“She’s taking a risk because I asked her to,” Lena argued. “I can’t just let her wait in vain.”
With a frown, Qui-Gon looked at the message on the datapad again.
TRANSPORT LOADING STATION, DOCK 12
10 P.M. TONIGHT
ALONE
FOR RUTIN
“I never should have gotten Zanita involved,” Lena lamented. “But it is too late to change that now. If I can go alone, I can talk to her and convince her that I’ve changed my mind. I’ll tell her I’m scared and have decided to leave the planet. Then we will all be safer.”
Qui-Gon had to admit that it was not a bad plan. It would buy them some time and could even help them get off planet easier. He nodded his assent.
“But we won’t let you go alone,” Obi-Wan said. Mica looked relieved to hear this.
“Of course not,” Qui-Gon echoed. “It is not safe.”
“It is the only way I can convince Zanita,” Lena argued. “She saw you at the estate. Surely she knows you are here representing the Galactic Republic. I will not be able to convince her I’ve changed my mind if she sees I am accompanied by Jedi!”
“We are here for your protection,” Qui-Gon said firmly. And to make sure you are what you say you are. Learning that Lena had returned to her apartment when she was alone had once again aroused Qui-Gon’s suspicions.
She could have done any number of things while she was there. Though he accepted the sincerity of her grief, he would not lose sight of the fact that there could be pressures on her that he knew nothing about.
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with us until we all arrive safely back on Coruscant.” Obi-Wan smiled. “We will remain hidden, but we will not allow you to go alone.”
Lena returned Obi-Wan’s smile. “All right,” she said. “We’d better hurry so we are first to arrive. It’s not very far.”
“Be careful,” Mica said, embracing her cousin. “I’ll be here if you need me. I’ll always be here if you need me.”
Lena touched her cousin’s cheek. “I’ll be right back!” she promised.
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Lena left the warehouse and made their way through the dark streets, lit only by the occasional light of the planet’s two moons. Now that daylight had faded, Frego seemed a less inviting place.
It was as though the darkness brought out the lies and deceit that pervaded the planet.
As the three neared the station, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan fell back into the shadows. Lena insisted on walking boldly in the middle of the street, under the glowing lights.
“She should be more careful,” Obi-Wan muttered.
“No, Padawan,” Qui-Gon said. “She should not appear as if she has anything to hide. Besides, her presence will help to diminish ours.”
Dock 12 was eerily silent. Low buildings rimmed a giant landing pad where huge transport ships were loaded with goods. The edges of the pad were almost completely dark.
Obi-Wan motioned to his Master and both Jedi leaped noiselessly onto a low rooftop. After making his way to the edge, Qui-Gon lay down next to Obi-Wan and the two watched Lena walk slowly into the orange square of light in the center of the landing pad. From their perch the Jedi could see everything, and they could be at Lena’s side in a moment.
Although Lena’s was the only shape Qui-Gon could make out in the darkness, he sensed they were not alone. He had felt another presence almost from the moment they had left the hideout, but now the feeling was stronger, more threatening.
From the opposite side of the pad, Zanita stepped into view. Lena moved with both arms out to greet her mother-in-law.
But Zanita did not raise her arms or offer any greeting. After taking one more lurching step forward, the reason became clear.
Zanita’s mouth was covered with a gag, and behind her, holding her bound arms firmly pressed against her back, was her oldest son, Solan Cobral.
14
Obi-Wan leaped to his feet as three more figures emerged behind Solan and Zanita. But Qui-Gon pulled him back down.
Obi-Wan wrestled his arm free of his Master. He had to protect Lena.
She was unarmed facing two droids, Solan Cobral, and his brother, Bard. The young widow was no match for men evil enough to hold their own mother captive, or order the death of their own brother.
“Not yet,” Qui-Gon said softly. “I’d like to see what these men have in mind.”
Obi-Wan sank to his knees. He would wait, for now. But if anyone made a move toward Lena, not even Qui-Gon would be able to stop him.
In the orange light of the landing pad Lena took a few steps back.
“Solan,” she said. Her voice sounded strange to Obi-Wan, almost full of guilt. He wondered if she felt responsible for what was happening to Zanita.
“You were supposed to come alone,” the crime boss boomed.
“I did,” Lena replied without flinching.
Nervous that they had been spotted, Obi-Wan felt for his lightsaber.
He tried to rise but Qui-Gon’s hand on his shoulder pushed him back to his knees.
“Not us,” Qui-Gon whispered.
“Don’t hurt her,” a voice cried in the darkness below. “She didn’t know I was coming.” Obi-Wan recognized the voice immediately. It was Mica.
A moment later she was standing beside her cousin. Obi-Wan had not known she was there.
“Please, don’t hurt Lena. She would never turn against the Cobral. She’s only been trying to cover for me. I am the one you want. I am the one who knows how you operate. I am the one who wanted to testify against you.”
“Mica, no. Be quiet,” Lena whispered in an attempt to stop her cousin’s outburst.
“Don’t listen to her,” Lena told the Cobrals. “She is protecting me. She doesn’t know that I came tonight to tell Zanita I’ve changed my mind. I was a fool to think I could go against the Cobral. Solan, please hear me. You and Bard and Zanita are all I have left of my precious husband, Rutin. I realize that I need to hold on to the family I have, now more than ever. Where will I be if I drive you away? No matter what has happened in the past, we will always be family. And family is more important to me than anything.”
“How wise,” Solan replied, chuckling. He shoved Zanita toward Bard, who caught her with one hand. He held a blaster in the other.
“I’m touched that you still want to be a part of the family,” he continued, taking a step closer. “And I’m grateful that you came together,” he continued, walking closer still. “It will make cleaning up the mess you’ve made that much easier.”
Solan dived toward Lena and Mica as the two droids closed in on either side.
Up on the roof, Obi-Wan knew it was time. Qui-Gon was at his side as he leaped off the roof and sprinted toward the helpless cousins.
Mica was caught in Solan’s grasp, but Lena pulled away just in time.
She turned to run and found herself face-to-face with a lanky but potentially lethal droid.
The one-eyed droid’s arms shot out from its sides and began to wrap themselves around her. Lena ducked at the same moment Obi-Wan’s lightsaber blade severed one arm, and with a mighty backswing separated the droid’s head from its body.
Obi-Wan pushed Lena behind him and rushed to meet the other droid.
Beside him, Qui-Gon deflected a bolt from Bard’s blaster, sending it toward Solan’s feet. Solan struggled to hold on to Mica and train his blaster on the Jedi. He did not notice Lena sneaking up behind him.
Lena grabbed Solan’s blaster. Mica whipped her body back and forth, delivering a sharp blow with her elbow to Solan’s jaw. He lost his grip on both Mica and the weapon.
The second droid fired rapid bolts at Obi-Wan, who deflected them easily. Though the bolts turned and rained back on the droid, it did not show any damage. It continued to spray the pad with fire while rapidly extending a long arm to grab Mica.
Qui-Gon dispatched the arm with an elegant sweep of his lightsaber and stepped forward to finish the job. A slashing blow to the machine’s midsection finally brought the droid down.