When Qui-Gon awoke he was staring into the anxious face of his Padawan. "Master." Obi-Wan breathed with relief.
"Mmm," Qui-Gon groaned as he sat up.
"That will teach you to get in the way of a blaster," came Celea's voice from the doorway to Qui-Gon's room. "Now, I think I should explain a little more about the current situation. This is not the first time my life has been threatened. In fact, there have been several attempts on all the investigators over the past few monthes, including Dafand's death. I merely represent the people of Venguiru, even though I am Aldreraan, I have lived here all my life. The two investigators from North Cap Alpha and West Point Beta have been collabarating with me, but not with each other. Each company still blames the other. I believe the sabotage is an outside job, meant to cripple the planet's economy. Dafand shared my opinion, because of this he is dead. I think that whoever is responsible for the sabotage wants the companies to go on blaming each other, and anyone who thinks otherwise is disposed of."
"Don't worry ma'am, we will not fail to protect you, you will finish your investigation." Qui-Gon assured from his position in the bed.
"As I gathered from earlier today, for which I am grateful. However, it would seem you are no longer in any shape to provide protection." Celea turned to look at Obi-Wan. "Can I trust your apprentice to provide adequate protection?" Obi-Wan looked offended and glared at his Master. Qui-Gon looked at Celea, puzzeled, she was arrogant for someone who had requested help.
"I will not be off my feet for long, I promise. And until then, you may trust Obi-Wan with your life, I know I do." Obi-Wan smiled at his Master's words, then turned his gaze to Celea.
" Should we relocate to your home, and discuss the investigation in greater detail?" Obi-Wan asked
"If Master Qui-Gon feels up to it, I think that would be sensible." Celea agreed. After receiving confirmation from the doctor, Celea led the Jedi to her home. It was a simple two story structure, built in the traditional Venguiren style, with no windows and large doors on the first and second story. Once inside, Obi-Wan had to wait for his eyes to adjust to the lighting. The walls were all dark hues, balck and puple. The lights were dimmed by large shades. Qui-Gon was moved to the second story with Obi-Wan in the same room. Once the Jedi had settled in, they meditated, Qui-Gon using a healing trance. Celea watched, unnoticed, from the doorway. Jedi were fascinating, she decided.
The next day, Celea took the Jedi to North Cap Alpha to veiw the scene of the sabatoge. The mining equipment had malfunctioned due to miswired circuitry, causing cave-ins in the shafts. While the two Jedi inspected the equipment, Celea spoke with Geruf Bedek, the man handeling Alpha's investigations. He glanced warily at the two Jedi, then curtly nodded at Celea and strode off to an unknown destination. Celea approached Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
"As you can see, this was an inside job. Several new miners were signed on the week before the sabotage, but only one of them is an off-worlder. I believe he is in on the sabotage. He is from the nearby planet Orewcex. They have every reason to want to sabotage the mines, our exports compete with their export of similar cystals. With our mining disabled, they will certainily benifit. It's the same case with the sabotage of Beta, one Jiolil Likes, from the planet Orewcex, signed on two days before a mysterious blast caused a cave-in that cost many lives and much expensive equipment. Despite this logic, we lack evidence convicting the two Orewcexians. I believe that they belong to a group of terrorists known as Kilo. If we could connect these two Orewcexians with Kilo, along with the evidence we already have, we could stop this madness." Celea explained
"How do you suggest going about that?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Well, if I could get datapad records of transmissons, or perhaps holographs..." Celea explained throwing an exasperated glare at the young apprentice. The trio began to walk back to their transport when several figures in black approached them. In the deserted mine the group that faced the Jedis and Celea looked out of place. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan allowed their hands to stray into their robes to brush against the handles of their sabers. Celea looked almost angry as she faced the ten assailents. Before they could even draw their blasters the two Jedi rushed the group. Whirling in flashes of green and blue, they dispatched several of the assasins before the others managed to fire their blasters. Qui-Gon, still recovering from his injury, stepped back to protect Celea while Obi-Wan launched into action. Soon the four remaining assassins retreated down the shaft. Obi-Wan leaned heavily against the wall for a moment, then turned to his Master. The wound had been aggravated by the action and Qui-Gon looked pained. Celea, suitably impressed by Obi-Wan's fighting prowess, looked at the older Jedi with concern.
"We should get him to a medical." she exclaimed. Qui-Gon waved the suggestion away, but Obi-Wan could sense the pain through their bond and agreed with Celea. Celea ran ahead to get the transport, wary of any lingering assassins, while Obi-Wan helped his Master down the hallway. Obi-Wan knew, with his Master incapicitated, this was going to be a diffucult mission. He only hoped they could survive this seemingly blood-thirsty planet long enough to solve the sabtogage and get home. At least Celea seemed to regard him with a bit more respect he thought as he saw the transports lights shining around the next corner of the shaft. Waiting for the transport to slow, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were startled when it didn't. With dawning fear they faced a transport barrelling towards them in the narrow shaft. Backpedalling as fast as they could, the Jedi realized there was nowhere to go. Because of the headlights, the driver of the transport was obscured, and impossible to recognize. Facing oncoming death, Obi-Wan could only wonder what had happened to Celea.
