"You will allow us access throughout the ship?"
Kad nodded. "I will arrange a tour so you can get an overview. After that, you are free to wander on your own."
"We can speak to any of your followers?"
Kad frowned. "I do not use the word followers."
"These beings are here because of your philosophy?"
"A philosophy they have adopted as their own." Kad raised an eyebrow."And what about the Jedi? How different are we from you? Yet the Senate does not send envoys to investigate you, I notice."
"We are very different. We lead lives of contemplation but also engagement," Obi-Wan said in the even tone he adopted when he was irritated. "We do not isolate ourselves and abandon the galaxy."
"Yes, you still believe you can dogood," Kad said carelessly. "Everyone on this ship felt that way once."
Obi-Wan sensed that disengaging was a good philosophy to adopt at that moment. He knew it was fruitless to argue with Kad and knew that Kad's carelessness was studied. He was goading Obi-Wan. No doubt he knew that Obi-Wan's calm was also a mask.
"I am sorry you consider this process demeaning," Obi-Wan said carefully. "But I'm sure you must realize that there are family members throughout the galaxy who have to deal with the sudden disappearance of their loved ones. Communication has been infrequent."
"That is because no one understands our vision," Kad said impatiently. "Everyone here is an adult, capable of making their own decisions. Now, I suggest that you and your follower proceed to the bridge, where I have arranged for one of us to give you a tour of the ship. Take the turbolift to Level four and you will be met there."
The doors opened again. A frail old man walked slowly into the room. His scalp gleamed in the light, and his hooded eyes were dull. It took Obi-Wan several seconds to remember Vox Chun. He was startled at how much he had aged.
Vox Chun's dull gaze suddenly blazed into rage. It was obvious that his hatred of Obi-Wan had not diminished with the years.
"Father, the Jedi team is proceeding to the bridge for a tour," Kad said quickly. Obi-Wan saw that he wanted to forestall any outburst.
Obi-Wan nodded at Vox Chun, who did not return the greeting. He kept his burning gaze on Obi-Wan as he and Anakin crossed the room and walked out the doors.
The doors shut behind them. Anakin looked up at him.
"Why do they hate you?"
"Old history," Obi-Wan said. "Missions can leave grievances behind. I do not think it will affect the present."
Anakin nodded, but Obi-Wan could tell he was not satisfied; he believed that old grievances would affect this mission.
The trouble was, so did Obi-Wan. It was not the first time that Obi-Wan found it inconvenient to have such an astute Padawan.
Chapter 14
Anakin trudged alongside Obi-Wan, wondering about the title of Padawan Learner. That implied that he was supposed to learn, didn't it? How could he learn when he never had the full story?
Yoda was full of riddles. Mace Windu spoke in hints and allusions. Even his Master deflected most talk of the past, except for affectionate or respectful references to his old Master. Sometimes it seemed to Anakin that everyone at theTemplespoke a different language from the one he knew. It was at such times that he missed his mother's warm clarity. But remembering Shmi brought back an ache so deep it never went away.
"At least we'll get a tour of the ship," Obi-Wan remarked as they waited for the turbolift. "You'vebeen wanting to explore it."
"But we'll have a guide," Anakin said. "They probably won't show us the whole thing. Wouldn't you rather explore on your own?"
"Sometimes it is helpful to see what your opponent wishes you to see," Obi-Wan said, stepping into the turbolift. "It can indicate what he is trying to hide."
Anakin stood quietly as the levels ticked off. He was still out of sorts from first being ignored in the meeting between Obi-Wan and Uni, and then not being told the truth by Obi-Wan. He had felt the dark anger from both Vox and Uni, the man Obi-Wan called Kad. Those two held more than a simple grievance against his Master. Why didn't Obi-Wan trust him enough to tell him the truth? The turbolift doors opened and Anakin got another surprise. Obi-Wan broke into a broad smile at the sight of a slender woman standing waiting for them.
"Is it Andra?" he asked.
The woman looked just as surprised and pleased."Obi-Wan Kenobi!"
Obi-Wan and the woman stepped forward. Andra grasped Obi-Wan's hand. "I have never forgotten you."
"What a surprise to see you here," Obi-Wan said. "I imagined you would be ruler of Telos by now."
Andra's face darkened. "The Telos I fought for is gone. My life is here now."
"Yes, Kad told me how it deteriorated."
"We call him Uni now. Yes, we defeated Offworld, but other equally powerful concerns took over. I watched my beautiful planet deteriorate for the second time. I could do nothing. My rage and frustration turned to deep sorrow. It was as though I was in a dark place with no way out. Then I met Uni." Andra shook her head as if to dislodge dark memories. "Uni gave me a reason to live." She looked over at Anakin and smiled. "And who is this?"
"This is my Padawan, Anakin Skywalker."
Andra gave him a warm nod of greeting. Anakin liked her immediately. He felt a kind of warmth and acceptance from her that reminded him of Shmi.
"So you have your own Padawan now," she said, the smile still on her face as she glanced at Obi-Wan. "Qui-Gon must miss you."
Obi-Wan's bright gaze dimmed. "Andra, Qui-Gon is dead. Three years now."
Her smile vanished, and sorrow filled her eyes. "I did not know. I am so sorry. The galaxy is diminished without him."
"Yes," Obi-Wan said. "That is exactly how I feel. But what about Den? Still getting on your nerves?"
"I'm afraid so," Andra said ruefully. "I married him."
Obi-Wan laughed. Den and Andrawere an odd match, but Qui-Gon had seen how much deep love there was between them. "Is he aboard the BioCruiser as well?"
"Of course. He was resistant at first. But he came to see the truth of Uni's teachings." Andra paused. "You must be the Jedi come to inspect us. I am to give you the tour."