The Ties That Bind by Jude Watson
When she saw him, they sparked to life. "It is too late for me, dear
friend," she said.
Qui-Gon woke with a start. He put his hand on his heart. The grief
that filled him was because of the dream. It was not real. He told his
beating heart to slow down.
This grief was temporary. It was already fading as his heartbeat
slowed. But the vision - the vision was real.
He swung his legs over the edge of the sleep-couch. Enough, he told
himself. Enough of trying to convince himself the vision had been more
about his anxiety about Tahl than anything real. Enough of respecting her
request to leave her be.
Enough.
* * *
He waited until after the meditation period, when the Council members
gathered for a short meeting. Then he headed toward the Council chamber.
He ran into Obi-Wan, who was on his way to the morning meal. His
Padawan knew immediately that he had a purpose. Obi-Wan looked at him
questioningly.
"I'm on my way to the Council Room," Qui-Gon said.
"Tahl?"
He nodded.
"I'll come with you."
He was about to argue, but he saw the resolute look in Obi-Wan's
eyes. He kept on walking, and Obi-Wan swung into step beside him.
This time, Qui-Gon took the time to request permission to enter. He
needed the Council on his side. It was granted.
He strode into the room, suddenly glad to have Obi-Wan with him.
"I wish to inform the Council that I am following Tahl to New
Apsolon," he said without preliminaries.
"What is the reason for this action?" Mace Windu asked. He knitted
his long fingers together and frowned at Qui-Gon.
"Tahl promised to keep in contact with the Council. She has not. It
has been nearly three weeks since she left. She said she would be back in
under a week."
"Jedi Knights are not required to conform to a schedule," Mace Windu
said. "And missions reveal their own time frame. The Council members are
not concerned."
"But I am," Qui-Gon stated firmly. "Complete this mission alone, Tahl
wanted," Yoda said. "Best it is for her, we think."
"I have tried to honor her wishes," Qui-Gon said. "I feel that there
is danger there. I have seen it."
"A vision?" Yoda asked. "Know you do that visions can lead us astray
as well as guide us."
"This one must guide me," Qui-Gon said.
"You know that secrecy is crucial to Tahl's mission," Mace Windu
said. "She could have already started her journey. She could have the twins
with her. We will wait for her next communication."
"I will not," Qui-Gon said.
Yoda exchanged a glance with Mace Windu. It was clear they were
surprised and displeased.
"Noted we have your concern for Tahl over the years since she was
blinded," Yoda said. "Natural, it is. But good for her, it is not. Find her
own way, she must."
"I am going," Qui-Gon insisted.
"Qui-Gon," Mace Windu warned, "you are not listening to our counsel.
It is clear that you made a decision and will not be swayed. It is not like
you to close your mind, nor is it like a Jedi."
Qui-Gon said nothing. He would not argue with Mace Windu. But he
would not abandon his plan.
"You must open your mind to other opinions. We sit here on the
Council because our vision is a wider one than that of any individual Jedi.
"
Qui-Gon stirred impatiently. "I am wasting time," he said.
Obi-Wan looked at him, startled. Qui-Gon knew he had been rude, but
he was on fire to leave the Temple. No matter what the Council said, he was
going.
Mace Windu looked thunderous. "Counsel with us is wasting your time?"
He pointed his finger at Qui-Gon. "Know this, Qui-Gon Jinn. If you leave to
find Tahl, you do it against our wishes and direction."
It was the strongest condemnation Mace Windu could give, short of
forbidding it. Qui-Gon nodded curtly. He turned and left the chamber,
feeling Obi-Wan at his heels.
He did not stop but stepped immediately on the turbolift. Obi-Wan had
to jump to accompany him.
"I have never seen you act so impolite," Obi-Wan said, running both
hands through his hair. "You defied Mace Windu!"
The turbolift opened. Qui-Gon strode out.
"Qui-Gon, wait. Can't you talk to me?"
He stopped and turned. His Padawan's face was full of worry. He could
see how torn he was. Obi-Wan did not understand how a vision could touch
you so deeply that it was as though the real world dropped away and you
were living in another reality. Qui-Gon had to get to Tahl. He had to see
her, grasp her hands, look into her face. He had to know she was alive.
"You are going to New Apsolon today?" Obi-Wan asked.
