The mutter of a multitude of alien voices reached us long before we stepped through the archway into the reception hall. At least a couple hundred of the senator's supporters had been invited to welcome him home, almost all of them Rodian with the exception of some dignitaries who had come with the senator from Coruscant. Of those, one was a Twi'lek and the rest, species I could not identify even after hours of perusing Republic data files. The entrance of the Jedi caused no small stir among the partygoers, though it was more in wonder and alarm that everyone noticed them. Their purpose for being here was becoming well known. The governor broke off whatever conversation he had been having and came to greet us, clasping his hands nervously before him as the two Jedi bowed respectfully. "Welcome, welcome," he offered, sweeping a hand out to invite us in. "Is there anything new to report?"

"No," Qui-Gon replied simply. "Governor, do you expect anything to happen tonight, at this reception?"

The governor shrugged stiffly. "One never knows, in times like this. One simply never knows. Is there anything I can get you?" He waved to a serving droid, who wheeled toward us.

"Thank you, no," the Master said politely. "I would speak with the senator..."

"Of course." The governor led the way, leaving the droid waiting helplessly there until someone else needed it. Obi-Wan and I remained behind, looking around.

"A lot of Rodians," I remarked awkwardly.

"Naturally," Obi-Wan said with a smirk he could hardly hide. "I would be concerned if we came to a reception full of Wookiees."

I giggled at that and looked around. "No, no Wookiees." They would stand out in a crowd like this, of short-statured, green- and blue-skinned folk with high, yammering voices carrying on like political partygoers should. The reception hall was bathed in the yellow glow of strategically-placed lamps, and echoed with the sound of voices involved in a hundred different conversations. The Jedi had entered hooded, but now, Obi-Wan lowered his hood and undid the closure at his throat so his robe would lay gently on his shoulders. I looked at him and admired the keen, observant stare on his face as he scanned the room slowly. "See anything unusual?"

"No," he replied, but with a note to imply that he wasn't sure he should give such a definitive answer. "I agree with Master Qui-Gon, I doubt anything will happen here, tonight. If the stranger did in fact land on the planet overnight, he may not be prepared to make his move yet. All the same," he added, shifting his gaze to me, "keep alert. Nothing is ever certain."

"Right. And if I see that kid again...?"

"Draw our attention to him immediately," the Padawan answered. He looked around again, and then turned directly toward me. "It would be best for you if you stayed close to either of us, rather than wander around on your own. You're here because of us, you'd best keep that appearance."

That would not be a problem. Surrounded by so many strangers of an alien race, I wanted nothing more than to hide behind one or both of the Jedi, losing my identity in their cover. Obi-Wan had nowhere to go, so for a while we stood there, watching the crowd, him nodding occasionally at anyone who passed by or tried to catch his attention. The party was in full swing, with droids bringing out plenty of drink and food, and a cluster of musicians playing unobtrusively at the far end, opposite the main entrance. Across the hall, we could see Qui-Gon in the company of the senator and his mate, the under-secretary, and the Twi'lek visitor; the Master was as composed and serene as always, hands tucked inside the ends of his billowing sleeves, leonine profile broken neither by smile nor frown. He seemed to be listening to whatever stories were being told to him, nodding but not interjecting a single word. I nudged Obi-Wan with an elbow. "What's he thinking?" I hissed.

"Master Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan frowned in concentration, and then chuckled under his breath. "As I suspected. He's hardly entertained."

"Maybe we should rescue him."

"No. He's enduring this for a reason. When he's had his fill, he will tactfully excuse himself, and..." At that very moment, we both watched Qui-Gon give his audience a little bow and polite smile, and turn away from them. "See?"

Qui-Gon strode directly for us, not stopping for anyone in his way. When he reached our position, he looked a little annoyed. "You two look about as useful as I feel at this moment," he remarked, coming to a stop in front of Obi-Wan. "Anything?"

"Nothing, Master," the apprentice said.

"As I expected." He looked around the room, studying details keenly. "The senator is uneasy, however, and has detained us for the rest of the evening - however long this lasts. I sense tension here, and fear in abundance, but fear of what is not certain." He gave the room another once-over and then gestured to me. "Walk with me. Obi-Wan, walk the hall opposite of us. Meet us back in this space no sooner than twenty minutes from now."

