Jedi Apprentice 3: The Hidden Past

"Wait, brother, we should explain further," Paxxi said. "We should assure the Jedi that we are far more interested in liberating our people than in stealing treasure."

"So, of course!" Guerra agreed. "Not that a little treasure wouldn't help?"

Guerra was interrupted by a commotion coming from the caf?. Quickly, Paxxi slipped out of the room to investigate. Within moments, he was back.

"So sorry," he announced. "I'm afraid it's time to go. Assassin droids searching for us all, I fear!"

Chapter 7

Qui-Gon sprang to his feet. He was not anxious to meet up again with those deadly killing machines. "Is there a back door?"

"Better that that, Jedi-Gon," Guerra answered. "Follow me, please."

Guerra moved to the fireplace. He pressed something Qui-Gon could not see. The wall shifted, and an opening was revealed.

They heard a crash from the caf?. "Time to hurry, I think," Guerra remarked pleasantly. "You first, Paxxi. Show the way to Obawan."

Paxxi slipped into the opening, and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon followed. Guerra came last, shutting the opening behind him. The steps were stone with a depression in the center from the pressure of hundreds of years of footsteps. Paxxi moved quickly, Obi-Wan on his heels. At the top of the stairs he pushed through a grate and disappeared.

Qui-Gon climbed out and saw that he was on the roof, as he expected. The opening for the secret staircase was concealed as part of the venting system. Guerra slid the grate back into place.

Qui-Gon moved closer to the edge of the room and dropped to his knees. He lay flat, then moved forward a few inches to peer over the side.

Assassin droids patrolled the streets below with jerky movements. Silver-coated Syndicat guards directed them, waving blasters. Swarms of the droids entered one shop or business after another. They threw chairs, tables, shelving, personal items out into the street as they moved. It was like a tribe of insects, picking each area clean. Any Phindian who had the misfortune to find themselves on the street quickly scurried away before the assassin droids or the Syndicat guards could administer a blow with the butt of a blaster or a jolt from a force pike.

"It doesn't look like they're searching," Qui-Gon said in a low tone to Guerra, who had lay flat beside him. "It looks as though they mean to spread terror."

"Yes, so, Jedi-Gon!" Guerra agreed nervously. "And their plan is working."

Qui-Gon froze. "Footsteps,' he said in Guerra's ear. "Coming up an outside staircase."

"Time to go," Guerra said. He pushed himself back out of sight.

The gestured to Obi-wan and Paxxi to keep quiet. Using their long, powerful arms, the brothers swung themselves over to the next roof. Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan. The gap between the two roofs was wide. If Obi-Wan couldn't make the jump alone, Qui-Gon would have to carry him on his back.

He asked the question silently: Can you make it? Obi-Wan nodded instantly. Once again, Qui-Gon was impressed by his Padawan's sharp instincts. Obi-wan always seemed to know what he needed from him.

The boy hesitated only a fraction of a moment. Qui-Gon saw him gather the Force around him. Then he ran with quick, long steps up to the roofs edge and jumped. The Force and Obi-Wan's own strength propelled him safely to the other side.

Qui-Gon leaped after him. Obi-Wan courage often impressed him, as did his instincts.

The Derida brothers were already halfway across the second roof, using their long arms to push off from the ground, increasing their speed. Guerra glanced back to make sure the Jedi were following.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan caught up, and the four jumped to the next roof. There was a structure on top of this roof, a small power shield. They darted behind it. The four stood for a moment, listening, hoping their pursuer hadn't followed this far.

But they heard something leap onto the roof. Their pursuer was out of their line of sight, but gaining. Paxxi let out a soft groan. They moved quietly and quickly to the end of the roof. Guerra reached it first. He grabbed the edge of the roof and coiled his fingers around it, ready to leap.

Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed him by the neck. Guerra made a strangling noise. Qui-Gon whirled, ready the strike at the Phindian female who held Guerra.

"Guerra, it's me! Kaadi!" the female said.

"K-K-aaa?" Guerra answered.

"Oh. So sorry." She dropped her hand from around Guerra's neck. "Just trying to stop you. You run so fast!"

"Not fast enough, I see!" Paxxi said joyfully. "Lucky for us! We missed you, Kaadi."

Guerra, Paxxi, and Kaadi entwined their long arms around each other in a Phindian hug, squeezing three times to show their great affection. They pushed their faces close to each other and beamed smiles for a long moment.

Rubbing his neck, Guerra turned to the Jedi. "Good friends to us Jedi-Gon and Obawan, meet Kaadi, good friend also."

"Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon corrected.

"That is what I say," Guerra agreed. "Kaadi's father owns the caf? where we almost got captured. It has long been a meeting place for rebels. She fights the Syndicat, too."

Kaadi grinned. She was a small female, with jet-black hair and yellow eyes shot through with green. "I move goods. Do you need a spare part for a speeder? An energy battery?"

"No, thank you," Qui-Gon said politely. He seemed to be constantly surrounded by thieves on this planet.

"And any word of your good father Nuuta?" Paxxi asked sympathetically, ducking his head as that he could look at her directly.

Kaadi's smile faded, and she shook her head. "We will hear if he is no more, we think. News will reach us."