Star Wars Jedi Apprentice #3 The Hidden Past

By Jude Watson

Chapter 1
The market place in the city of Bandor as !ustlin" as #!i$Wan %eno!i strode throu"h it& He ould ha'e liked to stop to !ut a piece of mu(a fruit) !ut *ui$+on Jinn,s steps ne'er fla""ed& #!i$Wan,s -aster mo'ed throu"h the cro ded streets ith mo'ements as fluid as a ri'er& Without seemin" to dod"e or ea'e) he created a path ith the least amount of ener"y& #!i$Wan felt like a clumsy sandcra leer ne.t to a "raceful starfi"hter& He as careful to keep up& He as a!out to lea'e on his first mission ith *ui$+on& The Jedi %ni"ht had !een reluctant to take #!i$Wan as his apprentice& /'en thou"h they had !een throu"h !attles and ad'entures to"ether) *ui$+on had !een hesitant& #nly ith their last ad'enture) facin" death deep in the minin" tunnels of Bandor to"ether) had *ui$ +on made the decision to accept him as his apprentice& #!i$Wan as still unsure of his master,s feelin"s a!out him& *ui$+on as a 0uiet man ho didn,t share his thou"hts until necessary& #!i$Wan kne little a!out the mission ahead& He ould ha'e to find the patience to ait until *ui$+on told him the details& -ean hile) he had a crucial 0uestion !urnin" on his lips) one that he did not dare ask1 2id *ui$+on kno that today as his !irthday3 Today he as thirteen& This !irthday as an important occasion for a Jedi apprentice& He as no officially a Pada an& Traditionally) this !irthday as not marked !y a cele!ration) !ut o!ser'ed 0uietly) ith reflection and meditation& #!i$Wan as a are that as part of the tradition he ould recei'e a meanin"ful "ift from his -aster& *ui$+on had not mentioned it this mornin"& Bot as they ate) or prepared for the (ourney) or alked to the landin" platform& *ui$+on had !arely spoken three ords& Had he for"otten3 2id he kno 3 #!i$Wan as lon"in" to remind *ui$+on) !ut heir relationship as too ne & He ouldn,t ant his -aster to think of him as "reedy or self$important) or e'en orse) a na"& Surely 4oda ould ha'e told *ui$+on& #!i$ an kne that the t o Jedi -asters ere in constant contact& #r perhaps the mission ahead as so important that 4oda had for"otten) too& The skirted the last 'endor) cut do n an alley ay) and arri'ed at the landin" platform& The +o'ernor of Bandomeer had arran"ed a transport for them in "ratitude for their ork& She,d found a small tradin" 'essel illin" to take them on the (ourney to the planet of +ala& #!i$Wan kne that once they "ot on the ship) the talk ould center on the mission ahead& Should he tell *ui$+on it as his !irthday no 3

Ahead) a tall) "an"ly pilot loaded transport !o.es onto his ship& #!i$Wan reco"ni5ed the lon") fle.i!le arms of the Phindar& #!i$Wan 0uickened his pace to reach him) !ut *ui$ +on put a hand on his shoulder& 6Close your eyes) #!i$Wan), he instructed& #!i$Wan "roaned in ardly& Not now! He !e""ed& He kne that *ui$+on as a!out to drill him on a classic Jedi e.ercise1 Attention to the -oment +i'es %no led"e& At the Temple) #!i$Wan had al ays done ell ith the e.ercise& But he,d !een distracted this mornin") and could !arely remem!er anythin" e.cept his o n !irthday& 6What do you see37 *ui$+on asked& /yes closed) #!i$Wan "athered his thou"hts as thou"h they had !een feathers in a indstorm& He plucked o!ser'ations out of the air) remem!erin" thin"s his eyes had re"istered !ut his min had not& 6Small transport ith one deep scratch in ri"ht flank) se'eral dents on the underside of cockpit& Phindian pilot ith fli"ht cap) "o""les) and dirty fin"ernails& T el'e car"o !o.es ready to !e loaded) one fli"ht !a") one medpac & & &7 6The han"er)7 *ui$+on prompted "ently& 6#ne stone o'erhan" ith three dockin" !ays& Cracks runnin" 'ertically do n the stone) a "reen 'ine tryin" to "ro three meters do n from the ceilin" on the left) ith one purple flo er four meter do n 86 6Si. meters)7 *ui$+on corrected sternly& 6#pen your eyes) #!i$Wan&7 His eyes fle open& *ui$+on,s piercin" !lue "a5e studied him) makin" him feel) as al ays) as thou"h his li"htsa!er as dra""in" on the "round) or his tunic as stained& 6Are you distracted !y somethin") #!i$Wan37 *ui$+on asked& 6-y first official mission) -aster& 69 ant to do ell&7 64ou ill do hat you ill do&7 *ui$+on responded neutrally& He aited) his eyes ne'er lea'in" #!i$Wan,s face& 9t as for!idden for an apprentice to lie to a -aster) to conceal the truth) or e'en shade it& #!i$Wan illed his feet not to shift and his eyes to remain steady on *ui$+on,s& 6Perhaps 9,m distracted !y somethin" more personal) -aster&7 A "leam of amusement suddenly lit *ui$+on,s eyes& 6Ah& A !irthday) perhaps37

#!i$Wan nodded) a "rin escapin"& 64ou ould !e e.pectin" your "ift) then7 *ui$+on fro ned& He had for"otten) after all: But after only a moment) he reached into the pocket of his tunic& His lar"e) stron" hand emer"ed) concealin" somethin" hidden in his palm& #!i$Wan stared e.pectantly& -asters usually thou"ht for eeks or months a!out their "ifts) often tra'elin" to far reaches for a healin" crystal) or a !lanket or cloak from the ea'ers of the planet Pasmin) ho o'e "arment of "reat armth out of material so fine it as almost ei"htless& *ui$+on pressed a smooth) round stone into #!i$Wan,s hand& 69 found it years a"o)7 *ui$+on e.plained& 6When 9 as no older than you are no &7 Politely) #!i$Wan stared at the stone& 2id it contain some sort of po er3 69 found it in the ;i'er of <i"ht on my home planet)7 *ui$+on continued& And? #!i$Wan ondered& But *ui$+on as silent& #!i$Wan reali5ed that the present his -aster had "i'en him as e.actly hat it appeared to !e1 a rock& *ui$+on as no ordinary -aster& #!i$Wan kne that& So he looked at the tone a"ain& His fin"er closed around the stone& 9t felt smooth and polished& He liked the ay it felt in his hand& And hen the sun hit it) he could see deep read streaks runnin" throu"h the shiny !lackness& 9t as !eautiful) he reali5ed& He met *ui$+on,s eyes& 6Thank you) -aster& 9 ill treasure it&7 6And did you complete the Pada an !irthday ritual37 *ui$+on asked& 6#nly !e remem!erin" the past are e a!le to learn from the present&=7 #n his or her thirteenth !irthday) each Pada an must take a 0uiet time for reflection& Both "ood and !ad memories must !e consulted and meditated on& 69 ha'e not had time) -aster)7 #!i$Wan admitted& His mission on Bandomeer had !een full of dan"ers 8 he had !een kidnapped and marooned on a minin" platform) amon" other thin"s& *ui$+on kne he had not had time& Why as he askin"3 64es) time is elusi'e)7 *ui$+on said) unmo'ed& 6But it is !est to track it do n& Come) the pilot is aitin"&7 #!i$Wan trailed after *ui$+on) fi"htin" off a feelin" of hopelessness& Would he e'er please his ne -aster3 Just hen he felt *ui$+on had "i'en him the stron" !ase of his trust) he found himself han"in" free& >o he reali5ed that the only thin" *ui$+on had e'er truly "i'en him as a rock&

Chapter ?
6T o minutes)7 the pilot called out to them as they approached& 69 finish loadin"&7 69 am *ui$+on Jinn and this is #!i$Wan %eno!i)7 *ui$+on introduced them& 64es) !i" surprise) Jedi are not hard to spot)7 the pilot mum!led) pickin" up a loadin" carton& 6And you are & & &7 *ui$+on aited& 6Pilot& 9 am hat 9 do&7 He had the red$streaked yello eyes of a Phindian) as ell as hands that dan"led near his ankles& 64ou,re a Phindian)7 #!i$Wan said& 69 ha'e a friend & & & someone 9 kno is a Phindian& His name is +uerra&7 +uerra had !een a fello minin" sla'e on the platform here #!i$ Wan had !een held capti'e& He had almost lost his life in order to sa'e #!i$Wan& 6So 9 kno him37 Pilot ans ered "ruffly& 69 am e.pected to kno e'ery Phindian in the "ala.y:7 6>o) of course not)7 #!i$Wan said) confused& The pilot,s rudeness surprised him& 9t as almost as thou"h #!i$Wan had offended him in some ay& 6Then let me load) and you !oard)7 Pilot ans ered !rus0uely& 6Come) #!i$Wan)7 *ui$+on directed& #!i$Wan trailed after *ui$+on into the cockpit) here they took their seats& 6@or our first mission to"ether) 4oda has chosen somethin" he thinks ill !e routine)7 *ui$+on told him& 6#f course) 4oda also says) A9f routine you count on) disappointed your hopes ill !e&,7 #!i$Wan "rinned& 69t is !etter to e.pect nothin") and let each moment surprise you)7 he said& 9t as somethin" he had !een tau"ht at the Temple& *ui$+on nodded& 6The planet of +ala has !een ruled for many years !y the Be(u$Tallah dynasty& They ere successful in unitin" a orld ith deep tri!al hatreds& There are three tri!es on +ala 8 the city people) the hill people) and the sea people& #'er the years the Tallah rulers "re corrupt& They plundered the planet of ealth) and the people are close to re'olt& The old *ueen kno s this& 9nstead of "i'in" the throne to her son) Prince Be(u) she has a"reed to elections& The people ill choose amon" three candidates& The Prince is amon" them& He has li'ed in seclusion for mush of his life& The *ueen feared for his safety& 4et he as trained as a ruler) and is an.ious to "ain the throne&7

6/lections sound ise for the planet)7 #!i$Wan remarked& 64es) it is al ays !etter to adapt to chan"e)7 *ui$+on a"reed& 6Still) some continue to resist& Prince Be(u for e.ample& We are told that he not happy that he has to su!mit to a 'ote !y the people& He considers the rule of +ala to !e his !irthri"ht& We ill !e there as "uardians of the peace) to make sure the elections "o smoothly&7 9s there any si"n that the Prince is plannin" somethin"37 #!i$Wan asked& 64oda says not)7 *ui$+on ans ered& 6But he also said that e should not rely on that&7 *ui$+on si"hed& 69t as a typical con'ersation ith 4oda& So e should !e prepared for anythin"&7 Pilot clim!ed into the cockpit and sat do n in the seat& He leaned o'er to set a course into the na'i$computer& 69,ll drop you on +ala and "o on)7 he said& 6>o sit ti"ht and don,t talk much&7 *ui$+on and #!i$Wan e.chan"ed an amused "lance& Were they !ein" transported !y the rudest pilot in the "ala.y3 The ship took off) and ithin moments Bandomeer as (ust another planet) a "rayish orld in deep !lue space& #!i$Wan stared out the 'ie screen at it& Belo him) friends he had made ould "o on ith their li'es& 69 onder hat Si Treem!a is doin"&7 He said softly& 6Puttin" his nose here it doesn,t !elon") most likely)7 *ui$+on said& But #!i$Wan kne that the Jedi as (ust as fond of Si Treem!a as he as& His Arconan friend had !een loyal and !ra'e& 6He and Clat,Ha ill ha'e their hands full on Bandomeer)7 *ui$+on remarked) namin" another friend& 6The planet has a lon" ay to "o to reclaim their natural resources&7 69,ll miss +uerra) too)7 #!i$Wan said ith a si"h& 6He as a loyal friend&7 6<oyal37 *ui$+on fro ned& 6He !etrayed you to the "uards& 4ou almost died !ecause of +uerra&7 6But he sa'ed me in the end)7 #!i$Wan reminded him& 6Sure) the "uards thre me off the minin" to er& But +uerra made sure there as a slin" for me to fall into&7 64ou ere lucky) #!i$Wan)7 *ui$+on said& 6The @orce helped you to land safely& >o) 9 can,t a"ree ith you a!out your friend& 9f someone claims that he is not to !e trusted) it is "enerally a "ood idea to take note of it& 9,m not sayin" that +uerra is !ad) !ut 9,d certainly !e ary of such a character&7

Suddenly) the ship 'eered and dipped alarmin"ly& 6#ops) sorry) 'ery stran"e space shear)7 Pilot said& 6Too much distractin" talkin" !ehind me& Time for hyperspace&7 The ship shot into hyperspace& Bandomeer disappeared in a rush of stars& #!i$Wan felt a thrill of e.citement& He as off on his first official mission& They ere half ay to +ala hen a arnin" li"ht !e"an to !link and !eep insistently on the control panel& 62on,t orry)7 Pilot said& 6Just a small fuel leak&7 6@uel leak37 *ui$+on asked& The !eepin" suddenly shifted to a loud siren& 6#ops) orry)7 Pilot said& He shut off the indicator& 69 must e.it hyperspace and land on the nearest planet to our location&7 S iftly) he entered information into the na'i$ computer& 6>ot a pro!lem)7 he continued) histlin" throu"h his teeth& The ship shuddered as it reentered normal space& 9mmediately) the comm unit came ali'e& 69dentify yourself:7 a loud 'oice demanded& 6Ah)7 Pilot muttered& 6This orld is unfriendly&7 6What planet is it37 *ui$+on asked& 6Closed to outside ships)7 Pilot muttered& 69dentify or !e destroyed:7 the 'oice thundered& 6So find another planet:7 *ui$+un su""ested sharply) !e"innin" to lose his patience& 6emer"ency&7 Pilot leaned into the comm unit& 6 e ha'e an emer"ency on !oard& And Jedi: 9t is a Jedi emer"ency: Askin" permission to land 86 6Permission not "ranted: ;epeat1 permission not "ranted:7 *ui$+on peered throu"h the 'ie screen& 6Were are e) Pilot3 We must !e close to +ala& This should !e a populated system& There has to !e some here else to land:7 6>ot so:7 Pilot cried as he maneu'ered the ship ith a lurch to the ri"ht&

>ot so3 #!i$Wan heard the e.pression ith a start& His friend +uerra had used it so many times: 6Why not37 *ui$+on demanded& Suddenly t o starfi"hters appeared and split off ith each other in order to flank them& <aser cannons !e"an to fire& 6Because e are under attack:7 Pilot screamed&

Chapter 3
Pilot !e"an to take e'asi'e action as the starfi"hters screamed to ard them& #!i$Wan as thro n a"ainst the console& 69 think 9 can lose them:7 Pilot shouted as the ship as attacked !y laser fire& 6Stop:7 *ui$+on roared& He thre himself for ard and renched the control from Pilot,s "rasp& 6Are you a fool3 This transport can,t outmaneu'er t o starfi"hters:7 69,m a "ood pilot:7 Pilot said ildly& 6And can,t you use that @orce of yours37 *ui$+on "a'e him a sharp look) then shook his head& 6We can,t ork a miracle)7 he said firmly& 6The starfi"hters are escortin" us do n& 9f you don,t follo them) they,ll !last us ri"ht out of space&7 +rud"in"ly) Pilot took the controls a"ain& The starfi"hters heeled and flanked them) "uidin" then do n to ard the planet,s surface& When the landin" platform as in 'ie ) they aited until they ere sure the transport ship as landin") then 5oomed off& Slo ly) Pilot set the transport do n& *ui$+on strode to the 'ie screens to "et a full 'ie of the landin" platform& 6Assassin droids are surroundin" the ship)7 he reported& 6That doesn,t sound "ood)7 Pilot said ner'ously& 69 ha'e a couple of !lasters and a proton "renade 86 6>o)7 *ui$+on interrupted& 6We ill not fi"ht& They,re here to "uard us until someone arri'es& They on,t attack us&7 69 ouldn,t !e so sure)7 Pilot remarked) eyein" them& 69,m ready) -aster)7 #!i$Wan said& 6Then come&7 *ui$+on acti'ated the release le'er for the e.it ramp& He strode out) follo ed closely !y #!i$Wan& Pilot lurked in the door ay&

The assassin droids turned to ard them !ut their !uilt$in !lasters did not fire& 64ou see) they,re here as escorts)7 *ui$+on said 0uietly& 62on,t make any sudden mo'ements&7 #!i$Wan alked do n the ramp) keepin" his eyes on the droids& They ere killin" machines) desi"ned and pro"rammed for !attle ithout conscience or conse0uence& What kind of orld had they landed on3 When they hit the !ottom of the ramp) *ui$+on slo ly raised his hands& 6We are Jedi 86 he !e"an) !ut his ords ere cut off !y !laster fire& The assassin droids ere attackin": #!i$Wan heard the flap of his -aster,s cape as *ui$+on (umped and t isted) landin" on a pile of old metal crates near!y& And #!i$Wan as mo'in" too) mo'in" !efore thou"ht) leapin" o'er the heads of the first line of droids& His li"htsa!er as already in his hand& He acti'ated it and sa the reassurin" !lue "lo & He could hear the click and whirr of the droids, (oints as the s i'eled) tryin" to "et !etter aim& The Jedi had the ad'anta"e of speed and !etter maneu'era!ility& #!i$Wan found that) usin" the @orce and his o n perceptions) he could predict hich ay a droid ould mo'e& *ui$+on leaped do n from the crate& With one stroke she sliced throu"h three droids& Their metallic heads clattered to the floor and rolled& Their !odies t itched) pu55led) the collapsed& #!i$Wan cut throu"h the first droid on his ri"ht) then used his momentum to t ist and roll into the le"s of a second& The droid o!!led) tryin" to aim as #!i$Wan sliced throu"h its spindly le"s ith his li"htsa!er& As soon as the droid fell) #!i$Wan dealt a !lo to the control panel on its chest& The droid collapsed) inoperati'e& But #!i$Wan as already mo'in" on to the ne.t and the ne.t) and the ne.t& He could sense *ui$+on,s mo'ements !ehind him) and kne that *ui$+on as dri'in" the droids !ack to ard the crum!lin" all of the landin" platform& @i"htin") slicin") al ays mo'in") #!i$Wan as a!le to reach the outer flank of the droids) allo in" him to dri'e them !ack to here *ui$+on anted them& There ere only four droids left standin" hen the Jedi ere a!le to maneu'er them a"ainst the all& Workin" in tandem) *ui$+on and #!i$Wan a'oided the constant !laster fire and) ith a sudden mo'ement) rushed the droids) slicin" throu"h their (ointed le"s& The four collapsed in a heap) and *ui$+on attacked a"ain) makin" sure they ere do n for "ood& He turned to look at #!i$Wan& His !lue eyes "leamed& 6So they eren,t escorts)7 he said& 69 as ron"& 9t happens&7 69,ll remem!er that)7 he said ith a "rin&