The Padawan murmured affirmation and started on a slow circuit, walking and watching. Qui-Gon hesitated a moment before starting in the other direction, pacing slowly, keeping me no more than a step behind him. "I managed to confirm that the young Rodian you encountered was among those invited here tonight," he said to me, speaking low enough that only I could hear him. "I have not yet seen him, so I need you to be alert for him. His name is Tix."

"Yes, Master Qui-Gon," I said. "You don't think the senator's assassin will show here?"

"No, I don't. Not if he is human - he will stand out here worse than we do. But the longer I am here, sensing the fear and unrest among these beings, the more I think there may be a disturbance of some sort tonight. We must be prepared."

"With two Jedi prowling around like lions, one would have to be stupid to try anything here," I muttered under my breath, scanning each Rodian face for something that might trigger my memory of the young Tix. But to me, all Rodians looked alike.

"Intelligence is seldom a trait found in assassins, even the successful ones," Qui-Gon mused. "If it happens, though, it will not be here."

I wondered about that for a moment. If not here, then where? But a few of the answers to that question made me nervous, so I put off that line of thinking in favor of looking around the room as we walked. Qui-Gon nodded greetings at many of the Rodians we passed, pausing now and then to acknowledge someone's query or comment about the election on the morrow. I wished I could open my mind to the Force, like the Jedi, but I was limited to sensing only Master and Padawan. I wondered what I would sense among the citizens of this place if I could. As it was, a palpable tension ran like a dark undercurrent to the otherwise merry reception, churning with fear and suspicion. The presence of the Jedi did little to placate many, serving instead as a reminder that the election had the potential to cause trouble and bodily harm. From my own experiences, I expected election trouble to involve protests from rival groups, disruptions, things a standard security force should be able to deal with. Rodians, though, despite their façade of cooperation and civilization, were the sort of beings who would resort to open violence without much provocation. The few days we had been on the planet passed peacefully, there were no reports of anything which might disturb the election process, only the escalation of all parties' campaigns heading into the big day. The senator and his escort had arrived to much fanfare rather than protest, and they all seemed perfectly safe at the moment. Such tentative calm had lulled me into a false sense of security, though, as I would realize much later.

Upon making our circuit, Qui-Gon was again detained by the dignitaries, who picked up where they left off in regaling him with stories of the political drama unfolding on this little planet. I stood beside the Master, silently observing, ignored by everyone. The Twi'lek, with his head-tails draped elegantly over his shoulders, appeared to be a deputy to the Chancellor whose business here was to observe and report back. He said little, though he seemed to be a close friend of both the senator and the under-secretary. Eedan was much more jovial than he had been in the few times I had seen him. I had a feeling the strong drink being served had something to do with that. The senator was also animated, telling Qui-Gon something about a warlord in control of another city who had made noise in the past about taking control or becoming governor, something like that. The Jedi nodded throughout the story, taking in every detail but giving out no reaction.

After a time, I suddenly felt the Force around me, coming to a tangible focus on me. It was as if someone had reached out from across miles and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and looked over my shoulder, instantly meeting the piercing, directed stare of Obi-Wan far across the hall. Content that he had gotten my attention, his eyes flicked to his right; I followed his gaze, and there stood Tix! The young Rodian must have been a page in the governor's service, for he wore a formal outfit and was doting on some of the attendees. He stood not five feet from Obi-Wan, who then glanced back toward me as if to ask, "Is that him?" I nodded furiously, and then turned back to Qui-Gon, gently placing a hand on his arm. "Master?" I said quietly, almost whispering.

Qui-Gon excused himself from his companions and faced me. "Yes?"

"He's here."

I looked back toward Obi-Wan, indicating that Qui-Gon should look also, which he did. "I see. Senator, Under-Secretary...you'll have to excuse me again. My assistance is needed." They nodded in acceptance, and Master Qui-Gon started away from them with me at his side, not hurrying, but not dallying either. Once we started toward him, Obi-Wan moved to his right and intercepted the Rodian page before he could lose himself in the crowd of partygoers. We converged on him at the same time. "Good evening," Qui-Gon began casually. "You're on the governor's staff, aren't you? I seem to remember seeing you in the estate."

Tix blinked up at the Jedi towering over him. "Yes, sir. Is there something I can get you?"

