The sleazy Splendor hadn't changed. The metal roof sagged, and the windows were ominously shuttered. The door was pockmarked with blaster fire. The letters ID 0 R sputtered faintly in the dim light. Years ago as a Padawan, Obi-Wan had entered it nervous and unsure. Now he strode in as if he owned it.
It was not the same Imbat bartender at the bar, but it might well have been. He projected the same indifference to his customers, the same penchant for swatting his customers off their stools with a massive palm for trying too vigorously to signal for a refill.
Obi-Wan stood at the corner of the bar and waited.
He knew better than to signal for the Imbat's attention. Eventually the lmbat wandered over and bent his tall frame closer to hear Obi-Wan over the noise of the music and the whirl of the jubilee wheel.
"Gogol," Obi-Wan told him.
The lmbat signaled a table with his eyes. Obi-Wan slid a few credits across the bar.
Gogol was just as Didi had described him, a humanoid with a half- shaved head and long hair that straggled down his back. He played a dice game by himself, and bets were piled at both ends of his small table.
Obi-Wan sat across from him and said nothing. Gogol did not look up from his game. "What do you want, chum?"
Obi-Wan slid a pack of credits across the table. "Information on Krayn."
Gogol eyed the packet without touching it. "Then I'll need to see more than that."
Obi-Wan slid another packet of credits into the middle of the table.
Gogol counted the two packets.
"I want to know what he's up to these days," Obi-Wan said.
"That's a tall order, chum." Gogol looked up. His beady eyes blinked rapidly. "Nobody knows the whole answer to that question."
"Give me part of it, then. Does he have any dealings with the Colicoids?"
"The table looks awfully empty," Gogol said. Obi-Wan peeled off a few more credits.
Gogol licked his fingers in satisfaction as he counted the credits.
Obi-Wan profoundly hoped that he was trustworthy, at least as far as information. Most types such as Gogol knew better than to lie. That would only get them in more trouble than they no doubt were in already.
"Word is that the Colicoids are taking over the spice trade," Gogol said. "They have secretly taken over the Kessel mines. Now they need a big processing planet. The last piece is the moon of Nar Shaddaa. The only way they can get it is to deal with Krayn. He controls the factories on Nar Shaddaa. He can't get enough spice from the caverns there, so he imports it from Kessel. It's a marriage made in paradise," Gogol cackled.
Obi-Wan knew Nar Shaddaa. Often called "smuggler's moon," it was a haven for criminals of all sorts. It was also an important link in the illegal spice trade. He had not known that Krayn was involved, however.
"Aga Culpa is the ruler of Nar Shaddaa. Doesn't he control the factories?" he asked.
"He might rule it, but he doesn't control it. Everyone on Nar Shaddaa answers to Krayn. So Krayn promises not to attack the Colicoid ships, and they promise to buy his slaves for the spice mines and use his factories. A good deal, eh, chum?"
A very good deal, Obi-Wan thought heavily, if one overlooked the fact that it involved cruelty, greed, and the selling of living beings for profit.
He stood and quickly exited the Dor. He paused outside for a moment.
It had started to rain, and he welcomed the coolness on his cheeks.
The mention of the spice trade had immediately sparked a memory. He knew that Adi Gallia and Siri's last mission together had involved the smuggling activities on the Kessel Run. Spice was a legally controlled substance, but it also held enormous profits on the black market. The Jedi had been asked to try to break the back of the illegal trade once and for all. Adi Gallia and Siri had not been successful. Something had happened on the mission that had caused a deep rift between them.
Could this be connected to the Colicoids… and Krayn?
Obi-Wan began to walk in search of an air taxi. When he was unsure of which direction to go in next, his thoughts always returned to his Master.
He remembered Qui-Gon's counsel, counsel Obi-Wan had passed on to Anakin about trusting his instincts and not allowing anger to cloud judgment. He should have listened to his heart.
Now his heart told him a simple truth. Siri would never betray the Jedi.
Chapter 12
Once again, Obi-Wan stood before the Jedi Council. It was just about the last place he wanted to be. He had lost his Padawan, who had been captured by a slave trader. The Colicoids were furious at the Jedi and had already raised objections in the Senate. He did not imagine that the Jedi Council was pleased with the outcome of his mission.
He wasted no time in trying to explain what had gone wrong. Jedi always focused on solutions.
"I have discovered that it is likely that the Colicoids are secretly in league with Krayn," Obi-Wan said immediately after greeting the Council members respectfully. "They wish to take over the spice trade, and Krayn wishes to be the sole supplier of slaves for the spice mines, both in the Kessel system and at Nar Shaddaa."
Some on the Council exchanged glances. If this were true, the illegal spice trade would thrive and grow.
"Bad news this is for the galaxy," Yoda remarked.
"We have reason to investigate what is happening on Nar Shaddaa, both to expose the Colicoids and bring down Krayn," Obi-Wan said. "And most important, I believe Anakin is on Nar Shaddaa. My guess is that the Colicoids were heading there after dropping us off at the original location."
"What is it you want of us, Obi-Wan?" Mace Windu asked, his dark eyes fixed on Obi-Wan's face.
"A very fast ship and permission to infiltrate Krayn's operation,"
Obi-Wan answered. "That is first of all. But second, and most important, I wish to be let in on a secret." He turned to Adi Gallia. "I believe that Siri has not turned to the dark side. I believe she is working undercover.
If I infiltrate Krayn's operation, I need to know her mission."
Adi Gallia's regal face was impassive. Then she flicked a quick glance at Yoda and Mace Windu.
Slowly, Yoda nodded. "Correct you are, Obi-Wan."
"Siri is gathering information only," Adi Gallia said. "We discovered that the layers of power and control between Krayn and various governments are deep. We needed a full picture. Siri infiltrated the pirates and worked her way up to a position of trust.
Krayn has no idea she is a Jedi. It is well known that he considers all Jedi his enemies and all his crew are ordered to execute any captured Jedi on the spot. It has taken Siri almost two years to gain this level of power in the Krayn organization. We cannot jeopardize her safety."