Roaring blood in her ears drowned out the high-pitched alert of the life support monitor. Adrina didn't need a droid to tell her that her patient perished. Only twenty years old.
"Time of death," Adrina said, covering the woman's face. "Zero eight seventeen." Hot anger swept through her at the injustice. She had done everything she could - they all had - but her injuries were too severe.
Adrina hadn't been scheduled to consult at the Galactic City Medical Center until the following day, but wartime shortages affected even medical professionals. She had welcomed the extra work. It had been eighteen long hours since Obi-Wan's Sealing. The emergency department provided a distraction, but not catharsis. But a distraction was enough.
"Her husband is here," Nurse Frayla Blayr leaned close and murmured.
Adrina's head snapped up. "Don't let him in yet. He doesn't need to see his wife this way." Not dead, certainly not after the speeder accident rendered her unrecognizable. Not without warning. "Let me talk to him first."
Blayr's lavender throat bobbed as she swallowed tears. "He doesn't know about the baby yet. He's in the hall."
Adrina exhaled. No, he wouldn't. He would have no way of knowing that their unborn child, only three months in the womb, had preceded its mother in death. The baby never had a chance, not when the placenta detached from the uterus. And Pana - the mother… Adrina rarely saw a body so mangled and burnt.
Adrina paused just inside the door. She could have sent a droid to deliver the bad news. Plenty of excellent doctors did. She understood why, but never could. She owed it to the families to deliver the sorrowful news in person. Rationally, she understood Pana Duali and her child's deaths were not her fault, yet she felt responsible.
Losing patients never became easier.
Adrina gathered her tattered nerves and stepped out of the room. She found the husband, a tall Chiss male, pacing the hall, hands raking through thick black hair. Piercing red eyes swiveled to her.
"Mr. Duali, I am Healer Skywalker."
He bared his teeth. "Jedi," he hissed.
Adrina hid her confusion at the hostility. She had received her fair share of misplaced anger and sorrow over the years, but rarely due to the Jedi Order. "Mr. Duali-"
"Where is my wife?" He demanded. He looked over her shoulder. "Is she in there?" He didn't wait for an answer, but immediately charged forward.
Adrina halted him with a firm hand on his wrist, yanking him backwards before he reached the door. "Please, Mr. Duali. I need to speak to you before you go in."
He wrenched his arm free. "That is my wife," he snarled.
Adrina kept her voice level. "Your wife's injuries were extensive and severe. We-"
Duali held up his hand. "What do you mean 'were'?"
Adrina gathered her courage and compassion in one breath. "Pana died. I am truly sorry."
Mr. Duali stumbled backwards. "No." He shook his head. "No, you're lying."
Adrina tilted her chin down in the way she knew people found unassuming. "Pana fought - she truly did - but her injuries were extreme. Your child-" Adrina gasped when pain exploded on the right side of her face. Distracted by her sorrow and guilt, she hadn't sensed Mr. Duali's fist flying until it was too late. He shoved past her into the room.
Adrina barked for the nurses to stand down and call security off before following him into the room. She found Mr. Duali on his knees staring at his wife's battered face, the sheet thrown back and exposing the gruesome extent of her injuries.
"I am so very sorry," Adrina murmured. "We did everything in our power." Useless, hollow words of comfort.
Mr. Duali rose from the floor, fists clenched and eyes blazing. Adrina lifted her chin. "This is your fault," he spat. Each word stabbed her heart, but she quietly accepted his anger. She registered Blayr entering behind her. "This is your fault," he spat. "If it wasn't for you, she would be alive right now. If it wasn't for you, she never would have been in that blasted speeder."
Adrina frowned. "Pardon?" Had she known Pana Duali? She didn't think so.
Blayr gripped Adrina's wrist. "Go," she whispered. "Let me handle this."
