AN: I hope everyone had a great week, and without further ado, here is the next chapter. Thank you all for your continued support.

Chapter 27 - Escalating Threat (Galactic Games Part III)

Obi-Wan stood across the street from Uso Yso's swoop shop. He had disguised himself as an offworld traveler visiting for the games, pulling on a dull gray cloak and a wrapped headdress. As he watched, a steady stream of visitors entered and left the shop. None of them left with a swoop. Apparently Yso had a thriving business in taking illegal bets.

After a moment, Rhys and Siri both approached him. They were disguised as well, but not to an extent he wouldn't quickly recognize them.

"So what have you learned about this place?" Obi-Wan asked quietly.

"I don't have proof, but I'm sure that they are in on the fixed events," Rhys muttered. "Other than that, we've learned two things. We learned exactly how extensive the ring is, and we learned where he's holding the credits."

Obi-Wan's eyes raised at that. "How'd you learn both of those things?"

"Rhys loaned me some credits and I placed a bet," Siri said dryly, and Obi-Wan's eyebrow raised and her and she grinned. "It was a very expensive bet."

"How much are we talking?" Obi-Wan asked.

"100,000 credits," Rhys said.

"Surely you jest," Obi-Wan said blandly. "You can't really mean you were carrying around 100,000 credits and you loaned them to Siri for a bet."

"Indeed I did," Rhys said with a wide grin. "Kas would be going ballistic."

Siri snorted. "You know he would just be whining about who you placed your bet on, not how much."

Rhys chuckled. "That's unfortunately probably true."

"I really need to find better people to hang out with," Obi-Wan muttered. "You're all insane."

"Ah, but Obi, you know you love me!" Siri said, spinning in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and giving him a devilish grin.

"Hey, hey, hey," Rhys complained. "Save your foreplay for the bedroom."

"Maybe we will," Obi-Wan said back, and Siri snorted as Rhys grimaced in mock disgust, despite the amusement in his eyes. "Why did you place such an enormous bet?"

"First, it was a good way of finding out if they had the capital to support such a large bet," Rhys said. "Since they took it, they must have enough to back the payout. Second, if I succeed in - well - robbing this place, the Hutt, Pykes, and Black Sun will file through the list of those who placed a bet. They'll start with the smaller bets, thinking someone placed a small bet to get in the door and go unnoticed before they'll eventually look into the bigger bets . . . those who got 'cheated' and would have won or lost big. Once they get to Siri's name . . . or should I say the alias Siri left, they'll start finding the breadcrumbs I've laid."

"Which will lead to who?" Obi-Wan asked, but Rhys just smiled pleasantly, which told Obi-Wan that he probably didn't want to know how this was going to end for people in the Criminal Underworld.

Further conversation was cut off as Obi-Wan saw a short, plump figure suddenly dart across the street and head for Yso's dark front door. He sprinted across the street to catch up.

He yanked Didi back by the collar of his tunic. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. At least, nothing now, since you are holding my collar," Didi said blandly.

"You said you were going to buy back Bog's speeder," Obi-Wan accused.

"I tried! I did! But the cheating monkey-lizard I sold it to upped the price," Didi told him. "I couldn't afford to buy back my own speeder! I need to raise a little cash, so I thought I would sell Bog's datapad and buy back his speeder instead."

Obi-Wan saw the datapad tucked under Didi's arm. "Let me see that."

There was a chance that someone on the Games Council knew the events were rigged. This might be an easy way to find out. He quickly accessed the information on Bog's system and flipped through random files. There didn't seem to be anything amiss. One file was labeled WAYS TO ADVANCE. Obi-Wan accessed it and read through a list of instructions Bog had written to himself.

BE FRIENDLY TO ALL! THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP YOU TODAY CAN HELP YOU TOMORROW!

DO MENIAL TASKS FOR IMPORTANT BEINGS! IT MAKES YOU INDISPENSABLE!

NEVER CONTRADICT A SUPERIOR!

FOLLOW THE POWER!

"You see what I have to put up with?" Didi sighed. "My poor Astri."

Obi-Wan accessed another file marked GAMES COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES. He scanned the notes carefully. It appeared that Bog's only job on the Games Council was arranging VIP seating. He had made lists matching Senators with exclusive gallery skyboxes for various events. So much for his importance.

Obi-Wan shut down the datapad. He tucked it inside his tunic.

"I was going to sell that!" Didi protested.

"It's not yours to sell. Didi, I know you won't take my advice, but things just might be more complicated than you realize. I'd advise you to stay away from betting."

"I assure you I will," Didi said, his brown eyes sincere.

Obi-Wan's comlink signaled. Jocasta Nu's voice came through crisply. "I found out who Quentor is. Were you playing a joke on me, Obi-Wan?" Jocasta Nu asked.

"No, of course not." He spoke so that Didi could not hear.

