the streets. The locals were gathered on street corners, gossiping and lingering even when the sensor platforms beeped for them to cross. A few spared a glance for the Investigative Service speeder but they were looks of idle curiosity. There was no malice there - the city seemed content to amble on hurriedly.
"Qui-Gon likes it here," said Obi-Wan thoughtfully.
"It makes me twitch," shrugged Anakin, leaning forward onto the back of Obi-Wan's seat.
"Too slow for you," agreed Obi-Wan, with a smile.
Anakin didn't smile back but patted Obi-Wan on the shoulder to show he wasn't upset. He settled back into his seat and watched the stone fragment road fly past beneath the speeder. The stones were irregular, tumbled together with no particular plan or design but he couldn't help still looking for a pattern anyway. It was like looking at the stars streaking past in hyperspace. A flash of unease washed through Anakin and he grabbed the back of the seat in front of him to steady himself. Cold dread plunged straight to his stomach and he shivered. It took him a moment to realise that they'd reached their destination and Obi-Wan was holding his arm.
"What's wrong with you?" asked Ranun suspiciously.
"Nothing," said Anakin, releasing the seat and climbing out of the speeder. "Just a bit of motion sickness."
Obi-Wan looked concerned but kept his tongue in front of Ranun.
"So," said Obi-Wan, drawing Ranun's attention. "Do you know which room Investigator Irus is in?"
Anakin followed the other two slowly, the feeling fading as he focused on the stones under his feet. The stones felt refreshingly real, each individual fragment shifting in different directions under his weight. Yet for all the movement of the individual stones, they still formed a stable ground - he was sure there was a metaphor in that somewhere.
Anakin found himself entering the MedCentre yet again, Ranun heading to the main desk to check in with his superiors. He carefully kept the two young Jedi in sight but Obi-Wan used the opportunity to question Anakin.
"What was that?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Something serious," said Anakin. "Something's happened. I think we need to check in with the Fahren right now."
"We can't do that without letting Ranun know something's wrong," said Obi-Wan. "Do you want me to talk to Irus by myself?"
Anakin frowned, as Ranun started towards them.
"We'll talk to Irus for five minutes," said Anakin hurriedly. "Any longer and I'll say I'm not feeling well."
Ranun reached them just as they both fell silent.
"This way, gentlemen," he said, leading them to the lifts.
When they reached the right floor, it wasn't hard to see their destination. It was the only hospital room with the armed guard outside the door. Ranun motioned for them to wait while he ducked into the room. He was out again in moments, gesturing for the two Jedi to enter. Anakin led the way with Ranun shutting the door behind Obi-Wan.
The Phindian Investigator was lying on a hospital bed, a blanket drawn up to her chest and her arms lying motionless across her stomach. She moved her head as they came in but otherwise remained motionless. Medical equipment hummed quietly, reflecting the patient's stable condition. There were no windows in the small room but a bank of lights ran around the top of the walls. The two end tables were full of messages and holograms wishing her a speedy recovering.
"Investigator Irus," said Anakin, bowing politely. "Hello again. May I introduce my friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
"Investigator," said Obi-Wan, bowing.
Irus smiled gently at them, her eyes lingering on Obi-Wan.
"Please, pull up a chair," said Irus, her voice weak. "We have things to discuss."
Anakin located two of the visitors chairs and passed one to Obi-Wan.
"You wanted to see us?" asked Anakin.
"That is so," said Irus, her eyes bright. "Because there is something I want to tell you."
"And what is that?"
"I know who you are."