Leila was sitting on one of the spinning stools at the bar in the Arconan's lounge. She was glaring at her Father.
Clat'Ha had come with bad news. Obi Wan and Si Treemba had gone to the Offworld side of the ship to look for the thermocoms. And they hadn't returned yet.
Leila had instantly wanted to go and find Obi Wan but Qui Gon had sternly told her to stay with him. Suddenly, Leila stopped spinning from side to side.
Obi Wan and Si Treemba had just come through the door.
Leila breathed a sigh of relief and slid from her stool.
Qui Gon and Clat'Ha turned.
Obi Wan stood there quietly. He knew it was useless to hide and he didn't even want to.
"Obi Wan, are you alright?" asked Leila instantly.
"At least he seems to still be in one piece this time,' said Qui Gon, eyeing him coldly. "Well, did you discover anything?"
Obi Wan met his gaze firmly. "No. Si Treemba was captured before we could find the thermocoms."
"Obi Wan rescued us," Si Treemba praised. "We were shackled to the floor and he stood up to Grelb the Hutt by himself…"
"A man who puts himself in the path of danger deserves to face it alone," Qui Gon said sternly.
Leila frowned slightly as she looked at her Father.
"You deliberately disobeyed my order," said Qui Gon evenly.
"With all due respect, I am not under you charge, Qui Gon Jinn," said Obi Wan quietly. "As you yourself seem intent on constantly reminding me. Therefore, I am far from honor bound to obey your orders."
Qui Gon stared at him for a moment. At last he spoke, "Your meedleing has made things worse." His face remained impassive and his tone was neutral. But both Leila and Obi Wan could sense his deep irritation. "You snuck onto Offworld territory, invaded their privacy, got caught and had to fight your way out again. They will surely retaliate."
"It wasn't worth the risk, Obi Wan" said Leila quietly.
Harsh words from Qui Gon didn't bother Obi Wan half as much as Leila's quiet ones.
"The thermocoms were found an hour ago, hidden in a barrel of lubricant. Whoever dropped them in there didn't expect them to be found," said Leila.
Obi Wan kept his face carefully wiped of emotion but inside, he was upset with his own foolish. He had risked the fragile peace on the ship for nothing.
"Can't you see this isn't about thermocoms?" Qui Gon said, trying to keep his voice even. "A Jedi must look at the larger picture."
"I am not to be a Jedi, remember?" Obi Wan shot back. "Our paths are two separate ones, isn't that right?"
Qui Gon opened his mouth but the room suddenly shook violently. Qui Gon's drink went sliding from the bar and crashed to the floor. Obi Wan and Si Treemba where thrown backwards violently. Clat'Ha flew off her stool and hit the floor. Leila was pitched backwards and smacked her head against the bar. Qui Gon grabbed the edge of the bar and was the only one to remain of his feet.
Instantly Clat'Ha and Obi Wan jumped to their feet.
Qui Gon picked Leila up. "Are you all right?"
"What hit us?" she gasped out, rubbing the back of her head.
Qui Gon removed her hand and carefully felt the back of her head. His fingers hit the rising bump and she winced.
Obi Wan's head came around. He could hear and feel the ship's guns firing.
The bump on his daughter's head receded slightly and Qui Gon sighed with relief.
Leila waved her Father's hands away and ran over to the window. Instantly she drew her lightsaber. "Pirates."