"There was no record of him anywhere, so I did the usual criminal search. Then a deep background trace. Nothing appeared."

"So he is an underground figure."

Jocasta Nu chuckled. "Not exactly. He's a yellow-tailed summerbird."

"He's a bird?"

"An unofficial pet of the Senate. He lives in the eaves of the building and the Senators leave him fruit and crumbs to feed on. If he's one of your suspects, I must warn you, he hasn't left Coruscant. He's most likely nibbling on muja fruit right about now."

Obi-Wan groaned, then thanked Jocasta Nu and cut the communication. Fligh had lied to him. That wasn't surprising. It was a lie worthy of Fligh, one calculated to delay him and amuse him.

But he wasn't amused.

He turned to Didi. "Do you know where Fligh is staying?"

Didi shook his head. "A guest house, I suppose. A hovel, I'm sure. Fligh is very cheap."

"Find out."

"Ah. Yes, Obi-Wan. I can see in your eyes that you need this information and I will not fail you." Didi bowed and rushed away.

Rhys and Siri joined him, and they both looked at Bog's datapad.

"That might be the saddest kriffing thing I've ever seen," Rhys remarked about Bog's personal instructions, and Siri nodded in agreement.

"I gotta wonder what Astri sees in that man," Siri said with a very disappointed look. "She's always been impressive to me, and this . . . well, this makes even you seem like a great catch."

Obi-Wan hated that her comment made his lips twitch towards a smile. He felt her amusement through their bond and knew that she'd caught him.

"Funny, that's what I would have said about you, sis," Rhys said, and Obi-Wan snorted at the childish retort that caused Siri to roll her eyes.

"I think it's time for round two," Obi-Wan said, getting back to the matter at hand. "I'm going to see if I can get any information from Yso."

"Try to get close to his datapad," Rhys said. "That's what he's been using to keep track of his bets, at least as far as Siri was able to discern.

The Ranger pulled out a small device.

"If you can, buy some time and keep up a conversation. If you can stay close to him for two minutes, this will allow me to hack into his local network and his datapad from out here and then I'll be able to transfer all his information over to a secure drive, and have it continuously send updates to my datapad so that we can find out everyone involved. Also, use the name Onrein Hasar."

"Who's Onrein Hasar?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Nobody of concern," Rhys said, and Obi-Wan nodded, not really believing that, but he took the device and put it in his jacket pocket and then he knocked on the door of Yso's shop, duplicating Didi's rhythmic knock. Someone hurried out, his face turned away. No one wanted to be recognized in this kind of place. Obi-Wan stepped in and then pretended to examine a beat-up swoop with a dented handlebar while he listened to another occupant of the shop approach Uso Yso.

"I'd like to buy a swoop."

"At what price?"

The bettor named a figure, then said, "I'll take it to the blaster skill event where I hope to see Wesau T'orrin of Rezi-9 win."

"That's a good plan." Uso Yso slipped the credits into a wide belt he wore around his waist and entered some information into a datapad. He handed the bettor a small durasheet. "Here is your receipt."

Obi-Wan waited until the bettor had left the shop, then approached. "I'm here for a swoop," he said, looking up at the tall being. He waved a hand, deciding to see if he could make this easy on himself. "I would like to see your datapad."

Uso Yso snorted. "You don't need to see my datapad to buy a swoop. Which do you want?"

Obi-Wan waved his hand again. Uso Yso was unusually resistant to Jedi mind suggestion. "I'd like to see your datapad first."

"If you don't want to buy a swoop, you can leave," Uso Yso said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Obi-Wan suppressed his slight disappointment. No matter how adept a Jedi was or how strong the connection to the Force, sometimes mind suggestion just didn't work. Regardless, he needed to waste some more time.

Obi-Wan followed the lead of the bettor, naming a figure, then saying. "I plan to take the swoop to the Podrace and hope that Deland Tyerell will be the winner."

Uso Yso shook his head. "There's been a last-minute change. A new driver. Do you still want the swoop?"

"Who is the driver?" Obi-Wan asked curiously.

Yso consulted his datapad. "Anakin Skywalker."

Obi-Wan felt the shock shimmer inside him, but he did not register surprise on his face.

"Well?" Yso demanded impatiently.

Before Obi-Wan could answer, a small, slight being with four eyes, two of them set on the sides of his head, slipped inside the shop. "Security patrol outside."

Uso Yso pushed a lever and a wall slid back, revealing more swoops in various stages of repair. "Besum!" He tossed a tool kit to his assistant. "Start working."

"I don't know how to fix a swoop!"

"I don't care," Yso snarled. "Just do it." He turned to Obi-Wan. "Security makes patrols every once in a while. Nothing to worry about."

