"Do you think she turned him in?"
"I don't know," Manex said. He spread his hands. "I'm sorry. It isn't much to go on. You see why I didn't want to say anything. I know nothing for sure. It is all instinct."
"I believe in instinct," Obi-Wan said, and headed for the door.
He took the back exit of the dwelling. He didn't want to run into Mace. Bant came forward out of the shadows as he hurried across the lawn.
"Obi-Wan, where are you going?"
"Tell Mace I need to talk to Eritha," Obi-Wan said.
"But can't it wait?" Bant asked, frowning.
"No. Nothing can wait. I'll explain later. Tell Mace that I'm gone."
Obi-Wan did not think that Balog would attack tonight, but he knew Mace and Bant could handle it if it happened. He was more worried about Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon still trusted Eritha.
The Supreme Governor's residence was close by. Obi-Wan circled around the building to the back. If he remembered the layout correctly, Eritha's room was at the back. She had no reason to think that Obi-Wan suspected her. She would join him outside, and then he could question her. If he had the slightest feeling that his doubts about her were correct, he would demand that Mace let him find Qui-Gon.
When he reached the back area, he saw that someone was walking along the dark lawn. At first he didn't know which twin it was. But as she came forward, he knew for certain it was Alani. The two girls were almost identical. Perhaps they could fool others. They were not able to fool him.
"Good evening, Alani," he said.
"I see you couldn't sleep, either," Alani said. "Tomorrow is a big day. My name is being presented to the people for the vote. I'll fulfill my father's legacy."
Obi-Wan decided on the spot to be bold. He would not get anywhere playing games with Alani. "Your father's legacy?" he asked. "But Ewane was never in league with the Absolutes. They just imprisoned and tortured him.
You have changed his legacy, I think."
Alani looked deeply shocked for just a moment. Then she forced out a laugh. "You're joking."
"No. I'm making a point." Obi-Wan took another step toward her. "I believe you are nothing like your father."
Alani took an involuntary step back. Then she gathered her courage and raised her chin. "It doesn't matter what you think. Eritha told me that we have nothing to fear from the Jedi any longer. Your friend is chasing air. Soon you'll be too busy trying to get him out of jail. And I will rule New Apsolon."
"Are you so sure of yourself?" Obi-Wan asked. "Are you so sure you won't be exposed?"
"Exposure is no longer possible," Alani said. "The Jedi have no proof. The people of New Apsolon love me. Eritha was right."
"So Eritha is your ally."
"She is my sister and my protector. She is part of me," Alani said.
"She told me that she was smarter than the Jedi, and she was right. She told me not to worry. I can rule New Apsolon with her by my side. Eritha doesn't like the limelight, but she wants the power. I like it when people are around me and want to talk to me. So I will rule, and she will tell me what to do the way she always has. She told me she would take care of Qui- Gon, and she is doing just that. It was so simple a child could do it. And we are not children anymore. We never had a childhood. Our mother died. Our father was imprisoned. Then he became ruler, and we never saw him. So we can take the only thing he left us, his good name, and make something of ourselves. That's what Eritha says."
He had to keep her talking. Alani, he saw, was not as clever as Eritha.
"What about Tahl?" he asked, ignoring the surge of anger that rocked him when he mentioned her name. The anger would flow through him and pass.
"She was kind to you and you betrayed her."
"She was useful," Alani said, coloring for a moment. "I didn't think she would die. But Eritha says that she will be useful again. Because of Tahl, Qui-Gon will trust Eritha without thinking. He will go with her wherever she wants, even to World Security headquarters itself. That is how smart my sister is. She planted a tracking device on Qui-Gon today at the Legislature. We've known where he is at all times. She will lead him right to security headquarters, and he will follow her! If he escapes, it doesn't matter. They'll find him anyway. Isn't that a clever plan?"
It was all he needed. Without another word, Obi-Wan whirled and ran.
"You're too late, Obi-Wan!" Alani shouted after him. "Just like you were too late for Tahl!"
Chapter 14
Obi-Wan raced down the wide boulevard, heading for the government buildings. He fervently hoped he wasn't too late.
The World Security headquarters loomed ahead, a squat gray building.
He saw two figures hurrying toward it. On one side of the building was a large pen that held hovercraft and swoops. On the other side was the high stone wall that separated the parkland from the road.
"Qui-Gon!" he shouted.
Qui-Gon turned and saw him. Eritha touched his arm, obviously urging him to ignore Obi-Wan and enter the building. Obi-Wan put on a burst of speed and reached out to the Force. He leaped.
At the top of his leap, the doors to the security headquarters flew open. Officers and attack droids spilled down the stairs.
The Force must have warned Qui-Gon, for his lightsaber was activated and in his hand before Obi-Wan hit the ground near him. With one hand, Qui- Gon pushed Eritha out of the danger and leaped forward to cover her.
By now Obi-Wan was close enough to speak to Qui-Gon. "They won't harm her. She betrayed you," he said, taking up his position next to Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon didn't react. He kept his eyes on the officers and droids, which were wheeling in formation in front.
"We must take out the droids," Qui-Gon told him. "Don't harm an officer. I'm wanted. They're only doing their job. As soon as the last attack droid goes down, we leave. What do you say we take the offensive?"
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan leaped together in one motion. The droids began to pepper them with blaster fire. The security officers stayed behind duraplast shields, waiting for the droids to do their work.