Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were able to screen out background noise with the help of the Force, concentrating on a conversation at a table behind them.
"The rumor started yesterday," a soft voice said. "It could be true, or they could be covering up her death. Jaren is desperate."
"He must be careful."
"He is past that. I am afraid for them."
"She has risked everything."
"She was always willing to do that."
The voices lowered further, as if they suspected someone was trying to overhear.
"Can't we do something to help here?" Obi-Wan asked, just as quiet as everyone else.
"Our transport is scheduled to depart in less than two hours," Qui-Gon said. "No one has asked for our help. We can't solve the problems of every world in the galaxy." Even while talking and eating, Qui-Gon's gaze had continually swept the cantina. He was not particularly surprised when a security officer in a gray uniform entered and walked straight over.
"Passes, please."
"I'm afraid we don't have any," Qui-Gon said.
"All visitors are required to register at the Registry Office."
"We thought we'd eat first. Of course we'll head over that way once we're done."
"Not possible. Please follow."
The officer waited politely. Qui-Gon considered resisting, then rejected it. He wasn't on this world to make trouble, merely to observe. He stood and motioned for Obi-Wan to do the same.
They followed the officer back down the boulevard and down a side street. A large, gray building sat behind an energy wall. It was built of blocks of stone and looked like a prison.
The officer led them past the energy wall and into the building lobby.
There was a small office with a sign reading REGISTRATION ONLY. The officer ushered them inside, clearly intending to make sure they followed through.
"Visitors to register," the officer said.
Qui-Gon walked forward and gave their names to a clerk. The clerk's fingers faltered when he gave their homeworld as the Jedi Temple, Coruscant.
"One moment," the clerk said, her eyes downcast.
It took more than a moment — almost ten minutes — but the clerk finally slid two cards across the counter. "Carry these with you at all times.
You are scheduled to depart in one hour, fifty-three minutes."
They walked back into the hall, their footsteps loud on the polished stone. A voice stopped them.
"It is always a pleasure to welcome Jedi to our world." Qui-Gon felt it before he even turned, the sureness that he had heard that voice before.
The person greeting them was tall, with close-cropped blond hair that was now threaded with gray. His body was still muscular, still strong.
Qui-Gon did not even need a second to remember him.
It was Lorian Nod.
Chapter 15
Qui-Gon did not think that Lorian Nod showing up was a coincidence.
The clerk must have alerted him to their presence, which was why it had taken a bit too long to obtain their identity cards.
Nod was dressed in the same gray security uniform as the officer, but with a variety of colored ribbons woven through the material on the shoulders, indicating a high rank.
It was obvious that he remembered Qui-Gon. His gaze traveled over him, and Qui-Gon remembered the way Lorian had made everything, even a life-and-death struggle, seem like a huge joke played on all of them.
He had been puzzled by that as a Padawan. Now he recognized it as the defense of a man who had lost the only thing that had mattered to him, once long ago, and would never get that pain out of his heart.
"You are surprised to see me," Lorian said. "Junction 5 is my homeworld."
"I am surprised to see you out of prison," Qui-Gon said dryly.
Lorian waved a hand. "Yes, well, I was a model prisoner. I ended up helping the Coruscant security force with a number of problems they were having inside the prison, and they were grateful."
"You mean you were an informer," Qui-Gon said. Lorian cocked his head and smiled at the Jedi. "You haven't forgiven me for what I did to your Master." "Forgiveness is not mine to give," Qui-Gon said. "And how is Master Dooku?" Lorian said.
"I hear he is well," Qui-Gon said. He was not in touch with his old Master. He had not expected to be. Their relationship had not been based on friendship. It had been one of teacher and student. It was natural that they should not be in each other's lives.
It would be different with Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon thought. He saw ahead to the days when Obi-Wan would be a Jedi Knight, and he would like to be part of that.
"I see that you work for the Guardians," Qui-Gon said.
"I am the Guardians," Lorian replied. "The old security force was helpless in the face of the great threat, so I proposed a new force.
The leader of Junction 5 asked me to be the head of it."
Qui-Gon was surprised. A former criminal was head of planetary security?
"You see, I am completely rehabilitated. So, what are you doing on Junction 5?" Lorian asked, smoothly changing the subject.
"A stopover," Qui-Gon said.
"And this is your Padawan?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, Lorian Nod," Qui-Gon said.
"Did you know I was once a Padawan as well?" Lorian asked Obi-Wan, who shook his head. "I left the Order."
Obi-Wan could not conceal the surprise on his face. Qui-Gon could read him like a datascreen. Someone else had left the Order? So he was not alone. And then the apprehension came as Obi-Wan realized — if I had left, is this what I would have become?
"At first I thought it a terrible punishment, but now I see it was meant to be," Lorian continued. "Well, this has been delightful, but I have duties to perform. Enjoy your journey. I suggest you be on time for your transport. Security here must be very tight, to protect us.
If you overstay your pass, there could be some trouble for you."
Qui-Gon knew they were being threatened. "Jedi are used to trouble,"