*ui$+on t isted) searchin" the han"er ith a fro n& 6Where,s that !lasted Pilot37 The Phindian as "one& *ui$+on strode !ack up the ramp into the ship& The control console had !een disa!led) hit !y !laster fire& 6They must ha'e ordered a droid to do that hile the rest ere fi"htin")7 *ui$+on said ith a fro n& 6>o e can,t take off a"ain&7 *ui$+on reached for his comlink& He pressed the coordinates to reach 4oda) !ut nothin" happened& 6Communications must !e (ammed on this orld)7 he murmured& 6#!'iously) they don,t ant interference&7 6What should e do) -aster37 #!i$Wan asked& 6We need to talk to Pilot)7 *ui$+on ans ered& 6But ho ill e find him37

*ui$+on,s mouth ti"htened& 62on,t orry& He,ll find us&7

Chapter B
They left the landin" platform and follo ed a narro ) t istin" street into the heart of the city& *ui$+on directed #!i$Wan to raise his hood to co'er his face& 6We must !e on Phindar)7 *ui$+on murmured& 6All those e,'e passed ha'e !een Phindians) and 9 kno e,re close to +ala& This is Pro!a!ly <aressa) their capital city& 9 do not think there are many alien people on this orld& We must try not to attract attention& %eep your arms inside your cloak&7 #!i$Wan o!eyed him& 6But -aster) hy do you say Pilot ill find us3 Ho do you kno 37 6<andin" here as no accident) #!i$Wan&7 9t seemed like a complete accident to #!i$Wan) !ut he kne !etter than to say so& 9nstead he turned his attention to his surroundin"s& He as not distracted no & He for"ot it as his !irthday) for"ot e'erythin" !ut atchin" ho his -aster mo'ed throu"h the streets& As they "re closer to the center of the city and the streets "re more cro ded) *ui$+on chan"ed& Csually) the Jedi -aster,s !earin" alone commanded attention& He as a lar"e) po erfully !uilt man and he mo'ed ith "race& But on this planet) *ui$+on mo'ed differently& He lost hat made him uni0ue and

shuffled alon" ith the cro d& #!i$Wan atched) and learned& He) too) matched his pace to those around him& He "lanced at hat they "lanced at) looked a ay) kept his eyes ahead) all ith the rhythm of the passer!y& He sa that *ui$+on as doin" the same& The look of fierce attention as "one from *ui$+on,s "a5e) !ut #!i$Wan kne he as takin" in e'erythin"& Phindar as a stran"e orld& The people ere dressed simply) and #!i$Wan could see that their clothes had !een mended many times& ;eadout si"ns in shops announced in scrollin" type NOTHING TODAY or CLOSED UNTIL SHIPMENT. Phindians ould "lance at the si"ns) si"h) and plod on further) their market !askets empty& <ines formed outside shuttered shops) as if the Phindians ere illin" to chance that they ould open soon& Assassin droids ere e'ery here) their (oints clickin") heads rotatin"& #n the muddy) unpa'ed street) "leamin" sil'er landspeeders 5oomed !y ith no re"ard for traffic rules or pedestrians attemptin" to cross& A current ran !et een the people) and #!i$Wan reached out ith the @orce to meet and understand it& What as the feelin"3 6@ear)7 *ui$+on remarked 0uietly& 69t,s e'ery here&7 A "roups of three Phindians dressed in full$len"th metallic sil'er coats suddenly appeared on the alk ay& They strode) shoulder to shoulder) their dark 'isors s allo in" up the sunli"ht& The other Phindians 0uickly mo'ed off the alk ay into the muddy road& #!i$ Wan,s steps faltered) astonished& The people had mo'ed so 0uickly and ithout thou"ht) steppin" into the mud ith a reaction !orn of ha!it& The sil'er$coated Phindians didn,t falter) !ut took char"e of the alk ay as if it ere their ri"ht& *ui$+on "a'e #!i$Wan a hard tu" on his cape) and 0uickly they !oth stepped off the pa'ed alk ay into the muddy street& The sil'er$coated men marched !y& As soon as they passed) the other Phindians) ithout a ord) clim!ed !ack onto the pa'ed alk ay& #nce a"ain) they !e"an the process of lookin" into shops) then turnin" a ay hen they sa there as nothin" for sale& 62o you notice anythin" stran"e a!out some of them37 *ui$+on murmured& 6<ook at their faces&7 #!i$Wan "a5ed into the faces of the passers!y& He sa resi"nation) desperation& But slo ly he reali5ed that on some faces he sa & & & nothin"& There as a stran"e !lankness in their eyes& 6Somethin" is not ri"ht here)7 *ui$+on remarked softly& 69t is more than fear&7 Suddenly) a lar"e "old landspeeder screamed around a corner& The Phindians in the street scurried to safety) and the others on the alk ay shrank !ack a"ainst the !uildin"s&

#!i$Wan felt the dark side of the @orce shimmer out ard from the "old speeder& With a sli"ht touch to his shoulder) *ui$+on led #!i$Wan to ithdra silently and 0uickly& They faded !ack into an alley and atched the speeder !last !y& A sil'er$coated dri'er as at the controls& 9n the !ack ere t o fi"ures& They ore lon" coats of "old& The Phindian oman had lo'ely oran"e eyes shot throu"h ith "old the color of her coat& The male ne.t to her as lar"er than most) ith the lon") po erful arms of the Phindian people& He did not ear a mirrored 'isor) and his small) !ron5e$ colored eyes s ept the street arro"antly& #!i$Wan didn,t need a Temple lesson in order to pay attention& His senses ere on alert& *ui$+on as ri"ht& Somethin" as 'ery ron"& /'ery detail he had seen told him so& /'il as at ork here& The "old speeder 5oomed around the corner) nearly hittin" a child ho as !ein" frantically pulled alon" !y her mother& #!i$ an stared after the speeder) incredulous& 6Come) #!i$Wan)7 *ui$+on said& 6<et,s "o to the market&7 They crossed the street into a lar"e pla5a& 9t as an open$air market like ones #!i$ an had seen on Bandomeer and Coruscant& #nly here) there ere plenty of stalls) !ut nothin" for sale& Some scraps of metal) fit for nothin"& A fe rotten 'e"eta!les& Still) the market as cro ded ith people millin" a!out& #!i$ an had no idea hat they could !e !uyin"& 9n a shop indo across the pla5a) #!i$Wan sa a orker po er up a readout si"n& The ord flashed in red1 BREAD. Suddenly) the mass of people !e"an pushin" and hurryin" to ard the shop& Within seconds) there as a line that snaked around the perimeter of the pla5a& #!i$Wan and *ui$+on almost lost each other in the confusion& Then) suddenly) a fi"ure stood at 0ui$+on,s el!o & 6So nice to see the Jedi a"ain)7 Pilot remarked in a pleasant tone) as if he ere admirin" the eather& 6@ollo ) please&7

Chapter D
*ui$+on melted !ehind Pilot& #!i$ an follo ed& He had no idea ho *ui$+on had kno n that Pilot ould find them) or hy *ui$+on trusted him to lead them& Pilot loped throu"h t istin" alleys and narro side streets& He mo'ed 0uickly) often lookin" from ri"ht to left) or up a!o'e to the rooftops) as if her ere afraid they ere !ein" follo ed& #!i$Wan as sure that they dou!led !ack on their trail a fe times& @inally) Pilot stopped !efore a small cafE ith a indo so streaked ith dirt that #!i$ Wan could not "limpse the interior&

Pilot opened the door and hurried them throu"h& 9t took a moment for #!i$Wan,s eyes to ad(ust& A fe small halo$lamps ere mounted on the all) !ut they did little to chase a ay the "loom& A half$do5en empty ta!les ere scattered around the space& A faded "reen curtain hun" in the door ay& Pilot pushed aside the curtain and led the Jedi do n a hall ay past a tiny) cluttered kitchen to a smaller room at the !ack& The room as empty e.cept for one customer ho sat) his !ack to the all) in an alco'e farthest from the door& The customer stood and spread his lon" Phindian arms& 6#!a an:7 he cried& 9t as #!i$Wan,s friend +uerra: +uerra,s oran"e eyes !eamed at #!i$Wan& 64ou come at last) friend: Ho "lad 9 am to see you) no lie:7 69,m "lad to see you) too) +uerra)7 #!i$ an ans ered& 6and surprised&7 69t is a surprise) ha:7 +uerra chortled& 6But 9 had nothin" to do ith it& >ot so) 9 lie: 9 think you met my !rother) Pa..i 2erida&7 Pilot smiled at them& 6it is my honor to ha'e !rou"ht you here& +ood (ourney) yes37 *ui$+on raised an eye!ro at #!i$Wan& The cheerful 2erida !rothers ere actin" as thou"h the Jedi had accepted an in'itation for a friendly 'isit& 9nstead) they,d !een hi(acked) fired on) then a!andoned& *ui$+on alked farther into the room& 6So Pilot deli!erately dumped the fuel) didn,t he&7 6Please do call me Pa..i) Jedi$+on)7 Pa..i said amia!ly& 6#f course 9 dumped fuel& We did not e.pect you to say yes to a Phindian (ourney&7 62id you kno a!out this37 #!i$Wan asked +uerra& 6>o) 9 as una are)7 +uerra ans ered earnestly& 6>ot so) you lie) !rother:7 Pa..i said) di""in" +uerra in the ri!s& 6True) 9 lie) 9 do:7 +uerra a"reed& 69 as on the ship) hidden in the car"o hold& After 9 escaped the minin" platform) there ere those ho anted to !rin" me !ack to ork in the mines& But 9 lon"ed for Phindar& So here 9 am:7

6But hy did you hide37 #!i$Wan asked& 6And since you are nati'e Phindians) hy didn,t you (ust land37 6+ood 0uestion) 'ery smart) #!a an)7 +uerra said earnestly& 6@irst of all) there is a !lockade& And second) criminals are especially not elcome) e'en if they,re nati'es&7 64ou,re a criminal37 #!i$Wan couldn,t !elie'e it& 6#h) yes) !ut such a little one)7 +uerra said& 6>o so) !rother: 4ou ha'e price on your head:7 Pa..i chortled& 6As do 9: Assassin droids are ordered to shoot on si"ht:7 6So) it is true) !rother:7 +uerra a"reed& 64ou are ri"ht a"ain) for the first time:7 6Who put a price on your head37 *ui$+on asked& #!i$Wan could see that he as !oth irritated and amused !y the 2eridas& 6And hy37 6The Syndicat)7 +uerra ans ered& His amia!le face "re "ra'e& 6Fast criminal or"ani5ation ho has "ained control of Phindar& Thin"s are 'ery !ad here) Jedi& 9,m sure you sa ) e'en in the short time you ere here& They started the !lockade& >o one can lea'e) no one can land& But e thou"ht e'en the Syndicat ouldn,t oppose t o Jedi in trou!le& They ould let you land) refuel) and take off a"ain& Then my !rother and 9 could sneak out and stay on Phindar& /asy plan:7 +uerra con"ratulated himself& 6Fery smart: >ot so)7 he amended ith a look at *ui$+on& 69t didn,t happen that ay & & & &7 6>o) it didn,t7 #!i$Wan spoke up& 6first of all) e ere attacked !y assassin droids& >o e,re stuck on Phindar ith no ay to "et off&7 6A) 9,'e thou"ht of this:, +uerra e.claimed& 6true) it seems you are stuck& But en thou"h the main spaceport is ti"htly controlled !y the Syndicat) there are ays to "et people off$ planet) if you ha'e enou"h money&7 6But e,re Jedi)7 #!i$Wan said impatiently& 6We don,t ha'e much money& -ay!e you should pay) since it,s your fault that ere stranded&7 6True) #!a an: We should pay: 2o you hear this) Pa..i37 +uerra asked) amused& He and Pa..i held on to each other,s shoulders and lau"hed loudly in each other,s faces& When they stopped) +uerra iped tears from his eyes& 6+ood (oke) #!a an& Fery funny& We ha'e no money& But no orry) please& We ha'e a ay to get money& -uch money& We can do this easily& Well) not so 8 e mi"ht need a little help from Jedi&7 6Ah)7 *ui$+on said li"htly& He fi.ed his penetratin" !lue stare on +uerra& 6>o e finally "et to the truth& Why don,t you tell us the real reason you !rou"ht us here & & & and hy you ant us to stay37

Chapter G
+uerra smiled at *ui$+on& 6Wait) my friend& 4ou seem to say that e decei'ed you) yes3 -e) decei'e my friend #!a an3 Ho could such a thin" !e37 *ui$+on aited& 6#h) my) perhaps 9 did so)7 +uerra said& 6But for such a "ood reason:7 6What,s the reason) +uerra37 #!i$Wan asked& 6And this time) tell the hole truth&7 69 al ays tell the hole truth to #!a an)7 +uerra assured him& 6 ell) not so& But no ) 9 ill for you) Jedi men of honor& But here to !e"in37 6Why don,t you tell us hy there is a death order on your head)7 *ui$+on su""ested& 6That seems like a "ood place to start&7 6True) it is so: Well) 9 suppose the Syndicat ould call me a thief)7 +uerra said& 6And others as ell&7 6>ot a thief) !rother:7 Pa..i interrupted& 6A freedom fi"hter ho steals:7 6True) thank you) !rother)7 +uerra said) !o in" to Pa..i& 6That is hat 9 am& And my !rother as ell& 4ou see) the Syndicat controls e'erythin"& @ood and materials) med supplies) heat) e'erythin" Phindians need to sur'i'e& >aturally) in such a situation) one must find ays to !uy and sell thin"s the Syndicat does not control&7 6A !lack market)7 *ui$+on supplied& 64es) so) a !lack market) you could say)7 +uerra a"reed) noddin"& 6We steal a little here) sell a little there& But all for the "ood of the people:7 6An your o n profit)7 *ui$+on added& 6Well) that too& Shall e suffer more than e are already37 Pa..i asked& 6But the Syndicat doesn,t like this& 9f e are to steal) e must steal for them& This) e refuse&7 6Why should e "i'e our talents to a "an" of thie'es37 +uerra asked) poundin" the ta!le& 6#f course) e are thie'es oursel'es& But honest ones:7 6So) my !rother:7 Pa..i a"reed& 6And e are not murderers and dictators&7 6So) my !rother:7 +uerra nodded& 6that,s hy e must free our !elo'ed planet from the "rip of these monsters& The Syndicat leader is Baftu& He is a "an"ster ithout a conscience& He en(oys seein" the people suffer:7 +uerra,s oran"e eyes ere mournful&

6And his assistant Terra is no !etter) 9 am sorry to say& @or all her !eauty) her heart is !lack and cold&7 6They must !e the Phindians e sa in the "old landspeeder)7 #!i$Wan said& 6They ere in "old coats37 Pa..i asked& 64es) they are the ones&7 +uerra and Pa..i shared a sad look& They shook their heads) their cheerfulness "one& 6What a!out the people e sa on the street37 *ui$+on asked& 6The ones ith the !lank faces&7 Pa..i and +uerra shared another mournful look& +uerra si"hed& 6The rene ed)7 he said softly& 6So sad&7 6So)7 Pa..i a"reed& 69t is the method of ultimate control)7 +uerra e.plained& 64ou kno the memory ipe37 #!i$Wan nodded& 6it,s used to repro"ram droids& 9t remo'es all traces of their memory and trainin" so they can !e repro"rammed&7 +uerra nodded& 6The Syndicat has de'eloped a de'ice to do this to Phindians ho they consider enemies or a"itators& They memory ipe the person) then drop them on another orld) some here terri!le& The person has no memory of ho they are or hat they can do& 9t is a "ame for the Syndicat& They !et on ho lon" the person ill sur'i'e& A pro!e droid follo s them and sends !ack holo$pictures of hat happens& -ost do not sur'i'e&7 *ui$+on,s face ent 'ery still& #!i$Wan has seen that look !efore) a look that spoke of ho deeply *ui$+on as outra"ed at in(ustice and sheer cruelty& 6And some are not sent off$planet)7 Pa..i said softly& 6That is saddest of all) may!e& Phindar is full of rootless people ho do not remem!er their families) their lo'ed ones& #r the thin"s they could once do& They are helpless& >o Phindar is full of those ho pass their fathers) their i'es) their children on the street and do not reco"ni5e them&7 6So you seem7 +uerra said) 6the Syndicat ill stop at nothin"& Which !rin"s us to ho you can help&7 69f the ise Jedi ould !e so kind)7 Pa..i added& 64ou sa the si"ns in the shops) the market place)7 +uerra ent on& 6The Syndicat controls all the shorta"es& 9t is a method of time control) (ust as rene al is mind control& The shorta"es are fake& 9f the people are aitin" in line all day (ust to feed their families) they don,t ha'e time to re'olt you see& 2o you e'er "et enou"h3 >ot so& Supplies are

doles out carefully so that you ha'e to ait in line the ne.t day as ell&7 6The Syndicat has stored e'erythin" e need)7 Pa..i continued& 6@ood) med supplies) !uildin" supplies) e'erythin"& 9t is all hidden in arehouses& We kno this&7 6And some of it is held in "iant stora"e rooms underneath their head0uarter here in <aressa)7 +uerra said& 6So you see our plan3 9f e can li!erate the "oods) e can sho the people that the Syndicat has !een depri'in" them of food and medical supplies& They ill rise in re'olt: All e need is your help& 9 sa the Jedi mind control on the minin" platform& #!a an con'inced the "uards to let him into stora"e& 4ou see) he can do the same here:7 6Stop)7 *ui$+on said flatly& 6@irst of all) Jedi %ni"hts aren,t thie'es& Second) e ha'e our o n mission& We are not here to interfere in another planet,s pro!lems& And) (ust for ar"ument,s sake) ho are you t o plannin" to "et all those "oods out of the !uildin" ithout a fi"ht3 And hy do you think this ill !reak the !ack of such a po erful criminal or"ani5ation3 Surely the Syndicat has enormous sums at their disposal& Why ould !reakin" into one stora"e area chan"e anythin"37 6Aha: +ood) Jedi$+on& So smart) (ust like #!a an:7 +uerra said) nud"in" *ui$+on ith a friendly shoulder& 6<et,s discuss& @irst 9 must tell you that the stora"e area must ha'e another entrance& Ho else could they sneak "oods in and out3 So all e ha'e to do id "et inside) find the other entrance) and so easy: We take e'erythin" out:7 6>ot so east)7 *ui$+on said& 6But orth the risk) 9 think)7 +uerra insisted& 6Another point 9 must make 8 alon" ith food) medical supplies) and eapons) Pa..i and 9 kno there,s a 'ault) too& All the Syndicate treasury is there:7 6A 'ault)7 *ui$+on repeated& 6That implies hi"h security&7 64es) so:7 +uerra a"reed happily& 6But Pa..i and 9 ha'e the key:7 6Ho did you "et a key37 #!i$Wan asked& 6Ha: He asks ho :7 +uerra said to Pa..i& 6Ha:7 Pa..i a"reed& 6<on" story:7 6We ha'e a ay to "et in the !uildin") too)7 +uerra said& 64ou see3 /asy& So3 4ou ill "o37 6<et me "et this strai"ht)7 *ui$+on interrupted in dis!elief& 64ou ant t o Jedi to help t o common thie'es steal a treasure from a !unch of "an"sters37