Now that Yso was in danger of losing Obi-Wan's business, he was suddenly friendly. He had also left his datapad angled toward Obi-Wan, and the notations were easy to read. In the time it took for Yso to check on Besum's activities, Obi-Wan had glanced at the file and done his best to memorize it, figuring it would be useful if Rhys was unsuccessful in remotely accessing the system, but his need to try and memorize it was cut short when he realized that the numbers and letters looked familiar.

It took him only a moment to realize that they were similar to the notes recording the skybox seating on Bog's datapad. Which meant that Bog wasn't recording seats for Senators. He was recording bets.

Obi-Wan chatted up Yso for another minute, trying to give as much time as possible before he placed a small bet on Anakin to win, using the name Rhys told him to use, and then made his way out of the shop. He found Rhys and Siri already waiting for him in a quiet alley, perusing a datapad.

"Great job, Obi," Siri said.

"I was able to see a bit of it inside, and I realized that the information -"

"Matches what Bog had on his datapad," Siri finished for him. "Yes, we noticed that as well. We don't recognize everyone, but many of these names are people we wouldn't associate with something like this."

"Like who?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Bail Organa of Alderaan for one," Rhys said. "He's one of the few Senators that Kastor and I like. Mon Mothma is also on here. Another one who we don't think would be involved in a gambling ring."

Obi-Wan was surprised to hear those names. He had no illusions about corruption in the Senate, but he was shocked to find that so many Senators would be involved in an illegal scheme such as this one. Obi-Wan had always respected Organa and Mothma for their integrity. Why would someone like Organa or Mothma risk their careers in order to make a few credits on a bet?

"The bets have to be substantial for them to risk their careers over this," Obi-Wan said.

"They are and they aren't," Rhys said with a frown. "That's the problem. These Senatorial bets really aren't that large compared to the amount of credits some of these people can bring in, but they're certainly not small harmless bets that could just be for some fun. If these numbers are accurate, this payout is going to make our score with Krayn seem minuscule in comparison."

"Krayn was one pirate," Siri pointed out. "Maybe a pirate with an empire, but still a pirate. I wouldn't be surprised that there are far more credits to be found at the Galactic Games, especially if Senators and crime syndicates are involved."

"Still, this could be a big score," Rhys muttered. "It also doesn't make sense for some of these Senatorial bets."

"Well, I'll go confront Bog and get some answers," Obi-Wan said, knowing that afterwards he'd have to deal with his wayward apprentice.

"Alright," Rhys said. "I'm probably going to have to wait for Kastor to get here before we can seize these funds anyway."

"You mean so that we can seize them the way you want to seize them," Siri pointed out. "We could seize them legally and lawfully very quickly with this evidence."

"I'm not so sure of that," Rhys said in disagreement. "Based on some of these names, I'm not sure the Ruling Power would intervene and would even drown our investigation or they'd seize it for themselves. Regardless, I'll keep up the surveillance here, and keep watch for any possible key players."

"Sounds good," Obi-Wan said, hoping to head off an argument, though he tended to agree with Rhys over Siri on this. He didn't trust the Ruling Power. Granted, he didn't think Siri really wanted to let the Ruling Power know either. She was just making a point. "What are you going to do, Siri?"

"I'll go link up with Ry-Gaul and my Padawan," Siri said, "and see if they have noticed anything wrong. I think I'll try to ring Quinlan, Aayla, or Shylar as well. Maybe they'll have seen something."

**The Will of the Force**

Obi-Wan found Bog in a VIP box watching a match of krovation. When Astri saw him, her smile was wide and welcoming.

"Obi-Wan! How good of you to come by. The match is almost finished."

Obi-Wan looked at the two teams vying with poles on the field. "As much as I like krovation, I have to decline. I'm here on business. I need to speak with Bog."

Astri's smile dimmed at the look on his face. She frowned and stepped aside. "Please join us."

Obi-Wan walked into the box. Bog fastened the jeweled clasp to his dark red sub silk robe as the Jedi approached.

"How can I help you, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan hesitated, his hand on the datapad in his inner pocket. "If you prefer to speak alone . . ."

Bog smiled. "I hide nothing from Astri."

His smile showed not a trace of worry, but Astri walked to his side. Her eyes were grave now. Astri was perceptive, and she knew Obi-Wan well. "What is it, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan withdrew the data pad. "I have something of yours."

Bog hurried forward. "You found it? Where? Thank you!"

Obi-Wan sidestepped the question of where he had found it. He slipped the data pad back into his pocket. "I'm afraid I can't return it just yet. I must confess that I took a look at your files, Bog."

Bog looked disconcerted. "Well, I see. I suppose that is alright. I have no secrets."

Obi-Wan was puzzled. Bog did not seem guilty or worried. "I accessed the file referring to the work you've done for the Senators."

"Yes, I arranged special seating for them," Bog said, nodding. "Is there a problem with some of the skyboxes?" He looked puzzled. "I didn't know Jedi cared about such things."

