Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Drenna moved through the crowded streets of Testa. The buildings were carved of enormous blocks of stone in somber colors. The city had a teeming population, and in an effort to retain order there were strict controls on behavior. Qui-Gon felt it would be an easy task to get arrested. He had insisted on avoiding any violence or destruction of property. Instead, they merely needed to find an open park or plaza.
Drenna pointed ahead. "I see a place."
They made sure a pair of security police were nearby as they strolled through a plaza planted with green grass and shrubs. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan casually unfurled their survival tent and began to set up a condenser unit. Drenna unpacked some food.
Within minutes, the two security police appeared.
"What do you think you're doing?" "Cooking," Drenna said brightly.
"Loitering is against the law," one of them said. "So is cooking outdoors. Move along." "But we're hungry," Obi-Wan said.
"We won't be long," Drenna said.
Apparently Drenna's youth and winning smile had an effect. The tall Rutanian policeman looked at his companion, a female even taller than he was. They both shrugged.
"End of my shift," the male murmured.
"I'm too tired for this," the female said. "If we arrest them, I won't be home for dinner."
"We didn't see you, okay?" the first one said, and turned away. "Just pack up and get lost."
The Jedi and Drenna exchanged surprised glances. They had thought this would be the easy part of their plan.
"We're staying," Drenna insisted quickly.
"And we're going to feed everyone in the park!" Obi-Wan added. "We brought plenty of food. We can stay until sunset."
Slowly, the two officers turned back.
The female sighed. "Are you going to make this hard or easy?"
Qui-Gon concentrated on her mind. "I guess you have to arrest us."
"I guess we have to arrest you," the officer said. "Stand up."
"Whew," Drenna said under her breath as she leaped to her feet. "I never thought I'd feel relieved to hear that."
They packed up their survival gear under the watchful eyes of the police. They were searched, but Qui-Gon used another Jedi mind trick to prevent the police from confiscating their lightsabers and Drenna's dart shooter, informing them to let them pass unhindered — a command the officers repeated dutifully. Then they were herded into the police landspeeder and transported to the prison.
As they passed through the gray durasteel gates, Obi-Wan watched as they slid shut behind them. A system of locks snapped shut in a series of loud clicks. Drenna swallowed.
"Are we sure this is a good idea?" she asked.
"It's too late now," Obi-Wan murmured.
"That's exactly what I mean," she said.
Chapter 14
Once they got to the prison, they were marched to a booking desk.
"Charge?" the desk clerk asked the two security police.
"Loitering," the tall female said. "Can we do this one quickly, Neece? It's the end of our shift."
The guard looked at his timepiece. "Almost the end of mine, too. Long day. Names?"
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Drenna gave their names. They were subjected to a retinal scan. The security police left and two guards were called.
"Escort the prisoners to the holding cell."
The clerk activated the security door and they marched through. The door clanged behind them and the locks snapped in with a final sound.
They headed down the hall between the guards. They had to pass through a number of checkpoints. The sensors glowed red over the open doorways. When the guards approached, they shot at the sensor with a laser pointer located at the tip of an electro-jabber. They were expert at timing their pace with the swing of the jabber in order to make it through the checkpoint smoothly.
The guard on the left swung up his jabber and shot a beam of light at the sensor. It glowed green, but Drenna pretended to cough and brought her dart shooter to her mouth.
Her aim was perfect. The sensor went into a flashing mode, and an alarm sounded.
The guards looked around in surprise. The hallway was empty. The guard's comlink buzzed. "Guard seven, report in."
He spoke into the comlink. "Nothing here. Must be a malfunction. Check the system."
They continued walking. At the next sensor, Drenna set off the alarm before the guard could raise his jabber. The alarm sounded again.
"Guard seven, report in." This time the voice was annoyed.
"Again, it's nothing."
A groan came over the comlink. "Not another bird."
They passed through four sensors on the way to the holding cell. Drenna was so good at concealing the dart shooter that Qui-Gon did not even have to use the Force. The sensors went off, the alarm clanging.
The guards were clearly annoyed as they ushered the group into the holding cell. They led Drenna and the Jedi in and closed the durasteel door.
"Two minutes to shift change," Qui-Gon said softly.
Drenna put her eye to the small opening in the door. It was just big enough for her to aim the dart shooter. She aimed at the sensor across the hall.
The alarm clanged again.
"Why don't they shut it all down?" the guard outside complained, putting his hands over his ears. "All we need is to get the royal guard down here to investigate."
"Prince Leed is here," the other said. "The king will find out about this no matter what."
"Be quiet," the other muttered. "Here comes the warden. Let's head for our shift change before he tells us we have to stay."
They heard the guards' footsteps receding and then, Leed's voice.
"I don't understand this," Leed said angrily. "Your system must be too sensitive. This has happened before. My father will be furious."
"Yes," the warden said nervously. "Perhaps another bird, or some sort of small creature, is triggering the system."