#!i$Wan as silent& He a"reed ith *ui$+on& 9t as not a Jedi$style mission& 4oda ould ne'er appro'e& As much as he liked +uerra) he as "lad the 0ui$+on had raised the o!(ection& 64es) e.actly:7 +uerra said) still cheerful in the face of *ui$+on,s irritation& 6Wait) !rother) e should e.plain further)7 Pa..i said& 6We should assure the Jedi that e are far more interested in li!eratin" our people than in stealin" treasure&7 6So) of course:7 +uerra a"reed& 6>ot that a little treasure ouldn,t help 86 +uerra as interrupted !y a commotion comin" from the cafE& *uickly) Pa..i slipped out of the room to in'esti"ate& Within moments) he as !ack& 6So sorry)7 he announced& 69,m afraid it,s time to "o& Assassin droids searchin" for us all) 9 fear:7

Chapter H
*ui$+on spran" to his feet& He as not an.ious to meet up a"ain ith those deadly killin" machines& 69s there a !ack door37 6Better that that) Jedi$+on)7 +uerra ans ered& 6@ollo me) please&7 +uerra mo'ed to the fireplace& He pressed somethin" *ui$+on could not see& The all shifted) and an openin" as re'ealed& They heard a crash from the cafE& 6Time to hurry) 9 think)7 +uerra remarked pleasantly& 64ou first) Pa..i& Sho the ay to #!a an&7 Pa..i slipped into the openin") and #!i$Wan and *ui$+on follo ed& +uerra came last) shuttin" the openin" !ehind him& The steps ere stone ith a depression in the center from the pressure of hundreds of years of footsteps& Pa..i mo'ed 0uickly) #!i$Wan on his heels& At the top of the stairs he pushed throu"h a "rate and disappeared& *ui$+on clim!ed out and sa that he as on the roof) as he e.pected& The openin" for the secret staircase as concealed as part of the 'entin" system& +uerra slid the "rate !ack into place& *ui$+on mo'ed closer to the ed"e of the room and dropped to his knees& He lay flat) then mo'ed for ard a fe inches to peer o'er the side& Assassin droids patrolled the streets !elo ith (erky mo'ements& Sil'er$coated Syndicat "uards directed them) a'in" !lasters& S arms of the droids entered one shop or !usiness after another& They thre chairs) ta!les) shel'in") personal items out into the street as they mo'ed& 9t as like a tri!e of insects) pickin" each area clean& Any

Phindian ho had the misfortune to find themsel'es on the street 0uickly scurried a ay !efore the assassin droids or the Syndicat "uards could administer a !lo ith the !utt of a !laster or a (olt from a force pike& 69t doesn,t look like they,re searchin")7 *ui$+on said in a lo tone to +uerra) ho had lay flat !eside him& 69t looks as thou"h they mean to spread terror&7 64es) so) Jedi$+on:7 +uerra a"reed ner'ously& 6And their plan is orkin"&7 *ui$+on fro5e& 6@ootsteps), he said in +uerra,s ear& 6Comin" up an outside staircase&7 6Time to "o)7 +uerra said& He pushed himself !ack out of si"ht& The "estured to #!i$ an and Pa..i to keep 0uiet& Csin" their lon") po erful arms) the !rothers s un" themsel'es o'er to the ne.t roof& *ui$+on looked at #!i$Wan& The "ap !et een the t o roofs as ide& 9f #!i$Wan couldn,t make the (ump alone) *ui$+on ould ha'e to carry him on his !ack& He asked the 0uestion silently1 Can you make it3 #!i$Wan nodded instantly& #nce a"ain) *ui$+on as impressed !y his Pada an,s sharp instincts& #!i$ an al ays seemed to kno hat he needed from him& The !oy hesitated only a fraction of a moment& *ui$+on sa him "ather the @orce around him& Then he ran ith 0uick) lon" steps up to the roofs ed"e and (umped& The @orce and #!i$Wan,s o n stren"th propelled him safely to the other side& *ui$+on leaped after him& #!i$Wan coura"e often impressed him) as did his instincts& The 2erida !rothers ere already half ay across the second roof) usin" their lon" arms to push off from the "round) increasin" their speed& +uerra "lanced !ack to make sure the Jedi ere follo in"& *ui$+on and #!i$Wan cau"ht up) and the four (umped to the ne.t roof& There as a structure on top of this roof) a small po er shield& They darted !ehind it& The four stood for a moment) listenin") hopin" their pursuer hadn,t follo ed this far& But they heard somethin" leap onto the roof& Their pursuer as out of their line of si"ht) !ut "ainin"& Pa..i let out a soft "roan& They mo'ed 0uietly and 0uickly to the end of the roof& +uerra reached it first& He "ra!!ed the ed"e of the roof and coiled his fin"ers around it) ready to leap& Suddenly a hand reached out and "ra!!ed him !y the neck& +uerra made a stran"lin" noise& *ui$+on hirled) ready the strike at the Phindian female ho held +uerra& 6+uerra) it,s me: %aadi:7 the female said&

6%$%$aaa 86 +uerra ans ered& 6#h& So sorry&7 She dropped her hand from around +uerra,s neck& 6Just tryin" to stop you& 4ou run so fast:7 6>ot fast enou"h) 9 see:7 Pa..i said (oyfully& 6<ucky for us: We missed you) %aadi&7 +uerra) Pa..i) and %aadi ent ined their lon" arms around each other in a Phindian hu") s0uee5in" three times to sho their "reat affection& They pushed their faces close to each other and !eamed smiles for a lon" moment& ;u!!in" his neck) +uerra turned to the Jedi& 6+ood friends to us Jedi$+on and #!a an) meet %aadi) "ood friend also&7 6*ui$+on and #!i$Wan)7 *ui$+on corrected& 6That is hat 9 say)7 +uerra a"reed& 6%aadi,s father o ns the cafE here e almost "ot captured& 9t has lon" !een a meetin" place for re!els& She fi"hts the Syndicat) too&7 %aadi "rinned& She as a small female) ith (et$!lack hair and yello eyes shot throu"h ith "reen& 69 mo'e "oods& 2o you need a spare part for a speeder3 An ener"y !attery37 6>o) thank you)7 *ui$+on said politely& He seemed to !e constantly surrounded !y thie'es on this planet& 6And any ord of your "ood father >uuta37 Pa..i asked sympathetically) duckin" his head as that he could look at her directly& %aadi,s smile faded) and she shook her head& 6We ill hear if he is no more) e think& >e s ill reach us&7 +uerra and Pa..i ere silent for a moment& Both of them reached out and rapped one lon" arm around %aadi,s slender frame 6Her father is one of the rene ed)7 +uerra e.plained to *ui$+on and #!i$Wan& 6He as sent to Al!a&7 *ui$+on nodded sympathetically& Al!a as a orld in the midst of a !loody) chaotic ci'il ar& She "a5ed at him ith her clear yello $"reen eyes& 64es) it is !ad there& But to !e Phindian is to hope&7 64es)7 *ui$+on said 0uietly& 64ou must al ays hope&7 6But let me talk of hy 9 chased you)7 %aadi said& 69 must tell the 2erida !rothers that

you ha'e !een spotted& The Syndicat kno s you ha'e returned& /fforts ha'e !een redou!led to capture you&7 6We are not afraid)7 +uerra said& 6>ot so) 9 lie:7 62o you mean all that acti'ity do n there had to do ith +uerra and Pa..i37 *ui$+on asked& %aadi shook her head& 6>ot only& They are lookin" for the Jedi) too& But also) anyone they kno to !e a re!el& Terra and Baftu are !e"innin" mass arrests& An important 'isitor is arri'in") and they ant to !e sure there is no trou!le& They are proclaimin" that any acts of sa!ota"e or disruption ill !e met ith death or rene al: /'en if you a suspected of such thin"s&7 6Who is arri'in"37 *ui$+on asked curiously& 6Prince Be(u from the planet +ala)7 %aadi ans ered& *ui$+on and #!i$Wan "lanced at each other& 6#ut spies tell us that an alliance is planned)7 %aadi said thou"htfully& 6The Syndicat ill fund the Prince,s mission to retake the "o'ernin" of his planet& The Prince has already created a false shorta"e of !acta on his planet&7 6That,s an a ful thin" to do)7 #!i$Wan said& *ui$+on had to a"ree 8 !acta as a medical miracle) healin" e'en the most serious of ounds& 6The in(ured on +ala ill suffer needlessly)7 he o!ser'ed& 64es) the Prince had no conscience) (ust like Baftu and Terra)7 %aadi said& She pressed +uerra,s hand for a moment& 69 am sorry to say this& >o the Prince ill return to +ala ith the !acta from Phindar& He ill !e a hero to his people& The Syndicat ill mo'e in& They ill control +ala as they control Phindar& 9t is planned so&7 6And then they ill take o'er the star system) one planet at a time) yes37 +uerra said softly& 6Csin" fake shorta"es of hat the people need& Wipin" their memories& Assassin droids ill kill opposition and others ill !e rene ed&7 He !linked at *ui$+on& 6We ha'e seen ho 0uickly this method can ork&7 9t as a cold$!looded plan& *ui$+on kne that +uerra as most likely ri"ht hen he said +ala ould !e only the first step& He had tried to keep his distance from Pa..i and +uerra,s schemes& >o he sa that there as more at stake than he,d thou"ht& 9f they could destroy the Syndicat,s "rip on Phindar) his mission on +ala ould !e easier& He and #!i$Wan had to ensure that free elections ould take place&

But there as more& *ui$+on felt a deep stirrin" of an"er& %aadi,s !ra'ery in the face of her distress a!out her father had touched him& /'en +uerra and Pa..i had mo'ed him& Behind their clo nish !eha'ior as deep sufferin"& He could feel it& The li'in" @orce pulsed in the !rothers) stron" and pure& He didn,t kno if he could trust them completely) !ut he kne they deser'ed his help& Sometimes, *ui$+on reminded himself) fate finds you. 6We,ll help you)7 *ui$+on said to Pa..i and +uerra& Before the !rother,s could speak) he held up a hand to stop them& 6But you must promise me somethin"&7 6Anythin") Jedi$+on)7 +uerra 'o ed& 64ou ill tell me the complete truth al ays)7 *ui$+on ordered the sternly& 64ou ill not ithhold information) or shade it) or t ist it& 4ou ill o!ey the Jedi rule to tell the clear) solid truth&7 64es so) Jedi$+on:7 +uerra rushed to assure him hile Pa..i nodded ener"etically& 6@or a hundred moons 9 ould not lie to you a"ain:7 6>e'er mind the hundred moons)7 *ui$+on said& 6Just do as 9 say&7 #!i$Wan shot his -aster a 0uestionin" "lance& *ui$+on could see that the !oy didn,t understand his decision& His interpretation of the rules as too strict& But he ould follo his -aster nonetheless& 69t is !etter to act 0uickly)7 +uerra said& 6We should !reak into Syndicat head0uarters toni"ht&7 %aadi looked pale& 6Break into head0uarters hen you ha'e price on your head3 Who thou"ht of that37 69 did)7 +uerra and Pa..i said to"ether& 6Fery !ra'e plan) so37 Pa..i asked her& 6-ay!e !ra'e)7 %aadi said& 6#r may!e cra5y&7 6Bra'e or cra5y) e shall see)7 +uerra said) unconcerned& 6With Jedi alon") hat can "o ron"37 *ui$+on "a'e the 2erida !rother,s a look of rueful e.asperation& 6We,ll find out toni"ht) 9,m sure)7 he said&

Chapter I
The Syndicat head0uarters ere housed in a once "rand !ut no crum!lin" mansion ith e.tensi'e security& There ere hea'y "ates to "et inside the compound) and a laser security !eam o'er each door and indo & 6All you ha'e to do id "et us !y the t o "uards)7 +uerra hispered to *ui$+on& 6 e,ll do the rest&7 *ui$+on hated ha'in" to rely on +uerra,s honesty) !ut he had come too far no to turn !ack& He nodded& Pa..i and +uerra led the Jedi around the compound to a !ack entrance& There) a "uard in the usual lon" sil'er coat and dark 'isor stood) hand on a !laster slun" in a holster crossed o'er his chest& There as nothin" to do !ut alk strai"ht up to him& 6+ood e'enin")7 *ui$+on said& 6We ha'e an appointment&7 The "uard,s head tilted to take in the t o Jedi and the t o Phindians& They couldn,t see his eyes& 6-o'e alon") orm&7 *ui$+on !rou"ht the @orce to !ear& He surrounded the Syndicat "uard,s mind ith his o n ill& 6of course) e may enter)7 he said& The "uard lo ered his !laster& 6#f course) you may enter)7 he repeated& 64ou see) my !rother Pa..i:7 +uerra e.ulted& 6The Jedi are po erful& 9 do not lie:7 69 see) !rother +uerra)7 Pa..i said& 69t is so:7 They alked 0uickly throu"h a small yard packed ith landspeeders) speeder !ikes) and a fe "ra'sleds& Another "uard stood !efore a ide stone staircase leadin" to the !ack door of the mansion& He stepped for ard) raisin" his !laster& 6Who are you and hat is your mission here37 he challen"ed& A"ain) *ui$+on summoned the @orce& With "uards like these) it as easy to o'erpo er their small minds& They ere used to takin" orders and rarely thou"ht independently& 6We are elcome to look around)7 *ui$+on said& 64ou,re elcome to look around)7 the "uard said !lankly) lo erin" his !laster& They alked past him and up the stairs& Beams of laser security crisscrossed the

door ay& 64our turn)7 *ui$+on said to +uerra& 6Ah) 9 do nothin")7 +uerra said& 64ou,ll see&7 A second later) the !eams shut off& The door opened& An older Phindian oman ith dark hair threaded ith sil'er stood facin" them& She ore the lon" sil'er coat of the Syndicat "uards& *ui$+on tensed) !ut she a'ed them inside& 6*uickly)7 she said& They stepped into a "rand room ith "ilded alls of !rilliant "reen stone& Soft rich carpetin" as under their feet) co'erin" the floor& The indo s ere hun" ith shimmerin" tapestries& 6All looted from our citi5ens)7 +uerra murmured& The oman led them do n a hall ay& 9t must ha'e !een !uilt for droids or ser'ants) for it as narro and the floor as a dull "ray stone& A lon" !in ith 'arious pe"s and shel'es held a num!er of eapons 8 !lasters) force pikes) and 'i!o$shi's& 6@or the "uards to take as the "o out into the streets)7 Pa..i e.plained& 6They are al ays ell armed&7 64es so) (ust more eapons to shoot us ith:7 +uerra said cheerfully& The older oman led them to a narro door& 6Here& >o security do nstairs no ) !ut you must hurry& >o 9 must "o)7 she said& Before any of them could thank her) she left) hurryin" do n the hall& 6She en(oys her ork)7 +uerra said) atchin" her disappear& 6She can,t ait to return& >o so) 9 lie)7 he said softly& 6The sil'er coat she ears has a trackin" de'ice in the fa!ric& She is monitored all the time& 9f 2uenna spends too much time in the ron" place) assassin droids ill track her do n and ask her politely to return to her post& >ot so) 9 lie: They kill her on the spot&7 Pa..i opened the door& A stone staircase led do n ard& Pa..i started alon" the ay) and they follo ed& The staircase took them to a lar"e empty room& 6@irst stora"e space)7 Pa..i said& 6/mpty) my !rother& Stran"e) or not so37 69t is so)7 +uerra said& He alked throu"h a door ay into another space& 9t as also empty& Hurryin" no ) +uerra and Pa..i passed from empty room to empty room in the

'ast stora"e le'el& 6All "one)7 Pa..i said& 64es so)7 +uerra a"reed sadly& 64ou risked all out li'es for this37 #!i$Wan asked incredulous& *ui$+on as (ust as irritated as #!i$Wan) !ut he tried to keep calm& 62idn,t you check your information3 #r did your spy !etray you37 6>ot so) Jedi$+on:7 +uerra cried) flustered& 62uenna is on our side:7 6Ho can you !e so sure37 *ui$+on asked& 6>e'er mind& We ha'e to "et out of here&7 Suddenly they heard a sli"ht hirrin" noise& *ui$+on cocked his head& He kne that noise& But somethin" a!out it as stran"e& He did not e.pect to hear it indoors& 6Speeders)7 #!i$Wan said& A small floater suddenly 5oomed around a corner) dri'en !y a Syndicat "uard& Behind him appeared three more floaters& +uards dro'e the speeders) and each had an assassin droid !ehind him& The first "uard maneu'ered his speeder to "et a clear shot at Pa..i& 6-o'e:7 *ui$+on shouted& He reached out ith the @orce and propelled Pa..i !ack ard& The !laster fire missed him !y inches as he slammed a"ainst the all& #!i$Wan,s li"htsa!er as in his hand in a mo'ement so fast it as (ust a !lur of pulsatin" li"ht& He slashed at the "uard) !ut as only a!le to knock the hand !ehind him on the speeder& *ui$+on leaped for ard !ut the speeder 5oomed ahead) almost knockin" him do n& *ui$+on as only a!le to deli'er a "lancin" !lo to the "uard& Suddenly) a slender !eam of li"ht shot out from the all) strai"ht at +uerra& +uerra sa it a !e"an to mo'e& *ui$+on sa the li"ht) too) and summoned the @orce to help& +uerra leaped o'er the !eam (ust in time& 62isruptor !eams:7 *ui$+on shouted to #!i$Wan& The eapons had !een outla ed on most orlds& 9t sent a 'isi!le !last of ener"y capa!le of cuttin" someone in t o& #!i$Wan char"ed at a floater headin" for him and struck the dri'er across the neck ith his li"htsa!er& The dri'er cried out and lost control of the floater) hich crashed into the all) knockin" him unconscious& A disruptor !eam suddenly shot out from the all and hit the assassin droid) hose ri"ht$hand controls suddenly smoked and sputtered& The droid fell) !ut !e"an to push off ith his left$side controls& -ean hile) the !eam came strai"ht at #!i$Wan) ho leaped o'er it) t istin" in midair to land safely ne.t to *ui$ +on&