Adrina opened her mouth, but shut it. She nodded once and slipped from the room. She puzzled over Duali's words on her way to the nurse's station. Without a doubt, she had never met Pana Duali before. Adrina rarely forgot a patient. Families of the deceased often blamed the medical staff for their loved ones' death, but this anger - that deep, burning flame - consumed him. Just under the anger, an ocean of sorrow awaited. Adrina feared he would drown in it.
The nurses were huddled around a computer console whispering. Adrina wondered what juicy bit of torrid news dropped to dominate their attention so thoroughly. She slid into her chair and began entering notes, only belatedly realizing the whispers had stopped. The back of her neck prickled.
"What is it?" Adrina swiveled in her chair.
"Did you know him?"
"Hm?"
Rayken and Heron parted to allow Adrina full view of the holonews on screen. Rako Hardeen's mugshot rotated on the screen. The headline announced his capture and imprisonment in the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. Reality settled like a boulder in her gut. Obi-Wan had been in dangerous situations for many years, but never alone. And she had never had the chance to apologize to him.
Rayken nodded to the news chrono. "Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. That's who Hardeen killed, yes?"
"Yes, it was." She internally grimaced at her own curt tone. "And yes, I knew him. He was my best friend." He'd been far, far more.
And now he was surrounded by dangerous criminals with no one to protect him.
0
Ahsoka expertly piloted the speeder towards the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center's landing pad. Blinking lights indicated their allotted space. Moonlight glinted off the high walls surrounding the detention center. Obi-Wan had utilized the few free moments he'd had prior to his 'capture' to familiarize himself with the blueprints of the prison, but the sprawling buildings crawling with shock troopers loomed larger than he'd expected.
Ahsoka glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You sure about this, Master? It isn't too late to call this off."
"It's the best way," Obi-Wan murmured. Ahsoka flinched at the strange, gravelly voice - a sentiment he shared. The transformation into Rako Hardeen had not been an easy one, but the aftereffect was worse. Hours later and he still felt like a stranger in his own body.
"If you say so. Just be careful. And if you need anything - anything…"
"Thank you, Ahsoka." He offered her a small smile, but on Hardeen's face held a sardonic edge he resented.
Ahsoka sighed. She landed the speeder, but remained in the seat. "I don't like this," she admitted. "You're going to be all by yourself! You need back-up. These criminals are dangerous."
"I appreciate your vote of confidence," Obi-Wan teased. Ahsoka's eyes narrowed. "I understand your concern." And he did. "But I will be in contact when I can. I can handle myself. Focus on your duties, and leave this to me."
Ahsoka pressed her lips together. "Let's go."
With his wrists in binders, he waited for Ahsoka to open the speeder door for him. Obi-Wan assumed Hardeen's persona by the time moonlight hit his skin.
Ahsoka led him towards the detention center. Roving floodlights landed on them. Obi-Wan grimaced away from the harsh light, but Ahsoka's impeccable posture and scowl remained unaffected. She bore righteous fury remarkably well.
Two shock troopers met them at the entrance. "I believe you were expecting this scum," Ahsoka said. She shoved Obi-Wan into the troopers' arms. "Let me know if he gives you any trouble. I'd be happy to come down and…help." A cruel smile twisted her lips - no doubt Anakin's influence.
Ahsoka spun on her heel and marched away. Obi-Wan spat on the ground behind her. One of the shock troopers cuffed him upside the head, though Ahsoka ignored the insult 'Hardeen' issued.
Being a criminal, Obi-Wan quickly realized as the shock troopers prodded him into the detention center for processing, allowed freedom he hadn't anticipated. While he preferred Hardeen to be silent, Obi-Wan no longer needed to filter any churlish comments and, though he felt guilty about it, he could indulge whimsical urges to be rude. Some of the shock troopers made his job easier with their snide comments and rough treatment.
But, finally, they tossed him in an isolation cell for the evening. The ray shield shimmered behind the trooper. Obi-Wan eyed the hole in the corner with disgust. Suspicious brown stains around the opening indicated its use clearly enough.
