Qui-Gon's comlink signaled. "It's Tahl."
A miniature hologram of Tahl appeared before them. "I am relieved to hear that you all are safe and that Didi will recover," she said. "The Force is with us. Winna, how is Qui-Gon?"
"Fine," Qui-Gon said tersely.
"Excuse me, did I ask you that question?" Tahl demanded. She was one of the few Jedi who was brave enough to challenge Qui-Gon, let alone tease him. "Winna?"
"He has undergone a great trauma," Winna said. "My best advice would be to return to the Temple, but I know he is needed. There will be no lasting damage. He just needs rest and food."
"Then you will release him on a mission?" Tahl asked.
"Release me?" Qui-Gon thundered irritably. "Am I still a captive?"
"No, you are a stubborn Jedi who might push himself beyond a limit his body cannot handle," Tahl answered.
"I see no danger to him," Winna said reluctantly. "I have seen how quickly Qui-Gon is able to recover his strength. As long as he has been honest with me about how he is feeling and not covering up any weakness."
Qui-Gon glared at her.
"I'm sure he was covering them up," Tahl said crisply. "However, we must pursue Jenna Zan Arbor. The Council wishes the two Jedi teams to join together to find Noor."
Obi-Wan glanced at Siri. So he would have to work with her again, side by side. He hoped she had learned a little more humility since their last mission.
"I have news for you, Obi-Wan," Tahl said. "And you will not like it.
Nor do I. As soon as she was assured that Didi would make a full recovery, Astri left the Temple. She has gone off to pursue Ona Nobis in hopes of getting the reward."
"Astri is no match for Ona Nobis!" Obi-Wan cried in surprise.
Tahl sighed. "I know this. Yet there is nothing the Jedi can do. She does not wish our protection any longer. We cannot force it."
Obi-Wan felt frustration and worry battle within him. Yet he knew Tahl was right. The Jedi did not impose protection. And his mission was to find Jenna Zan Arbor.
"Adi and Qui-Gon, contact me when you decide on your next move," Tahl finished.
"Meanwhile, I am coordinating the search for Zan Arbor's ship."
"It's a big galaxy," Qui-Gon said.
"Then I'd better get going," Tahl said, and signed off.
More and more, Obi-Wan had grown to appreciate having Tahl as a liaison within the Temple. When they rescued a blinded Tahl from Melida/Daan, he had never expected how important she would become in their lives, as well as their missions.
"It's been a swell adventure, but we must be going," Cholly said.
Adi turned to them. "We are grateful for your help. We regret that you were caught in a battle."
Weez waved his hand. "It was nothing." "Especially when it was over,"
Tup said, blowing out a relieved breath.
Giving a last bow and a quick wave from Tup, the three hurried from the lab. No doubt they were anxious to get away from the Jedi, Obi-Wan thought. It was no wonder that Cholly, Weez, and Tup were such hopeless criminals. Their courage did not match their greed. At the first sign of trouble, they ran.
Qui-Gon turned to Adi. "Did you and Siri discover anything that could help us while you were investigating Noor's disappearance?"
"I don't think so," Adi said thoughtfully, "but let me tell you a little about him. Noor had a deep connection to the Force that led him to choose a life of meditation when he became an elder. He left the Temple and returned to his home planet, Sorl, where he planned to live in quiet seclusion. He built a simple home in the foothills of the great mountain range of Cragh. Things did not turn out quite the way he expected."
"As they seldom do," Qui-Gon noted.
Adi nodded. "When Siri and I reached Sorl, we discovered that to pass the time, Noor had begun to craft small landscapes out of stone, sticks, and vegetation. He made small animals and figures and placed them in these imaginary landscapes, places he had seen over his long life. We saw them in the yards and fields surrounding his home. They were charming. Beautiful."
"Ah," Qui-Gon said. "And they began to attract some attention."
Adi smiled. "From the children. They began to come by to watch Noor work. He began to make toys for them. Soon he was involved in the life of the community. His life of seclusion became a life of engagement."
"'Life surprises you. Accept the gift,"' Qui-Gon recited. It was a Jedi saying.
"So you see, all we know about Noor will not help us here," Adi finished. "I think we must concentrate on Jenna Zan Arbor. Yet so much of her life is a mystery…."
Obi-Wan's comlink began to signal him. He stepped off a few paces to accept the communication.
"My name is No Muna and I am a medic at the Med Center on Sorrus," a voice said. "I was given your name by Astri Oddo — "
"Is Astri all right?"
"I am afraid she is not. An accident — she is not conscious, I'm afraid. She gave me your name before she passed out. She asked you to come here. Yinn La Hi is the capital city of Sorrus, in the system of — "
"Yes, I know where it is," Obi-Wan interrupted. "Thank you. If she awakens, tell her I am on my way."
He cut the communication. The others had stopped talking and were listening to him. He met Qui-Gon's gaze.
"I have to," he said.
Qui-Gon frowned, but Obi-Wan knew it was a frown of concentration, not displeasure.
"Yes," he said. "We cannot leave Astri on Sorrus alone. But the chances of finding Zan Arbor and Noor diminish with every moment of delay.
Adi and I will remain here to begin the search. You go with Siri to Sorrus and escort Astri back to the Temple, if she is able to travel. We'll either meet back at the Temple or tell you where you must come." Qui-Gon seemed to recall that he was supposed to collaborate with Adi. He turned to her. "Do you agree?"
There was a beat before Adi responded. "I agree." She turned to Siri.