6The !eams are tri""ered !y mo'ement)7 *ui$+on said tersely& 6#thers are on constantly& A'oid them at all costs& Cse the @orce) Pada an&7 *ui$+on turned and sliced at the assassin droid from the do ned floater) cuttin" off its head& Then he leaped for ard and lun"ed at the nest floater& He dealt a "lancin" !lo to the "uard as it 5oomed past and leaped o'er a disruptor !eam& The !eams left on ere easy to a'oid) if the Jedi didn,t allo themsel'es to !e maneu'ered into them& 9t as harder to predict here the !eams tri""ered !y mo'ement ould strike& *ui$+on reached out for the @orce) dra in" it around him) feelin" it) "ainin" stren"th from it& He sent his senses out to meet #!i$Wan,s so that the @orce ould multiply and fill the room& A floater headed for Pa..i) ho !ounded a ay) usin" his arms to propel himself& *ui$ +on kne the !rothers had no eapons& He leaped after the floater) a'oidin" a disruptor !eam ith a t ist of his !ody& #!i$ an as already mo'in" to the left) and the flanked the floater in a pincer mo'ement) dri'in" to ard it ith their li"htsa!ers slashin"& The "uard fell !ack ard from the !lo s) knockin" himself and the assassin droid off the floater& Blaster fire came at *ui$+on from his ri"ht) !ut he as already t istin" to the left& He half turned to deli'er a final !lo to the "uard& The "uards on the t o remainin" floaters ere more a"ile& They dro'e *ui$+on and #!i$Wan !efore them into the ne.t room& Since the ceilin"s ere hi"h) the Syndicat dri'ers could easily a'oid the disruptor !eams !y flyin" hi"her) then 5oomin" do n to assault #!i$Wan and *ui$+on& The dri'ers of the floaters dro'e them relentlessly& 9t !ecame a "ame to them& They lau"hed as they aimed at the Jedi) sendin" them leapin" out of the ay& *ui$+on and #!i$ an de'eloped at strate"y !orn of desperation1 run) turn) fi"ht) re'erse) and run a"ain& 2isruptor !eams si55led around them& #ne hit *ui$+on,s li"htsa!er and the shock sent a (olt of pain up his arm& The faceless "uards ere determined) the assassin droids keepin" up a steady stream of !laster fire& So far) the armor protected the Syndicate "uards ell& *ui$+on !e"an to deflect !laster fire at any part of them e.posed) neck) rist) their !ooted feet& #!i$Wan did the same& *ui$+on could see that #!i$ an as tirin"& His o n le"s ached from the constant runnin" and leapin" to a'oid the !eams and !laster fire& They could not hold out for much lon"er& The "uards dro'e them from room to room& *ui$+on !e"an to see that the rooms formed a kind of ma5e& He tried to keep his focus& He dou!ted that he remem!ered ho to reach the e.it& They had lost Pa..i and +uerra completely& He only hoped that the !rothers had found a place to hide& At last they reached a room here the disruptor !eams ere thicker than !efore& They

crisscrossed the room in a thick e!& 9t ould !e impossi!le for the Jedi to e'ade them& The hirr of the t o floaters as !ehind them no & Any moment they ould !urst into the room& *ui$+on 0uickly took se'eral steps !ack from the threshold of the room until he as almost in the corner& He directed #!i$Wan to take the opposite corner& #!i$Wan nodded !ra'ely at *ui$+on) lettin" him kno that he had "uessed the desperate plan *ui$ +on had de'ised& They ould ha'e to "au"e the e.act speed and hei"ht of the floaters a second !efore they appeared& Then they ould run) usin" their momentum and the po er of the @orce to leap into the air& They ould attack the first speeder) collidin" ith it midair) hopin" to dislod"e !oth the pilot and the droid& And then they ould ha'e to land safely themsel'es& There as no time to re'ie & *ui$+on only hoped #!i$Wan could follo him& The hirr of the floater "re closer& *ui$+on !e"an the char"e& #!i$Wan took off at the same moment& The !uilt up speed in the hu"e room as they ran) and !oth lifted off the "round at the e.act moment the floater !urst into the room& *ui$+on had time to see the surprised "ape of the Syndicat "uard !efore he hit him full in the chest& The "uard fle off the !ike) ith *ui$+on mana"in" to "et a li"htsa!er !lo to his neck as he fell& The assassin droid had time to fire a 0uick !urst !efore #!i$Wan hit him) feet$first) and sent him flyin"& The po er of their leap kept them in midair& #!i$Wan somersaulted !efore landin"& Then the second floater !urst into the room and immediately collided ith the first& The crash sent the second "uard and droid flyin"& The t o floaters kept mo'in" throu"h the air and hit a disruptor !eam) hich sent them careenin" out of control& The room shook as they crashed into the all& Suddenly) a portion of the hu"e all dislod"ed ith a "roan) re'ealin" an openin"& The disruptor !eams si55led and ent silent& The Syndicat "uards ere (ust as surprised as the Jedi& #nly the assassin droids kept mo'in") dama"ed !ut nat destroyed& #ne had lost an arm) one a piece of its control panel& Their !lasters ere still operational& The shots missed the Jedi !y a distance so small it sounded like a hisper !y their ears& The @orce told #!i$Wan and *ui$+on to (ump) and they did) 'aultin" o'er the "uards to attack the assassin droids first& *ui$+on cut throu"h one) renderin" it orthless& #!i$ Wan ent strai"ht for the other,s control panel and ith a sta! of his li"htsa!er turned it into a si55lin" (unk heap& The Syndicat "uards had reco'ered from the surprise of !ein" knocked off their floaters

and unco'erin" a hidden room& They pulled out force pikes and ad'anced on the Jedi& *ui$+on and #!i$Wan stood their "round) li"htsa!ers held do n) pointin" at the floor& *ui$+on counted off the seconds in his head& He hoped his Pada an ould ha'e the same !attle rhythm& They ould need to keep their head clear their !lo s methodical& They could not let their e.haustion dri'e them& He reached out to the @orce& 9t sur"ed around him no J he had only to tap into it& The Syndicat "uards ere still a fe steps a ay hen #!i$Wan leaped for ard& Too early! *ui$+on cried in his head& But he spran" to the ri"ht to co'er #!i$Wan,s flank& #!i$Wan attacked in a fury) his li"htsa!er a !lue !lur in the dimness& *ui$+on had to match his speed or !e una!le to protect him& He tried to slo do n the !oy,s rhythm) !ut #!i$Wan had let his e.haustion push his control to the !reakin" point& *ui$+on reali5ed that he could not al ays count on #!i$Wan to pick up on his pacin"& Somethin" to ork on later) hen they had time& 9f they had time& To"ether the Jedi slashed and Ja!!ed) al ays mo'in") duckin") rollin") lun"in" until they had defeated their opponents& The t o Syndicat "uards fell hea'ily& *ui$+on stepped o'er them) sheathin" his li"htsa!er in the same mo'ement& He ent to the openin" and peered inside& 69 think e found the 'ault)7 he told #!i$Wan&

Chapter K
A 'oice came from !ehind them& 6+ood ork) Jedis:7 +uerra appro'ed in a hushed) re'erent tone& 6We kne that e'en thou"h you ere "reatly outnum!ered) you ould in)7 Pa..i assured them& *ui$+on lifted an eye!ro & 6>ot so37 6So:7 the !rothers chorused& #!i$Wan tried to control his shallo !reathin"& The last stand a"ainst the "uards had drained him of his ener"y& He kne that he had !een at the ed"e of his control& *ui$+on had remained cool and methodical) co'erin" any sloppy mo'es of #!i$Wan,s ith his o n s ift strokes& Althou"h they had defeated the "uards) #!i$Wan as disappointed in himself& He kne he had "i'en in to his impatience and had lost his focus& 9t had !een a difficult fi"ht& 6Thanks for your help)7 #!i$ an said irrita!ly) deacti'atin" his li"htsa!er& 6#h) e help !y hidin") #!a an)7 +uerra assured him& 6The 2erida !rothers are no

"ood on a !attle& We,d !e in the ay&7 64es) you are so much !etter at fi"htin":7 Pa..i said) !eamin"& #!i$Wan iped the seat from his forehead ith his slee'e& He ished he could feel as enthusiastic as the 2eridas a!out his a!ilities& He turned to find *ui$+on studyin" him& 64ou fou"ht ell) Pada an)7 his -aster said 0uietly& 6>e.t time) you ill do !etter& 9t is time to focus on the no & We achie'ed our aim here&7 64es) you found the 'ault: /.cellent:7 +uerra e.claimed& He fro ned hen he took in the fallen Syndicat "uards and assassin droids& 6This isn,t "ood& We ha'e to lea'e ithout the Syndicat kno in" e ere here& 9t is !etter so&7 69,ll find a place to hide them)7 Pa..i said 6Pa..i is "ood at that)7 +uerra said& 6We on,t ask hy)7 *ui$+on said ith a si"h& 6>o) is !etter so)7 +uerra a"reed& 6But first) e should take the armor coats& -i"ht come in handy& Blaster fire seems to follo Jedi&7 64ou,re the one ho !rou"ht us here:7 #!i$Wan cried& He couldn,t help !ein" irritated at +uerra& He as !e"innin" to reali5e ho his friend t isted facts to suit his o n purposes& 6True) #!a an:7 +uerra said cheerfully& 64ou make a point:7 Pa..i found an e0uipment room piled ith old parts for speeders and 'arious circuits& There as inch$thick dust on the parts and the floor& 6+ood)7 *ui$+on appro'ed& 6The room is no lon"er used& The "uards on,t !e disco'ered for 0uite some time&7 Csin" the floaters and carefully a'oidin" the remainin" disruptor !eams) they transported the fallen "uards and droids there& They took four armor coats and 'isors ith them and closed the panel door !ehind them& 69 sa a pen for the floaters !y the stairs) so e can lea'e them there)7 +uerra said& 6>o let,s see the 'ault&7 6<et us "o first)7 *ui$+on directed& 6#!i$Wan and 9 ill alert you to disruptor !eams&7 But !efore they could take a step) a comlink em!edded in one of the coats !e"an to

si"nal& 6+uard check)7 a 'oice said& 6+uard check& Why ere disruptor !eams acti'ated37 +uerra,s oran"e eyes ent ide& Pa..i thre a hand to co'er his mouth& *ui$+on fro ned& He found the comlink and acti'ated it) usin" the @orce to respond in a ay that ould not dra attention& 6;outine check& ;epeat) routine check& All safe !elo & Su""est shuttin" off disruptor security !eams on lo er le'el for further check&7 62one&7 With a !u55in" noise) the disruptor !eams retracted& 6Beams retracted)7 *ui$+on said& 6/nd shift)7 the 'oice responded& 6<ea'e premises& <ockdo n in ten minutes&7 6-essa"e recei'ed)7 *ui$+on responded& He shut off the comlink and looked at the others& 6We don,t ha'e much time&7 6Then e must hurry)7 Pa..i said& They hurried to the 'ault and eased into the all openin"& #!i$Wan "asped& He had thou"ht the room upstairs as "rand& This room "littered ith treasures& ;ich ru"s ere piles on the floor) one on top of the other& Sleepin" platforms ere draped ith the finest) softest co'erlets& <ar"e pillo s em!roidered in "olden and sil'er thread ere stacked ne.t to the platforms& *ui$+on pro led) lookin" at the 'arious !o.es and cartons stacked alon" the all& 6There,s enou"h food and medical supplies here to last for months&7 6-usic) holo"ram 'isuals)7 Pa..i said) pokin" into another corner& 6/mer"ency supplies and eapons)7 #!i$Wan added) checkin" the cartons near him& 69t,s their sanctuary)7 *ui$+on said& 6They could last here for months if they had to&7 6Here:7 +uerra called& They hurried to ard him& A door ith a control panel as almost completely concealed in the corner& 6This must !e the treasury)7 +uerra said&

6Well) at least you ere ri"ht a!out that)7 *ui$+on said& 6All ri"ht) !reak in)7 #!i$Wan ur"ed& 6We don,t ha'e much time&7 +uerra looked at Pa..i& Pa..i looked at +uerra& 6#f course) #!a an) no pro!lem)7 Pa..i a"reed& 6#ops) 9 lie) not so: Just one pro!lem&7 *ui$+on closed his eyes and took a !reath) as if to "ather his shredded patience& 6What37 Thy !oth looked at the floor& 6Ah)7 +uerra said& 6So& We told the hole truth) yes& But not the complete hole truth& 4es) e can !reak in to treasury& So easy: But e need somethin" first& 4ou see) the Syndicat ro!!ed us first& They !roke into our hidin" place and stole e'erythin": /'erythin" e had spent so much effort and time to accumulate 86 6To steal, #!i$ an corrected& 6Just so) #!a an) e stole it) yes) !ut only to sell it !ack to the people)7 +uerra said earnestly& 6We had speeder parts) circuits) en"ines 8 all thin"s e used to ha'e here on Phindar in "reat a!undance) !ut no more& We ould sell to the people for much cheaper prices that the Syndicat: So you see e do a "reat pu!lic ser'ice 86 6Just stick to the facts) +uerra)7 #!i$Wan interrupted impatiently& His friend as really !e"innin" to test their friendship& Why hadn,t +uerra told them this !efore3 6#f course) "ood ad'ice) #!a an)7 Pa..i a"reed& 6So they stole from us& But hat they did not kno is that amon" those thin"s as somethin" 'ery 'alua!le&7 6Somethin" my "ood !rother Pa..i in'ented)7 +uerra added ea"erly& 6An anti$re"ister& 9t can undo the action of a transfer re"ister&7 The t o !rother nodded and smiled at the Jedi& A transfer re"ister as a method of recordin" transactions in the "ala.y& An electro$optical de'ice recorded the prints of the !uyers and sellers& 6Pa..i,s de'ice can duplicate any print in a security or re"istration system)7 +uerra told them& #!i$Wan understood at once& Pa..i,s anti$re"ister de'ice could !e 'alua!le !eyond measure& 9t ould allo the user to sei5e property and "oods and !reak into any print$ reliant security system throu"hout the "ala.y& 6That de'ice is 'ery dan"erous)7 *ui$+on said 0uietly& 62an"erous37 +uerra asked& 6>ot so) Jedi$+on: 9t ill help us:7

6But if the Syndicat kne you had it 8 if anyone kne ) it ould put you in "reat dan"er&7 Pa..i a'ed a hand& 6 e are not afraid& >ot so: 9 lie) of course e are& But that makes us careful& We can steal the treasury) lea'e the planet if e ha'e to) e'en sell the de'ice on the !lack market 86 6Can you ima"ine ho much it,s orth37 +uerra chortled& 6T el'e fortunes:7 *ui$+on looked stern& 6>ot that this is important)7 +uerra hurriedly said& 6@irst) e !reak the Syndicat) yes37 6Which !rin"s us !ack to our pro!lem) my !rother)7 Pa..i said& 6#ur stolen "oods ere here& >o they,re not& So)7 he said to *ui$+on) 6 e can,t !reak in&7 64et)7 +uerra added& 6But so) e ill&7 6As soon as e find the de'ice)7 Pa..i added helpfully& 6We had !etter return)7 +uerra said& 6<ockdo n ill !e soon& 2uenna ill !e aitin"&7 With an e.asperated si"h) *ui$+on follo ed them from the room& They located the de'ice that mo'ed the all) and it slid smoothly !ack into place& Then they took the floaters !ack to the pen !ehind the staircase& *uickly) they headed up to the main le'el& 64ou,re late)7 2uenna hispered orriedly hen they appeared& Her !ri"ht oran"e eyes s ept the corridor !ehind her& Then her tense face softened hen she looked at Pa..i and +uerra& 6But 9 am "lad to see you& They ordered a random routine s eep of the lo er floors& 9 could not arn you&7 6We took care of the "uards)7 Pa..i assured her& 6But do nstairs is empty no & >o "oods are stored&7 6So sorry to tell you no )7 2uenna said) alkin" 0uickly do n the corridor ith them& 69 (ust found out after 9 left you& The supplies ere mo'ed to the arehouse !y the spaceport& -ost of them ill !e loaded onto Prince Be(u,s transport to !e taken !ack to +ala&7 She paused near the door& >o you must "o& *uickly: Terra and Baftu ha'e returned& <ockdo n is in only a fe minutes&7 62uenna:7 The 'oice as sharp) commandin"& @ootsteps clicked in the corridor off to the ri"ht& 62uenna:7 2uenna,s face ent pale& 69t is Terra:7 she hispered&

Chapter 1L
The corridor as ide and empty& There as no here to hide& 2uenna put a fin"er to her lips& Then she scurried around the corner into the ad(acent corridor& *ui$+on commanded them all ith his sharp !lue "a5e to !e still& He pondered their situation& Terra as only meters a ay& #!i$Wan,s hand drifted to the hilt of his li"htsa!er) prepared for anythin"& 6>o need to run me do n) old oman&7 Terra,s 'oice cracked like a hip& 6Where ha'e you !een37 6in the kitchens)7 2uenna said& Her 'oice as a murmur& 69n the kitchens& /atin" a"ain3 #r a'oidin" me37 <ook at me&7 There as a pause& +uerra and Pa..i suddenly reached out and "ripped each other,s shoulders& Terra,s 'oice slo ed to a purr& 6What are you hidin" from me) 2uenna3 Ha'e you seen Pa..i and +uerra37 Pa..i and +uerra s0uee5ed each other hard& 6>ot so& 9 ha'e not)7 2uenna replied& Her 'oice as steady& 64et you are not surprised to hear they are on Phindar)7 Terra said& 69 am surprised)7 2uenna said& 69 choose not to sho it&7 69nsolent:7 Terra,s 'oice no shimmered ith an"er& 6Perhaps 9 should arn you) old oman& 9f you see Pa..i or +uerra) if you e'en talk to those traitors) 9 ill personally see to it that you are rene ed:7 Pa..i and +uerra looked at each other ith stricken e.pressions& 6But not !efore you see the !rothers die !efore your eyes)7 Terra hissed& 6>o:7 2uenna cried& 69 !e" you 86 6Be" if you ish)7 Terra said& 6#!'iously) there isn,t a le'el you on,t sink to& 4ou do my !iddin") clean my clothes) pick up my trash) hy should you not !e" me37 69 ould !e") if you ould only hear me)7 2uenna said in a shaky 'oice& 69f only you ould hear hat you ere) hat you could !e a"ain 86