Obi-Wan tugged at the collar of the dingy orange jumpsuit they trussed him in. He threw himself onto the cot. Obi-Wan tried not to think about what he might find if he peeled the rough bedsheet back. Such was the life of a hardened criminal.
Such was now his life.
Obi-Wan ran a hand down his face, each line and plane foreign. What would Adrina think if she saw him then? She would hardly recognize him. Though perhaps he underestimated Adrina. Obi-Wan smiled.
When he finally slept, he dreamed of Adrina.
0
What an awful week. Beginning with Obi-Wan's 'death', followed by Pana Duali's true death, and now an explosion at an industrial plant overran the Galactic City Medical Center. Safety protocols thankfully kept the blast contained, but over two dozen workers languished in the ICU. Adrina and three other healers scrubbed up for a long shift.
Twenty-four hours later, Adrina slipped out of the hospital onto one of the lesser used staff gardens. The skyscrapers surrounding the hospital blocked the moon, but provided enough artificial illumination to mask its absence. A smattering of limp plants attempted to give the dilapidated industrial furniture a cozy feel and help users ignore the alley that lay beyond the patio. The metal chair shrieked under Adrina's weight.
Adrina's body ached and her belly gave up sending hunger pains hours ago. Adrina massaged the back of her neck. Ten minutes reprieve and then back into the fray. The work was nearly through.
Adrina sensed the attack just in time to hurl her body to the side. She toppled to the ground with the chair. Rocks bit into her left cheek and hands. Adrina rolled behind a large permacrete flower pot to avoid the second blaster shot. The shot scorched the ground.
Sirens rang. Lightsaber humming in her hand, Adrina stepped from safety. Her eyes scanned the skyline, but saw no movement or reflection off a sniper rifle. She twirled her lightsaber once, daring the attacker to try again.
A security probe zipped from a shadowed alcove, stopping near Adrina's head. "Shooting outside of Galactic City Medical Center entrance number twenty-five. Witness identified as Jedi Consular Adrina Skywalker. Remain calm. Assistance is on the way."
Adrina sighed. She clipped her lightsaber on her belt. "Call off any medics you've got coming. I don't need them. And the shooter is long gone."
The probe's eyes flashed once. "Negative; police droids are in pursuit of the subject."
Adrina sensed a lifeform approaching. She turned to the end of the alley where a police speeder bike, lights flashing, pulled up. The human male police officer strode towards her. Liquid splashed on the human male police officer's boots.
"I'll take it from here." The officer waved the probe away. He bowed to Adrina. "Captain Erza Draelen. I'm here to take your statement. We can step inside if you would be more comfortable."
Adrina massaged her throbbing temples. "I don't have time for this nonsense," she muttered. "Outside is fine. Let me alert the charge nurse that I'll be delayed." She quickly tapped out her message.
"I understand shots were fired. Tell me what happened."
Adrina provided as much detail about the limited encounter as she could, though there was not much to report.
"Any enemies?"
Adrina raised an eyebrow. "Besides the Separatists?"
Draelen chuckled. "Fair enough. And you said you didn't see the shooter?"
Adrina shook her head.
Draelen clipped his data pad on his belt. He smiled. "That's all for now, Consular. I'm sure the Temple Security will pick this case up, but until then I will keep you apprised of any developments."
Adrina watched Draelen speed away.
"Any enemies?" Had the attack been random or had she been targeted? Surely it was random. True, the Separatists wanted her dead - or likely wanted her dead. Though, how would the Separatists know she was on the patio? They were unlikely. But beyond the Separatists, who would want her dead? What enemies did she have? Who had means, motive, and opportunity? Adrina hadn't the foggiest notion.
No, this could only be a random attack.
Adrina glanced at her chrono. She sighed. Worrying about happenstance benefited no one and patients needed her.