It was definitely the Rodian I had overheard. The voice, the face... "Some information would be sufficient," the Master continued. "Are you very busy? We may need to detain you for a moment."

I did not need the power of the Force to tell me this young one was scared. He stared up at Qui-Gon, entranced, but radiating fear from his giant black eyes and trembling hands. "I-I am not sure I can help you, sir," he stammered.

I almost didn't notice the little gesture Qui-Gon made, passing his hand surreptitiously before the Rodian's face. "You should have the information I need. You should come with us."

"I will come with you, sir," Tix responded reflexively.

Qui-Gon turned and walked toward a doorway to a side chamber off the main hall, Tix following and Obi-Wan and I bringing up the rear. Just before entering the room, though, Obi-Wan halted me with a hand on my shoulder. "This should take but a moment," he cautioned. "Stay here and keep an eye on the reception, especially on the senator."

"But..." Any protest was useless, as they ducked into the room and closed the door. I didn't like being left out, but I figured it was for the best, in case my presence would be a deterrent to getting the full story out of the page. I leaned against the wall and glanced around the room, reminding myself where the senator was and taking note of the beings he conversed with. His supporters were constantly coming up to him, offering him congratulations and wishes for luck, promising to vote for him tomorrow. Relaxed by drink and their warm wishes, the senator was openly talking to anyone, and quite loudly at that.

A stranger moved into my line of sight at that moment, deliberately seeking my attention. Rodians had no facial expressions, but you could somehow tell what mood they were in anyway. This one was drunk, and feeling rather bold. He said something to me in his language, but I could only mutely shake my head at him. I didn't understand what he was trying to say, but I didn't know if he spoke Basic, or I would have said so. He kept going regardless, and then patted my arm, asking a question. I frowned and shrugged, hoping by body language to get the point across that I had no idea what he was saying. The hand then clamped down on my arm, and he tried to pull me away from the door. "Hey!" I yelped. "Let go! What are you doing?"

The Rodian kept yammering at me, yanking on my arm, so I kept resisting, making enough noise to cause the nearest spectators to turn and look. I realized he was much stronger than me, and if he was bold enough or drunk enough, could have done me harm, and that caused a note of panic to rise in my chest. Fortunately, that panic acted as a signal, and before I could even cry out for him, Qui-Gon was at my side. "You don't want to do that," he warned the Rodian, standing still with arms at his side, his very stature implying threat. "She doesn't want to go with you."

The drunk Rodian narrowed his globular black eyes and muttered something at the Jedi Master, who stood unflinching. "Let her go," he demanded again, his voice calm but dark.

The hand released my arm, and the Rodian snapped something in conclusion before slinking away to boost his courage with more drink. Qui-Gon's arm was around me in an instant. "Are you all right?"

"I didn't know what he wanted," I gasped, finding fear and relief rushing through me all at the same time. "I couldn't do anything."

"It's all right. The Force warned me in time." He looked up to the retreating assailant, and though disturbed, allowed a hint of a smile to creep into his face. "It was nothing serious, he was just looking to pick up a woman, any female. I don't want to presume anything, but I guessed you were not interested."

I looked at him, outraged, but the way he put it made me laugh nervously. "Uh, no, I'm not interested," I said emphatically, "you were right about that. Thank you."

Qui-Gon nodded. I continued, "What about Tix?"

"I sent for security, Obi-Wan has him. We're going to take him into custody." He smiled at me with veiled satisfaction. "He knows much, but is telling us little. Just enough to know that the senator would be safer with him detained. You did well. We owe this break to you."

I smiled modestly and shrugged. The brief moment of excitement was quickly wearing away. "So now what?"

"We will have to stay until the senator leaves," the Master replied, moving further into the hall. "I plan to have Obi-Wan escort him to his home, to make sure the security force is in place for the night watch, while we head back to our quarters so I can see to our own safety. I have not forgotten that threat you overheard."

I had tried to forget it, but such a reminder in light of what had just happened filled me with dread. Fortunately, I was with Qui-Gon, and his promise of protection was security worth resting in.

