11
"Let me get this straight," Qui-Gon interrupted in disbelief. "You want two Jedi to help two common thieves steal a treasure from a bunch of gangsters?"
When Kaadi was told the plan she immediately sprang into action. She contacted all of her rebel operatives. She then had organized them into different groups for different operations. A group would raid the warehouses just for food while another would get the weapons and hand them out. Some would be 'runners' from place to place with supplies. Qui-Gon listened with interest and marveled at Kaadi's brilliance. She had formed a solid plan from his sketchy one in a matter of hours and brought it to readiness in minutes.
It was well past dark when Kaadi admitted she had done all that she could. She fell back into a chair with a loud sigh. She rubbed her yellow green speckled eyes and shook her head. Paxxi and Guerra had already fallen asleep, but Qui-Gon was still awake. Kaadi looked at Qui-Gon and emitted a short laugh.
"This might actually work." She said.
Qui-Gon smiled at her and sat down on a chair opposite of her.
"It will." Qui-Gon said with certainty. "Because the Phindians have a tactical genius leading them."
Kaadi blushed at the compliment.
"I only worked out the details. You came up with it…" She protested.
"It's been my experience that the details are what matter most."
Kaadi smiled again.
"Then I guess I am a tactical genius." She admitted and then laughed.
"Every rebel operation needs one."
"They probably need Jedi help too." Kaadi laughed.
"Or two of the most unlikely sort to save them." Qui-Gon said nodding to the sleeping Guerra and Paxxi.
Both the Jedi and Phindian laughed quietly.
"What will you do once the Syndicat is thrown down?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Rebuild I guess. We'll need a new government, one that can't be so easily corrupted. Get rid of the blockade, establish trade with other planets…"
Qui-Gon nodded and was silent for a long time. Kaadi heaved a long sigh and then looked down at her hands.
"Find my father." She said mournfully.
Kaadi slumped in her chair and looked at the dirt-stained windows.
"He was sent to Alba. At least I know that much. Some people don't even know where their loved ones are sent."
Qui-Gon closed his eyes and saw Obi-Wan's face again. The last time he had seen the boy was when they were about to split up. The boy had paused and he looked a little afraid. He had nudged Obi-Wan to get him going. By the Force! He had directed the boy towards his doom.
Nice going Master Qui-Gon. The boy sensed danger and you could not? What kind of a Jedi are you?
The sinister voice returned.
"I'm sorry Qui-Gon. I know you lost much too," Kaadi said. "He saved Guerra's life."
Qui-Gon's eyes lowered to his hands and he sighed.
"I know." Qui-Gon responded.
"I'm sure he is still alive." Kaadi reassured.
"Yes, I know he is." Qui-Gon said. "He has to be."
"Always have hope Qui-Gon. It is what has kept me alive these past months since my father was renewed."
Kaadi reached out and took Qui-Gon's hand.
"We will find them, no matter what." Kaadi said vehemently.
Qui-Gon looked at the strong rebel leader and he knew that even after Phindar was saved she would have many trials ahead of her. Even if she did go to Alba and her father managed to stay alive amidst the terrible war waging there, her father would still be one of the renewed. He probably wouldn't even recognize his daughter. Would Obi-Wan recognize him? Guerra and Paxxi said that strong minded beings were able to remember certain things despite the memory wipe. Could that be the case with Obi-Wan? With the Force anything is possible. Qui-Gon squeezed Kaadi's hand.
"We will." He agreed.
Qui-Gon, Kaadi, Paxxi, and Guerra set out early the next morning. As they walked towards their destination Kaadi turned a blind corner and left the three alone. She was off to lead her operation. The three had shared one of their Phindian embraces before they left her house. They were optimistic about the outcome, but there was a chance that one or all of them could die. The embraced and squeezed three times in the Phindian way. Much to Qui-Gon's feigned chagrin they brought the Jedi Master into their embrace.
"For Obi-Wan." Guerra had whispered.
"For Obi-Wan." The three repeated.
