Jedi Apprentice 3: The Hidden Past
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"It doesn't look like they're searching," Qui-Gon said in a low tone to Guerra, who had lay flat beside him. "It looks as though they mean to spread terror."
"Yes, so, Jedi-Gon!" Guerra agreed nervously. "And their plan is working."
Qui-Gon froze. "Footsteps,' he said in Guerra's ear. "Coming up an outside staircase."
"Time to go," Guerra said. He pushed himself back out of sight.
The gestured to Obi-wan and Paxxi to keep quiet. Using their long, powerful arms, the brothers swung themselves over to the next roof. Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan. The gap between the two roofs was wide. If Obi-Wan couldn't make the jump alone, Qui-Gon would have to carry him on his back.
He asked the question silently: Can you make it? Obi-Wan nodded instantly. Once again, Qui-Gon was impressed by his Padawan's sharp instincts. Obi-wan always seemed to know what he needed from him.
The boy hesitated only a fraction of a moment. Qui-Gon saw him gather the Force around him. Then he ran with quick, long steps up to the roofs edge and jumped. The Force and Obi-Wan's own strength propelled him safely to the other side.
Qui-Gon leaped after him. Obi-Wan courage often impressed him, as did his instincts.
The Derida brothers were already halfway across the second roof, using their long arms to push off from the ground, increasing their speed. Guerra glanced back to make sure the Jedi were following.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan caught up, and the four jumped to the next roof. There was a structure on top of this roof, a small power shield. They darted behind it. The four stood for a moment, listening, hoping their pursuer hadn't followed this far.
But they heard something leap onto the roof. Their pursuer was out of their line of sight, but gaining. Paxxi let out a soft groan. They moved quietly and quickly to the end of the roof. Guerra reached it first. He grabbed the edge of the roof and coiled his fingers around it, ready to leap.
Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed him by the neck. Guerra made a strangling noise. Qui-Gon whirled, ready the strike at the Phindian female who held Guerra.
"Guerra, it's me! Kaadi!" the female said.
"K-K-aaa?" Guerra answered.
"Oh. So sorry." She dropped her hand from around Guerra's neck. "Just trying to stop you. You run so fast!"
"Not fast enough, I see!" Paxxi said joyfully. "Lucky for us! We missed you, Kaadi."
Guerra, Paxxi, and Kaadi entwined their long arms around each other in a Phindian hug, squeezing three times to show their great affection. They pushed their faces close to each other and beamed smiles for a long moment.
Rubbing his neck, Guerra turned to the Jedi. "Good friends to us Jedi-Gon and Obawan, meet Kaadi, good friend also."
"Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon corrected.
"That is what I say," Guerra agreed. "Kaadi's father owns the caf? where we almost got captured. It has long been a meeting place for rebels. She fights the Syndicat, too."
Kaadi grinned. She was a small female, with jet-black hair and yellow eyes shot through with green. "I move goods. Do you need a spare part for a speeder? An energy battery?"
"No, thank you," Qui-Gon said politely. He seemed to be constantly surrounded by thieves on this planet.
"And any word of your good father Nuuta?" Paxxi asked sympathetically, ducking his head as that he could look at her directly.
Kaadi's smile faded, and she shook her head. "We will hear if he is no more, we think. News will reach us."
Guerra and Paxxi were silent for a moment. Both of them reached out and wrapped one long arm around Kaadi's slender frame
"Her father is one of the renewed," Guerra explained to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "He was sent to Alba."
Qui-Gon nodded sympathetically. Alba was a world in the midst of a bloody, chaotic civil war.
She gazed at him with her clear yellow-green eyes. "Yes, it is bad there. But to be Phindian is to hope."
"Yes," Qui-Gon said quietly. "You must always hope."
"But let me talk of why I chased you," Kaadi said. "I must tell the Derida brothers that you have been spotted. The Syndicat knows you have returned. Efforts have been redoubled to capture you."
"We are not afraid," Guerra said. "Not so, I lie!"
"Do you mean all that activity down there had to do with Guerra and Paxxi?" Qui-Gon asked.
Kaadi shook her head. "Not only. They are looking for the Jedi, too. But also, anyone they know to be a rebel. Terra and Baftu are beginning mass arrests. An important visitor is arriving, and they want to be sure there is no trouble. They are proclaiming that any acts of sabotage or disruption will be met with death or renewal! Even if you a suspected of such things."
"Who is arriving?" Qui-Gon asked curiously.
"Prince Beju from the planet Gala," Kaadi answered.