Anakin, may I speak with you a moment?"
He drew Anakin aside. "You know this is wrong," he told his Padawan with a frown. "I'm sure you are helping for the right reasons. But this is not our mission. We have more important things to do. And may I remind you that Podracing is illegal?"
"But the Ruling Power is looking the other way — " "But the Games Council is concerned. As should you be. Once word gets out, spectators will arrive. This could turn into a dangerous situation. Do you know what the course will be?"
"Through the caves," Anakin said excitedly. "Can you imagine the difficulties? And they've already thought about the spectators. They're going to set up a viewing stand near the finish line."
"That doesn't mean that they will be safe." Obi-Wan's comlink signaled, and he answered it brusquely.
The unfamiliar voice was frantic with urgency. "There is an emergency — "
"Who is this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Bog. It's Bog. You must come immediately. The Official Quarters."
"What is wrong?"
"Come now!" Bog shouted, and the line went dead.
Chapter Seven
"We need transport," Obi-Wan said to Anakin.
Doby approached them. "We have an airspeeder," he said. "You are welcome to borrow it for as long as you need it. Anakin has helped us with no thought for himself, and we wish to repay him however we can."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said. Although he was irritated with Anakin for heading straight to the Podraces, he was always glad to see how Anakin's generosity endeared him to others. Strangers became friends quickly for his Padawan.
Anakin connected to the Living Force as Qui-Gon had. He had that gift.
What he needed to develop was Qui-Gon's wisdom. That would only take time and missions.
And mistakes. He could hear Qui-Gon's dry tone in his head.
The speeder was tweaked to run smoothly at high speeds, which Obi-Wan would expect from two Podracer owners. He sped back to the city core, Anakin at his side. He did not speculate on what was wrong. Whatever it was that had caused the panic in Bog's voice, he would know soon enough. He hoped nothing had happened to Astri or Didi.
They passed through the high-security gate on the outskirts of the Games Quarters, where athletes and officials were housed. Obi-Wan was relieved when he arrived to see Astri and Didi standing nearby as Bog talked earnestly to Siri and Ferus. Tru stood next to Ry-Gaul. Siri turned to greet him with a thinly disguised look of disgust on her face.
Obi-Wan leaped out of the speeder. "What happened?"
"Bog's speeder was stolen," Siri said. "He felt an alert to all Jedi teams was justified." Ry-Gaul sighed.
Obi-Wan gave Bog an exasperated glance. "You called in Jedi help because of a missing speeder?"
"You don't understand," Bog said. "The speeder was in a secure area.
This is serious. I would think the Jedi would be concerned."
"There will always be petty crime at a large event like this one,"
Siri said. "Everyone should be careful with their personal property."
"Petty?" Bog flushed. "I don't call this petty."
"What Siri means is that this is really a case for the planet security," Obi-Wan said.
Bog flourished his comlink. "Really? Let's see what Liviani says when she arrives."
"You called Liviani?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Of course. As the head of the Council of the Games, I thought she would want to know," Bog said. "I must remind you that I am a member."
"I don't think you need to remind them," Astri said in a low tone.
"You keep mentioning it."
A gleaming black airspeeder drew up, and Liviani slid out. "I received your message," she told Bog in a concerned tone. "Tell me again what happened and what exactly is missing."
Bog threw the Jedi a triumphant look. "The speeder was gone when Astri and I returned from the opening rituals," he said. "As I told you, some personal possessions were inside. My green cloak — the only one I brought for warmth — and a box of my favorite figda candy, as well as my datapad, my travel kit… and I am sure other important things."
"This is very bad," Liviani said. "I'm glad you contacted me." Obi-Wan was surprised at the concern in her tone. He had expected her to be as annoyed as they were. "Members of the Council for the Games deserve the highest consideration." She turned to the Jedi. "You must investigate this at once."
Siri looked startled. "Investigate a speeder theft? It's a waste of our time."
Siri was never one to hide her feelings. "Surely there are better uses for our time," Obi-Wan said in a more conciliatory tone.
"I don't think so," Liviani said flatly. "Begin at once."
"We don't take orders from you," Siri said. Her face was calm but two bright red spots appeared on her cheeks. "We are here at the Ruling Power's request."
"Then I shall contact the Ruling Power," Liviani snapped, reaching for her comlink. "All I have to do is contact Maxo Vista. He will go to them at once, and they will order you."
"No one orders the Jedi." Ry-Gaul spoke at last. His soft voice was measured, but with a core of strength that made everyone stop and look at him. "We accept requests. Then we decide."
Liviani struggled to control her irritation. It was clear that Ry- Gaul's authoritative tone had made her realize it was time to back down.
"Of course," she said through tight lips. She shoved her comlink back into her cloak pocket. "Then I request that this be investigated." She spoke in a more conciliatory tone. "Think about it. This area is under top security.
Yet a thief entered and stole a valuable item. The athletes and workers are under my care."
Obi-Wan nodded shortly. "In that case, we accept your request. One Jedi team will investigate."
Liviani swept off in a swirl of robes and scarves. Siri drew closer to Obi-Wan.
"I still say this is a waste of time," she said. "Who knows how long it will take to investigate a theft?"
"I do," Obi-Wan said. "It will take exactly ten seconds." Then he looked hard at Didi, who coughed and looked away.
Chapter Eight
Anakin saw his Master signal to Didi. Didi tried to ignore the signal, but Obi-Wan strode over. Anakin followed curiously.
Obi-Wan drew Didi aside. "You'd better start talking fast," he said.
"And no excuses. No diversions. Just the truth."
"I didn't steal it, I borrowed it," Didi said.
Didi had stolen his own son-in-law's speeder? Anakin couldn't believe it.
"I was going to return it," Didi said quickly, as he noted the thunderous expression on Obi-Wan's face. "The same way you were going to return the credits?"
"Ah, you see!" Didi cried triumphantly. "My point exactly! How could I return the credits if I didn't steal the speeder?"
"Explain your logic," Obi-Wan said. "Nobody else can follow it."
"I was going to take your excellent advice and confess everything to Astri," Didi said. "I was on my way to find her and I saw the speeder. I began to reflect on the amount of credits I had borrowed, and the fact that if Bog found out he would no doubt banish me to wander the galaxy friendless and alone. So I thought it best to return the credits without his ever finding out."