6/nou"h: Hear me) 2uenna& Any contact ith them) they die& And your memory is "one fore'er) old oman& But don,t orry 8 9 ill choose the most terri!le planet 9 can to drop you on: >o come ith me& 9 need my !ath dra n&7 Terra,s forceful footsteps headed off& They heard 2uenna,s softer tread !ehind hers& 6Come)7 +uerra hispered& 6We must "o&7 They slipped into the sil'er armor coats and mirrored 'isors& 9t as easy to min"le ith the rest of the Syndicat "uards as they left the !uildin"& As soon as they reached the dark street) +uerra led them do n a narro alley& There) they remo'ed the coats and 'isors& +uerra put them in a satchel her carried& 6Why does Terra suspect that 2uenna ill contact you37 #!i$Wan asked the 2erida !rothers& 62oes she kno that 2uenna is a re!el sympathi5er3 9sn,t it dan"erous to use her37 6>o so)7 +uerra said softly& 6Terra kno s nothin" for sure& She is afraid 2uenna ill contact us !ecause she kno s 2uenna is our mother&7 #!i$Wan shot a surprised look at *ui$+on& 6But hy is she orkin" for the Syndicat37 *ui$+on anted to hear hat the Phindian !rothers had to say& +uerra and Pa..i e.chan"ed a rueful look& Pa..i nodded at +uerra& 6The Jedi should kno )7 he said& 64es) so)7 +uerra said sadly& 62uenna orks for Terra !ecause Terra is her dau"hter&, 6So Terra is 86 6#ur sister)7 Pa..i said& 6She is not the sister e had)7 +uerra e.plained& 6>ot the one e kne & She as rene ed hen she as only ele'en years old& The Syndicat raised her& She had no memory of the "irl she used to !e& She "re up here) in this place) ith cruelty and po er&7 6With no lo'e)7 Pa..i said "ently& 6So that is hy our mother sacrificed her life)7 +uerra said& 6She thou"ht e'en as a ser'ant) she could "i'e Terra lo'e& -ay!e !rin" !ack part of the "irl she kne &7 +uerra shru""ed& 64et is as ne'er so& Terra did not chan"e& 2uenna still remains& She ill stay and atch o'er her dau"hter 8 no matter hat she is& >o matter hat she has !ecome&7

Chapter 11
That ni"ht) +uerra and Pa..i shared their cramped 0uarters ith *ui$+on and #!i$Wan& 9t as a tiny room in the small house that %aadi shared ith her family& She had insisted the !rothers stay ith her once she,d found them) and she,d elcomed the Jedi (ust as armly& They !edded do n for the ni"ht on !lankets spread on the floor& Pa..i fell asleep immediately) and *ui$+on as in the state the Jedi called restful$sleep$in$dan"er) his eyes closed !ut a corner of his mind alert at all times& #!i$Wan could not sleep& He could not stop thinkin" a!out hat it must !e like to lose you memory& He could not ima"ine anythin" more terri!le& He had orked so hard at the Temple) made deep friendships) learned so much from the -asters& What if all that as taken from him3 6Are you a ake) #!a an37 +uerra hispered from the !lanket nest to him& 64es)7 #!i$Wan ans ered softly& 64es so) 9 thou"ht so)7 +uerra said& 69 heard you thinkin"& 4ou are still an"ry ith me37 69,m not an"ry ith you +uerra)7 #!i$Wan said& 6-ay!e 9 as impatient ith you& 4ou ne'er tell the hole truth&7 6>ot so)7 +uerra hispered& 6#h) 9 lie& 4ou are ri"ht) #!a an) as you are al ays& 9 sense that you do not a"ree ith the decision of Jedi$+on to help us&7 6>ot so)7 #!i$Wan said& 6& & & #r so& -ay!e 9 lie&7 6Ah) you tease me)7 +uerra said mournfully& 6And this 9 deser'e from you) 9 kno &7 6Why didn,t you tell me a!out your sister37 #!i$Wan asked& 6Terra&7 +uerra murmured& He let out a "usty si"h& 6She is my enemy) is she not) and yours3 4et it as not al ays so& 4ou must !elie'e this& 9f you could ha'e kno n her as a child: Sunny and !ri"ht and ea"er: And funny: She as our ta"alon") e called her) my "ood !rother Pa..i and 9& Baftu took all that as "ood and erased it) then filled in the spaces ith hate& 4ou see hy e must crush them) #!a an3 That is hy 2uenna risks so much 8 she and Pa..i think if the Syndicat is no more) they can reach Terra a"ain&7 62o you think so37 #!i$Wan asked& +uerra si"hed a"ain& 6>o) friend)7 he said& 69 do not& But 9 hope so& Just as my family does& 9n some cases) some stron"$minded !ein"s can resist the effects of the memory

ipe& They can hold on to flashes of memory& Just scraps of thin"s 8 a face) a smell& A feelin"& 9 fear it is not so for Terra& 9t has !een so lon" for her& 9 ha'e not the !elief that my "ood !rother does& 9 ha'e only this tiny hope in my heart&7 69t,s somethin" to hold on to)7 #!i$Wan said& 64es so)7 +uerra said 0uietly& 6So if 9 tricked my friend) if 9 may!e did not tell him e'erythin" in the !e"innin") may!e my "ood friend #!a an ill understand and "rant me help a"ain&7 A pause stretched out !et een them& #!i$Wan,s irritation at +uerra left in a rush& He sa the terror and pain that +uerra had li'ed ith& Just as on the minin" platform) hen +uerra had co'ered his fear of certain death ith smiles and (okes) here on Phindar he ould do the same& *ui$+on had !een ri"ht to help them& #!i$ an kne that no & 6#f course) 9 ill help you)7 he hispered) !ut +uerra as already asleep& M M M

The follo in" ni"ht) #!i$Wan) *ui$+on) +uerra and Pa..i slipped the armor coats o'er their clothes and donned 'isors& Cnder the shelter of the o'erhan") they atched the acti'ity at the arehouse !y the spaceport& There didn,t seem to !e hi"h security& Syndicat mem!ers entered and e.ited the !uildin"s ithout sho in" passes& They ould only ha'e to pretend to !e deli'erin" a shipment for co'er& #r at least the hoped so& Pa..i and +uerra had orked all day to father authentic$lookin" supplies& Althou"h their containers ere marked 6Bacta7 and 6-edpacs)7 they ere actually filled ith old circuit parts& But at least they ould ha'e somethin" to carry inside& 6As soon as e,re inside) e should split into t o "roups)7 *ui$+on instructed& 6+uerra) "o ith #!i$Wan) Pa..i ith me& We,ll start at opposite ends and meet in the middle) if e can& 9f you can locate your "oods and find the anti$re"ister de'ice) lea'e& 9f e can,t find it) e all e.it the !uildin" in t enty minutes& We can,t take any chances&7 6But hat if e don,t find it37 Pa..i asked& 6We try a"ain)7 *ui$+on said& 6We can,t risk !ein" disco'ered& The sooner e "et out of there) the !etter&7 He turned to #!i$Wan& 62on,t for"et to keep your hands in your pockets so that no one can tell ho lon" your arms are& We must look like Phindians&7 #!i$Wan nodded& The four alked 0uickly across the courtyard& At the door of the arehouse) *ui$+on !arked out) 62eli'erin" !acta)7 to the "uard at the door& The "uard a'ed them throu"h&

9nside as a 'ast) hi"h$ceilin"ed space& ;o after ro of transparent shel'in" units ent from one end of the !uildin" to the other& /ach shelf as piled ith !ins and cartons& Syndicat mem!ers in sil'er armor coats loaded supplies onto floaters) then headed for the lar"e loadin" dock in the rear& Pa..i and +uerra stopped) their faces re"isterin" shock& #!i$Wan kne hy& Here as ro after ro of e'erythin" the Phindian people desperately stood in line for& -ed supplies& @ood& Parts to make their speeders run) their droids and machines operational& All hoarded !y the Syndicat& The !rothers had kno n this) !ut seein" it all ith their o n eyes must ha'e !een like recei'in" a !lo & 6%eep mo'in")7 *ui$+on said in a pleasant tone that hummed ith ur"ency underneath& Hands in his pockets) #!i$Wan headed off ith +uerra to the far end of the arehouse& They 0uickly strode do n ro after ro & #ther Syndicat mem!ers sometimes passed them& They ould nod and keep "oin"& 6This is easy) #!a an:7 +uerra hispered& 6So "lad e stole these coats:7 Suddenly) the comlink in +uerra,s coat !e"an to si"nal him& 6+uard %?3-K) report in)7 a 'oice said& 6/.plain herea!outs&7 69t,s pro!a!ly a routine check)7 #!i$Wan murmured& +uerra acti'ated the comlink& 6Warehouse deli'ery)7 he said& After a pause) the comlink crackled& 6Cnscheduled& /.plain&7 +uerra looked at #!i$Wan in a panic& 6Tell him he,s mistaken)7 #!i$Wan hispered& 6>ot so:7 +uerra said rapidly into the comlink& 6#rders recei'ed&7 He shut off the comlink& 6We,d !etter do this fast)7 #!i$Wan muttered& They turned do n the ne.t ro & As +uerra scanned the shel'es) #!i$Wan kept atch& 6@ound it) #!a an:7 +uerra cried softly& 6There) to shelf: 9 reco"ni5e my carton of ener"y cells& 9t must !e here&7 He clim!ed up on the !ottom shelf) then reached up ith his lon" arms& He "ra!!ed a carton and hauled it do n& Peerin" inside) he smiled !roadly& 69n here) at the !ottom&7 #!i$Wan sho'ed the carton marked 6Bacta7 in its place& 6all ri"ht) let,s "o&7 They strode do n the aisle) tryin" to look as thou"h they eren,t hurryin"& An

announcement suddenly !oomed out of a speaker near them& 6+uard %?3-K) report to security& +uard %?3-K) report to security&7 6That,s me: What should e do) #!a an37 +uerra asked panicked& #!i$Wan thou"ht carefully& They had to "et the anti$re"ister de'ice out of the !uildin"& 6+i'e me your coat)7 he ordered +uerra& +uerra hesitated& 6But that ill put you in dan"er) #!a an& This 9 did once on Bandomeer& Bu this 9 ill not do a"ain&7 6The @orce ill protect me)7 #!i$Wan told him) e'en thou"h he dou!ted it& 64ou must find *ui$+on and "et that de'ice out of here&7 64ou can use the @orce to escape37 +uerra asked& 64es& Hurry&7 #!i$Wan slipped out of his o n coat& ;eluctantly) +uerra did the same& They e.chan"ed the armor coats& +uerra put on #!i$Wan,s and tucked the carton containin" the anti$re"ister de'ice under his arm& 6>o "o)7 #!i$Wan told him as Syndicat "uards suddenly appeared around the corner on floaters +uerra s i'eled and alked a ay) past the "uards ho headed for #!i$Wan& They did not "i'e him a "lance& #!i$Wan turned and sa four more "uards headin" for him in the opposite direction& He kne he could not resist& /'en if her ere to "et past the "uard here) security ould lock do n the !uildin") and +uerra ould ne'er make it out& There as only one thin" he could do& He had to surrender& +uerra disappeared around a corner& The "uards sped up to him and ho'ered) their !laster pointed at his neck) the only unprotected part of him& 6+uard %?3-K) you are out of your 0uadrant)7 one of them said& 64ou kno the penalty& We ill escort you to head0uarters& ;esist) and you,re dead&7 #!i$Wan nodded& He clim!ed a!oard the lar"est floater& The "uard !ehind him kept the !laster a"ainst his neck& They took off for Syndicat head0uarters&

Chapter 1?
#!i$Wan atched and aited for the chance to escape) !ut it as impossi!le& Part of his Temple trainin" had !een in patience) !ut it had !een his orst su!(ect& The head0uarters as s armin" ith "uards& @irst) he as stripped of his armor coat and 'isor&

6He,s not a Phindian)7 one of the "uards said) surprised& #!i$Wan said nothin"& The other "uard "ra!!ed his li"htsa!er& He tried to acti'ate it) !ut could not& 6What is this3 Some primiti'e eapon37 A"ain) #!i$ an said nothin"& The t o "uards looked at each other ner'ously& 6We,d !etter take him to Weutta&7 Weutta turned out to !e the head of security& The irises of #!i$Wan,s eyes ere scanned to compare to the real +uard %?3-K& #!i$Wan sa the ords NO MATCH on the screen& >othin" else came up& 6So) e ha'e no record of you) re!el7 the security head said) pushin" his face up to #!i$ Wan,s& Who are your contacts3 Why did you come to Phindar3 What happened the "uard %?3-K37 A"ain) #!i$Wan said nothin"& Weutta "a'e him a li"ht (a! ith a force pike& /'en that touch as enou"h to send him to his knees& His head spun) and his side as on fire from the electrifyin" (olt& 69,ll take this one to Baftu)7 Weutta said& 6We,re on hi"h security& He ants to see all the re!els&7 Weutta rou"hly pushed a eakened #!i$Wan do n hat felt like miles of hall ay& At last they reached a hea'ily car'ed) massi'e door& A "uard nodded them throu"h& They ere in a lar"e) completely empty room ith hea'y tapestries hun" o'er the indo s& Another pair of massi'e dou!le doors ere at the opposite end& Weutta alked to ard them and stopped& He pushed #!i$Wan do n on his knees) then pressed his face do n& 6Wait here) slu")7 he "ro led& 6And don,t look up&7 %eepin" his face do n) #!i$ an mo'ed only his eyes to atch Weutta as the pud"y Phindian strai"htened his 'isor and smoothed his armor coat& He cleared his throat& #!'iously) e'en the head of security as ner'ous a!out seein" Baftu& Then he pressed a !utton on the side of the door& A second later) the door s un" open& An annoyed Baftu stood in the door ay of his office& 6Why ha'e you distur!ed me37 he !arked) sco lin"& 69 ha'e !rou"ht you a re!el 86 Weutta !a!!led 0uickly& 6Why do you pester me ith such thin"s37 Baftu roared&

6B$!ecause you ordered me to)7 Weutta ans ered) his 'oice almost a hine& 64ou dis"ust me& <ea'e the re!el and "et out&7 6But 86 6/.cuse me) Head Slu")7 Baftu said in a purrin") murderous tone& 6Are you still here in my line of si"ht3 #r do 9 need to impale you on an electro$(a!!er until you shake yourself to death37 6>o)7 Weutta hispered) and ran past a kneelin" #!i$Wan to the far doors& He slipped throu"h them and disappeared& 6Baftu:7 9t as Terra& #!i$ an couldn,t see her& 69,m not finished:7 Baftu turned a ay) not e'en "lancin" in #!i$Wan direction& He left the door partially a(ar& Slo ly) #!i$Wan crept for ard) his ears strainin"& He called upon the @orce to sharpen his senses so he could hear the t o& They spoke in furious murmurs& 69 as a"ainst the alliance ith Prince Be(u from the !e"innin")7 Terra said& 6What do e kno of him3 We ha'e yet to meet him or see him& /'erythin" is done throu"h his intermediaries& 9 do not trust someone 9 cannot see&7 6He is comin" tomorro )7 Baftu said& 64ou ill !e a!le to look at him& /nou"h of this&7 6And hy are you thinkin" of e.pansion no 37 Terra ent on) i"norin" him& 6We should consolidate our po er here on Phindar& ;e!el action is "ro in"& The people are star'in"& -ed centers are cryin" out for supplies& 4ou ha'e created too many shorta"es) Baftu: The people are !ound to re'olt&7 Baftu lau"hed 6And hat if they do3 They are sick and hun"ry& 9f they can find any eapons) they are too eak to hold them for lon"&7 6This is not a (oke) Baftu: Terra cried furiously) her 'oice risin"& 6Ah) you,re "ettin" soft) pretty Terra)7 Baftu said& 6But if the state of thin"s on Phindar orries you) then hy don,t you handle it3 4ou can appease the people ith some e.tra food this eek& >ot a !ad idea since Be(u is comin"& 9t ill distract them& Just don,t "i'e them any !acta 8 9,'e promised most of it to Be(u&7 69 do not trust that Prince 86 6As you ha'e said)7 Baftu interrupted) 6o'er and o'er a"ain& 9 ill handle the meetin"& 4ou handle Phindar& >o 9 ha'e ork to do&7

6What a!out the re!el37 Terra asked& 64ou handle it& Phindar is your responsi!ility) remem!er37 #!i$Wan heard clickin" footsteps) then the openin" and shuttin" of a door in the other room& *uickly) he scuttled !ack ard on his hands and knees) then pressed his face do n into his hands& A moment later) a !oot nud"ed his shoulder& He had not e'en heard Terra approach on the soft carpet& 6Head up) re!el&7 He raised his head& Ho stran"e to see the friendly eyes of +uerra and Pa..i in such a cruel face& 6So) you are not a Phindian& Who are you37 Terra asked impatiently& 6A friend)7 #!i$Wan ans ered& Terra snorted& 6>ot to me& 4ou impersonated a "uard& 4ou kno the penalty& Well) perhaps you do not& Perhaps your Phindian friends did not tell you& 4ou ill !e rene ed and transported off$planet&7 #!i$Wan did not mo'e a muscle) !ut inside he cried out& ;ene ed: He did not ima"ine this& He as prepared to ithstand torture& But to ha'e his memory "one: That as too painful to ima"ine& Terra si"hed& She looked eary) and #!i$Wan suddenly sa a "limpse of the "irl she had !een& She looked a ay into the distance& 62on,t orry) re!el& 9t,s not as !ad as people say&7 Perhaps seein" traces of +uerra and Pa..i in her features made #!i$Wan feel he could risk a 0uestion& 62o you miss your family37 She stiffened for a moment& He e.pected a !lo ) aited for it& But instead) Terra turned to him& Her !leak "a5e held a sadness that as full of empty spaces& 6Ho can you miss hat you do not remem!er37 she asked&

Chapter 13
*ui$+on,s 'oice as a sharp as the ed"e of a 'i!ro$shi'& 64ou a!andoned him:7 6>ot so) Jedi$+on: He insisted:7 +uerra cried& 6And it happened so fast& 9 did not kno hat to do:7

