[Jedi Quest] - 09 by The False Peace (Jude Watson)

Author:The False Peace (Jude Watson) [Peace, The False]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-03-10T13:36:24+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Astri looked up, surprised, when Obi-Wan and Anakin slid into her booth. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t seen them enter the diner.

“It’s funny to see you here,” she said to Obi-Wan. “Like a dream. I was just thinking of the old days. Everything is so different now. Even here.” She looked around. “Dexter actually made it into a profitable enterprise.”

“Well, he doesn’t give away meals and drinks the way Didi did,” Obi-Wan said.

She smiled. “That’s true.” She held up her empty cup. “He doesn’t even give refills. But I like it here.”

“Yes, those were good days,” Obi-Wan said. “Things are more complicated now. Like the fact that your husband is trying to destroy the Jedi Order.”

Astri’s hands tightened on her cup. “I long ago made it a policy not to discuss Bog’s politics.”

“So what do you think about, then?” Anakin asked. His question wasn’t confrontational. It was easy, interested. Obi-Wan was relieved that his Padawan had interfered so gracefully. He realized that he was deeply angry with Astri. He had expected better of her.

No expectations. Acceptance.

It was the Jedi way. And sometimes, so very hard to follow.

“My relief work,” Astri responded promptly. “The economy of my adopted world, Nuralee, is failing.”

“I didn’t know that,” Obi-Wan said. “The last time I was on Nuralee it was prospering.”

She looked down into her empty cup. “That was probably some time ago.”

Before Bog took office, Obi-Wan guessed.

“There are many too poor to buy food. I’m here on Coruscant briefly, just to attend a meeting to ask for help from the new All Planets Relief Fund and attend the inaugural ceremony. A Jedi team is acting as couriers and protectors for a shipment of food and medical supplies to Nuralee, and I must return to ensure it gets in the right hands.”

“Do you know who they are?” Anakin asked.

“Soara Antana and Darra Thel-Tanis,” Astri said. “I am grateful for their help.”

You are grateful for the help we give you, but you will not help us. Obi-Wan had the thought but would not say it aloud.

No expectations. Just acceptance.

And as he thought the words, his mind cleared. Now that he was sitting quietly with her, he allowed himself to truly look at her, not just her changed hair and clothes, but what her face revealed. Yes, she was distant and remote. But if he removed his own feelings from the situation, he could see more clearly.

Something was wrong. He was picking up something.

Fear. She was afraid. But of what?

“So you are returning soon,” Anakin said.

“The day after tomorrow. I am anxious to see my son and Didi.”

Obi-Wan leaned back, still studying Astri without seeming to. She looked away, twining her fingers through the handle of her cup.

“So has Bog seen what Dex has done to the old place?” Anakin asked in a jovial tone, gesturing toward the red stools and the curved counter.

Excellent, Anakin. A casual question, but it would give them the information they needed to know. Was there a connection between Bog and the safe house?

“Yes, he’s been here.

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