Port's mother's room was as gloomy as the rest of the complex. But it held two sleep couches, and was certainly adequate for the Jedi. Obi-Wan paced the small space between the couches. Qui-Gon knew he had been waiting for a chance to speak. A year ago he would have shared his thoughts by now.
But his Padawan was growing older, wiser. He was becoming a Jedi.
"Master, I do not think that Vorzyd 5 is responsible for today's…
mishap," Obi-Wan said. "I do not know who is responsible, but we must not contact Vorzyd 5 until we have a clearer sense of what is going on."
"Of course." Qui-Gon nodded.
"I feel… I feel that all is not right on Vorzyd 4," Obi-Wan continued. "There's something more here, there's some sort of… well, secret."
Qui-Gon nodded again. He had sensed it, too, but had not realized it until Obi-Wan said it aloud. There was a secret on Vorzyd 4. They would have to proceed very carefully.
Qui-Gon lay down and breathed deeply. Beside him, Obi-Wan did the same. It had been a strange day and Qui-Gon looked forward to meditation.
But even after several minutes of trying to relax, the deep calm that usually filled him did not come.
Instead his mind was filled with images of Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan as a boy in a practice duel with Jedi student Bruck Chun, letting his anger rather than his instincts direct him. Then an image of Obi-Wan when he had gone to help him on Melida/Daan, wounded, humble, and brave enough to face his mistakes — even if doing so meant never becoming a Jedi. The boy had grown so much in the last four years. More than getting stronger and taller, he was learning to trust himself, his instincts, and the Force.
Another image of Obi-Wan flashed in Qui-Gon's mind. An older Obi-Wan, ready to begin the intensive path toward the trials. Soon he would be more man than boy. He would take the leap toward becoming a Jedi Knight.
Pride and sadness flooded Qui-Gon as he pictured Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He looked forward to the day that the two of them would work side by side as Jedi Knights, but with this thought no image came. Qui-Gon's chest tightened. He was so proud of Obi-Wan's path, of his achievements.
Why couldn't he see him as a Knight? Perhaps I do not want to see the boy grow up, he thought.
The whir and click of the door forced the thought from Qui-Gon's mind. His eyes flew open. Immediately he saw that the room was empty. Obi- Wan was gone.
Chapter 5
Obi-Wan moved silently down the hall toward the exit. Unlike his Master, he had been too restless to meditate. Though he sometimes wished he had Qui-Gon's ability to calm his mind, he had learned when it was impossible and to simply accept it. There were times when it was best to put his energy to more active use.
The corridor in the retirement complex was dim and quiet, and Obi-Wan was almost through the door when a sound broke the silence. Startled, he turned on his heels. Was that laughter?
Obi-Wan quickly made his way back toward the noise. Rounding a corner, he spotted two Vorzydiaks — one young and one elderly — together in one of the retirement rooms. The elder sat on her sleep couch, while the other leaned casually against a wall.
"Grandfather was so silly," the younger Vorzydiak said.
The elder nodded. "That is what I loved about him." She smiled, and her small, thin body seemed to surge with energy as she straightened up on the sleep couch. "He was like a breath of fresh air. Of course, we are not allowed to show such silliness. Especially not now."
The young Vorzydiak nodded solemnly. "Things are going to change, Grandmother," she said. The girl glanced at a timepiece on her belt and pushed off the wall, moving toward her grandmother. "I have to go now, but I will be back soon."
The elder softly stroked her granddaughter's face with her antennae.
Her eyes were full of sadness. "Promise me," she said softly. "I do not have much time."
The girl frowned and shook her head. "Do not say that, Grandmother.
You might live for a long time." She wrapped her feelers around the elder's and they stood quietly together for several long moments.
In spite of the girl's words, Obi-Wan sensed that she knew her grandmother spoke the truth. The elder Vorzydiak was quite frail-looking, and it appeared as though her life systems were beginning to fade.
"To wor — " The elder stopped herself from giving the traditional Vorzyd greeting. "Goodbye, then," she said with a sad smile.
"See you soon, Grandmother," the girl replied in a near-whisper. But she waited a few more seconds before unwrapping her feelers from her grandmother's. Then she turned and quickly left the room.
Obi-Wan ducked behind a corner, not sure if the girl had seen him. He felt a little bit guilty, for the visit was clearly meant to be private.
But he was glad to know that there were relationships on Vorzyd 4 that were emotional. It gave him a sense of hope.
The girl hurried down the corridor and out the door. Obi-Wan followed. Outside, the night was dark and still. There was no sound except the echo of the girl's footsteps. Most of the planet was clearly asleep.
As the girl slipped into a nearby building, another figure appeared just outside the Ports' dwelling. It was a boy. The Ports' son, Grath, Obi- Wan guessed. He felt a small surge of excitement. He had already gathered valuable information tonight and might be able to gather even more before the suns rose.
Looking around furtively, Grath made his way across the street to the shuttle platform. This surprised Obi-Wan. If almost everyone was in bed, why would the shuttles be running? It would not be an efficient use of transportation.
While Obi-Wan hid in the shadows, Grath waited on the platform. It wasn't long before a small maintenance shuttle pulled up and came to a halt. A second later the doors opened, and Grath stepped inside.
Obi-Wan knew he wouldn't be able to ride in the shuttle without being seen. That left only one option…
Quickly scanning the outside of the vehicle, he spotted a durasteel overhang running along the top. It was a few meters above his head and very narrow. He wasn't sure it would bear his weight or if he could successfully hold on to it. There was nothing for his feet to rest on, and no way of knowing how long the ride was going to be.