"We don't," Obi-Wan said quietly, "but you did not arrange skyboxes for the Senators. You placed bets for them on events in which the outcome is assured. This is not only illegal, but it has the potential to spark conflict among the member worlds."

"Obi-Wan, I don't know what you're talking about," Bog interrupted, shaking his head. "The Games are fixed? Senator's betting? I can't believe that. All I did was place orders for special seating. You must be mistaken."

Obi-Wan studied Bog as the crowd around them roared at a player's score. "If you are not involved, you are being used. Where did you get the instructions on how to proceed? How did you know which Senators to find seating for?"

"Liviani gave me the list of Senators," Bog said. "That is standard. The head of the Games Council always gets a list of important beings throughout the galaxy to accord special favors to. I used the Council funds to pay the Ruling Power for the skyboxes. You see, the Ruling Power makes the seating available. They have all the stadium plans. Arranging seating may seem trivial, but it's a very important task."

"So who did you contact to arrange the skyboxes?"

"As it turned out, I didn't have to contact anyone. He came to me. An odd four eyed creature. His name was boosa . . . no, that's not it. Beesa . . ."

"Besum?"

"That's it." Bog nodded as the crowd jeered a questionable play. "I transferred the credits and ordered the seating from boosa . . . oh, Besum, and he handed me the receipts."

"Do you have them?"

"No. I placed them in the welcome packs for the Senators." At last, the seriousness of the matter began to penetrate Bog's self-absorption. "I only followed protocol," he said nervously.

Obi-Wan frowned. Why would the senators want receipts to be placed in their welcome packets? Anyone could see them. He would think they would go to great lengths to hide the fact that they were betting on the games.

'Could it be that the senators themselves don't know about this? Could it be that the Ruling Power has arranged this in order to disgrace them? But why?'

Bog grew restless at Obi-Wan's silence. "I didn't place any bets! I'm sure this is a misunderstanding."

"I'm sure it isn't," Astri said to her husband. "Obi-Wan knows what he's talking about." She turned to Obi-Wan. "Is Bog in trouble?"

Bog swallowed. "If I am, I will face it."

"We will face it," Astri said, putting her hand on Bog's arm. "Together."

Obi-Wan saw the look that Bog gave Astri, a look of tenderness and devotion. He saw that Bog did love Astri, and his instincts told him that Bog had been used as a pawn in the scheme. No doubt whoever was behind it did not care if Bog took the fall.

Looking at the love on Astri's face for her husband, Obi-Wan decided that he would do anything in his power to make sure that did not happen. He remembered a time long ago when Astri had cut off her pretty curls, shaved her head, and learned how to shoot a blaster in order to help him track down Qui-Gon. She had not thought of herself as a brave person, but she had faced down blaster bolts and a laser whip, and had never left his side. No, he would not let anything happen to Astri, not if he could help it.

"Bog will not be in trouble if he didn't do anything wrong," Obi-Wan told the couple. "I will make sure of that. Now, please excuse me."

**The Will of the Force**

Siri and Ry-Gaul hopped out of an air speeder at the Sleek Cruiser Inn on Grand Eucer where Fligh was staying, according to Didi. Obi-Wan had asked for their assistance in questioning the man, which Siri agreed. It was time to get some answers.

Obi-Wan had learned that Bog didn't know anything and it was looking like the Senators involved might not even know anything. He had asked Madam Jocasta to investigate links between the Senators and possible links with the Ruling Power.

His Padawan, to Siri's amusement, was now involved in the Podrace, helping out the two young podracers that he'd met that were trying to free their sister from slavery. Obi-Wan, of course, was not happy with his Padawan, but using Obi-Wan's teachings and a very Qui-Gon-ish approach, Anakin had reasoned that the Force was putting him there for a reason and it was also the best place to watch out for trouble with the possibly fixed podracing event.

Siri and Ry-Gaul had sent their Padawans to assist and watch over Anakin, but she suspected after this, she was going to hear some fresh complaints about Anakin Skywalker from her Padawan. In some ways, it was good for Ferus to work with Anakin just as it was good for Anakin to work with Ferus. Their contrasting styles could work well together if they'd just give them a chance. It was similar to Siri and Obi-Wan when they were young, which was why she rather looked forward to seeing the day when they would finally realize they could be good friends and a great team. For now though, Tru would be a good mediator between them.

Siri saw Obi-Wan waiting for them outside the Sleek Cruiser Inn, which was a dilapidated building made of patchwork plasteel sheeting. It was the type of place where the owner had leased out space in the hallways and closets to make more credits, since Euceron was so overrun with travelers for the Games. There were people with bedrolls in various corners, and gear had been stashed in every spare space.

Obi-Wan smiled in greeting, and then he led her and Ry-Gaul through the mess to the room Fligh was staying in and knocked.

