"I don't understand how he could have imprisoned you," Siri said with a frown.
"I was exploring, and I found a hiding place," Ferus said. "It's just down this corridor. His datapad was hidden in a drain behind a lock, in a plastoid sleeve. I was just trying to access it when I heard someone coming. It was Gillam and a few members of the secret squad. I was able to conceal the datapad but they got my comlink."
"What did they do?" Obi-Wan asked. He felt dread invade him. So the secret squad was involved.
"They thought I was just a nosy student," Ferus said. "I decided not to resist because I didn't want to blow my cover, or especially Anakin's.
They didn't know what to do with me. They were afraid I'd report them. They searched me, but I used the Force to redirect them, so I was able to hang onto Gillam's datapad. Then they put me in here. Gillam brought me food, but I haven't seen him in hours."
Ferus held up the datapad. "They left me alone, so I was able to read this. First of all, look — it has a Senate seal."
Obi-Wan took it. He recognized the symbol of Andara on the back. "This belongs to Berm Tarturi." He thought a moment. "Maybe Tarturi was right.
Someone did break into his office and go through his things. But it was his own son."
Ferus nodded. "That's not all. There are ransom notes on this pad. Two of them have been sent. I think Gillam plans to pin his own kidnapping on his father."
"Why would he do such a thing?" Siri asked. "Does he hate him so much?
" "He must," Ferus said. "But that's not the only thing. Are you in contact with Anakin?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "He hasn't reported in. He must be traveling or even on leria by now, but his comlink has been turned off."
Ferus looked grave. "The last letter in the file takes responsibility for Gillam's death. It hasn't been sent yet, but it's timed to go out in five hours.".
"He's going to frame his father for his own murder?" Obi-Wan said.
"But how?" Siri asked. "He'll need a body. There will be some kind of investigation."
"That's what I've been thinking about," Ferus said quietly. He ran his hands through his hair in a rare gesture of agitation. "What if Gillam planned to produce a body? Someone similar in age and build, someone who looks a little like him. They could plant text docs on the body, or near it."
"They'd have to count on a great deal of chaos and confusion," Siri said. "There are many tests that can be done to determine identity."
"The secret squad is going to help start a war between Andara and the rest of the planets in the system," Obi-Wan said. "They may not realize it, but they will. That will certainly create chaos." He suddenly realized what Ferus, brooding in this damp cell, had already put together. "They just need a body." He thought back to the information he had on Gillam, to the boy's height and weight and coloring. "And they've chosen — "
"Anakin," Ferus said.
Chapter Fourteen
"If this doesn't work, I don't know you," Rana Halion said. Her spiky white hair seemed to bristle like fur as she surveyed the secret squad.
Marit nodded. "Understood."
"But it had better work," Rana Halion added. "It will," Rolai said.
Rana Halion's transparent blue eyes swept the group. She sighed. "If you didn't come so highly recommended, I wouldn't believe it," she murmured. "You look like a bunch of kids."
Anakin had to agree. Rolai was skinny and pale beneath his Bothan mane. Ze was plump. Tulah always looked as though he had just woken from a nap, and Hurana appeared slight and shy.
But he had seen that Rolai was tough, almost ruthless, Ze could dissect and solve any technical problem in five minutes or less, Tulah had a brilliant mind for strategy, and Hurana had convictions and no fear.
Marit was smart and resourceful. He would put his own trust in this squad.
Rana pushed a contact button on her gold cuff and watched as a digital coded message flashed at her. "I don't have much time. Who is your lead pilot?" Anakin stepped forward. "I am."
Rana looked at him intently. Anakin thought it could have been the most intimidating glance he'd ever experienced — if he hadn't grown up at the Temple. Once you've faced Jedi like Mace Windu, no one else could intimidate you. He did not drop his own gaze and met hers without flinching.
She gave a short nod. "You seem competent. Can you pilot a starfighter?"
"I can fly anything."
"I almost believe it," she murmured, giving him another glance. "Do you know how to fire laser cannons at a target?"
Anakin glanced at Marit. "I thought there was to be no active firing."
Rana looked exasperated. "Who's in charge here?" "We all are," Rolai broke in crisply. "And we all know how to fire laser cannons. We've been over this."
"Have you thoroughly briefed the squad?" Rana asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
"Not with the final details," Rolai said smoothly. "We were waiting for the exact time of departure and target details."
Rana glanced at her cuff again. "Do it then. You can inspect the starfighters. You leave in thirty minutes."
Marit exploded as soon as Rana was out of the room. "What was that all about? What do you mean, you haven't briefed the squad? What do you know that we don't know? We're supposed to vote on everything!"
"Calm down," Rolai said with a glance at the door to make sure Rana was out of earshot.
"Don't tell me to calm down," Marit answered hotly. "Tell me the truth!"
"The mission just changed a bit," Rolai said. "We're supposed to fire on the fleet."
"Fire on the fleet?" Anakin asked. "But that's a declaration of war!"
"That's not our problem," Rolai said. "We're hired to do the job.
That's all."
"Wait," Marit said. "Why didn't you tell us this?" She looked at Ze, Hurana, and Tulah. Their gazes slid away. "You all knew, and I didn't?"