[Jedi Apprentice] - 16 by The Call To Vengeance (Jude Watson)

Author:The Call To Vengeance (Jude Watson) [Vengeance, The Call To]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-03-10T13:36:16+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The holotape of Tahl as an Absolute had hurt the Jedi. Qui-Gon’s arrest warrant made it worse. Mace ran into roadblocks whenever he tried to gather information. The support of Manex was no longer enough.

Obi-Wan saw the frustration tighten Mace’s features. He knew that Mace was deeply concerned that Qui-Gon had not surfaced to clear his name. He, too, wondered what his Master was thinking. In rare moments of rest, he reached out with the Force, trying desperately to connect. At times he thought he could feel Qui-Gon, but it was not a strong, clear sensation. It was murky and gray. He knew his effort to reach his Master through the Force would not work. They would not connect. There was too much unresolved emotion swirling around Qui-Gon, too much he was trying to hide.

“You need rest,” Mace said at the end of a long, fruitless day. “Both of you.”

But neither Bant nor Obi-Wan wanted to retire to their quarters. They sat in Manex’s private sitting room. Since Manex’s favorite color was green and he believed in indulging himself, every cushion, every seating area, was a different shade of the color. The floors were of highly polished black stone. Obi-Wan felt almost dizzy sitting in the center of all that bright color, but Manex had insisted on giving the Jedi his favorite room, and they felt they could not refuse.

Manex returned from the Legislature only a few moments after the Jedi had. He rushed into the room, his curls waving, looking agitated.

“Qui-Gon was spotted at the Legislature. There was a blaster battle.”

Obi-Wan felt a silent cry of protest rise inside him. He couldn’t bear it if something happened to Qui-Gon now. His body went instantly cold. Bent moved closer to him, her shoulder touching his.

Mace stood. “What happened?”

“He escaped, of course.”

Obi-Wan let out a long breath. Qui-Gon was safe. He felt Bant relax a fraction, and she gave Obi-Wan a look of pure relief.

Manex mopped his brow with a pale gold handkerchief. “What a day. I must tell you that there is a movement afoot to draft me for the elections. It is not a job that I seek. But I am thinking about it. Maybe it is time I got involved. I used to think my brother was the hero, the public servant. I used to say I was only here to make money.” Manex shoved the handkerchief in his pocket. “Maybe I became the way I am because my brother was so noble. Now I am no longer sure what my role is. Maybe the time to abandon my principle of self-protection is here.”

“What about Alani?” Obi-Wan asked. “Would it be hard for you to oppose her?” Manex did not know of Alani’s tie to the Absolutes. He professed affection for the twins.

Manex hesitated. “I have to think of what is best for New Apsolon,” he said. “And I’ve realized one thing. We cannot form a solid government - whether with me or another leader - if we do not expose Balog and the Absolutes.

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