"I said I would settle the bill on the way out!" Fligh yelled behind the door. "Such a hospitable establishment, I can't wait to return!" He flung the door open and saw the Jedi. He swallowed. "Ah, Jedi. Always a good sign."

He stepped aside and let them enter. Belongings were stuffed into an open case. Still-wet laundry spilled out of a travel pack. A half-eaten meal was spread on the sleep couch. It was clear that Fligh was in the midst of a hasty departure.

"Leaving so soon?" Obi-Wan asked. "The Games have just begun."

"I'm not a fan," Fligh said, shrugging. "There you go."

"Yet you came here to see the Games," Obi-Wan pointed out. "Don't you want to see how your bets turn out?"

Fligh laughed. "Why? You have made sure I don't win. I may as well return to Coruscant and make my living honestly, as a thief."

Siri and Ry-Gaul closed the door and stood in front of it. Obi-Wan casually flung one leg over a stool and sat. "A funny thing happened after we left you this morning. We took an air taxi."

"Always a good idea," Fligh said nervously. "The streets are so crowded."

"And the pilot tried to crash it," Obi-Wan continued. "Odd that he knew just where we were and where we were headed."

"Maybe you were just unlucky."

"Maybe you'd like to accompany us to the security office of the Ruling Power and talk about it," Obi-Wan said.

It was a bluff. They did not want the Ruling Power to know that they were investigating. Still, Siri always liked watching Obi-Wan work like this. Undercover work wasn't his thing, but investigations and diplomacy were areas in which he was one of the best.

Fligh gave a squeak of disappointment and threw himself down on the unmade sleep couch. "I knew I'd never make it off this blasted planet. All right. When you came to ask me about the fixed events, you made me nervous. Why wouldn't I be? I saw my fortune disappearing before my eyes. So I might have alerted someone as to your presence. They weren't supposed to kill you. Just delay you. I swear! Didi is my friend. I would never allow harm to come to him, and if you think I'd tangle with Jedi, you underestimate my cowardice."

"Yet you lie to us," Obi-Wan said.

"And that is never a good idea," Siri added.

Ry-Gaul did not have to say a word. His fierce looks spoke for him. Siri had always admired that about the man. He didn't need to talk. He could just be his stoic and silent self. It generally worked better than any words he could have said.

"Yes, I see what you mean," Fligh said, backing away on the sleep couch.

"Now, tell me again about your friend Quentor," Obi-Wan said, leaning forward.

"Ha ha," Fligh said weakly. "I see you know about my little joke. I thought it better to protect a friend than expose him."

"Who?" Obi-Wan asked softly. "And tell me the truth this time."

"Aarno Dering," Fligh said with a sigh. "Weeks ago, I was contacted anonymously. Through messages on my datapad. I was asked to find someone who could rig a false timing device for a major race. Credits were transferred into my account with a promise of a sure bet to come. I happened to know just the person they needed. Aarno had been the timekeeper for races in the Outer Rim. He was known for a certain . . . uh, casualness when it came to scorekeeping. Then the anonymous person said they would hire Aarno for the Galactic Games. The Galactic Games! I had no idea it was for something so grand."

"How could he pass scrutiny?" Siri wondered. "The timers and judges are screened very closely."

"That was just my question," Fligh said, nodding. "They told me not to worry about it. To my great surprise, Aarno was hired for several events. To Aarno's surprise as well."

"That's why you concluded that an insider had to be involved," Obi-Wan said.

Fligh nodded. "Who else could get Aarno hired, with his record? So we came to Euceron and Aarno got his instructions. It seemed like a deal as sweet as a piece of blumfruit. Aarno would find a way to shave a few seconds here and there and we'd take off with a small fortune. I didn't expect anyone to get hurt. Didi was almost killed, and Aarno got run over by a speeder." Fligh shivered. "I'm going back to Coruscant where I'll be safe. I just paved the way for some bets to be placed. I didn't want anyone to get killed."

"You got the false text docs for Dering," Obi-Wan guessed. "Why did he suddenly want to get off-planet?"

"I guess he lost his nerve," Fligh said with a nervous glance at Ry-Gaul.

Siri had moved so that she was now sitting in front of Fligh on her haunches, her hands dangling. Her bright blue gaze was piercing. It was a look she had mastered that made criminals squirm. "There is something you're not telling us. Why was Aarno so afraid?"

Fligh fingered one of his long ears. "I had an appointment to drop the text docs off to Aarno right after the swoop race. As soon as you left, I went to his quarters and waited for him. He was in a big hurry to leave Euceron, and I asked him why. He said if I knew what was good for me, I'd leave too. Of course, I had to pressure him. I withheld the text docs until he told me. He thought he had been hired just to fix the events, but he found out something else. Something is going to happen during an event. Something will go wrong. They want people to get killed during an event so that the Senators will be blamed."