The two words still rang in Qui-Gon's mind as he and the two brothers snuck into the Syndicat space hanger. They quickly hid behind a pile of old rusted equipment and watched as Baftu and his entourage of assassin droids appeared followed hastily by a multitude of Syndicat guards. The Jedi and brothers were wearing their stolen Syndicat guard armor coats. Not only did the coats shield them, but if need arose they could blend in with the other guards.
Guerra wrung his hands in anxiety. There was no doubt that he was nervous. He was sweating and his heart was beating rapidly. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his armor coat and felt something smooth and round. Curious, he took the object out of his pocket and examined it. It was only an ordinary rock. Guerra was puzzled. What was a rock doing in his pockets? He didn't remember putting it there. Then the truth hit him like a blaster bolt. Obi-wan! The rock belonged to Obi-wan! He had seen his friend look at it occasionally and rub it in his hands. Guerra thought that Obi-Wan considered the rock good luck. Guerra grimaced. The rock had brought Obi-Wan luck until he gave his suit to Guerra.
"Jedi-Gon!" Guerra exclaimed.
"Shhh!" Qui-Gon admonished. "Beju's ship is landing."
Guerra shoved the rock back into his pocket, hoping that the rock's luck would work for him. He watched in silence as the sleek white Galacian ship landed. Baftu watched with a small smirk as the ramp lowered and two ornately dressed guards walked out. They were stone faced and very serious as they walked. They walked to the end of the ramp and then stopped and held their weapons at ready. Four more guards walked out stiffly and then Beju walked a few steps behind them. Four more guards trailed behind him. On the boy's face was a contemptuous look. He looked at his surroundings and narrowed his eyes and muttered something underneath his breath.
The prince was wearing a light blue cloak and headdress that set off his ice-blue eyes. His pale almost white hair was shoulder length and a stray piece got into his face. He brushed it back angrily and then smiled mockingly at the approaching Baftu. Qui-Gon was struck by how similar the boy was to Obi-wan. He looked the same height, the same build… If it weren't for the prince's hair he could have sworn from a distance that the boy was Obi-wan. But the idea was preposterous. This arrogant prince and Obi-wan were nothing alike. What put such a thought into his head?
As the Jedi looked at the conceited prince and wished with all of his heart that the boy was Obi-wan. Maybe within all the possibilities of the Force that prince could have been Obi-wan, but not today. Today the prince was Beju, and Obi-wan was somewhere out in the vast galaxy.
"Look at him," Paxxi began. "You can tell the brute is pure evil."
"Evil?" Qui-Gon whispered. "Probably not. He seems more desperate than evil."
The boy strode confidently in front of Baftu. There was anger and contempt in his every feature. He looked totally in control of the situation, but Qui-Gon got the feeling that the boy was not and the prince knew it. He was masking his lack of confidence with disdain. Baftu would surely only see a spoiled brat who was easy to manipulate while Beju would see a second rate crime organization. Both sides would underestimate each other and try to take advantage.
"Desperate?" Guerra choked. "I'm sure he hasn't seen his family suffer as they've been without food for a week."
"That is so brother." Paxxi said. "Or has he waited for news of someone who was killed or renewed? No. Not so!"
Qui-Gon sighed inwardly. The brothers might be compassionate for others, but there was a limit.
"Prince Beju. I am pleased at your safe journey." Baftu greeted.
"Of course you are." The Prince snapped.
Baftu smiled, but it was a strained smile.
"I trust that it was an uneventful journey?" Baftu asked pleasantly.
The prince's eyes narrowed.
"Your blockade nearly mistook my ship and blasted it from the sky. I warn you. If this is a set-up…" The prince trailed off.
Baftu held his hands out placatingly.
"Of course not my Prince. Surely you must understand our zealous sense of caution."
"Of course, I understand. You cannot control your own people."
Baftu kept his strained smile on his face.
"Shall we go to Headquarters then? I've prepared refreshments for us."