0
Adrina rubbed the last vestige of sleep from her eyes as the turbolift to Padmé's apartment opened. She'd had just enough time for an adequate nap following her shift, which the hospital's director cut short after she learned of the incident on the patio, to feel vaguely human prior to her breakfast appointment with Padmé.
Padmé greeted Adrina at the door with a smile. Her smile dimmed. "You look terrible."
"Long night."
Padmé frowned. "We could have rescheduled."
Adrina waved Padmé's concern away. Truthfully, she wished she had, but it was too late now.
Padmé ushered Adrina into the apartment. "3P0, can you bring us breakfast on the veranda, please?" She turned to Adrina. "The air is lovely this morning."
Adrina sank onto the plush couch. The gauzy curtains framing the open veranda fluttered in the cool morning breeze. She looked out across the skyline. The sun rose behind the Senate building, an admittedly beautiful scene. Good thing the sun shone brightly because Adrina was fairly sure if she closed her eyes, she would fall asleep again right then and there.
C3P0 shuffled onto the veranda with a tray laden with food and beverage. Adrina gratefully accepted a tall glass of juice filled to the brim and a delectable quiche.
"Hey, sweetheart, you're all packed for the Festival, right?" Anakin halted in the doorway. He blinked at Adrina. She immediately noticed with concern the pronounced dark circles under his eyes. "Oh, hey, Rina. Did you just get here?"
Adrina nodded. She took a large bite of the tender quiche.
Anakin flopped onto the couch next to his wife.
Padmé tipped her head up to Anakin. She caressed her abdomen. "Yes, I finished packing last night, remember? I leave for Naboo in an hour."
"I hope you have a pleasant trip," Adrina said.
Padmé smiled widely. "The Festival of Light is one of my favorite Naboo traditions. It's simply magical. I'm thankful Ani will be able to attend this year. Perhaps next year you can come?"
"I'd like that," Adrina said honestly.
Anakin nudged Padmé's shoulder then, subtle as ever, nodded to Adrina.
Padmé nodded. "Although we love your company, Adrina, I'm afraid we asked you here this morning with an ulterior motive."
Adrina sipped her juice. She suspected as much.
"I would like you to consider being my primary physician." Padmé held up a hand before Adrina could speak. "Please do not answer me now. I know you are exhausted and this is a surprise. I have a private doctor, you understand, and I do trust him, but…. I feel I would be more comfortable with a woman." She glanced at Anakin. "We would both feel more at ease with you."
Adrina initially assumed Obi-Wan's recent escapades caused Anakin's obvious sleep troubles, but now she doubted her initial assessment. Perhaps Padmé's pregnancy contributed more than expected. Were his nightmares back?
"You are aware that obstetrics is not my specialty." The request honored Adrina and she did value this opportunity to grow closer to her brother and his wife, particularly with the rocky start to their relationship, but she did not want them to have false expectations.
"I know," Padmé said quickly.
Adrina smiled. "If you feel I can help, then yes. I would be honored."
Anakin wrapped his arm around Padmé's side and pressed a kiss into her hair. Padmé blushed prettily. Adrina averted her eyes.
"What happened to your hand?"
"What?" Adrina paused mid-reach for a pastry. She turned her hand over. "Oh, the scrapes. I fell out of a chair."
Anakin's eyes narrowed. "That's unlike you."
Adrina took a bite of the sugary pastry. She braced herself and admitted, "I was dodging a sniper blast. Accidents happen."
Anakin erupted from the couch. Red flooded his face and his entire body trembled, struggling to contain his ire.
"Calm down," Adrina waved her hand, gesturing to him to sit back down. "I'm fine."
"Someone tried to kill you!"
"It would hardly be the first time, now, would it?" Adrina shrugged. "Besides, it was probably just a random shooting. You get shot at all the time."
"Random shootings don't involve sniper rifles," Anakin growled.
Padmé laid a gentle hand on Anakin's arm, instantly quieting him. She turned to Adrina. "When did this happen?"