"Which event?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't know," Fligh admitted. "Aarno didn't tell me. He found out by mistake. He was afraid they would come after him because he knew."

"Who are they?" Siri barked in frustration.

"I didn't ask," Fligh said with a shudder. "I don't want to know. I'm in over my head, and if I know anything about anything - which I don't, but I know about this – sooner or later, it's going to occur to them that I know too much, and it's going to be sooner, not later. All in all, I'd rather be on Coruscant, so if you don't mind –"

Obi-Wan, Siri, and Ry-Gaul turned toward the door at the same instant. The surge in the Force had warned them. At the same time, the sound of heavy rolling could be heard in the corridor outside Fligh's room.

"Hey, I'm over here, guys," Fligh said. "Are you going to answer my quest –"

Before Fligh could finish the word, the door blasted apart and a squad of droidekas appeared in the smoldering opening, most of them still hidden by the wall, but clearly sensed by the Jedi. Fligh dived behind the sleep couch as the Jedi ignited their lightsabers. The twelve droidekas unfurled and snapped into attack position, blaster bolts firing.

The three-legged droidekas were built for battle and close to invincible, but these droidekas weren't shielded. Their heavy armor shells and volts of firepower as well as their maneuverability made them capable of cutting down opponents with fearsome efficiency, but without the shields, like the Neimoidian versions, the three Jedi would be able to handle them, especially since the droids were hampered by the walls, doorway, and even their numbers, which stopped them from all firing at once.

The air filled with smoke as the blaster bolts zinged, but the Jedi deflected them and struck blow after blow at the heavy armor plates of the droids. Because the doorway was narrow, the droidekas began firing through the wall itself, quickly tearing gaping holes in the structure.

Siri moved forward and swung her lightsaber, dropping two droidekas. Obi-Wan sliced through two more and then used the force to throw much of the debris into another one, keeping the debris well away from Fligh who was shrieking from where he'd taken cover. Ry-Gaul took out another that had finally succumbed to the deflected blaster bolts.

Droidekas had control centers, not brains. They could not feel fear or apprehension, and the amazing skill of the Jedi was lost on them. They continued to advance and fire, continued to evade by rolling themselves into balls, and repositioning themselves to fire again. Time after time, they attacked, and time after time the Jedi struck blow after blow until the harsh smoke and the heat caused Fligh to have a coughing fit. The Jedi did not react to the smoke. Their minds and bodies were focused on battle, and nothing else mattered but the moment.

Siri felt the Force give her a warning, and she felt Obi-Wan respond through his bond and Ry-Gaul nod. They leaped back as the flimsy wall finally collapsed, most of it falling on the remaining droidekas. The three Jedi then moved forward and as a team dispatched the few remaining droids.

Fligh raised his head from behind the sleep couch. His voice was hoarse. "Can I go now?"

"He can't help us," Obi-Wan said, and Siri had to agree.

"He's told us everything he knows."

He deactivated his lightsaber. "Yes, Fligh. You can go."

"Until next time, Obi-Wan," Fligh said fervently.

"I certainly hope not," Obi-Wan answered, and Siri smirked at the snarky and less than diplomatic answer. Sometimes it was nice to see even Obi-Wan lose his infinite patience.

With a last bow, Fligh ran from the room, his belongings trailing from his packing case.

"If they're sending Destroyer Droids, they must be worried," Siri said. "Whoever they are."

"One of us should attend each event," Obi-Wan said. "The Padawans are already at the Podrace and it's scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes. Can you head out there, Ry-Gaul? I'll contact Anakin and tell him that something is supposed to go wrong, but I'd feel better if you were there."

Ry-Gaul gave a short nod and left the room, stepping over the pile of droidekas in the doorway.

"I'll take the bowcaster skill contest," Siri said. "It's at Stadium Seven."

"That leaves me with the obstacle course," Obi-Wan said, nodding. "Stay in touch."

"I just wish I knew what I was looking for," Siri said.

Obi-Wan tucked his lightsaber into his belt. "That makes two of us."

**The Will of the Force**

"Obi-Wan, do you copy?" Kastor called into the communicator. "Siri? Ry-Gaul? Rhys?"

"Kastor," Siri's voice came through the communicator. "Good timing. We believe some sort of attack or staged accident is being planned to occur at one of the fixed events. Ry-Gaul is joining the Padawans at the Podrace, Obi-Wan is making his way to the obstacle course, I'm en route to the bowcaster skill event, and Rhys is still staking out the gambling den. We would appreciate some help either at my or Obi-Wan's position."

"I've got Knight Skoll and Knight Ertay with me," Kastor said. "Baylan will assist Ry-Gaul and the Padawans. I will join Obi-Wan at the obstacle course, and Finn will join you at the bowcaster skill event. Drop coordinates and we'll link up as soon as we can. Shan out."

