"We'd better hurry," he said. "No doubt he's supposed to report back.
And there are probably more guards."
There were hallways to the left and to the right, and one door at the end of the hallway straight ahead. It was broken and had been left slightly open, its frame bent. Obi-Wan felt the Force surge. His Master was beyond that door.
Obi-Wan motioned to Astri to hang back. Hugging the wall, he moved silently toward the door. He inched over to peer through the opening.
The lab was bright white and filled with equipment. At first he thought no one was there. Then he looked again at a transparent chamber filled with vapor. Through the clouds of gas Obi-Wan clearly saw his Master, imprisoned. Qui-Gon's eyes were closed. He could even be dead.
Obi-Wan wanted to rush into the lab and smash the chamber into a thousand pieces. But he remembered Tahl's warning to be careful. He took a breath and let his anger go. He must concentrate, he must be calm.
He signaled to Astri to follow him and entered.
He approached the transparent chamber. He put his hands on the smooth wall. Qui-Gon floated, his eyes still closed. Obi-Wan felt choked with anguish at the sight. He knew his Master was alive. Yet he felt as though he had witnessed his death.
He didn't think his voice would penetrate the chamber. Obi-Wan spoke his Master's name quietly. "Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon's eyes opened. He saw Obi-Wan. He smiled. He mouthed the words.
I knew that you would come…
Obi-Wan put his hand on his lightsaber. "Obi-Wan!" Astri hissed.
"Someone's coming!"
He hesitated.
"You can't release him yet," Astri whispered. "If anyone knows we are here, we might not be able to get out again."
Obi-Wan looked desperately at Qui-Gon. He had come so far. He had made so many decisions. He did not know what to do now.
Wait, Qui-Gon mouthed. He signaled with a glance that Obi-Wan should hide.
Obi-Wan heard footsteps. He whirled and grabbed Astri's hand. They dove behind a pile of equipment just as the scientist walked in.
Chapter 18
Jenna Zan Arbor spoke into a comlink as she walked to her lab table.
"Nil!" she barked. "Nil! Where are you?"
She banged the comlink down on the table. "Probably turned it off again, the brainless fool."
Bending over, she studied the data streaming across the screen. She turned and smiled at Qui-Gon. Then she pressed a button on the console. No doubt this would carry her voice inside the chamber.
"Ah, some Force activity. Thank you. But it won't save you, my friend. I am done with you. But I'll take all your blood before I let you go."
She released the button and picked up the comlink again. "Nil! Bring Ona Nobis to me immediately! Nil! Usually she's in a hurry to get paid."
She looked at the comlink in disgust, then threw it down and stalked out of the lab.
As soon as she was gone, Obi-Wan hurried over to Qui-Gon. He knew now that if he let Qui-Gon remain in that chamber, his Master would die. He activated his lightsaber and cut a hole in the chamber. The vapor escaped, and Qui-Gon began to fall. Obi-Wan reached in to help support him. Qui-Gon half fell and Obi-Wan half dragged him to the floor.
"Master," Obi-Wan murmured brokenly. It was shocking to see Qui-Gon so weak. He always counted on his Master's strength.
"You… must… help me, Padawan," Qui-Gon said, his white lips barely moving. His face was very pale. He held up his hands, palms out.
Obi-Wan pressed his own palms against Qui-Gon's.
He felt his Master's power flicker and reach out toward him. The Force moved between them. Obi-Wan gathered it around him. He felt the Force grow with their combined effort, felt it flow from his fingers into Qui- Gon.
After a moment, the cloudiness in Qui-Gon's eyes vanished. "I can walk now," he said.
He rose to his feet. Obi-Wan rose with him.
Qui-Gon glanced at Astri's outfit. "I see you have a new profession."
"Yes," she said with a shaky grin. "Saving you."
"We must hurry," Qui-Gon said. "There is at least one other prisoner here. I felt a presence. It is Force-sensitive."
"Didi is dying," Astri blurted. "Zan Arbor has withheld the antitoxin that could save him."
"Then that will be our first priority," Qui-Gon told her. "Come. I think I know where to find it."
Qui-Gon did not move as quickly or gracefully as he usually did. But he gathered strength as he went. They quickly jumped through the half-open door and ran down the hallway. Qui-Gon led them to the supply room he had stumbled upon earlier. He accessed the door and they rushed inside.
"Do you know the name of the antitoxin?" Qui-Gon asked, indicating the shelves.
Astri tore off her helmet and scanned the labels. She placed her hand on a shelf. "Here." She removed several vials and filled a pouch on her utility belt with them. She then filled her pockets with as many other vials as she could. Obi-Wan took handfuls of medicines and tucked them in his tunic.
"What now?" Qui-Gon asked. "Do you have a way out?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "We've tied up one guard. Are there other guards?"
"I don't think so," Qui-Gon said. "She relies on Nil and the security system. Between the three of us we should have no difficulty. Zan Arbor does not yet know she has been invaded. Our odds are excellent."
The intercom crackled, and they turned to watch the screen. Ona Nobis appeared.
"I have arrived," she said. "Nil, give me access. Nil!"
"It appears our odds have changed," Qui-Gon said.
Chapter 19
Qui-Gon looked over at Astri's panicked face. He could not imagine what it had taken for this young woman to come this far. She had cooked and run a cafc, and now she was facing death on a dangerous mission to save her father.
"Do not worry," he said softly.
"But now Zan Arbor will realize she's been tricked," Astri said.