Okay, here is the next chapter. Hope you like it. Oh, and I forgot to mention that this takes place a couple months after the Zan Arbor arc. And people, please PLEASE review! I am begging you!
Less than half an hour later, having gained the consent of our Masters for an evening off, all five of us entered Didi's Cafe with Obi-Wan in the lead. The cafe was just as shabby on the inside as it looked on the outside. The full tables were crammed together, leaving barely any room to walk in between.
"The place is packed," I observed, "yet it's the worst-looking on the street!"
"Yep. It looks shabby both outside and in, the food is borderline inedible, and you socialize with the other customers at your own risk. So, overall, it's a pretty fancy place," Obi-Wan joked.
Quinlan laughed at that, tossing his head back and sending his black dreadlocks flying around his face. "When I get a date, make sure I bring her here for dinner," he said.
"You mean if you get a date," Reeft shot back. A second later, he dodged the fist aimed at his head. The dressellian was about to counter with his own punch, but halted when a voice boomed, "Obi-Wan! I haven't seen you around here for a bit!"
Obi-Wan's face broke into a smile as he turned to see who it was. We were greeted with the sight of a short, round man with mousy brown hair and a big smile on his jovial face.
"Didi! How are you doing?" Obi-Wan greeted him.
"I'm very well, thank you! Much better than I was three months ago," Didi laughed. Obi-Wan laughed too, but it seemed to be ever-so-slightly forced. When the laughter subsided, Didi turned his attention to the rest us. "And who are your friends?"
"Who knows? Let's just hope that they're better than the people you usually socialize with, father," a feminine voice called out from the kitchen. All of us looked to see a slender girl pop out of the kitchen and head towards us. Her shoulder-length black hair fell in her face, partially obscuring her green eyes as she wiped her hands on her stained apron and stuck one out for one of us to shake it.
"Astri Oddo. Pleased to make your acquaintance," she introduced herself. Quinlan stepped forward and shook her hand. "I'm Quinlan. The others are Reeft, Bant, and Garen. I think you already know Obi-Wan. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
She nodded, and turned back to Obi-Wan. "I haven't seen you for three months! What do you have to say for yourself?" She placed her hands on her hips and tried her best to seem angry, but the sparkle of humor in her eyes ruined the look.
Obi-Wan held up his hands palms up. "I've been busy. We've been on a few missions. Nothing too strenuous right now, though, since Qui-Gon is still recovering."
Three months ago, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon paid a visit to Didi. Didi told them that he needed help because a bounty hunter was after him, and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan agreed to help Didi out. Long story short, Didi and Astri found a place to hide in the Cascardi Mountains. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and the bounty hunter, Ona Nobis, tracked them there. In the ensuing battle, Ona captured Qui-Gon and left Obi-Wan, Astri, and an injured Didi in the snow. Going after Didi turned out to be a cover for getting Qui-Gon. A scientist named Jenna Zan Arbor wanted to perform tests on him so she could discover the secret behind the Force. Qui-Gon was rescued by Obi-Wan, Adi Gallia, and Siri Tachi, but he nearly died. Today is the first time Obi-Wan has seen Didi or Astri since then.
"All right, I forgive you," Astri acquiesced, accepting the explanation. "You want your usual table?"
"No, thank you. Could we possibly get something more...private?" Obi-Wan asked. The hidden message was clear: someplace we can't be overheard. Astri nodded. "I know just the place," she replied. She promptly turned around and led us to he back of the cafe, to a secluded corner. "Will this do?" she asked. Obi-Wan nodded. "Perfectly. Thank you, Astri." The girl nodded in retrn and walked towards the kitchen.
Just as we began to sit down, Quinlan froze. His eyes narrowed and I felt him probe the Force. "What is it?" Reeft asked.
"I don't know," Quin replied, "but something doesn't feel right." He stood up and began to leave. "I'm going to check it out. I'll be right back."
"Whoa, what do you think you're doing?" Reeft cried. "We're not letting you go out there by yourself!" But Quinlan was already gone.
"Don't worry. Quin can take care of himself," Obi-Wan said, dispite his slightly nervous look. Outside, someone yelled. We all heard the snap-hiss of a lightsaber being ignited. Obi-Wan winced. "Maybe I spoke to soon."
We all raced out of the cafe, earning us some nasty looks and angry shouts from other customers. We left the throng of people and hurried out into the cool Coruscant evening. "This way!" Obi-Wan called, racing away from the cafe. We ended up in front of a dark alley and were greeted with the sight of an unconscious Quinlan Vos lying on the pavement. Blood pooled around his head, and his lightsaper lay next to him. It must've fallen out of his hand. What was unusual, though, was that something was clenched in his right fist.
Cautiously, I approached and kenlt down next to my friend. Taking his wrist in my left hand, I slowly unwrapped his fingers until a small, white piece of paper fell out of his hand. I unfolded it, and immediately, my face paled. Oh Force, I thought. Please don't let this be happening. This can't be happening.
It was another note. This is only the beginning, Garen. The game has begun.
This was not good. Not good at all.