He glanced at his fellow Jedi who nodded and immediately went off to find transportation. Kastor reached out with the Force and with some difficulty, located Obi-Wan, so he started moving in that direction just as he received coordinates and locations.

Kastor hailed and got into an air taxi that took him to Stadium Nine where the obstacle course was taking place. Once they got there, he quickly got out and made his way into the stadium and wanted to grimace as he saw Obi-Wan being guided out into the middle of the stadium by a man that Kastor recognized as Maxo Vista. Vista had a blaster pointed into the crowd, and Kastor realized it was specifically pointed at Astri who was looking after Obi-Wan worried.

Kastor quickly made his way over to Astri, and grabbed her arm and started moving her out of the line of sight. She looked at him in relief.

"Kastor! I just told Obi-Wan, but the Podrace is rigged so that the lead podracer will crash into the crowd. My husband is trying to tell Liviani Sarno because we weren't sure if Maxo Vista was even aware, but I knew Obi-Wan was the one to tell, but now he's walking away with Vista."

"He's walking away because Vista has a blaster pointed at you," Kastor said, and Astri gasped and then scowled, realizing she was being used against Obi-Wan. Kastor always admired her fierce loyalty to her friend. "I'm getting you out of the line of fire so Obi-Wan can act."

"Is there anything that can be done at the Podrace?" Astri asked. "People will die!"

"We've got five Jedi over there, one of whom is racing. They'll do what they can," Kastor said, though he did attempt to send a communication which failed. They were being jammed. "We'll just have to trust in the Force. For now, I'm more worried about getting Vista. Karabast! Too late."

Kastor and Astri both looked out as the light shined and Maxo Vista's amplified voice rang out.

"Welcome to the exhibition match! Jedi against athlete! Let the event begin!"

The crowd roared. A cube of white light settled over Obi-Wan. Another flashed over Maxo Vista. A holographic image of a treton, a wild creature from the planet Aesolian, appeared in front of them. On the tip of one pointed ear a green laser glowed. His snarl was amplified and echoed through the stadium. There was a collective oooh of fear.

Kastor grinned, and Astri looked at him in surprise.

"Maxo may be a galactic level athlete, but he's about to find out how that compares to one of the best Knights in the Order."

An announcer's steady voice boomed over the stadium. "Ten seconds. Contestants, prepare . . ."

Kastor saw Vista whisper something to Obi-Wan, though Obi-Wan looked unfazed.

"Five seconds, contestants . . ."

A lightweight weapon emerged from the platform floor in front of Obi-Wan. He grabbed it. At the tip was a green laser.

Kasor observed the rather confused look on Obi-Wan's face and wanted to laugh knowing the man had never actually watched this sport in his life and now he was about to go up against the galactic record holder.

"Begin!" the announcer said.

The triton rushed forward. Maxo Vista was prepared. He charged ahead and slashed at the Treton even as it zoomed upward and around in a crazy evasive dance that no bulky triton would even accomplish. Vista hit the creature precisely on the ear and a loud joyful clang clang! Resounded through the stadium.

"Point, Vista," the voice announced. The stadium erupted in cheers for the favorite.

Obi-Wan's laser tip now glowed pink. The edge of the platform elongated into a ramp that rose almost straight upward. Vista began to bound ahead. After a second of hesitation, Obi-Wan followed. Kastor knew the man had no choice. Kastor left Astri and started making his way towards the end of the obstacle course, waiting for his chance to make a move.

Obi-Wan gained on Vista easily. At the top of the ramp six snarling holographic neks sat guard. At the center of their collars, a laser glowed like a pink jewel. Kastor watched as Vista sprang forward as the nek on the far left lunged, teeth bared. Vista twisted, but the holographic teeth grazed his ankle. A harsh buzzer sounded.

"Minus point five," the announcer said.

Obi-Wan somersaulted, avoiding the two neks who flew at him. He used the weapon like a lightsaber, touching the collars lightly. Two loud clang clang! clang clang! noises sounded, and he whirled and touched the other collars just as delicately, even as Vista was moving toward them. Clang clang! The neks dissolved in a shower of light.

"Six points, Visitor." This time the cheers were not nearly as deafening.

"Good show, Kenobi," Kastor muttered as he continued to make his way around the stadium.

Obi-Wan's laser shifted to blue. Ahead was a cliff face with shallow ledges forming a pathway upward. At the top were three multi-clawed ravenscreechers, large birds from the Outer Rim planet Wxtm. Each had a large wingspan and six legs with claws half a meter long.

Vista hurled himself at the cliff and began to climb. Obi-Wan followed. Vista reached out a leg and tried to kick him. The crowd hissed disapproval. No doubt Vista risked the displeasure of the crowd in order to vent his anger at Obi-Wan defeating all the neks. Kastor watched as Obi-Wan vaulted into the air, bypassing Vista and landing on a ledge close to the edge. The ravenscreechers took off, diving toward him.