Adrina briefly summarized the incident. "So you see, I doubt this was personal. The Separatists would have been much more efficient and likely effective."
"You could have died, Rina."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she covered by rolling her eyes. "Give me some credit, please."
"We will wait for the investigation's findings," Padmé said with a conciliatory smile. "I'm sure we will have our answers soon enough."
"You are very right, Padmé." Adrina raised her eyebrow at Anakin. He slowly lowered himself back onto the couch. "I believe Master Drallig himself is leading the investigation."
"That is good news," Padmé said. "For the head of Temple Security to investigate."
"It means they suspect the Separatists," Anakin said.
"Regardless, I'm alive and well." Adrina turned to Padmé and smiled. "Tell me about Naboo birthing traditions."
0
The Mess reeked of rotting food and body odor, but Obi-Wan maintained his blank expression. The green slop they called dinner wiggled in a most alarming manner. Whispers surrounded him on his way to the far table he'd spotted when the guard escorted him inside. Good. Let them whisper. Let them extol Rako Hardeen. He needed the clout if he was to gain access to Moralo Eval.
Obi-Wan dropped his tray on the table. The two inmates occupied at the far end of the table glanced his way before haunching over their food, edging further away. Obi-Wan thrust his fork into the goop.
For the Republic, Obi-Wan reminded himself. He took a bite and immediately spit it out.
Across the Mess, a Karkarodon, trailed by a Rodian, strutted over. Obi-Wan pretended to not notice them. He swallowed another forkful. Every eye in the Mess turned.
The Karkarodon slammed his fist on the table. "Rako Hardeen," he sneered. "This is the Jedi killer? You don't look so tough to me."
Another forkful, eyes straight ahead.
"I said," the Karkarodon thumped Obi-Wan's chest. "You don't look so tough to me."
The Karkarodon snatched Obi-Wan's drink. He downed it in one gulp. Personally, Obi-Wan thanked the criminal for sparing him the inconvenience of tasting the foul smelling beverage. Hardeen, however, would never allow the blatant insult to pass.
"This food tastes terrible," Obi-Wan grunted. He thrust his fork into the Karkarodon's hand. The criminal roared in pain. Obi-Wan seized him by the gills and hauled him down until they were cheek-to-cheek. "Maybe you'd taste better."
"Hey!" A patrolling shock trooper hollered.
Obi-Wan released the Karkarodon with a smile. "Sorry. Just playing with my food."
The Rodian yanked the fork from his buddy's hand. "You're crazy!" They darted away. All eyes except one pair turned back to their meal.
The altercation played out better than Obi-Wan anticipated. Though perhaps he should be disturbed by the ease with which he donned the persona of a hardened criminal.
Moralo Eval dropped into the seat directly across from Obi-Wan. He held himself with the confidence of a man who had no need to prove their lethality. "Rako Hardeen," the Phindian criminal mastermind murmured. "Your reputation precedes you. I'm curious, when you killed that Jedi, was it for money or revenge?"
A test, certainly, but it sent a chill down Obi-Wan's spine. "I dunno. Guess I was bored."
Eval chuckled. He passed a bottle across the table. "Try the sauce. It almost makes the slop edible." He stood. "I'll be seeing you, Mr. Hardeen."
Obi-Wan hid his smile behind a bite of food. Everything was proceeding according to plan.
0
Moralo Eval awaited Obi-Wan from behind the ray shield. "Home, sweet home," the shock trooper said as the skiff approached Eval's cell. When this was all over, Obi-Wan would be having a word with the prison's director about corruption in his ranks.
The ray shield disappeared. Obi-Wan stepped from the skiff into the cell and the shield reactivated. The cell housed two bunk beds, though only two occupants. One prisoner laid, hidden from view, on the top of the right bunk bed.
"What a coincidence," Obi-Wan remarked disinterestedly to Eval.
