The soldiers fell, and the others behind were confused. They looked to their captain, but he had been diverted and was ordering the others to put out the fire that had started in the brush. Smoke began to roll over the soldiers, making them cough.
Obi-Wan looked back at the prisoners. He held up a hand. "Now!" he shouted.
With a cry, the prisoners surged forward. The Jedi had succeeded in confusing and disorienting the army. But it had not vanquished them. Mortar fire pounded and blaster fire shuddered. The Jedi moved, leading the charge, deflecting fire when they could and Force-pushing the troops away.
Anakin felt his blood pumping with the challenge of facing an army. He felt certain of victory, yet he also saw that it would be difficult. Obi- Wan had been right. What kind of a victory would they have if the prisoners were slaughtered? They were falling around him, no matter how quickly he moved, no matter how many missile launchers he took out. There were too few Jedi and too many weapons.
Just then, a sleek cruiser glowed red in the sky. It dropped down like a stone to a perfect landing, like a feather on a blade of grass. Anakin felt a surge of relief. There were only two or three Jedi he knew who could land a plane like that. He was one of them. Another was Garen MuIn, Obi- Wan's old friend.
The ramp slid down. Mace Windu, Bant Aerin, and Garen Muln charged down the ramp. Their lightsabers were a blur as they moved through the troops.
The Force was strong now, compounded by them all fighting at the peak of concentration. They joined together, strategically targeting the army so that they separated divisions from each other and knocked out the leaders who tried to organize.
Within a short time, the tide of the battle turned. When the captain of the troops found himself facing the Jedi personally, he laid down his weapon and surrendered.
When the rest of the army threw down their weapons, Anakin could almost hear the sighs of relief. Everyone was tired of fighting. Everyone just wanted to go home.
Chapter Sixteen
"Rescuing you is becoming a habit," Garen said to Obi-Wan.
Bant smiled her shy smile. "This time I came along for the ride."
Obi-Wan put his hands on her shoulders. He did not say a word. They smiled at each other. He hadn't seen Bant in three years. They had worked out a system of communication, however. Whenever one of them was at the Temple, they would leave the other a message or a small gift. A river stone, a sweet, a dried flower, an odd turn of phrase they had learned in a new language, written on a folded durasheet and tied with a bit of fabric.
So Obi-Wan had continued to feel her gentle presence in his life. But seeing her was better.
"If you two wouldn't mind curtailing the reunion, I'd like a status report." Mace's voice was dry. It was clear that he wasn't very happy about having to disrupt his schedule to fly to Romin.
"First of all, the real Slam gang is on Romin," Obi-Wan said.
"I know," Mace replied. "Apparently they bribed the director of the prison."
"Teda and Zan Arbor are scheming to get off-planet," Siri said.
"They're going to try to use the Slams' ship. Joylin is still in power. The first execution is scheduled to take place in. about fifteen minutes."
"Then I think our first task is to demonstrate to Great Leader Teda the necessity of his surrender," Mace said.
They caught Zan Arbor and Teda as Teda was attempting to start an airspeeder piled high with cases and boxes. Garen landed the transport directly in front of them.
"Do it!" Zan Arbor was shouting.
"I'm usually driven," Teda said. "I don't usually drive." "For galaxy's sake, let me drive!" Zan Arbor yelled. Mace Windu swept up and buried his lightsaber in the airspeeder's engine, effectively cutting off power in one stroke. "Don't worry. You can ride with us."
Zan Arbor's lips were white. Fury was evident in the strained muscles of her neck. Her veins protruded like ropes. "Jedi," she spat out.
"What did you do to my army?" Teda asked. "No one is answering my communications. You can't interfere with a sovereign power!"
"What's left of your army has been destroyed and your commander has surrendered," Mace said. "And I'm afraid I do have the authority to interfere. I am here on behalf of the Senate to negotiate the terms of your surrender."
"I will never surrender!" Teda cried.
Zan Arbor began to climb out of the airspeeder. "I'm not part of this, so I think I'll — "
Mace Windu held his blazing lightsaber centimeters from her face. "I think," he said softly, "you'll do as you're told."
Zan Arbor backed up and sat on the edge of the air-speeder.
"Now," Mace Windu said, "where are the Slams?" "How should we know?"
Zan Arbor said sulkily.
"My guess is that they've gone to get their ship," Siri said. "No doubt they have plans to meet and transport Zan Arbor and Teda off-planet."
"Here's what's going to happen," Mace Windu said.
"We're going to escort you to the headquarters of the new government of Romin."
"You mean bring me to my own palace?" Teda asked with a sneer. "So I can negotiate with thieves and murderers? Is that what the Senate sanctions these days?"
"The Senate is supporting this revolt on the basis of your many crimes against your own citizens," Mace thundered. "You are lucky the Jedi are here to ensure you won't be torn limb from limb. Now let's go."
Joylin was sitting with his closest allies eating a large meal in the dining area when the Jedi arrived with Teda and Zan Arbor in tow. He pushed away his food and stood.
"So, you came," he said, looking at Teda with hatred. "Not by choice, I see. Typical of your cowardice." Teda looked at the meal. "That's my food!" "It is the food of the citizens of Romin."
Zan Arbor rolled her eyes. "Ah, democracy," she sneered.
"Here is what the Senate requires," Mace said. "No executions may take place. Trials must be held, evidence gathered. You cannot begin a new government using the tactics of the one you overthrew. Surely you can see that."
Joylin said nothing. He stared with hatred at Teda. "Give the order to stop the execution," Mace said. Joylin did not move.
"The Jedi have destroyed Teda's army," Mace said. "Would you like us to do the same to yours?"
Ferus spoke. "Senate support will be crucial in building your new world," he said to Joylin. "You have done so much. Your vision deserves the best chance to flourish."
Joylin turned. He blinked at Ferus, as though he had been disturbed out of a deep sleep. "Yes," he said. He picked up his comlink. "Stop the execution. Teda has surrendered."
"I hope you won't be putting me with the others," Teda said. "I wouldn't think they'd be very… pleased to see me."
"I think it's the perfect place for you," Joylin said. "Guards!"
The guards led Teda and Zan Arbor away. Joylin leaned over to speak to an aide on the other side of the room.