Prince Beju waved at the suggestion flippantly as if too important to answer. Baftu and the Prince walked side by side with their guards following close behind. Baftu and the Prince stepped into Baftu's gold speeder. Beju looked at the speeder and issued a long suffering sigh. Two of Beju's royal guard entered the speeder with Beju while the rest took a different speeder.
"Surely it doesn't take this long to start up a speeder does it Baftu?" The prince asked irritably.
Baftu's smile still held.
"It is only precaution my Prince."
Beju rolled his eyes immaturely.
"With all of these 'precautions' one would think you had a revolt on your hands." Beju commented darkly.
"Revolt? Surely that is a joke your highness. The people are too subdued to revolt." Baftu laughed.
Beju's eyes looked bored and he yawned.
"Such a dreary planet. How do you stand it?" Beju asked nonchalantly.
"It is mine." Baftu responded simply.
The speeder finally took off and Qui-Gon watched it for awhile and then turned back to the brothers. Their faces were filled with determination.
"Signal Kaadi. It's time." Qui-Gon stated and the brothers nodded.
Paxxi took out a comlink and spoke a few words into it. He shut it off and looked at Qui-Gon.
"It is done Jedi-Gon." Paxxi said.
"What now Jedi-Gon?" Guerra asked.
"We wait." Qui-Gon said.
Qui-Gon, Paxxi, and Guerra walked out into the street leisurely. The street was pretty much deserted save for the occasional assassin droid that rolled past. The three made their way towards the market and as they got closer they saw a Phindian running. They stopped and watched as the Phindian passed them. He was wearing a pack full of some undeterminable objects. The three exchanged a smile. A minute later another Phindian ran past them. The loud patter of his footsteps echoed off the buildings. He too was carrying a pack.
They reached the market place and a line of despondent Phindians already was formed even though the market wouldn't open for another fifteen minutes. They were sullen and quiet. It was early morning and everyone still seemed to be asleep. Another runner passed them. Paxxi snickered. Trying to not look any more suspicious than they already were the three stood off and pretended to be monitoring the situation like the other guards. Five more Phindians ran by. The crowd of Phindians looked at them. They had ignored the first runner, but as more came they became interested. What was going on? Naturally they began to talk and murmur about it.
Qui-Gon noticed several of Kaadi's rebels were inside the crowd as well. Those who saw Qui-Gon and the brothers winked and then began to open their mouths.
"I heard that they went to the warehouses…"
"…..Found medical supplies."
"…..Food everywhere!"
"What do you mean there is no shortage?"
"Saw it with my own eyes…"
"Food enough for everyone!"
The crowd of Phindians looked about uneasy and they became restless. They looked at each other and then they all started talking at once.
"Where?"
"What's going on?"
"Did you say that they had bread and meat?"
"Yes! He said meat. I haven't seen a good piece of meat since…"
"My sister really needs medicine. She's sick. Are you saying…?"
The noise was becoming deafening and the Syndicat guards who were watching it started to panic. This had never happened before. The crowd was getting rowdy. A loud cry broke out demanding to know where these supposed food and medical supplies were.
"Follow me!" Someone shouted.
One of the rebels began to run off towards the warehouses and everyone seemed to follow. The Syndicat guards were definitely panicking. They knew that they had to keep this mob of Phindians away from the warehouses or it would be their necks.
"Stop! STOP!" One yelled.
No one listened. The guards banded together to stop the Phindians from leaving, but this angered the crowd. They began to push against the line of guards preventing their exit. The brothers and Qui-Gon watched with amusement. Several guards were trying to call for help on their comlinks.
"This is Guard M89B3 from the Market district. Requesting heavy backup."
"Negative, guard M89B3, all other forces engaged at warehouses. Heavy rebel resistance."
"I have a riot on my hands!" Exclaimed Guard M89B3.
"Deal with the civilians as best as you can."
The comlink clicked off. The guard shook his head and made a disgusted face. The warehouses were about to get another five or six hundred hungry and angry Phindians to fight if they couldn't keep the crowd in line. Their line was starting to break. Guard M89B3 looked at three Phindian guards who were standing around and doing nothing. He screamed at them to help, but they shook their heads.