"No coincidence," Eval said. "I am Moralo Eval and I have great influence here."
Obi-Wan folded his arms. Some reflexes were harder to abandon than others. "What do you want from me?"
"There's bigger game than Jedi for a man like you, if you've got the guts."
There it is. Eval's arrogance would be his downfall. Obi-Wan sat on the cot behind him. Not too eager. "I'm listening."
Eval's eyes glimmered. "It's a brilliant plan, if I do say so. And it involves the Chancellor."
Just as Obi-Wan feared this was too easy, Eval's bunkmate cleared his throat.
Cad Bane sat up. Obi-Wan caught his groan just in time. "If I'm breaking this goon out along with us, it'll cost you double my rate."
Eval's grin widened. His beady eyes swiveled between them as if he sensed blood in the water. "Rako Hardeen, meet Cad Bane."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Who you calling a goon?"
"Any imbecile can kill a Jedi can kill a Jedi with a lousy sniper blast. If you want my respect?" Bane jumped down. "You do it face-to-face."
Obi-Wan stood to match the challenge. Tension strained the air. Obi-Wan knew Bane's prowess all too well, but neither Hardeen or Obi-Wan was one to be cowed. "Good thing I don't want your respect."
Bane's eyes narrowed. "Make that triple my rate."
Eval merely laughed and stepped between them. "My, my."
"If you're going after the Chancellor, you'll need me," Obi-Wan cut Eval off.
"Hardly," Bane sneered.
Obi-Wan gave an unaffected shrug. "Fine. Suit yourself. Fail if you like. Won't tarnish my record."
Bane's snarl bared his teeth. But Eval said, "Go on."
Obi-Wan made a show of sighing, though he kept his voice even. "Of the three of us, I'm the only one who has actually killed a Jedi - something I hear even you, the great Cad Bane, failed to achieve the last time you tangled with them. Skywalker is always skulking around the Chancellor these days. He's a tough one. You need me."
Eval tilted his head. He stroked his chin as he studied Obi-Wan.
"Bold of you to assume I couldn't kill a Jedi," Bane said.
Obi-Wan spread his arms wide. "And yet you haven't. I have."
"He's got a point," Eval chuckled. "You may find Hardeen's methods questionable, but you have to admit it was effective."
Bane growled. He spun on his heels. "Quadruple my rate." Bane climbed into his bunk and turned his back to Eval and Obi-Wan.
Eval's answering smile chilled Obi-Wan. "We have a deal."
Rather than stare at the disturbing underside of a prison bunk, Obi-Wan claimed the top bunk opposite Bane. Besides, if they wanted to stab him in his sleep, they ought to work for it.
Unease prevented Obi-Wan from sleeping. He slid his hands under his head.
Alone. Even in the direst of circumstances, Obi-Wan never worried overmuch because Anakin had his back; they took care of each other. Now he was throwing in with two criminals who would as soon murder him as help him. His life depended on his usefulness. Eval, savage but arrogant, would be easy enough to fool. Bane, however, already distrusted him. No doubt Bane would attempt to double-cross him at the first opportunity. Obi-Wan always did like a challenge, though.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. But the sooner this mission was over, the sooner he could return to Adrina - the sooner he could beg for forgiveness.
0
Adrina stepped into Master Drallig's office. Data tapes and holobooks filled one wall from floor to ceiling, emanating with a soft blue glow in the dim light. Drallig's pristine desk sat in the middle of the room with two serviceable chairs in front of it. A small rotating hologram of a mugshot occupied the corner of Drallig's desk.
"You have a beautiful view," Adrina remarked, nodding towards the large window.
"I am quite fortunate," Drallig said. He gestured to an empty seat. Adrina accepted the offer with a smile. Adrina frowned at the rotating hologram of a Chiss male's mugshot. She knew the man, she realized in horror. "Mr. Duali? What happened?"
"Attempted murder."