The rest of the night passed without incident, and became infinitely more boring than it had been at the start. Being among politicians is bad enough, but being among politicians whose language I did not speak drove me crazy. Still, I had an attentive pair of Jedi to keep up with, and they had their eyes on the constantly shifting crowd, marking new faces and listening for anything resembling a threat or reference to the senator's trouble. The senator became rather drunk after a while, and though it caused him to lose much of his agitation about the election, it did not make him easier to deal with. The dignitaries with him did not share his customary Rodian enthusiasm for indulgence, and most of them made their way to their quarters well before the party ended. The governor even went home early, until the gathering dwindled to about fifty of the senator's closest supporters, friends, and family members. In the end, it took a carefully-placed suggestion bordering on a mind trick from Qui-Gon to get the senator to go home, which he did after making a swelling (and long) speech to his friends about how wonderful it was to have their support and promising not to disappoint them in his next term in the Galactic Senate. Obi-Wan gave his Master a bemused look as he followed the senator out. "Have I done something wrong, that you're making me go with him?" he wondered.

"This isn't meant as punishment, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon assured with a grin. "I had no idea it would end up like this when I planned our routes earlier. You should have little problem seeing to his safety in this state."

"I will return as quickly as I can," the apprentice promised, giving me a grin before turning and striding out after the senator, his robe flowing breezily behind him.

Master Qui-Gon heaved a short chuckle under his breath and glanced down at me. "On that note, I believe we will also take our leave."

"Gladly." I followed him out of the hall and into the streets, which glimmered with lamps to light the wayward traveler's way through the city. The governor's estate on the hill high above was dark save for a few lights near the entrance, giving it the look from this distance of an old beast retreating into the safety of the jungle. We walked in silence, ignoring any inebriated or belligerent passersby coming out of cantinas and other halls of entertainment. I had to step twice as fast to match Qui-Gon's long stride, but didn't mind the hurry, because I wished to be back in the safe haven of our rooms and in bed as soon as possible. He was thinking as he walked, his mind doubly active, going over the evening's events with the scrutiny of a Jedi on a mission. In time, we reached the hill road, and climbed steadily to the gates of the estate, though by the time we reached the top I was reminded just how out of shape I am. The security staff let us in on sight, bid us a good sleep, and returned to their watch. Once inside the house, I ventured to ask Qui-Gon, "What do you think is going to happen tomorrow?"

"I'm not certain," he replied, keeping his voice down. "I will attempt to question Tix again, this time more officially, after he's had a night to think about his position. But Obi-Wan and I will have our hands full monitoring the senator all day. All the action you have been waiting for, as Obi-Wan said - it will all come in a rush tomorrow. We -" He suddenly stopped, throwing out a hand to halt me behind him. We were no more than a corridor away from our suite, and the entire wing was black and silent with repose. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, and he looked around as if willing something to come out of the shadows.

"What is it?" I whispered.

His only response was to reach his right hand beneath his robe and pull out his lightsaber. "Stay behind me," he murmured, taking a cautious step forward. I willingly obeyed, keeping his outstretched arm in front of me like a shield. We turned the corner and stepped slowly toward the waiting door of our suite, hearing nothing, seeing nothing. The door had been locked with our security code before we left earlier in the evening, and looked to still be secure, but Qui-Gon took no chance. He pushed me behind him as he maneuvered to the side of the door, leaving only his hands and lightsaber exposed. He closed his eyes and withdrew into the swirling power of the Force, taking only a brief moment to find out what he needed to know. "Just as I suspected," he muttered when he opened his eyes again. "Someone is in our quarters."

"What?"

"Just stay behind me. Don't make yourself a target." The lightsaber powered up with a fizzle and hum, and he held it poised in front of the closed door as he reached out and entered our security code into the keypad.

The instant the door swooshed open, a rapid succession of blaster bolts zinged out of the darkness of our room, and Qui-Gon's lightsaber darted out of their way. The first volley hit far down the corridor, scorching lines in the pillars and walls of the hallway. Our would-be assailant could be heard scrambling into a new position, once he realized his targets had not been where they were supposed to be, and a second volley of fire passed much closer to us. Qui-Gon's broad shoulders made for a sufficient shield, but I cowered behind him trying to make myself as small a target as possible, and he responded by angling himself to keep his body and his lightsaber between me and the blaster fire. The saber crackled as it absorbed and deflected blaster bolts, sending a few into the walls and the rest back into the room. The shooter broke off quickly under the hail of his own deflected fire, and in the sudden silence footsteps could be heard racing across the stone floor of our sitting room. Ordering me to stay there, Qui-Gon rushed into the room, saber held off to his right so he could see past it. I shrank up against the wall, wishing I had a weapon just so I could feel safer about waiting in the dark corridor, listening for the sounds of battle. There were a few more shots, a crash, a shout, and then nothing. Scared that something had happened to the Jedi Master, I closed my eyes and begged him to return - quickly - and was relieved when moments later the lights flicked on in the room and his tall figure appeared in the doorway. "It's safe, come in," he bid me in a hushed voice.