"Mmm," Qui-Gon groaned as he sat up.
"That will teach you to get in the way of a blaster," came Celea's voice from the doorway to Qui-Gon's room. "Now, I think I should explain a little more about the current situation. This is not the first time my life has been threatened. In fact, there have been several attempts on all the investigators over the past few monthes, including Dafand's death. I merely represent the people of Venguiru, even though I am Aldreraan, I have lived here all my life. The two investigators from North Cap Alpha and West Point Beta have been collabarating with me, but not with each other. Each company still blames the other. I believe the sabotage is an outside job, meant to cripple the planet's economy. Dafand shared my opinion, because of this he is dead. I think that whoever is responsible for the sabotage wants the companies to go on blaming each other, and anyone who thinks otherwise is disposed of."
"Don't worry ma'am, we will not fail to protect you, you will finish your investigation." Qui-Gon assured from his position in the bed.
"As I gathered from earlier today, for which I am grateful. However, it would seem you are no longer in any shape to provide protection." Celea turned to look at Obi-Wan. "Can I trust your apprentice to provide adequate protection?" Obi-Wan looked offended and glared at his Master. Qui-Gon looked at Celea, puzzeled, she was arrogant for someone who had requested help.
"I will not be off my feet for long, I promise. And until then, you may trust Obi-Wan with your life, I know I do." Obi-Wan smiled at his Master's words, then turned his gaze to Celea.
" Should we relocate to your home, and discuss the investigation in greater detail?" Obi-Wan asked
"If Master Qui-Gon feels up to it, I think that would be sensible." Celea agreed. After receiving confirmation from the doctor, Celea led the Jedi to her home. It was a simple two story structure, built in the traditional Venguiren style, with no windows and large doors on the first and second story. Once inside, Obi-Wan had to wait for his eyes to adjust to the lighting. The walls were all dark hues, balck and puple. The lights were dimmed by large shades. Qui-Gon was moved to the second story with Obi-Wan in the same room. Once the Jedi had settled in, they meditated, Qui-Gon using a healing trance. Celea watched, unnoticed, from the doorway. Jedi were fascinating, she decided.
The next day, Celea took the Jedi to North Cap Alpha to veiw the scene of the sabatoge. The mining equipment had malfunctioned due to miswired circuitry, causing cave-ins in the shafts. While the two Jedi inspected the equipment, Celea spoke with Geruf Bedek, the man handeling Alpha's investigations. He glanced warily at the two Jedi, then curtly nodded at Celea and strode off to an unknown destination. Celea approached Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
"As you can see, this was an inside job. Several new miners were signed on the week before the sabotage, but only one of them is an off-worlder. I believe he is in on the sabotage. He is from the nearby planet Orewcex. They have every reason to want to sabotage the mines, our exports compete with their export of similar cystals. With our mining disabled, they will certainily benifit. It's the same case with the sabotage of Beta, one Jiolil Likes, from the planet Orewcex, signed on two days before a mysterious blast caused a cave-in that cost many lives and much expensive equipment. Despite this logic, we lack evidence convicting the two Orewcexians. I believe that they belong to a group of terrorists known as Kilo. If we could connect these two Orewcexians with Kilo, along with the evidence we already have, we could stop this madness." Celea explained
"How do you suggest going about that?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Well, if I could get datapad records of transmissons, or perhaps holographs..." Celea explained throwing an exasperated glare at the young apprentice. The trio began to walk back to their transport when several figures in black approached them. In the deserted mine the group that faced the Jedis and Celea looked out of place. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan allowed their hands to stray into their robes to brush against the handles of their sabers. Celea looked almost angry as she faced the ten assailents. Before they could even draw their blasters the two Jedi rushed the group. Whirling in flashes of green and blue, they dispatched several of the assasins before the others managed to fire their blasters. Qui-Gon, still recovering from his injury, stepped back to protect Celea while Obi-Wan launched into action. Soon the four remaining assassins retreated down the shaft. Obi-Wan leaned heavily against the wall for a moment, then turned to his Master. The wound had been aggravated by the action and Qui-Gon looked pained. Celea, suitably impressed by Obi-Wan's fighting prowess, looked at the older Jedi with concern.
"We should get him to a medical." she exclaimed. Qui-Gon waved the suggestion away, but Obi-Wan could sense the pain through their bond and agreed with Celea. Celea ran ahead to get the transport, wary of any lingering assassins, while Obi-Wan helped his Master down the hallway. Obi-Wan knew, with his Master incapicitated, this was going to be a diffucult mission. He only hoped they could survive this seemingly blood-thirsty planet long enough to solve the sabtogage and get home. At least Celea seemed to regard him with a bit more respect he thought as he saw the transports lights shining around the next corner of the shaft. Waiting for the transport to slow, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were startled when it didn't. With dawning fear they faced a transport barrelling towards them in the narrow shaft. Backpedalling as fast as they could, the Jedi realized there was nowhere to go. Because of the headlights, the driver of the transport was obscured, and impossible to recognize. Facing oncoming death, Obi-Wan could only wonder what had happened to Celea.