Adrina frowned. Grief did terrible things to a person, but even so, she hadn't suspected him capable of that. "Attempted?" The chair squeaked when she sat down. "The intended victim is alright?"
"I truly hope so." His compassionate gaze settled heavily on her.
A chill ran down her spine. "Mr. Duali was the shooter?" Surely not.
"He was rather vocal about it," Drallig said.
"I see." Adrina folded her hands in her lap. She paused for a moment. "What reason did he give?"
With a few keystrokes, Drallig projected the security video on his desk. In the recording, Drallig sat opposite Duali. "Argent Duali, tell me about what happened."
Duali folded his arms. "I did the right thing. Don't care what the law says."
"Do you confess to the attempted murder of Consular Adrina Skywalker?"
"Is justice murder?"
Drallig paused. "For what reason do you seek justice?"
"She killed my wife and child!" Duali wailed.
Adrina closed her eyes against the raw pain in Duali's voice. But forced herself to watch.
"I am very sorry for your losses, Mr. Duali. However, the medical board reviewed your wife's file," Drallig said gently. "They concluded that each step your wife's care team took was appropriate. Indeed, that the team's efforts prolonged your wife's life longer than expected. Your unborn child flew to the hall of your fathers before they arrived at the hospital."
A wild laugh erupted from Mr. Duali. "Medical board… What a joke. Everyone knows the Jedi's corruption reaches far." He leaned forward and pounded his chest. "I don't care what that panel says. I know the truth."
"The truth is the only thing I am interested in," Drallig said with an easy smile. Duali's eyes narrowed. He studied Drallig. "What is the truth?"
"Everyone knows the Jedi started this war," Duali said finally. "We couldn't afford rent or food, with the rising costs and everything because of this blasted war. Couldn't even get food at the pantry because you Jedi," he spat the word, "Stopped funding it. So my Pana, she took a second job. Then a third." Dualil's voice thickened, but despair and anger loosened his tongue. "She was on her way to work in that…that blasted speeder. She should have been with Jules, our neighbor, but Jules was sick, something terrible - no thanks to the Jedi's free clinic being closed. Couldn't take public transport or she'd be late and be fired. We needed the credits. So Pana had to fly herself in the busted speeder we couldn't afford to fix. That's what caused the accident." Deep despair filled Duali's laugh. "So, you see, Jedi, how the Jedi murdered my Pana. They're the murderers. Not me."
Drallig stopped the recording.
The Jedi were guilty of many sins, but they did not start the war. Still, she had read the tabloids and the opinion pieces. The longer the war continued, the worse public opinion grew. But when had those programs been closed? Adrina shelved that question for later investigation.
"And then I couldn't save Pana," Adrina murmured. She scrubbed her face. "How did he find me? I understand the why, but not the how."
Drallig leaned back in his chair. "That's why I called you down here. Who knew where you would be?"
"On the patio or at the hospital?"
"Both."
"Any number of people. The industrial plant explosion was no secret and Jedi Healers regularly assist the Galactic City Medical Center under such circumstances. I'm fairly well known there. Anyone at the hospital would know I was there."
"And who knew you would be on that specific patio? Did you go there often?"
"No." Adrina paused to consider. "When I take a break on shift, that is the patio garden I would visit. It's the least well kept and out of the way, but that's why I prefer it. Less noise, you know? But I don't often go there. As for that particular night, a number of people knew where I was going. I'm sure droids knew, as well."
"The sniper rifle he obtained through a black market connection. He has prior military training. In his grief, he decided to take matters into his own hands," Drallig commented, jotting down notes on his datapad. He laid the stylus aside. "Someone tipped him off to your location, but he's been mum on who. Anyone else annoyed? Anyone who might want you dead? Patient's loved ones?"
Adrina shook her head. Drallig suspected someone in the hospital. That much was clear. She hated to suspect a colleague, but who else could it have been? Statistically, many of the staff were likely to share Duali's beliefs.