64ou could ha'e stayed ith him:7 *ui$+on snapped& 6But #!a an told me to take the anti$re"ister& 9t as most important) he said)7 +uerra cried desperately& *ui$+on let out an e.asperated si"h) #!i$Wan as ri"ht& They had set out to find the de'ice& That had to !e all important& He turned !ack to +uerra and tried to compose himself& They stood hidden in the shado s outside the hu"e arehouse& He anted to rush at +uerra) rush at the first Syndicat "uard he sa ) rush into the head0uarters& His an"er filled him) ra and pulsin") irrational& He as surprised at the po er of it& +uerra had !etrayed #!i$Wan on the minin" platform& Had he done it a"ain& 69 did not kno hat to do) Jedi$+on)7 +uerra said helplessly !ehind him& 6#!a an insisted it so& He said) "i'e me your coat& He said the @orce ould help him >o 9 see he only anted me to o!ey& 9f 9 kne he ould !e taken a ay) 9 ould ha'e so 'ery "ladly "one in his place&7 *ui$+on turned and looked into +uerra,s sorro ful eyes& His instinct told him to trust the Phindian& And e'erythin" he said a!out #!i$Wan ran" true& His Pada an had sacrificed himself in order to "et the anti$re"ister de'ice out of the !uildin"& *ui$+on ould ha'e done the same& Pa..i spoke up softly& 6We ha'e a si"nal for 2uenna in case of emer"ency& We could acti'ate it& She ill meet us tomorro mornin" in the marketplace and tell us ho #!a an is and hat plans there are for him& We can arran"e rescue then&7 6Tomorro id too late)7 *ui$+on said& 69t has to !e toni"ht& >o & 9 on,t lea'e #!i$ Wan there for so lon"&7 Pa..i and +uerra e.chan"ed "lances& 6So sorry to say not so) Jedi$+on)7 +uerra said& 6But head0uarters locks do n for the ni"ht& >o one can "et in or out& >ot e'en Terra and Baftu&7 6What a!out the anti$re"ister de'ice37 *ui$+on asked& 64ou said it could "et you in any here&7 64es) so)7 +uerra said& 6Any here& /.cept head0uarters after lockdo n&7 62uenna ill atch out for #!a an)7 +uerra said softly& 6She ill protect him as !est she can&7 *ui$+on turned a ay a"ain& Helpless ra"e filled him a"ain& But this time it as not directed at +uerra& 9t as directed at himself& He should ha'e "one ith #!i$Wan and

let the 2erida !rothers fend for themsel'es& But he as afraid they ould not !e a!le to "et the anti$re"ister de'ice out of the !uildin"& ake the decision, make another, 4oda al ays said& !emake one past, you cannot. 4es) he could only "o for ard& And *ui$+on kne ith a hea'y heart that he could not rescue #!i$Wan toni"ht& He could not compromise the success of his mission !y attemptin" a rescue that as doomed to fail& M M M

#!i$Wan sat in a cell !arely lar"e enou"h to contain him& His knees ere tucked under his chin& 9t as cold& The chill air a"ainst his skin as like the icy fear that "ripped his heart& Anything "ut this, he thou"ht& # can stand anything "ut this. # can$t lose my memory! He ould lose all his Jedi trainin") all his kno led"e& Any isdom he had stru""led so hard to "ain& Would he lose the @orce as ell3 He ould lose the memory of ho to harness it& And hat else ould he lose3 @riendship& All the friends he,d made at the Temple& +entle Bant) ith her sli'er eyes& +aren) ho he,d fou"ht ith and lau"hed ith and ho as almost as "ood as he as in li"htsa!er trainin"& ;eeft) ho could ne'er "et enou"h to eat) and ho ould stare mournfully at his empty plate until #!i$Wan passed o'er some of his food& They had for"ed stron" !onds) and he missed them& 9f he lost his memories of them) they ould !e dead to him& #!i$Wan thou"ht of his thirteenth !irthday& 9t seemed so lon" a"o no & He had ne'er done his recollection e.ercise& >o he remem!ered ho *ui$+on had admonished him& %es, time is elusi&e. 'ut it is "est to track it down. #!i$Wan had not tracked it do n& He had not made the time& >o he ould ha'e all the time in the orld and nothin" to remem!er& He pressed his forehead a"ainst his knees) feelin" the fear o'er helm him& 9t filled his mind ith darkness& @or the first time in his life) he kne hat it as to lose all hope& Then) in the midst of cold and fear) he felt a armth inside his tunic& He reached inside to the hidden pocket a"ainst his chest& His fin"ers closed around the ri'er rock *ui$+on had "i'en him& 9t as arm: He pulled it out& The e!ony stone "lo ed in the darkness) "i'in" off a crystal$like "leam& He closed his fin"ers around it a"ain and felt a hum a"ainst his fin"ertips& The stone must !e @orce$sensiti'e) he reali5ed&

That kno led"e sent !eam of pure li"ht into the darkness of his mind& Nothing is lost where the (orce dwells, he remem!ered from the Temple& And the (orce is e&erywhere. #!i$Wan turned his mind to remem!erin" hat +uerra had told him a!out the memory ipe& Some 'ery stron"$minded !ein"s are a!le to ithstand some of the effects of the ipe& Perhaps that meant the @orce could help him& @or hat else as the @orce) !ut stren"th and li"ht3 #!i$Wan held the stone ti"htly& He "athered to @orce around him like a shield& He ima"ined it coilin" around e'ery cell in his !rain like a fortress& 9t ould hold out a"ainst the darkness) and he ould hold on to his memories& When the door to his cell opened and the "uard entered) he did not e'en look up&

Chapter 1B
The marketplace as cro ded the ne.t mornin") e'en thou"h there as e'en less for sale& The desperation on the faces of the Phindians mirrored *ui$+on,s& He paced impatiently) aitin" for 2uenna to appear& @inally) he could ait no lon"er& 69,m "oin" to head0uarters myself)7 he told +uerra and Pa..i "rimly& 69,ll find a ay&7 6Wait) Jedi$+on)7 +uerra pleaded& 69t is hard for 2uenna to slip a ay) !ut she al ays mana"es it&7 6And so there she is:7 Pa..i cried& 2uenna threaded throu"h the cro d to ard them& She as not earin" her coat) !ut a cloak and hood& She carried a lar"e satchel& 6Any ne s of #!i$Wan37 *ui$+on asked as soon as she came up to them& She put a hand on her heart to catch her !reath& 6Head0uarters in on hi"h alert& Prince Be(u arri'es tomorro 86 6What a!out #!i$Wan37 *ui$+on !arked impatiently& 69 am tryin" to tell you)7 2uenna said& 69 ha'e ne'er seen them act so fast& He 8 he as taken to a cell&7 6Where37 *ui$+on asked ur"ently& 6He is there no lon"er)7 2uenna said) layin" a "entle hand on his arm& Suddenly) *ui$ +on noticed that here eyes ere full of pity for him& His heart fell&

6What happened37 he asked hoarsely& 6He as rene ed)7 she said) her 'oice !reakin"& 6<ast ni"ht& And transported off$planet at da n this mornin"&7 Pa..i and +uerra peered around the corner into the room here *ui$+on sat) eyes front) cross$le""ed) not mo'in"& 2uenna had to return to head0uarters) so they had "one strai"ht to %aadi,s house& Bein" on the streets as dan"erous durin" the day& As soon as they entered the house) *ui$+on had "one to the spare room here they slept& He sat do n in the middle of the floor) not speakin"& He had remained there for an hour& The !rothers had left him alone for a time) !ut he could feel their an.ious eyes on him& Without openin" his eyes) he said) 69,m not "i'in" up& 9,m formin" a plan&7 6#f course) Jedi$+on)7 +uerra said) relief coursin" throu"h his 'oice& 6We kne this&7 64es so)7 Pa..i a"reed& 6We kno Jedi do not "i'e up& Althou"h) e must admit e orried a tiny !it& 9t is such !ad ne s a!out our friend #!a an&7 *ui$+on opened his eyes& He sa the same haunted desperation in the eyes of the 2erida !rothers that he felt in his heart& He had had to stru""le to o'ercome his an"er at himself& 9t had taken time to calm his mind& Time and a"ain he had tried to formulate a plan) only to !e filled ith an"uish at the thou"ht of #!i$Wan,s pli"ht& He as rocked to the core& The thou"ht of #!i$ an ithout his memory) ithout his trainin") as un!eara!le& He had failed his Pada an& He should ha'e kno n the Syndicat ould mo'e fast& He should ha'e tried to rescue him last ni"ht& >o #!i$Wan as doomed to a life so empty it made *ui$+on shudder e'ery time he tried to concei'e of it& What of #!i$Wan,s Jedi trainin"3 All of that) lost& What ould the !oy !ecome3 He ould still !e @orce$sensiti'e) for the @orce as not dependent on memory& But ho could #!i$Wan use it ithout the lessons of the Temple to "uide him3 9f he disco'ered its po er) he ould ha'e it ithout alle"iance& Would he !ecome a lost) neutral arrior for hire3 Would he use the @orce for darkness) like *ui$+on,s old apprentice) Nanatos3 He did not !elie'e that could happen& He would not !elie'e it& 9f #!i$Wan had lost his memory) surely he ould still retain his "oodness& 4es) *ui$+on as full of orry& But he as also heart!roken& The !oy he kne as "one& The dili"ent !oy) so curious and intent on kno led"e& The 0uick study& The !oy ho anted to learn& *ui$+on refused to !elie'e that all that as "one& He had to hope still that someho the memory ipe ould !e re'ersi!le) if he could find #!i$Wan&

6And so hat are you thinkin") Jedi$+on37 +uerra asked tentati'ely& 6We must act tomorro )7 *ui$+on said& 6We must !reak them ide open& What !etter time to act then hen they are tryin" to impress Prince Be(u3 @irst of all) they ill !e distracted& And second) e can destroy their alliance ith the Prince !efore it e'en !e"ins&7 69t is true so)7 Pa..i !reathed& 6We must open the arehouses hen the Prince arri'es)7 *ui$+on said 0uietly& He had formed the plan in his mind) and he !elie'ed it could !e done& 6Can %addi rally the people37 64es so)7 +uerra said) noddin"& 6That ill !e our di'ersion)7 *ui$+on said& 6The people ill rush into the arehouses& The Syndicat ill panic& There ill !e chaos in the streets& We ill "o strai"ht to head0uarters ith the anti$re"ister de'ice& That,s hen e,ll steal the treasury&7 69n the daytime37 Pa..i asked& 6But it ill !e dan"erous& And 2uenna cannot help us then&7 *ui$+on turned to look at them& His !lue eyes !urned across the room& 6Are you ith me37 he asked& The t o !rothers looked at each other& 64es) so)7 they said to"ether&

Chapter 1D
The hum from the en"ines underneath #!i$Wan thro!!ed a"ainst his skull& He had !een thro n on the floor of the transport) locked into car"o hold& He kept his eyes closed& He had to keep his concentration stron"& He felt completely drained& /.hausted& Sick& But he remem"ered. They had not !roken him& They had not on& They had entered) and he hadn,t e'en looked up) not e'en hen they lau"hed at him& He slipped the ri'er stone into the pocket of his tunic 0uickly) so they ould not see it and take it a ay& The stone kept a steady "lo of heat a"ainst his heart& He had dra n stren"th from it& 9t as tan"i!le proof that the @orce as ith him& While they set up the memory$ ipe droid) he had !uilt @orce alls inside himself& He had enshrined e'ery memory) e'en the ha5iest one& He had em!raced the painful ith the "ood&

His first day at the Temple& He had !een so youn") so fri"htened& His first "limpse of 4oda) comin" for ard to "reet him) his hea'y$lidded eyes lookin" sleepy& 6@ar to come) far to "o it is)7 he had said& 6Cold and arm) it is& Seek hat you are lookin" for) you ill& @ind it here) you shall& <isten&7 The sound of the fountains& The ri'er that ran !ehind the Temple& The chimes that the cook had hun" in a tree in the kitchen "ardens& He had noticed those thin"s then) and somethin" in him had uncurled& He had thou"ht) for the first time) that he could feel at home there& A "ood memory& T in metal rods ere scre ed a"ainst his temples& The electro$pulsers& The stone "lo ed a"ainst his heart& A 'isit home& His mother& Softness and li"ht& His father& A lau"h) full$!odied) (oined !y his mother,s) (ust as full) (ust as rich& His !rother) sharin" a piece of fruit ith him& The e.plosion of s eet (uice in his mouth& Soft "rasses underneath his !are feet& The droid acti'ated the memory ipe hile the "uards atched& A stran"e sensation !e"an in his temples and mo'ed in ard& >ot pain) not 0uite & & & # en& His !rother,s name as # en& ;eeft ne'er "ot enou"h to eat& Bant,s eyes ere sil'er& The first time he,d dra n his li"htsa!er& 9t had "lo ed as he acti'ated it& -ost of the Temple students had !een clumsy& He had ne'er !een clumsy& >ot ith his eapon& The li"htsa!er had al ays felt ri"ht in his hand& Pain no & White hot& The @orce as !ri"ht) too& He pictured it) "olden) stron") "lo in") formin" a !arrier around his memories& They are mine. Not yours. #$ll keep them. The Syndicat "uards ere surprised to see him smile& 6Happy to see that memory "o) 9 "uess)7 on of them said to the other& No, it is not going. # ha&e it. #$m holding it now . . .

;ou"h linen a"ainst his hands& He clun" to his mother& The end of the 'isit& 4es) he had anted to "o !ack to the Temple& 9t as a "reat honor& They kne they could not keep him from it& He anted it so much& 4et "ood$!ye as so painful) so hard& A soft cheek pressed a"ainst his& # carry you always. The ay dusk fell at the Temple& Slo ly) !ecause of all the li"hts and hite !uildin"s of Coruscant& <i"ht took lon" to lea'e& That,s hen he,d "o to the ri'er ith Bant& Bant lo'ed the ater& She "re up on a humid orld& Her room as kept supplied ith steam& She s am like a fish in the ;i'er& As dusk fell) the color of the ater ould match her eyes& Pain& He felt sick& Consciousness as slippery& 9f he passed out) he ould lose& 4oda& 4oda he ould not lose& Strength you ha&e, )"i*+an. ,atience you ha&e as well, "ut find it, you must. #t is there within you. Search you will, until you find it and hold it. -earn to use it, you must. -earn that it will sa&e you, you will. Ho ould not lose 4oda,s lessons& He created a @orce !arrier around them& Pain crested a"ain) sendin" dissiness throu"h him& He could not last much lon"er& 6What,s your name37 the "uard asked harshly& #!i$Wan rolled !lank) sick eyes to ard the "uard& 64ou name)7 the "uard repeated& #!i$Wan pretended to search) pretended to panic& The "uard lau"hed& 6This one is cooked&7 The droid detached the electro$pulsers& #!i$ an slumped to the floor& 6He,s sleep no )7 the "uard said& 6He on,t dream)7 the other added& But he did& He as hauled to his feet& A Syndicat "uard leered in his face& 6;eady to face your ne life37

He kept his face !lank) da5ed& 69,'e "ot money ridin" on this)7 the "uard said& 64ou on,t last three days on +ala&7 +ala: #!i$Wan kept a neutral look on his face as relief sur"ed throu"h him& What a stroke luck: At least on +ala he could find a ay to help *ui$+on& He kne Prince Be(u,s plans& Perhaps he could find someone on +ala) one of the ri'al politicians runnin" for "o'ernor) to help& The landin" ramp slid do n& He could see a "ray stone spaceport lined ith !attered starfi"hters) A num!er of checkpoints pre'ented anyone from enterin"& #!i$Wan remem!ered hat *ui$+on had said& The royal house had plundered the planet& ;i'al factions fou"ht for control& The people ere close to re'olt& 6Ha'e fun:7 the Syndicat "uard chortled) and "a'e him a push do n the ramp& A pro!e droid !u55ed !ehind #!i$Wan made his ay cautiously throu"h the spaceport han"er& When he reached the checkpoint) the "uard a'ed him throu"h& >o dou!t the Syndicat had !ri!ed them to let him throu"h ithout a challen"e& #nce he hit the streets of +ala) their fun ould !e"in& They ere !ettin" on ho lon" he,d sur'i'e& #!i$Wan plun"ed into the teemin" streets of +alu) the capital city of +ala& The small pro!ot follo ed !ehind& #!i$Wan kne he had a camera trained on him at all times& 9t as hard to kno hat to do& Ho ould he react to such a city if he had no memory of hat he kne & The city of +alu had once !een "rand and impressi'e& But the "reat stone !uildin"s ere crum!lin"& #!i$Wan could see the holes and depressions here ornaments had !een stripped off the facades& Trees had once lined the streets) !ut no there ere only t isted stumps& The +alacians ere humanoids hose pale skin had a !luish cast& Sunli"ht on the planet as limited and they ere often called 6moon people7 due to their fair) luminous skin& #!i$Wan could see e'idence of po'erty e'ery here& Where the atmosphere on Phindar as one of fear) here on +ala) #!i$Wan picked up an"er& #!i$Wan kept a confused look on his face& He stared into shop indo s) tryin" to seem as thou"h he,d ne'er seen the items inside !efore& He a'oided lookin" into stran"ers, eyes) andered the streets ithout seemin" to ha'e a destination& All the hile) ho e'er) he as headin" to ard the "leamin" !uildin" he sa in the distance) "uessin" it as the "rand Palace of +ala& Blue and "reen "emstones em!edded in the to ers cau"ht the eak sunli"ht and made the place seem to sparkle& Suddenly) a "i"antic +alacian man !locked his path& 64ou)7 he said) placin" a meaty hand on #!i$Wan,s shoulder& 62o you kno hat 9 told myself hen 9 oke up this

mornin"37 The pro!ot !u55ed around #!i$Wan& He resisted the temptation to react as a Jedi& He ould not look into the man,s eyes ith clear steady coura"e& He ould not speak firmly !ut respectfully in an attempt to defuse the situation& He must react in fear and confusion& And hope he didn,t "et killed& #!i$Wan let apprehension sho on his face& 6What37 he ans ered& The hu"e man s0uee5ed his shoulder painfully& 6That 9 ould slit the throat of the first hill person that 9 sa &7 69$9,m not a hill person)7 #!i$Wan said& Then he reali5ed that ithout his memory he ouldn,t kno if he ere a hill person& He pretended to look suddenly confused& 64ou look like one)7 the +alacian said& He reached for the 'i!ro$shi' on his !elt& #!i$ Wan heard it lea'e the sheath ith a slitherin" noise& The !lade sounded 'ery lon"& #!i$Wan,s hand instincti'ely mo'ed to ard his li"htsa!er& But of course he didn,t ha'e one 8 the Syndicat had confiscated it& And he ould tip off the pro!ot camera if he used it any ay& 6People say 9 look like one)7 he said 0uickly& 6All the time& 9 (ust don,t understand it&7 The man fro ned& 64ou don,t37 6Because 9 may !e u"ly) !ut 9,m not that u"ly)7 #!i$Wan said& He had no idea hat a hill person as& #r hat they looked like& But he kne that the only ay to talk his ay out of this as to make friends ith his enemy& The lar"e man stared at him !lankly& Then he thre !ack his head and lau"hed& He hand dropped from #!i$Wan,s shoulder& #!i$Wan took a step !ack) smilin" alon" ith the man,s lau"hter& He !e"an to ed"e a ay& Still lau"hin") the man tucked his 'i!ro$shi' !ack into his !elt and alked on& He kept a look of fri"ht and confusion on his face for the !enefit of the pro!ot& He had to lose the droid) he reali5ed& 9f he had to rely on his its to sur'i'e) he,d !e dead !y sunset& That thou"ht made #!i$Wan !e"in to smile) !ut he 0uickly masked it !y cou"hin" into his hand& He ducked do n a side street& While he alked) he used the Jedi techni0ue of lookin" ithout seemin" to look& He "athered information) aitin" for his chance&