I hurried in, and the door closed behind me. "Are you all right?" I wondered.

"Fine. That last bolt passed a bit too close, though." Qui-Gon circled the room checking for damage, but I could only stand there in shock. By now I thought I would be used to being shot at, but such was not true. "He shot out the window in Obi-Wan's room and got away. I don't think it would be fruitful to try and chase him through the forest, or else I would." He slipped his comlink from his belt and activated it. "Obi-Wan."

A short pause preceded his Padawan's response. "Yes, Master?"

"There's been an ambush. Someone was waiting in our rooms to kill us. Stay where you are, we're coming to you."

"Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked concernedly.

"Yes, we're fine. Just a little shaken up. But we're not spending the night here." Qui-Gon closed the channel and turned swiftly to gather up our belongings. He didn't ask for my help, so I just stood there, watching. "I no longer trust anyone on this planet," the Master gruffly explained as he threw our one large pack onto the table. "The governor's own security force may be in on it. That shooter didn't get in here by himself."

"Maybe Tix let him in," I suggested. "He did arrive late to the reception."

"He would have to have other allies in this estate. The conspiracy runs deep, I suspected as much before we even landed." It didn't take long to pack up our things, and after giving the suite another quick once-over with his keen eyes, Qui-Gon shouldered the pack and waved for me to follow him out. "Keep beside me, don't drop behind. I don't know if he'll be back to finish what he started, or if we'll make it to Obi-Wan without further incident."

"I knew I would be in the way," I muttered, half-joking.

"You'll be safe," Qui-Gon assured crisply.

"Where are we going?"

He gave no reply until we reached an outer door - not the front entrance, however - and exited the estate. "We will meet Obi-Wan where he is, I can trace his comlink signal, and then we will go to the ship. No other place is safe, now." He held up a hand to halt us so he could look around and listen for pursuit, but the night was still, echoing with the whirring of insects in the trees. Rather than take the road, he led the way through the thick undergrowth, picking the easiest path he could find down the hill. It was little surprise that anyone could sneak into the estate, from what I observed, for the grounds were not fenced in nor was there a single guard patrolling the perimeter. Only the staff at the gate in the road, and in the house itself, kept the place secure. We were able to sneak our way out with relative ease, and Qui-Gon felt it safe enough to take out his lightsaber and use it to hack through the tangled shrubbery, cutting a path to the base of the hill where the streets began. I took the pack from him and slung it over my shoulder, content to do my part while he searched for Obi-Wan.

The apprentice had barely gotten a block from the senator's home when he had been contacted, and waited for us under the shadow of an alley with his robe closed and hood up. He must have been using the Force to signal himself of our approach, for his dark-shrouded figure emerged from the alley just as we came up. "Master," he said in greeting, dropping his hood. "What happened?"

"The threats made against us seem to have panned out," Master Qui-Gon replied. "A single shooter was waiting inside our quarters. I sensed him through the Force, so he did not get the drop on us. I thought it best if we spent tonight on our ship rather than in an unsecured room."

"Plus, he shot out your window," I offered.

Obi-Wan smiled at me. "All the more reason to seek comfort elsewhere."

Qui-Gon waved a hand to get us moving again. We passed swiftly through the well-lit streets to the spaceport, a much more lively part of Equator City even at this late hour. No one stopped us or seemed to notice us as we marched to the docking ports and located our ship, which had been repaired and secured while we conducted the mission in town. By the time we reached it, I was exhausted and begging for sleep. "I trust the ship's security," Qui-Gon said as we boarded and went to the rear of the ship where sleep couches were located, "but all the same, I wish to keep watch. I will take first shift. Obi-Wan, you get the second. Wake me at dawn, though, I want to get an early start on the interrogation of our suspect."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded. "Please wake me the moment you feel yourself dropping, I don't need much sleep."

