With Qui-Gon gone, things were so confused. He was worried about the reason Qui-Gon left without him. Was Qui-Gon driven by vengeance? Was that why he hadn't wanted Obi-Wan along?
Obi-Wan missed his Master. It was hard to have to miss his friend, too. Especially when she walked beside him.
They swung aboard an almost empty airbus. Obi-Wan looked out at the streets as they passed, hoping to catch a glimpse of his Master.
"He's out there somewhere," he said. He didn't know if Bant was speaking to him, but he was so in the habit of confiding in her that the words tumbled out before he could stop them. "And I don't know what he's thinking or planning. He could be walking into danger. He could need me. If anything happens…"
Bant turned cool silver eyes on him. "If anything happens to your Master, you'll feel as I do." She turned her face forward again.
Obi-Wan felt as though she had slapped him. Of course she was right.
What was there to say? He had already apologized. He felt sincerely sorry he had not considered Bant's feelings. The only thing he could do was agree.
"Yes," he said. "Then I'd know exactly how you feel."
It was rare on a mission when something went exactly the way it should. Yet this time, luck was with them. Obi-Wan remembered exactly where he and Qui-Gon had gone to meet Lenz. It had only been a few days before, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Luckily Lenz was still living in the same quarters. He usually moved often to escape the surveillance of the new Absolutes.
Lenz willingly gave them the address where Yanci was staying a short distance away. Yanci greeted Obi-Wan with tired affection and printed out a copy of the list on a durasheet. They were back on the street and heading for the address of the first med clinic in a short period of time.
They had no trouble with the first three clinics. The clerks freely told them that Oleg was not a patient. But the fourth clinic was staffed by an arrogant clerk named Vero. Puffed up with self-importance, he refused to give out any information.
"I don't know what med clinics do in the Worker Sector," he said haughtily, "but here, we are Civilized, and take our jobs seriously." He eyed Bant with disdain. "Obviously, you are new here. On your planet, things are no doubt more primitive. You might not be familiar with our procedures."
Bant's skin flushed pink with anger. "Listen, you — "
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said quickly, pulling Bant away from the desk.
"Getting into a confrontation isn't going to help," he whispered to her. "We'll have to think of another way."
Bant eyed the clerk. "How about lightsabers? Is that primitive enough for him?"
Obi-Wan grinned. Bant was the most gentle creature he knew, but she had her limits. "He's probably never seen a Mon Calamari before," he said.
"New Apsolon doesn't get many tourists. There are plenty of good Civilized, but I'm sure there are plenty of ones like Vero, too."
"How are you at using the Force to affect his mind?" Bant asked, frowning. "I don't know if I could manage it. Vero is stupid, but he seems stubborn."
Obi-Wan doubted that he would be successful, either. "And the waiting room is so small — everyone would overhear," he murmured.
Bant's silver gaze roved over the. group. "Everyone is staring at us.
" "They've probably never seen a Mon Calamari before, either," Obi-Wan pointed out.
Something sparked in Bant's eyes. "That gives me an idea."
Suddenly, she weaved and began to gasp. "I'm over my limit," she said. "Help me. I need water."
Obi-Wan supported her as she slumped over. "Water!" she cried.
Vero looked over at them, his expression a mix of irritation and alarm. "What is it? The medics are busy."
"She's a Mon Calamari," Obi-Wan said frantically. "She can't stay out of water for more than four hours. We need to immerse her, now!"
"I can't authorize that," Vero said, shaking his head. "She'll just have to wait"
"She'll die!" Obi-Wan cried. Bant cooperated by slumping down even farther.
"I've heard about Mon Calamari," someone spoke up from the waiting area. "What he says is true."
"This will be on your record!" Obi-Wan warned Vero. He'd nearly said conscience, but he wasn't sure if Vero had one. "Do you want that?"
At the mention of his record, Vero looked alarmed. "All right, all right," he said. "There's an immersion tub in back. I'll take her."
Obi-Wan handed Bant over to Vero, who took her arm with distaste. He half dragged her back toward the med cubicles.
Obi-Wan wasted no time. He moved stealth-fully to the desk and quickly accessed the holofiles.
Yes! Oleg had been here, just a few days before. And there was an address listed. Obi-Wan quickly memorized it, then hurried back. He slid into a seat in the waiting area just as Vero returned.
"Your — friend is having her swim," Vero said with a frown.
Bant emerged a few minutes later, still damp. Obi-Wan nodded at her to let her know he had succeeded. Quickly, they left the clinic and headed for a street map kiosk on a nearby corner. They pinpointed the address. It was only a few blocks away. The address was for a small hotel, but their search ended when they discovered that Oleg had checked out.
"Too many questions about that one," the owner of the hotel said darkly. "And I've got no answers for you."
Disappointed, Obi-Wan stopped on the walkway outside. He had a feeling that Qui-Gon had not given up so easily.
"I guess we could stake the place out," Bant said dubiously. "Or stake out the clinic."
"His next appointment isn't for two weeks," Obi-Wan said, discouraged.
"Well, let's contact Mace and tell him it's a dead end," Bant suggested.
Obi-Wan wasn't thrilled at giving Mace that news, but he reached for his comlink.
When Mace answered, he quickly explained the steps they had taken and where they were.
Mace sounded odd. "Give me your location again." When Obi-Wan repeated it, there was a long pause. "I've just received word that a body was found nearby. Meet me there. I am leaving now." Mace gave Obi-Wan the address and signed off.