Ahead) a cart loaded ith 'e"eta!les as standin" outside a cafE,s kitchen door& A cook stood outside) ar"uin" ith the dri'er& #!i$Wan sa a speeder !ike turn the corner ahead& This could !e his chance& He 0uickened his pace& When he "ot closer to the cart) he stum!led) keepin" the da5ed) confused e.pression on his face& His fall sent him s0uarely into the path of the speeder !ike& He sa the dri'er,s surprised e.pression !efore the dri'er turned the !ike 0uickly to a'oid runnin" o'er #!i$Wan& He sides iped the cart) hich o'erturned& The dri'er of the cart !e"an to scream at the speeder !ike rider) ho "unned the motor and kept "oin"& The cart dri'er pursued him) pickin" up 'e"eta!les as he ran and thro in" him at the speeder& #ne of the 'e"eta!les hit the pro!ot) hich let out a arnin" !eep and s er'ed in the air& #!i$Wan 0uickly rolled !ehind the cart) then ran) dou!led o'er) into the kitchen of the cafE& He darted past a surprised orker stirrin" soup and ran into the cafE itself& He headed for the door and ran out into the street& *uickly) he ducked into the shop ne.t door& A moment later he sa the pro!ot fly out the door& 9t ho'ered on the street) re'ol'in" slo ly& The camera scanned the passers!y& #!i$Wan stayed hidden in the shop& Slo ly) the pro!ot !e"an to cruise the street) re'ol'in" carefully& #!i$Wan 0uickly faded !ack into the store) then ran !y the surprised shop o ner and left !y the alley e.it& The palace of +ala asn,t far& #!i$Wan hesitated at the ornate (e eled "ates) onderin" hat to do& He could hardly alk in and announce himself& He assumed that the 'arious ministers and candidates for "o'ernorship must come to the palace for meetin"s a!out the upcomin" elections& Should he (ust stop the nest important$lookin" person and tell him hy he as there3 #!i$Wan ished *ui$+on as ith him& The Jedi %ni"ht ould kno hat to do& #!i$ Wan,s mind as too filled ith possi!ilities and "uesses& He felt e.posed here on the street outside the place& He as afraid the pro!ot ould return at any moment& Still onderin" ho to proceed) #!i$Wan drifted !ack to stand underneath the shado of a !uildin" o'erhan"& He atched as a small passen"er spaceliner "lided do n from the sky& 9t seemed to !e headed strai"ht to ard him& #!i$Wan tensed) then reali5ed he as standin" ne.t to a small spaceport han"er& He mo'ed for ard) still keepin" in the shado of the o'erhan") to atch the ship land& The ramp lo ered) and the pilot "ot out& Someone mo'ed for ard to "reet him& 9t as youn" man dressed in a lon" cloak and a rapped headdress& 69 ha'e !een aitin" for three minutes)7 the !oy snapped as the pilot approached him& 6-y apolo"ies) my Prince& /0uipment check took a !it lon"er than usual& But e are ready to fly&7

#!i$Wan stiffened& 9t must !e Prince Be(u: 62on,t !ore me ith the #!'ious)7 the Prince snapped& 6are my supplies loaded37 64es) my Prince& 9s your royal "uard ready to !oard37 62on,t !ore me ith 0uestions 8 (ust o!ey me:7 Prince Be(u ordered& 69 e.pect takeoff in t o minutes& 9 ill !e restin" durin" the fli"ht) so do not distur! me&7 Prince Be(u flun" his cloak !ehind a shoulder and stalked off& 9t as clear to #!i$Wan that the Prince must !e headin" to Phindar for the meetin" ith the Syndicat& Should he pre'ent the Prince from lea'in"3 No, #!i$Wan thou"ht& He ould (ust end up in prison) this time on +ala) if he interfered here& Better to sho a!oard and see if he could "et !ack to Phindar& #!i$Wan atched as Prince Be(u disappeared up the e.it ramp& He as surprised to see that Be(u asn,t much older than he as& He as the same hei"ht as #!i$Wan as ell) and had the same sturdy frame & & & The idea flashed into #!i$Wan,s mind like a po ered$up li"htsa!er& Was it too risky3 Should he attempt it3 He had only minutes to decide& Cautiously) he slipped onto the ship& Prince Be(u as no here in si"ht& #!i$Wan reali5ed that the Prince as no here in si"ht& #!i$Wan reali5ed that the Prince,s transport that had !een con'erted for his royal use& 9t as fitted ith e'ery lu.ury& Prince Be(u as pro!a!ly in his stateroom) !ehind the "ilded door immediately to #!i$Wan ri"ht& #!i$Wan 0uickly ent into the cockpit& He sat for a moment) familiari5in" himself ith the controls& He had piloted cloud cars and air$speeders and once) a hu"e transport ship& This shouldn,t !e too hard& He headed !ack into the stateroom a"ain an opened a closet door& #ne held supplies) !ut he found hat he as lookin" for in the ne.t 8 a ro headdresses similar to the one the Prince ore& #!i$Wan 0uickly slipped one on his head) then rapped the deep purple cloak in a rich fa!ric around his shoulders& He returned to the cockpit and sat in the pilot seat& He sa the pilot headin" for the ship) alon" ith three royal "uards& *uickly) #!i$Wan deacti'ated the e.it ramp and started the ion en"ines& The pilot looked up) startled& #!i$Wan could see the pu55lement on his face& The Pada an had counted on the fact that the headdress and cloak ould confuse the pilot and the "uards& They ould assume that Prince Be(u as pilotin" the ship& >ot for lon") perhaps 8 !ut if #!i$Wan as lucky) he ould ha'e enou"h time to take off&

The comlink suddenly !lared to life& 6T o minutes are up:7 Prince Be(u !arked& 6Why are e not takin" off37 69mmediately) my Prince)7 #!i$Wan said crisply& He started preparations for takeoff& The ion en"ines re''ed& The pilot and the "uards mo'ed closer) tryin" to "et a !etter look& #!i$Wan sa one "uard,s hand mo'e to his !laster& 6>o )7 he muttered) and the ship !lasted out of the atmosphere of +ala& He aited until they ere in deep space& Then he tossed the headdress and cloak aside) for the moment& A eapons ca!inet as mounted on the all of the cockpit& He selected a !laster& Then he made his ay !ack to the Prince,s stateroom& The Prince as reclinin" on a sleep couch hen he entered& 69 said 9 didn,t ant to !e distur!ed:7 he snapped) not lookin" up& #!i$Wan alked closer& He placed the !laster under the Prince,s chin& 6So sorry&7 The Prince t isted around to look at #!i$Wan& 6+uards:7 he screamed& 6They decided to stay on +ala)7 #!i$Wan said& 6+et off of my ship:7 Prince Be(u !lustered& 69,ll see you dead: Who are you3 Ho dare you:7 62on,t !ore me ith 0uestions)7 #!i$Wan said) haulin" the Prince to his feet& 6Just o!ey me&7

Chapter 1G
*ui$+on) Pa..i) and +uerra found a place to hide !ehind a pile of repair e0uipment in the Syndicat han"er& They had found out from 2uenna hen the Prince as scheduled to arri'e& Baftu and a troop of assassin droids and Syndicat "uards aited on the landin" platform& The 2erida !rothers and *ui$+on ore their stolen Syndicat armor coats& /'en thou"h the coats "a'e them some protection) it as !etter to keep out of si"ht& %aadi had entered enthusiastically into their plan& She) too) thou"ht the Prince,s 'isit ould !e a perfect time to strike& She had contacted her re!el operati'es& All they ould need as a si"nal from her hen the arehouses ere open& She had desi"nated people to find eapons and distri!ute them) find "ood) find supplies& And hen the !acta as loaded onto the Prince,s ship) she ould make sure that the Phindians sa it happen& *ui$+on couldn,t ima"ine the fury of a people depri'ed so lon" of hat they needed to

li'e& Surely the capital ould e.plode& That ould "i'e them plenty of di'ersion to !reak in and steal the treasury& #nce the Syndicat as destroyed) peace could return to Phindar at last& So hy as he so uneasy3 *ui$+on ondered& Perhaps it as !ecause the plan seemed so simple) yet as so dependent on their "uesses& What if the Prince ent to head0uarters first3 What if Baftu dou!le$crossed him and ithheld the !acta3 What if Pa..i,s anti$re"ister de'ice didn,t ork3 *ui$+on had tested it on a security lock of %aadi,s) !ut hat if the arehouse locks ere different3 9t ould ha'e !een dan"erous to test it first) !ut should they ha'e tried3 Perhaps he as allo in" his orry a!out #!i$Wan in interfere ith his (ud"ement& He as an.ious to !rin" a!out the Syndicat collapse so that he could find his Pada an& But as he actin" rashly3 64ou are orryin") Jedi$+on)7 +uerra hispered& 64ou should not& /'erythin" ill !e smooth& Pa..i and 9 ha'e al ays !een lucky&7 *ui$+on had certainly not seen any e'idence to support this& But +uerra as tryin" to !e helpful) so he nodded in thanks& 64es so) e "uarantee this)7 Pa..i added in a hisper& 6The Syndicat ill !e eakened) may!e collapse) and Prince Be(u ill take off ith no !acta and no alliance& Just so:7 6There is the ship:7 +uerra hissed& The Prince,s ship came into 'ie ) sleek and hite& 9t "lided to a perfect landin"& The ramp slo ly lo ered& *ui$+on tensed& >o e'erythin" ould !e"in& The Prince slo ly alked do n the ramp alone& @irst) *ui$+on as surprised& He had assumed the Prince ould arri'e ith a royal "uard& Then he felt a rush of familiarity& But hy3 9t took him se'eral lon" seconds to reali5e that it as #!i$Wan in dis"uise& Joy filled his heart& His Pada an as ali'e: But 0uickly) (oy as follo ed !y confusion& Had #!i$Wan lost his memory and someho !ecome mi.ed up in affairs on +ala3 That ould !e an incredi!le coincidence& Ho had he met Prince Be(u3 6<ook at him)7 Pa..i said in dis"ust& 64ou can tell the !rute is e'il&7 6<ook closer& The !oy is #!i$Wan)7 *ui$+on murmured& Pa..i "asped& 64es so) 9 thou"ht he seemed handsome and !ra'e)7 he added 0uickly&

6And hat royal !earin" he has:7 6#!a an: 9 am o'er(oyed:7 +uerra e.ulted) hid 'oice a hisper& Then his face fell& 6But hat can e do) ise %ni"ht Jedi$+on3 We can,t follo our plan no & 9f e alert the people that the Prince id takin" the !acta) e ill put #!i$Wan in "reat dan"er&7 62o you think #!a an had !een memory$ iped37 Pa..i hispered& 6What if the Syndicat is usin" him37 69 don,t kno hat to think)7 *ui$+on said 0uietly) his eyes on #!i$Wan as the !oy "reeted Baftu& There as only one thin" he could do& *ui$+on concentrated and reached out to the @orce& He "athered it in) then directed it to ard #!i$Wan like a crestin" a'e& He aited) e'ery muscle tense) e'ery cell on alert& His heart cried out for his Pada an to hear him& He felt #!i$Wan catch the @orce and send it !ack to him& 9t !roke o'er him like a "lorious aterfall& *ui$+on closed his eyes in s eet relief& 69t is all ri"ht)7 he told Pa..i and +uerra& 6He has ithstood the memory ipe&7 Pa..i and +uerra e.chan"ed stunned "lances& 6>o one has e'er done this completely&, Pa..i said& 69 kne he could)7 +uerra affirmed& 6>ot so) 9 lie& 9 feared for my "reat friend #!a an& And no 9 feel relief and (oy&7 6-e as ell) "ood !rother)7 Pa..i said& The t o !rother looped their lon" arms around each other and hu""ed) their faces close to"ether and smilin"& But *ui$+on as orried& +uerra as ri"ht& They could endan"er #!i$Wan ith their plan& But did #!i$Wan ha'e his o n plan3 Had the !oy "otten himself into deeper trou!le3 *ui$+on si"hed& He ould ha'e to ait& He must take no action until he kne #!i$Wan had in mind& hat

#ne of the Jedi lessons *ui$+on had impressed upon the !oy a"ain and a"ain as the necessary acti'ity of aitin"& Acti'ity can endan"er) he had told him& To ait and to atch is the more difficult task) yet it is one e must master& 9f only he had tau"ht himself the lesson as ell&

#!i$Wan felt the @orce hit him like a a'e& The kno led"e that *ui$+on as near "a'e him coura"e& He had orried that Terra mi"ht chan"e her mind and appear at the platform to "reet Prince Be(u& She ould reco"ni5e him instantly) he as sure& And thou"h he had locked the Prince in stora"e in the car"o hold) he orried that the Prince ould !e a!le to make enou"h noise to carry !eyond the ship& He needed to "et Baftu a ay as soon as possi!le& 6Welcome) Prince Be(u)7 Baftu said as he approached& 69,m surprised to find you alone& 2id you pilot yourself37 69 thou"ht it !est to come alone)7 #!i$Wan said in a loud 'oice) hopin" that *ui$+on could hear& 69 must confess that 9 ha'e dou!ts a!out this alliance&7 Baftu,s smile faded& 6But e ha'e a"reed on all terms&7 64es) !ut 9 risk more than you)7 #!i$Wan said& 64ou make "rand claims that 9 must trust you can fulfill& 4ou speak of "oods 9 ha'e not seen&7 #!i$Wan a'ed a hand& 64ou talk of !acta supplies) of a "reat treasury you ill share to help me in !ack +ala& But 9 ha'e not seen them& Baftu,s smile as strained& 6But of course you shall& To head0uarters) then& We can take refreshment) and 86 6>o& The !acta first)7 #!i$Wan interrupted sharply& 6But 9 ha'e prepared a feast)7 Baftu said& 6We can "o o'er details& Wasn,t it you ho said you ould need refreshment after the (ourney37 62o not !ore me ith 0uestion:7 #!i$Wan snapped& 6Just o!ey me& The !acta first& Then the treasury& #r 9 ill !et !ack on my ship and return home&7 Baftu,s annoyance as 'isi!le& 62id e not a"ree that it ould !e !etter to load the !acta under co'er of darkness3 9f my people see the amount of !acta e ha'e) it could !e dan"erous for !oth of us&7 #!i$Wan flun" the cape o'er his shoulder& 6Can you not control your people) Baftu3 Are you afraid of them3 This makes me uneasy&7 @or a moment) #!i$Wan thou"ht that Baftu ould strike him do n& But the alliance as all important to him& Baftu,s small) cunnin" eyes narro ed) and he forced a smile& 6As the Prince hishes) of course& <et us load the !acta&7

6/.cellent)7 *ui$+on said to +uerra and Pa..i in a lo 'oice& 6#!i$Wan is stallin" for time& We,ll ha'e to chan"e our plan& @irst the treasure) then the arehouses& Alert %aadi that the Prince ill !e loadin" the !acta& And the) follo me&7

Chapter 1H
Pa..i and +uerra tried their emer"ency si"nal to "et 2uenna,s help) !ut after aitin" a fe minutes) *ui$+on determined that they ould ha'e to "et inside Syndicat head0uarters ithout her& 6But ho ) Jedi$+on37 +uerra asked& 6Blast our ay in3 Create a di'ersion37 6<et,s hope there,s some confusion since the Prince is here& Thin"s on,t !e routine& So e,ll (ust alk in)7 *ui$+on said) lo erin" his dark 'isor& They strode past the "uard ith a nod& The second one as harder& He asked for their order num!er& 6Prince Be(u has chan"ed plans& He ants to load the !acta first)7 *ui$+on ans ered& 6Baftu has sent us here&7 6Without an order num!er37 the "uard asked skeptically& 64es) e,ll "o in)7 *ui$+on said) !rin"in" the @orce to !ear on the Phindian& 64es) "o on in)7 the "uard said) a'in" them throu"h& The security !eams ere turned off on the rear entrance) most likely !ecause so many "uards ere "oin" in and out& They ere not challen"ed as they made their ay do n the halls to ard the staircase to the lo er le'el& *ui$+on led them to the secret room and acti'ated the all shift& *uickly) they headed for the security door& 6>o ) it,s your turn)7 *ui$+on said to Pa..i& He fer'ently hoped that Pa..i,s de'ice ould ork& Pa..i (acked into the security panel& *ui$+on heard a series of electronic !eeps& Then he pressed his thum!print a"ainst the transfer re"ister& A !eep follo ed& Then the li"ht turned "reen) and the door opened& 69t orked) "ood !rother:7 +uerra cried& *ui$+on ished he didn,t sound 0uite so surprised& The room as filled ith treasures& +ems) spice) currencies) rare metals&

6We,ll need transport)7 *ui$+on said& 6We can,t "et all of this out of the !uildin") so e,ll ha'e to hide it&7 Pa..i and +uerra hurried !ack to the holdin" pen at the staircase to "et the floaters they,d hidden there& *ui$+on stacked the materials& Then they loaded them onto the floaters and took them to the supply closet& The closet could !arely hold e'erythin") !ut they ere a!le to shut the door& 6>o e ha'e to "et to the arehouses)7 *ui$+on said&

Pa..i closed the security door and reset the transfer re"ister& They 0uickly left the secret room and closed the all a"ain& They hurried up the stairs and took the !ack entrance& As they rounded the corner of the "rand mansion to ard the front "ates) *ui$+on held up a hand& 6Wait)7 he murmured& Baftu,s "old speeder pulled up& Baftu and #!i$Wan emer"ed) @ollo ed !y the assassin droids& 69t is !etter to let my "uards load your ship)7 Baftu as sayin" to the !oy he thou"ht as the Prince& 6They ill do it 0uickly and efficiently) 9 assure you& >o you ill 'ie the treasury&7 69 am pleased)7 #!i$Wan replied& 64ou see) Jedi +on37 Pa..i hispered& 6#ur plan is orkin"&7 6We are lucky !rothers)7 +uerra a"reed& Just then) Terra emer"ed from Syndicat head0uarters& She started do n the stairs& #!i$ Wan reached !ehind him to dra his cloak up around his face) !ut it as too late& Terra pointed& 64ou are not Prince Be(u:7 she cried&