While the crowd roared and cheered, Obi-Wan held on with only one hand. He slashed at one holographic bird, touching its eye and gaining a point, then hit the next one on a backswing without even turning. Using the momentum, he swung himself up to the top of the cliff and hit the third one as it rose to attack him.

Clang clang clang! The points rang up on the screen. His laser tip flashed yellow. Now more of the crowd was on his side, and Kastor could see that Vista was furious. He scrambled up the ledge, chasing after Obi-Wan.

Kastor's grin widened. Vista was losing his cool and the crowd's support and Obi-Wan was as calm and collected as ever.

On top of the ledge sat two swoops. Obi-Wan was about to spring forward when a tentacle bush appeared, its branches reaching out for him. Kastor watched as Obi-Wan wisely held back, carefully waiting for the moment while Vista rushed forward at the bush recklessly.

The branches moved like the arms of dancers, fluid and graceful, yet lethal in their striking motions. In his fury, Vista tried to attack the bush with stabbing motions, but the waving branches kept him just out of reach. His movements were as fluid as that of the branches, and the crowd began to chant his name.

Obi-Wan leaped. He somersaulted in midair and avoided the waving branches. When he was dead center over the bush, he reached down amid the cluster of wildly waving branches and touched the glowing laser with his weapon. Then he landed precisely on one of the swoops, legs astride, and took off. The whole operation had taken less than three seconds.

The crowd was stunned into silence. The noise of the announcer echoed through the nearly silent stadium.

"Point, Visitor."

The crowd went wild, and Kastor happily cheered with them, ready for the swoop part of the course to end.

Ahead of Obi-Wan were glowing circles of light. Holographic humming peepers twittered overhead. Each held a tiny violet laser in its beak. Obi-Wan would have to navigate through the spinning circles without touching the edges of each one, hitting as many humming peepers as he could. This obstacle did not require strength, but agility and precision.

He dived through the first hoop and delicately touched the tiny bird with his weapon. The clanging noise sounded, then sounded again a second later. Vista, too, had scored a point.

Vista piloted the swoop as if it were part of his body. He leaned over and scored another point, then flipped the swoop too quickly to zoom through a circle. The crowd kept up a steady roar now. Vista pushed his swoop, aiming for the back of Obi-Wan's. He bumped Obi-Wan's swoop but it appeared he was only attempting to get through the next loop. Obi-Wan dived, engines screaming, then came at the next loop from an extreme right angle. He zoomed through the loop with a centimeter to spare. Taken off guard, Maxo Vista brushed against the side of the loop and lost five points.

Obi-Wan zigzagged through the air of the stadium, sailing through the loops and hitting the laser targets. Vista gave up trying to unseat him and concentrated on gaining points. Soon the humming peepers had all been hit. The glowing hoops dissolved into particles of light.

The stadium went black, and then below, on the mid-level landing platform, a group of holographic Gladiator Droids appeared. Bright orange erupted from flame projectors in their fists. A bright red laser winked in the center of their foreheads.

Obi-Wan flew down to the landing platform and leaped off the swoop. The Gladiator Droids shot blaster fire at him, just harmless points of light. Obi-Wan dodged all the illusions, bobbing and weaving with a grace that Fy-Tor-Ana would have been proud of. Kastor honestly thought he might mention this to her when next he was at the Temple . . . might volunteer Obi-Wan for a demonstration too just to mess with him. Fy would be up for it.

Maxo Vista had trained for this and did an admirable job of keeping up, but he still wasn't as good as Obi-Wan. The crowd gasped at the flexible grace of the two opponents. Obi-Wan got close enough to one Gladiator Droid to score a point. Vista scored another. In the dim light, the shimmering outlines of the Droids melted against the velvet darkness.

Kastor saw Obi-Wan dodge another set of lasers from the droids, while Vista appeared to slow down. Obi-Wan unsheathed his lightsaber, and with his lightsaber in one hand and his event weapon in the other, he leaped. With one hand, he hit each laser target on each droid, twisting and hanging in midair. With the other, he deflected real blaster fire.

Vista had made a mistake thinking he could ambush and overpower a Jedi with those types of odds.

Kastor moved forward as Obi-Wan jumped and sank his lightsaber into a real droids control panel.

The counter rang furiously. The scoreboard lit up. The crowd was on its feet now, stamping its approval.

The lights in the stadium came up. Maxo Vista raised his head from his position crouching on the floor. He blinked, surprised to hear the boos directed at him.

The crowd screamed for the Jedi, but Obi-Wan had disappeared, running off towards the podrace and his Padawan. Kastor however had times it perfectly and surprised Vista by grabbing him and flinging him to the ground where he placed cuffs on the protesting man's wrists.

Now he just hoped that his fellow Jedi were able to prevent the sabotage at the Podrace.