Someone tried to kill me. Adrina's heart stammered. She exhaled to expel the burning rising behind her eyes. She could have died. She could have died and the last thing she told Obi-Wan… No. She couldn't go there.
Would there ever come a day when her life wasn't in danger? When her loved ones' lives weren't in danger? But she understood. She knew too well the pain and desperation that drove good people to terrible deeds. Adrina drew herself up. "Master Drallig, I have no desire to press charges against Mr. Duali. He has suffered more than enough."
"Healer Skywalker," Drallig began.
"He is angry and hurting. I have no desire to punish him for one mistake," Adrina said firmly. "I'm sure we both know what grief does to a person."
"With all due respect, Consular," Drallig continued. "It isn't up to you or even me. He broke a half dozen laws. He's already on his way to the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center."
Adrina pressed her lips together. She nodded once.
"Thank you for coming down, Healer Skywalker."
0
Criminals reeked. Perhaps it wasn't entirely their fault, as impeccable personal hygiene could hardly be a priority in prison, though considering their crimes led to their incarceration, perhaps that defense was flawed.
Obi-Wan liberally doused his slop with Eval's hot sauce. He could almost hear Adrina protesting. Do you have any idea what's in that stuff? She'd say. Do you know where it's been? Do you have a death wish? Her eyes would sparkle that lovely way they did when she was passionate and the faintest hint of pink would color her cheeks. He'd say something witty, just to see how much her eyes could sparkle. Perhaps he'd say, He strikes me as an excellent chef; I don't know what you're concerned about. Then she'd protest, but ultimately laugh.
"You're awfully chipper this morning, Hardeen." Bane's growl snapped Obi-Wan out of his daydream and wiped the smile from his face.
"No doubt he's contemplating the best way to rub the most delicious gossip in your face, Bane," Eval said slyly. He sat his tray in the place beside Obi-Wan.
What gossip?
"I don't know what you're talking about," Bane grunted.
Eval's beady eyes lit up when Bane took his bait. "You see that Chiss over there?" Eval nodded discreetly to a scrawny Chiss male in line for breakfast. "He fancied himself the next Rako Hardeen. But he failed. Spectacularly."
Obi-Wan took a large bite of stale bread.
"Oh yes," Eval continued gleefully. "Word is, he tried to snipe a Jedi Healer - easy pickings - but she neatly avoided not one, but two shots. Utter failure." Bane's eyes narrowed, but he kept silent. "Of course, she is Skywalker's sister, but still…a healer. Hardly a Jedi. Pathetic."
Obi-Wan froze. Adrina. Someone tried to kill Adrina. No, not just anyone. That male - mere yards away - tried to kill Adrina. Anger burned hot and bright through the ice in his veins. His heart screamed at him to pummel the Chiss' face to pulp. But Eval and Bane stared at him with predatory interest. He laid his fork down to prevent them witnessing his white knuckled grip. Don't blow your cover.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. He forced the terrible words past his lips, "Thought you said any imbecile could kill a Jedi with a lousy sniper blast?"
Self-loathing slammed into him. He gripped his mug tightly, but kept it on the table lest they witness his trembling hands. Breakfast revolted in his intestines. How could he make light of Adrina's near murder? He knew she would understand. He knew she would murder him herself if he blew his cover and got himself killed. Even so, he cursed the war. He cursed the Separatists. He cursed Eval. He cursed the mission. He cursed himself for agreeing to it.
"And Hardeen here took out a renowned warrior." Eval stroked his chin. "You'll do well with us, Hardeen. Yes, indeed."
Adrina is alive. You must stick to the mission. Adrina is alive.
Obi-Wan repeated it like a mantra. He repeated it when the first fist flew in Bane's carefully orchestrated riot. He repeated it when they slipped down hallways to the prison mortuary. He repeated it when he climbed into the casket with the dead Rodian. He repeated it when the casket jettisoned to freedom.
Adrina is alive.