"As soon as I can arrange transport."
"Then I will get my survival pack and meet you at the landing
platform."
Qui-Gon took a breath to compose himself. "No, Padawan," he said as
gently as he could. "You must remain behind. I cannot ask you to defy the
Council on my behalf."
"You are not asking me," Obi-Wan said. "There are reasons to stay. I
will not be gone long."
"That is what Tahl said."
Qui-Gon sighed. "Unlike Tahl, I will remain in touch with you. I will
call for you if I need you." He held Obi-Wan's gaze. "You know that I will.
"
Obi-Wan's gaze did not falter. Qui-Gon could see that his Padawan did
not understand. Yet he would not back down.
"My place is by your side," Obi-Wan said. Qui-Gon took a deep breath.
"Then let us depart."
CHAPTER 4
Before landing on New Apsolon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan changed from their
Jedi tunics into the common street wear of travelers, hooded short robes of
dark cloth with leather trousers tucked into boots. Qui-Gon would be
careful to wear his hood while on the planet. He did not think many would
remember him, but he would take no chances.
They set down their craft at a landing pad on the outskirts of the
capital city, also called New Apsolon. The city was a large one, spread out
over many kilometers. The rest of the small planet was devoted to its
second-largest industry, harvesting the gray stone that was used in most of
the buildings. There were a few small cities and villages, but the majority
of the population lived in the teeming capital city.
They paid the owner to hold the transport, then took a turbolift to
the surface of the planet.
They arrived in the Worker Sector of the city. The buildings were no
taller than six stories, many built cheaply of durasteel. Others were built
of native gray stone with small windows and rounded roofs. Qui-Gon
recognized the style as one for those which sometimes lacked heat in
winter. Ahead they could see the tall elegant buildings of the Civilized
Sector. Although the Worker Sector was cleaner and better maintained than
Qui-Gon remembered, its poverty was in marked contrast to the gleaming city
they could glimpse ahead.
New Apsolon did not show many of the effects of the civil
disturbances that had rocke
visited worlds that had destroyed their cities through years of conflict.
He had seen evidence of ruin - buildings that had been transformed into
rubble, formerly blooming squares now mere patches of dirt. New Apsolon
showed none of this destruction. The Civilized Sector still gleamed. The
city had always been a tech center, and the buildings were tall, impressive
structures. Any evidence of street fighting had long since been removed.
One thing Qui-Gon did not remember from his last visit was the
presence of slender glass columns about his own height, lit from within.
The columns appeared on street corners or in public squares. Sometimes they
were arranged in groups; occasionally they stood alone. Some were glowing
white, some ice-blue.
"What do you think they are?" Obi-Wan asked. "They don't seem to have
any function,"
Qui-Gon recognized a street crossing. "This is where the energy wall
to the Civilized Sector used to be." The largest cluster they'd seen yet of
the glowing columns stood ahead in a small plaza. "Let's take a closer look
at those columns."
The columns were arranged only a few centimeters apart. Together,
they formed a tight glowing cube. Near the front of the cube Qui-Gon saw a
polished black slab with words chiseled in its smooth surface.
HERE WE COMMEMORATE OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, WORKERS ALL, FORTY IN
NUMBER, WHO WERE SLAIN BY THE ABSOLUTE FORCES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BREACH
THE ENERGY WALL.
Obi-Wan counted the columns. "There are forty columns. One for each
Worker. These are memorials."
"Every spot where a Worker died is commemorated," Qui-Gon guessed.
The two Jedi gazed at the glowing columns. Now they seemed to take on
the presence of living beings. Qui-Gon could imagine the forty Workers,
striding toward the energy wall. Perhaps their arms had been linked
together.
"I remember on our mission to Melida/Daan how shocked I was at the
devastation in the city," Obi-Wan said. "Every ruin held so much sadness.
You could see the lives lost and disrupted. This feels just as terrible,
somehow. The city has not been touched, yet so many beings are gone. And
life continues to go on around them." Obi-Wan touched the glass. "It is
good to see what has been lost."
"Yes, I feel that, too." Qui-Gon also felt moved by the mute
testimony of the standing columns.
They walked on, past the site of the old energy wall. The checkpoint
was still standing, a security booth covered in armor. Across the front
someone had scrawled ROAN KILLS.
