he said.
Lorian gave him a keen glance. "I have a brilliant idea. Because of my old ties to the Jedi, I will help you. I'll provide you with escorts to make sure you arrive at the transport on time. The streets of Rion can be confusing to the traveler.
"That is not necessary," Qui-Gon said.
"Now, now, don't thank me," Lorian said firmly. "It is done."
The two security officers followed behind the Jedi as they made their way back to the landing platform.
"Lorian Nod seemed pretty insistent that we leave," Obi-Wan said.
"I never like being shown to the exit," Qui-Gon replied. Obi-Wan caught his meaning and grinned. "Should we lose them?"
"In a minute. Do you notice something. Padawan? Since we arrived, more and more security officers are out on the streets. Somehow I doubt this has anything to do with us."
"Do you think there is an alert?" Obi-Wan asked. Qui-Gon turned to the officers behind them. "Rion is a beautiful city."
"Yes, we are proud of our homeworld," one of them said stiffly.
"The citizens seem happy."
"They know they inhabit the best planet in the galaxy," he said.
"Tell me," Qui-Gon went on pleasantly, "it appears you have much crime in your capital city."
The officer stiffened. "There is no crime in Rion." "Then why do I see so many security officers?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Extraordinary circumstances," he answered, frowning. "There is an Outstanding Threat to Order. An enemy of the state has escaped from prison. Cilia Dil is very dangerous. The security officers are looking for her."
"I see," said Qui-Gon. "What was her crime?"
"I have told you enough," the officer snapped. "Hurry or you'll miss your transport. If that happens, you'll be arrested."
"You arrest people for being late?" Qui-Gon asked mildly.
"Don't be ridiculous. For overstaying your pass."
Ahead, a large utility vehicle was unloading cargo from a repulsorlift platform. Traffic backed up behind the large vehicle, and pedestrians were stepping into the street in order to get by. Qui-Gon indicated the mess ahead to Obi-Wan with just a shift of his eyes. Obi-Wan didn't nod or show any sign, but Qui-Gon knew that his apprentice was ready.
As they came up toward the vehicle, Qui-Gon used the Force to disturb a precariously stacked column of boxes. The produce spilled over into the street while the workers shouted and cursed.
The pedestrians stepped on the produce, mashing it into the pavement and making the workers shout at them angrily. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan leaped. The Force propelled them over the mess, the citizens, and the workers, leaving the security officers behind.
They hit the street and ran, dodging between pedestrians who quickly jumped out of the way. They turned onto a smaller, quiet street, then another and another. Soon Qui-Gon was sure they had lost their pursuers.
"Now what?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I say we find Cilia Dil," Qui-Gon said. "It's likely she would have many interesting things to tell us."
"But the entire army of the Guardians are looking for her," Obi-Wan said. "How can we find her?"
"Good point, my young apprentice," Qui-Gon said. "In such cases, it becomes more reasonable to create a situation where she finds us."
It didn't take them long to find out more about Cilia Dil. Although no one would speak to them directly, afraid they were spies, conversations were easily overheard, and everyone was talking about the escaped rebel. Qui-Gon was not surprised to discover that the conversation they'd overheard that morning had been about Cilia, and that Jaren was her husband.
He lived in the middle of the city, in a large building with many apartments. The Jedi paused, pretending to look in a store window at the end of the block.
"There is surveillance on the roof," Obi-Wan said. "But they are only watching the front door. We can come from behind, go down the alley, and find a side window."
"That is exactly what they want you to do," Qui-Gon said. "Look again."
It took only a moment for Obi-Wan to scan the area again. He looked crestfallen, as if he'd deeply disappointed Qui-Gon. "I saw a flash in a window next door overlooking the alley. Electro-binoculars. They are watching the alley, too. I'm sorry, Master."
It wasn't like Obi-Wan to apologize for a wrong call. He had always absorbed Qui-Gon's small lessons without comment. Then he never made the mistake again.
How can I give him back his confidence? Qui-Gon wondered.
"What do you propose?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Do you have any ideas?" Qui-Gon asked, prodding gently.
But Obi-Wan wouldn't venture another plan. His lips pressed together, and he shook his head. He was afraid to disappoint him again, Qui-Gon saw.
Qui-Gon buried his sigh in an exhaltation of breath as he glanced up at the sky. "It's late. The end of a working day. I say we seek our advantage in routine."
"Workers and families will be coming home," Obi-Wan said "So let's see what develops," Qui-Gon agreed.
At first it was just a trickle of passersby, but within minutes the street was crowded with people on their way home. Repulsorlift transports jammed with workers paused to open their doors and more beings spilled out on the walkways.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan loitered outside a shop near Jaren Dil's building.
They didn't have to wait long. Soon a mother and a group of children came down the street. The mother carried a sack of food and various other bags as her children ran around her legs, shrieking with joy at being released from school. They paused for a moment at the entrance ramp outside the building. One of the small children, daydreaming, almost got swept up in the sea of people on the sidewalk. Qui-Gon quickly moved forward and picked him up. He joined the group at the ramp. Obi-Wan quickly followed.
"Tyler," the mother scolded. "How naughty." She reached for the boy while she fumbled for her entrance card. Obi-Wan lifted several sacks from her arms to help.
"Allow me to carry him," Qui-Gon said, making a face at the boy.
"We've made friends."
The mother thanked him gratefully while inserting her entrance card.