"Disobedience is met with renewal!" The guard shouted not only to the three guards, but to the crowd.
This incensed the crowd even more. Qui-Gon and the brothers stared hard at the Guard, but then turned around and walked away. They had seen enough. The guards began to use violence to keep the Phindians in line. Shots rang out and a painful cry issued from one unlucky Phindian. There was a deep silence, but then the Phindians attacked with fury. The riot broke past the Guards and trampled them under their feet as they made their way towards the warehouses.
Qui-Gon felt the dark emotions going through the crowd. Anger. Fear. Hatred. Was this what he had done? Was the dark side of the Force at work? Had his preoccupation with Obi-Wan's plight blinded him to the truth? No. He knew that sometimes death was the only way. He had to get to the treasury. Enough chaos had been started. Now was the time to use the Anti-Register device. They made their way towards Syndicat Headquarters.
Just as Qui-Gon had predicted headquarters was a madhouse. Guards ran around in and out barking orders and grabbing weapons. The pandemonium was almost comical to watch. The dark visors to their uniforms were lowered as they approached. The chaos was so great that no one gave them the slightest look of suspicion. Guards were running in and out and the stationary guard had long lost track of them all. The three entered without a second glance. Everyone was too worried about rebels to suspect anyone in a uniform.
The three stole down the corridor at a run. When they reached the security door Paxxi got the device out and hastily began to set it up. He jacked it into the control panel and the others watched with frantic expectation. The device issued a few beeps and Paxxi pressed his thumb against the transfer register. Another high pitch beep issued and the light turned green. The door swung open. The two brothers smiled.
"You are a genius my brother!" Guerra whispered.
"It is so! It worked!" Paxxi affirmed.
Qui-Gon sighed inwardly with relief. The surprise in both the brother's voices slightly disturbed him. What would they have done if the device hadn't worked?
The three stepped into the treasury. A dazzling array of gems, spice, raw materials, and any other item used as currency throughout the galaxy. This single room seemed to house the planet's entire wealth. The brothers stood in awe of it until Qui-Gon nudged them along.
"We'll need to find transport for all of this." Qui-Gon murmured. "We can't just walk out the door with it."
Paxxi and Guerra nodded and raced towards a holding pen here they had previously hidden a few floaters. The Jedi and the two brothers began to load the floaters up with all the treasures they could fit on them. They knew they weren't going to be able to transport all of the materials yet, but if they moved them and hid them then they would be able to find them again. If Baftu somehow escaped and tried to make off with the treasury he wouldn't be able to find it. When the control of Phindar had gone back to the people they could go for the treasury again. It was safest to hide it now. After loading up the floaters they struggled to hide them in a supply closet.
"Jedi-Gon? What if someone else finds this before we go back for it?" Paxxi asked.
Qui-Gon smirked.
"Then I guess you're out of luck." He commented wryly.
"Don't think so brother!" Guerra stated. "We never run out of luck!"
"Not so!" Paxxi cried.
Qui-Gon was finally able to fit everything in the closet and he shut the door.
"Now we have to get to the warehouses." Qui-Gon said.
The brothers nodded and they exited the treasury. They closed the security door and Paxxi reset the transfer register. They quickly made their way back towards the entrance of the building. They rounded a corner, but Qui-Gon motioned them to stop. The brothers looked about fearfully.
The prince and Baftu were walking together towards where they had just come from. A squad of assassin droids followed them.
"Well, that was pleasant." Beju said sardonically.
Baftu gritted his teeth, but kept his congenial outlook. Loud cries broke through the otherwise silent atmosphere. Beju whirled around.
"What is that?" He asked suspiciously.
"It is nothing." Baftu reassured.
The shouts came again, louder. Blaster fire rang out. The prince narrowed his eyes.
"Enough of this. Something is going on here and I want my bacta. Now."
A/N: Sorry, this took way longer than expected. It was proving very difficult to write for some reason. Thanks for all of the reviews. I couldn't help but mention Obi-Wan's rock in this chapter. That rock rocks! Eh, bad joke.