As they walked into the Civilized Sector, they saw more evidence of
the same graffiti. ROAN MUST GO read some. EWANE LIVES ROAN MUST DIE read
others.
Workers in coveralls were busy trying to scrub the graffiti off the
polished stone.
"There is unrest here below the surface," Qui-Gon said.
"I sense it," Obi-Wan agreed. "The people are not easy in their
minds."
The streets became more crowded, the difference between the Civilized
and the Workers perfectly clear. The Civilized had all the trappings of
wealth - fine clothes and gleaming airspeeders. Since it was the middle of
the day, the rich were on the streets, talking in small groups or lingering
in the opulent cafes that lined the broad boulevard. The Workers were
dressed in plain tunics and trousers and seemed to be hurrying to fulfill
duties, not strolling and enjoying the day.
"We must report for a security check," Qui-Gon said. "It is required
of all visitors. Just a formality, but perhaps we can learn something."
The government buildings were clustered in one grand neighborhood,
all built around a series of interlocking large squares filled with flowers
and benches. Unlike the gleaming tall structures around them, the buildings
were not very tall and were built with more ornamentation, columns and
ledges and sweeping grand staircases leading up to gleaming metal doors.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were welcomed cordially at the front desk of the
Administration Services Building, then led to the office of the Chief
Security Controller. He was a short, balding man with a powerful chest and
shoulders. He stood and nodded.
"I am Balog, your official greeter. Welcome to New Apsolon. We thank
you for obeying our check-in procedures promptly. May I ask the purpose of
your visit?"
"We have heard of the pleasures of New Apsolon," Qui-Gon said. "We
are here as tourists."
Balog nodded. "Tourism has not been forbidden... yet. But I must warn
you that the government is close to issuing an official warning to all who
plan to travel here. New Apsolon is now a dangerous place for any
foreigners. Our leader is under siege, and there is unrest here. Tempers
are high. The society is volatile. I cannot guarantee your safety."
"We are not looking for guarantees," Qui-Gon said. "We do not plan to
stay long, and we will be careful."
Balog nodded. "Then enjoy your stay."
Qui-Gon started toward the door, then pretended to hesitate. "You
mention that your leader is under siege. We have heard that the former
leader was assassinated. Do you feel that Roan is in danger as well?"
"There are some who believe that he placed the order for the death of
Ewane," Balog said. "Of course this is false. Yet that is where the danger
lies. These people want revenge. We have it under control. Ewane was a
great man, but Roan is as well. He is a Civilized with great wealth, yet
even before the bloodless revolution he defied members of his party to
champion the Workers. I am an example of that. Roan was the one to raise me
to this position. He has done the same for others. Roan has support among
the Workers. Those who suspect him of murder are a small but vocal
minority."
"Ewane's daughters are in hiding, are they not?"
Balog looked surprised. "Not at all. They were taken in by Roan after
their father's death. They are living in the official residence, two blocks
away."
CHAPTER 5
Obi-Wan looked at his Master as they left the security building. He
could see that Qui-Gon was worried. If the twins were safe, why did they
summon Tahl?
"Do you think the twins don't want anyone on Apsolon to know that
they are afraid?"
"Most likely," Qui-Gon said. "Still, it is odd that they lied about
being in hiding. I think it's time we saw them."
They asked a passerby for directions. Everyone knew where Roan's
residence was. It was a gracious building built of the same mellow gray
stone, not far away. Qui-Gon threw back his hood as he entered. He knew he
would have to give his true identity in order to be allowed to see the
twins.
At the security checkpoint, the screen flashed blue and a voice asked
for his name. Qui-Gon gave it, explaining that he was friend of Eritha and
Alani.
"Step forward for a retinal scan."
Qui-Gon, then Obi-Wan, did so. Qui-Gon didn't object. He was glad to
see that the security was tight.
&n
quarters of the residence. There, two young women waited in a brightly
furnished room with a cheerful fire. They were identical, with long,
braided blond hair and narrow faces enlivened by bright dark eyes. They
both broke into dazzling smiles when they saw Qui-Gon.
"Qui-Gon!" they cried together, and hurried toward him.
Qui-Gon bowed. "I was not sure you would remember me."
"Of course we do." Qui-Gon was not sure which one had spoken. Six