Chapter 1I
#!i$Wan,s mind orked 0uickly& Terra had reco"ni5ed him& But it as still her ord a"ainst his& He ould ha'e to !luff his ay throu"h& He turned to Baftu& 6 ho is this ho dares to challen"e me37 6-y partner) Terra)7 Baftu said& 6What are you sayin"37 he asked Terra fiercely& 64ou ha'e ne'er met the Prince&7 6This man is a re!el&7 Terra insisted) dra in" her !laster& 69 ordered his memory ipe myself&7

9n the shado s) *ui$+on,s hand en to his li"htsa!er& Pa..i and +uerra dre their !lasters) prepared to fi"ht& They follo ed *ui$+on,s lead) aitin" to see hat #!i$Wan ould do& 69f 9 resem!le some petty criminal on your orld) that is not my affair)7 #!i$Wan said contemptuously& He narro ed his eyes as he looked at Baftu& 69s this a ruse to deflect me from inspectin" your treasury3 9 am already unsure a!out this alliance& & & &7 6>o) no)7 Baftu soothed& 62o not listen to my partner& <et us "o do n to the 'ault&7 #!i$Wan nodded shortly& 69,m comin") too)7 Terra said "rimly& 6What shall e do) Jedi$+on37 +uerra hispered& 62an"er is not past for #!a an&7 *ui$+on had already decided& 6Pa..i) "o to the arehouses ith your de'ice and open them& We must proceed ith the plan& Contact %aadi and start distri!utin" food and eapons&7 *ui$+on put a hand on Pa..i,s shoulder& 69 kno you ant to stay and help #!i$Wan& But a di'ersion ill help him more than you can here&7 Pa..i nodded and fled& 6+uerra) come ith me)7 *ui$+on said& They attached themsel'es to the rear of the "roups ith Baftu and #!i$Wan& 6Terra is e.cita!le)7 Baftu said to #!i$Wan& 62o not listen to her&7 6So you ha'e an e.cita!le partner ho is not to !e listened to)7 #!i$Wan said& 6That does not sound ise&7 Terra drifted closer to them& When Baftu turned to "i'e an order to a droid) she murmured in #!i$Wan,s ear) 6>o matter hat Baftu thinks) 9 kno you,re a fake& 9 don,t kno ho you resisted that memory ipe) !ut 9,ll find out& And 9,ll kill you in a heart!eat&7 6#nly droids do nstairs)7 Baftu ordered !riskly as they approached the stairs to the stora"e room& 6+uards) ait here&7 *ui$+on and +uerra aited until the "roup as all do nstairs& Then they crept after them) keepin" out of si"ht& Baftu acti'ated the slidin" all& They entered the sanctuary& *ui$+on and +uerra ho'ered outside) aitin"& They peered inside the crack in the all as Baftu pressed his

print a"ainst the transfer re"ister& The security door opened& They heard Baftu,s cry of dismay& Terra rushed for ard& 6What is this37 she e.claimed& 6Where is the treasury37 Baftu turned to her& His face as a mask of ra"e& 6>o 9 see hy you ere a"ainst this meetin"& And hy you accused the Prince of !ein" an imposter& 4ou had already stolen my treasure:7 %our treasure: 9t is as much mine as yours:7 Terra said an"rily& 6So you admit that you stole it)7 Baftu said& His 'oice had dropped to a lo ) threatenin" tone& 6#f course 9 didn,t steal it:7 Terra said) e.asperated& 6Somethin" is "oin" on here) Baftu& This Prince is an imposter& Someone is tryin" to discredit me) or you 8 listen to me:7 Baftu turned& He nodded at the assassin droids& 9t happened !efore anyone could mo'e or e'en !link& The assassin droids fired their !uilt$in !lasters at Terra& There as a moment here she stood) her e.pression !lank and uncomprehendin"& 64ou fool&7 She said to Baftu) and fell& Baftu stepped o'er her !ody as thou"h it as stray "ar!a"e on the street& He placed his hand on #!i$Wan,s el!o & 6Come) Prince Be(u& 9 ha'e taken care of the traitor& 9t is a matter of time !efore 9 find here she hid the treasury& This is nothin"& 9t ill not interfere ith our plans&7 *ui$+on had to pull at a shocked +uerra to "et him to fade !ack into the ne.t room& They aited there hile Baftu left ith #!i$Wan and the assassin droids& They could hear Baftu still reassurin" #!i$Wan as they alked a ay& As soon as they ere out of si"ht) *ui$+on and +uerra rushed into the sanctuary& Terra lay in the door ay of the treasury room& +uerra knelt ne.t to her& Tenderly) he reached one lon" arm underneath her !ody and raised here to cradle her a"ainst him& Terra looked up at him& The li"ht in her !ri"ht oran"e eyes as fadin"& 64ou don,t remem!er me)7 +uerra said !rokenly& Terra,s eyes cleared& @or a moment) they !la5ed !ri"ht as memory rushed !ack& 6>o so) !rother)7 she said softly& She reached up a trem!lin" hand and touched +uerra,s cheek&

6>o so&7 Her eye lids fluttered closed& She curled one arm around +uerra,s neck) rested her head a"ainst him) and died&

Chapter 1K
They heard a cry !ehind them& *ui$+on turned& 2uenna stood in the door ay) her hand at her heart& 6-y "ood mother)7 +uerra said) his oran"e eyes full of tears& 6#ur Terra is "one&7 2uenna knelt !eside her dau"hter& +uerra put Terra in her arms& *ui$+on touched +uerra,s shoulder& 6We must "o) my "ood friend)7 he said& 69f a !attle !e"ins) #!i$Wan ill !e in "reat dan"er& 4our people ill think he,s takin" all the !acta&7 2uenna looked at her son as she cradled Terra& Her eyes ere clear& 64es so) my son& 4ou must "o& 4our sister must not die in 'ain&7 *ui$+on only paused to lift #!i$Wan,s li"htsa!er from the eapons rack near the door& They hurried throu"h the street to ard the arehouses& They heard the commotion from !locks a ay& Blaster fire and shoutin" punctured hat sounded like one continuous roar of ra"e& *ui$+on and +uerra !e"an to run& As they dre closer) they !e"an to see Phindians) their arms full of supplies) rushin" past them& *ui$+on kne the plan %aadi had de'ised& She had desi"nated runners to deli'er food and medicine to the sick and restock the hospitals ith med supplies& They rounded the last corner to the arehouses& *ui$+on sa in a 0uick "lance that Pa..i and %aadi had done their ork ell& They had passed out eapons to the re!els) ho held a line of resistance a"ainst the Syndicat "uards& Behind that line) Phindians passed supplies from hand to hand) passin" the supplies to runners ho took off ith them& He sa Pa..i toss a proton "renade into a sea of Syndicat "uards& %aadi ran for ard ith a force pike and attacked a "uard tryin" to !last a runner ith her hands full of medpacs& *ui$+on 0uickly made his ay to Pa..i,s side& 6Ha'e you seen #!i$Wan37 Pa..i shook his head& 6-ay!e his is !y his ship&7

But then *ui$+on sa him in the midst of the Syndicat "uards& Baftu stood near!y) atchin" the !attle& *ui$+on atched as #!i$Wan slipped a !laster from a "uard,s holster ithout him noticin"& *ui$+on sent out the @orce to his Pada an) and #!i$Wan looked o'er the cro d strai"ht at him& He nodded& *ui$+on po ered up !oth li"htsa!ers& They arced "reen and !lue) "lo in" in the "ray air& #!i$Wan leaped for ard o'er the Syndicat "uards& *ui$+on tossed his Pada an,s li"htsa!er hi"h in the air& 9t re'ol'ed slo ly) turnin" in a "raceful arc& #!i$Wan reached out his hand and the hilt of his li"htsa!er landed in his palm& As he landed) he slashed out at the front line of Syndicat "uards& Baftu "aped at #!i$Wan) fro5en ith shock to see the !oy he kne as Prince Be(u on the attack& 6%ill him:7 he screamed at the "uards& *ui$+on as already mo'in" for ard himself) addin" to #!i$Wan,s assault ith his o n frontal attack& They no kne here the Syndicat "uards ere 'ulnera!le) and they did not aste time directin" !lo s at their armor& 9nstead) they slashed out at ankles and necks) and mana"ed to flip off the armored 'isors so they ould ha'e clear shots to disa!le them& The @orce as around them) "uidin" them& #!i$Wan felt its po er as it !attled a"ainst the dark side of the cruel Syndicat "uards& He felt to "ood ener"y of the Phindians at his !ack) helpin" him& His !lo s landed here he aimed) and he e'aded !laster fire ith the help of the @orce) hich told him hen to t ist) mo'e) leap) and !lock& The success of the Jedi empo ered the Phindians& The sur"ed for ard) cryin" in ra"e& *ui$+on sa Baftu suddenly pale as the line of Syndicat "uards !roke& +uerra as the first to leap for ard) a !laster in one hand and a !o caster in the other& He dre !ack the !o of the !o caster) and the laser shot out) strai"ht at Baftu& Baftu cried out and "ra!!ed a Syndicat "uard& He !locked the !lo fell& Baftu turned and ran) ith +uerra in pursuit& ith the "uard) ho

#!i$Wan leaped o'er a pile of fallen Syndicat "uards and took off after Baftu and +uerra& *ui$+on e'aded a !lo from a force pike easily and s i'eled) lookin" for Pa..i& He spotted Pa..i and %aadi off to his ri"ht& They had !een surrounded !y Syndicat "uards ith electro$(a!!ers& *ui$+on cut do n a "uard headin" to ard him and leaped hi"h o'er hoe'er as in his ay& He hit the "round and used the momentum to leap up onto a partially collapsed all& But he as too late& A Syndicat "uard (a!!ed Pa..i) hose arm ent num!) and he dropped his !laster& %aadi rushed to help Pa..i as another "uard fired& The !laster fire hit %aadi) and she fell& With his "ood arm) Pa..i thre the anti$re"ister de'ice he held at the "uard& Blaster fire hit the de'ice) causin" it to ricochet !ack at the

"uard& *ui$+on leaped into the fray) his li"htsa!er hummin"& He struck the killin" !lo at the "uard) then turned to the ne.t& To"ether) he and Pa..i finished off the rest of the "uards& Pa..i knelt !y %aadi& 62on,t look so sad)7 %aadi said eakly& 69,m still ali'e&7 *ui$+on 0uickly tossed t o !lasters to Pa..i& 6Stay ith her)7 he told him& *uickly) he turned and ran& He found a medic ho as distri!utin" supplies and directed her to ard Pa..i and %aadi& Then he headed for the spaceport& When he reached it) Baftu as surrounded !y assassin droids and Syndicat "uards& Prince Be(u,s ship stood) half loaded ith !acta& While the "uards protected Baftu) Phindians hurriedly unloaded the !acta from the car"o hold under fire& -ore and more re!els appeared to co'er the line of those unloadin" !acta& +uerra and #!i$Wan ere in the thick of it& *ui$+on sa the !lue "lo of #!i$Wan,s li"htsa!er slashin" and (a!!in" as the !oy mo'ed) e'adin" !laster fire& *ui$+on hurried to support #!i$Wan& But !efore he could strike a sin"le !lo ) Baftu suddenly turned and dashed to ard the entry ramp of the ship& 6He,s tryin" to escape:7 +uerra shouted& He turned to the "uards& 64ou see here your leader,s loyalty lies 8 ith himself only:7 Baftu stum!led as he reached the ramp& The Syndicat "uards turned& The closest one tackled Baftu and !rou"ht him do n& They !oth rolled to the !ottom of the ramp& +uerra hurried for ard& He placed his !laster a"ainst Baftu,s head& 69 arrest you in the name of the Phindian people)7 he cried& 6%ill the re!el:7 Baftu screamed at the "uards& The Syndicat "uards e.chan"ed "lances& Their arms dropped to their sides& 62estroy him:7 Baftu screamed a"ain) this time to the assassin droids& But #!i$Wan and *ui$+on leaped as one from opposite ends& <i"htsa!ers flashin") they cut the droids do n like t i"s& 9on en"ines suddenly roared to life& The ship !e"an to mo'e& 6Prince Be(u)7 #!i$Wan said& 6He must ha'e escaped from the car"o hold&7 The ship rose slo ly) (erkily) into the air&

6<et him "o)7 *ui$+on said& 6His fate lies else here&7

Chapter ?L
The follo in" eek) #!i$Wan *ui$+on) Pa..i and +uerra stood in the to n market& Around them the same stalls that had !een empty so lon" ere heaped ith a!undance& Supplies) fresh fruit) circuits for na'i$computers) !eddin") !lankets& Phindians milled a!out ith !askets on their arms !rimmin" ith fresh food and flo ers& 4oda had asked the Jedi to remain on Phindar until the pro'isional "o'ernment had !een set up& The process had taken a fe days to arran"e& Currently) a coalition of former council mem!ers and the last official "o'ernor of Phindar ere runnin" the planet,s affairs& /lections ere planned for the follo in" month for the ne.t official "o'ernor& Baftu and his tops lieutenants ere !ein" held in a hi"h$security prison a aitin" trial& -ost of the Syndicat "uards had !een memory$ iped !y Baftu) and some had returned to their families in hopes that lo'e and care ould restore any memories remainin"& #!i$Wan and *ui$+on had met the 2erida !rothers in the marketplace in order to 'ie Pa..i,s monument& He had destroyed the memory$ ipe droid and mounted the scraps on a pedestal for all Phindians to see& The shuddered at the si"ht of it) and ere fer'ently "lad it had !een dismantled for "ood& 69t as an e.cellent idea) "ood !rother)7 +uerra said the Pa..i& 6/'il must !e faced in order to !e con0uered&7 64es so) "ood !rother)7 Pa..i a"reed& 6Ho is %aadi37 *ui$+on asked& 6Better) 9 hope&7 Pa..i "rinned& 6Already orderin" her medics around& She ill !e !ack at home at the end of the eek&7 +uerra "lanced around the marketplace) a look of sudden sadness on his face& 69 am content)7 he said& 6>ot so) 9 lie& So much e'il has !een con0uered) yes& But on this day 9 hoped also to ha'e Terra ith us as she as&7 6She died as she once as) "ood !rother)7 Pa..i said) his face a mirror of +uerra,s sadness& He slun" his lon" arm around his !rother& +uerra did the same& They faced each other and si"hed& 6We are sad) yet not so&7 +uerra said& 64es so)7 Pa..i said& 6#ur orld is free) and e ha'e the ise Jedi$+on and the !ra'e #!a an to thank&7

6There,s only one pro!lem)7 #!i$Wan said& 6>o that there is plenty for all a"ain on Phindar) there,s no !lack market& What ill you do37 6/.cellent point) #!a an)7 +uerra said& 69) too) ha'e ondered this& /specially since my "ood !rother destroyed the anti$re"ister de'ice&7 6He sa'ed %aadi,s life)7 *ui$+on pointed out& 6Just so)7 +uerra admitted& 64et the sale of the de'ice ould ha'e !rou"ht us "reat riches&7 69t ould ha'e !rou"ht a!out your do nfall)7 #!i$Wan said& 6There as e'il surroundin" that de'ice& 4ou ere a!le to use it for "ood& But most ould not&7 6As usual) you are most ise) #!a an)7 +uerra admitted ith a si"h& 64et it as so much fortune to lose&7 6And e still do not kno hat e shall do)7 Pa..i said& 6We ha'e !een re!els for so lon") and thie'es e'en lon"er& There is no place for us here on our !elo'ed orld&7 *ui$+on looked amused& 69 ouldn,t say that& What a!out the upcomin" elections3 Phindar ill need a ne "o'ernor& 4ou t o are heroes at the moment& Why doesn,t one of you run for the post37 +uerra lau"hed& 6-e) "o'ernor3 Ha) 9 lau"h at Jedi$+on,s (oke: 9 ould make such a terri!le politician& Wait) 9 lie: 9 ould !e ma"nificent:7 64ou ould make the !etter "o'ernor) "ood !rother)7 Pa..i said& 6Wait) 9 lie as ell: 9 ould !e !etter: 9 shall run:7 6Well) you,ll ha'e to decide !et een yoursel'es)7 *ui$+on said& 69t is time for us to part& #!i$Wan and 9 must "et to +ala&7 69 ill take you:7 Pa..i cried& 69t ould !e my happiness:7 6Thank you) !ut e ha'e a transport ship)7 *ui$+on said& 6This time) 9 ould like to reach my destination&7 +uerra reached out to clasp #!i$Wan,s hands& 64ou are my "reat "ood friend) #!a an& 9f you e'er need the ser'ice of the ne "o'ernor of Phindar) you ha'e only to ask&7 6To ask me:7 Pa..i said cheerfully& 6>ot so) my "ood !rother)7 +uerra said& 6-e&7

6@are ell)7 *ui$+on said& 6We ill meet a"ain) 9,m sure&7 The !rothers said "ood$!ye !y rappin" their lon" arms around the Jedi at once and s0uee5in" three times& When *ui$+on and #!i$Wan alked a ay) the 2erida !rothers ere still ar"uin" o'er ho ould return for "o'ernor& *ui$+on as still smilin" as they headed for the spaceport& 6#ur ne.t mission ill !e far more difficult) 9 fear), he said& 6But the sta!ility of +ala is crucial to this star system& We,re needed there more than e'er&7 69,m not lookin" for ard to meetin" up ith Prince Be(u a"ain)7 #!i$Wan admitted& 69 hope he doesn,t in the election&, 6We are there merely to o!ser'e)7 *ui$+on reminded him& 64es) that is al ays true)7 #!i$Wan said& 64et e al ays seem to end up in the middle of thin"s&7 They entered the spaceport here their transport as aitin"& 69,m "lad of one thin") Pada an)7 *ui$+on said& 64ou ha'e held on to your memories&7 64our ri'er stone helped me)7 #!i$Wan said) placin" his hand o'er his inner pocket& 69 did not reali5e the stone as @orce$sensiti'e& 9 should ha'e kno n you ould ha'e "i'en me somethin" of "reat 'alue&, 6@orce$sensiti'e37 *ui$+on fro ned& 6What do you kno & 9 thou"ht it as (ust a pretty rock&7 #!i$Wan "a'e him a startled "lance& *ui$+on,s face as impassi'e as he strode to ard the transport& Was his -aster kiddin" or serious3 He had no idea& They started up the entry ramp& A smile stole o'er #!i$Wan,s face& Another mission lay ahead& Perhaps throu"h its trials he ould "ro to understand *ui$+on& But someho he thou"ht not& 9t ould likely take a lifetime !efore he fi"ured his -aster out&