Guerra nodded. "The Syndicat has developed a device to do this to Phindians who they consider enemies or agitators. They memory wipe the person, then drop them on another world, somewhere terrible. The person has no memory of who they are or what they can do. It is a game for the Syndicat. They bet on how long the person will survive. A probe droid follows them and sends back holo-pictures of what happens. Most do not survive."
Qui-Gon's face went very still. Obi-Wan has seen that look before, a look that spoke of how deeply Qui-Gon was outraged at injustice and sheer cruelty.
"And some are not sent off-planet," Paxxi said softly. "That is saddest of all, maybe. Phindar is full of rootless people who do not remember their families, their loved ones. Or the things they could once do. They are helpless. Now Phindar is full of those who pass their fathers, their wives, their children on the street and do not recognize them."
"So you seem" Guerra said, "the Syndicat will stop at nothing. Which brings us to how you can help."
"If the wise Jedi would be so kind," Paxxi added.
"You saw the signs in the shops, the market place," Guerra went on. "The Syndicat controls all the shortages. It is a method of time control, just as renewal is mind control. The shortages are fake. If the people are waiting in line all day just to feed their families, they don't have time to revolt you see. Do you ever get enough? Not so. Supplies are doles out carefully so that you have to wait in line the next day as well."
"The Syndicat has stored everything we need," Paxxi continued. "Food, med supplies, building supplies, everything. It is all hidden in warehouses. We know this."
"And some of it is held in giant storage rooms underneath their headquarter here in Laressa," Guerra said. "So you see our plan? If we can liberate the goods, we can show the people that the Syndicat has been depriving them of food and medical supplies. They will rise in revolt! All we need is your help. I saw the Jedi mind control on the mining platform. Obawan convinced the guards to let him into storage. You see, he can do the same here!"
"Stop," Qui-Gon said flatly. "First of all, Jedi Knights aren't thieves. Second, we have our own mission. We are not here to interfere in another planet's problems. And, just for argument's sake, how are you two planning to get all those goods out of the building without a fight? And why do you think this will break the back of such a powerful criminal organization? Surely the Syndicat has enormous sums at their disposal. Why would breaking into one storage area change anything?"
"Aha! Good, Jedi-Gon. So smart, just like Obawan!" Guerra said, nudging Qui-Gon with a friendly shoulder. "Let's discuss. First I must tell you that the storage area must have another entrance. How else could they sneak goods in and out? So all we have to do id get inside, find the other entrance, and so easy! We take everything out!"
"Not so east," Qui-Gon said.
"But worth the risk, I think," Guerra insisted. "Another point I must make? along with food, medical supplies, and weapons, Paxxi and I know there's a vault, too. All the Syndicate treasury is there!"
"A vault," Qui-Gon repeated. "That implies high security."
"Yes, so!" Guerra agreed happily. "But Paxxi and I have the key!"
"How did you get a key?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Ha! He asks how!" Guerra said to Paxxi.
"Ha!" Paxxi agreed. "Long story!"
"We have a way to get in the building, too," Guerra said. "You see? Easy. So? You will go?"
"Let me get this straight," Qui-Gon interrupted in disbelief. "You want two Jedi to help two common thieves steal a treasure from a bunch of gangsters?"
Obi-Wan was silent. He agreed with Qui-Gon. It was not a Jedi-style mission. Yoda would never approve. As much as he liked Guerra, he was glad the qui-Gon had raised the objection.
"Yes, exactly!" Guerra said, still cheerful in the face of Qui-Gon's irritation.
"Wait, brother, we should explain further," Paxxi said. "We should assure the Jedi that we are far more interested in liberating our people than in stealing treasure."
"So, of course!" Guerra agreed. "Not that a little treasure wouldn't help?"
Guerra was interrupted by a commotion coming from the caf?. Quickly, Paxxi slipped out of the room to investigate. Within moments, he was back.
"So sorry," he announced. "I'm afraid it's time to go. Assassin droids searching for us all, I fear!"
Chapter 7
Qui-Gon sprang to his feet. He was not anxious to meet up again with those deadly killing machines. "Is there a back door?"
"Better that that, Jedi-Gon," Guerra answered. "Follow me, please."
Guerra moved to the fireplace. He pressed something Qui-Gon could not see. The wall shifted, and an opening was revealed.
They heard a crash from the caf?. "Time to hurry, I think," Guerra remarked pleasantly. "You first, Paxxi. Show the way to Obawan."
Paxxi slipped into the opening, and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon followed. Guerra came last, shutting the opening behind him. The steps were stone with a depression in the center from the pressure of hundreds of years of footsteps. Paxxi moved quickly, Obi-Wan on his heels. At the top of the stairs he pushed through a grate and disappeared.
Qui-Gon climbed out and saw that he was on the roof, as he expected. The opening for the secret staircase was concealed as part of the venting system. Guerra slid the grate back into place.
Qui-Gon moved closer to the edge of the room and dropped to his knees. He lay flat, then moved forward a few inches to peer over the side.
Assassin droids patrolled the streets below with jerky movements. Silver-coated Syndicat guards directed them, waving blasters. Swarms of the droids entered one shop or business after another. They threw chairs, tables, shelving, personal items out into the street as they moved. It was like a tribe of insects, picking each area clean. Any Phindian who had the misfortune to find themselves on the street quickly scurried away before the assassin droids or the Syndicat guards could administer a blow with the butt of a blaster or a jolt from a force pike.
"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."