"We have come here to ask for your help. For the past three days, we have
been tracing the prince's claims and have found no evidence to suggest that
they are true. We thought that maybe you would care to tell us what was
really going on." Qui-Gon said his words steadily, but still the leader
wondered.
"How can I be sure that you are telling me the truth?" he dared to ask. The
man felt anger rising from the young Padawan. He had heard of the boy, but
did not know much. He wasn't surprised to hear the boys angry words
directed at him.
"How do we know who you really are? You do not even have the courtesy to
tell us your name, even when we so graciously offer our own. You tried to
attack the palace!"
Qui-Gon sternly reprimanded his apprentice, both in his voice and through
the Force, but silently, he had wondered the same thing. Why hadn't the man
given up his name? Surely he could tell that the Jedi meant no harm.
"Padawan Skywalker, I do not offer my name because I do not wish you to
know my name. I did not attack the palace; I merely wished to speak to the
Prince. And you would do best to learn your place, young one."
Unconsciously, the leader had just turned into someone he had wished to
never see again. He had spoken words of his past. How many times had those
same words been repeated to him, so many years ago?
"It would be better if you left the reprimanding to me, your grace," Qui-
Gon noted, seeing the shocked expression on his Padawan's face.
The leader laughed aloud.
"You may call me Ken," the leader said with a smile. "That's what my people
call me."
Qui-Gon nodded in agreement.
"All right, Jedi, I will tell you what I know. First, Vaski 4 never
attacked our moon. The prince and his guards did that. Somehow, they think
they can disguise it from us. But I know better," Ken managed a smile. "For
months now, the palace forces have been slowly destroying our city. They
have stepped up their efforts tremendously in the past two weeks. Everyone
was driven from their homes. Most left the moon at once, but some of us had
no choice but to stay. Most of the ships that were here before were either
taken or were destroyed by the Prince. We are what is left."
Ken sighed, any sign of humor completely gone. Qui-Gon could tell that the
man had been through a great number of struggles, and this latest one was
taking its toll. But still the man stood strong.
"I know that you were called to help the Prince, although truthfully I do
not know why, but...is there any chance that you could help us as well?"
The last part of the sentence came out quietly, making Ken seem weaker than
he was.
"We had already suspected some foul play on the part of the Prince,"
supplied Anakin.
"Yes, he had. And we can try to help you, Ken." Qui-Gon gave the man a
slight grin.
"There is no try," The leader repeated robotically before realizing his
mistake.
Qui-Gon was trying desperately to break through the man's shields while he
was distracted, but it was to no avail. Ken's defenses were simply too
strong. The Jedi Master gave Ken a quizzical look as the Jedi bowed and
strode from the room.