"I will keep that in mind," the Master said good-naturedly. "I have work to do, though, that should keep me awake. You," he added to me, "should get as much rest as possible. I want you with me at all times, from now on."

"Yes, Master Qui-Gon," I acknowledged, sinking onto one of the narrow, padded sleep couches lining the cabin. I would have no problem falling asleep, even after the excitement. Obi-Wan threw off his robe and reclined on the couch opposite me, clasping his hands on his chest as he relaxed. Qui-Gon waited for both of us to take ease before snapping off the cabin lights and disappearing into the cockpit.

Obi-Wan's voice, husky with fatigue, suddenly drifted to me out of the dark. "Are you beginning to reconsider agreeing to come with us?"

I could hear the mischievous lilt. With a hint of mischief myself, I replied, "Touch my mind, Obi-Wan. Find out for yourself."

I heard a low chuckle. "I'm too tired. Just tell me."

I smiled to myself. "I regret nothing. I'm not scared. I said I wanted some excitement, didn't I?"

"Most people would have had their fill of excitement by now," Obi-Wan noted. A rustle came from his direction; I pictured him rolling over to face me, or propping his head up on his arm. "I admire you. Anyone else in your position wouldn't handle it as well as you have. I said to Master Qui-Gon, once, before you received his midi-chlorians, that I thought you seemed fearless. Once I could sense your mind, I found out that I was right."

My smile in the darkness intensified. "I was awake that night. I heard you say that."

A long pause kept him silent for a bit. "You little sneak," he accused comically.

More silence. I broke it by saying, in a whisper, "Thank you, Obi-Wan. For your compliment."

He sighed gently. "You're welcome, my friend." Another rustle. "Now go to sleep. I have second watch."

*****

Though designed to give weary starship crews a good night's rest, the sleep couch was uncomfortable enough to cause me to wake several times during the night, never sure exactly where I was or what time it was. At one point I noticed that a robe had been draped over me - Qui-Gon's robe, I discovered with joy - and then realized he was stretched out on the opposing couch, breathing deeply as he slept. Despite his great size, he didn't snore, not that I noticed anyway. Obi-Wan must be on watch, then, I mused before turning over and falling back to sleep. My slumber was fitful, at best, and left much to be desired when the Master woke me at dawn. "Come, we have much to do," he ordered both me and his Padawan. "There's just enough time before the elections begin, if we don't let ourselves get side-tracked." He stared studiously at me for a moment. "Do you know how to fire a blaster?"

I gaped at him. "Uhh...no."

Qui-Gon frowned, and sighed regretfully. "Very well."

"Why? I mean, I could probably figure one out...I've never shot anything before, though."

He answered over his shoulder as he pressed the plate that would open the loading ramp. "I would feel better about having you along if I knew you could defend yourself in the event we come under fire again. But, it will be fine. Be alert, and don't hesitate to find a place to hide if something happens." The loading ramp settled onto the ground with a heavy thunk, and he beckoned to us to come.

We headed back through the spaceport and the streets of Equator City, directly to the center where the main polling station and the senator's offices lay, near the capital. On the way, I learned that Qui-Gon had kept himself rather busy during his part of the watch. He checked over the ship to make sure it had been repaired as promised, and also to ensure that it had not been sabotaged in the meantime. He sent an encoded message to Coruscant to inform the Chancellor of his progress, and then crafted a message to be sent on delay to the Rodian governor, upon his waking this morning, to let him know why there were blaster scars all over the suite and why we had left the estate. Apart from anyone who might have seen us walking toward the spaceport in the late hours of the night, no one knew where we had gone. Neither Jedi reported anything unusual through the night, not even in a seedy area such as the spaceport. To our fortune, the would-be assassin never returned nor tracked us down, but I had a dark feeling that we would be seeing more of him - or others like him - during the course of this day.

The security center was alive with the night's roundup of troublemakers and drunks, but Master Qui-Gon led us past the booking desk to the head of local security, the one who would be able to let us in to see the captive page. I tried not to look around too much as we descended to where Tix was being held, there were many things going on around me that I certainly didn't want to see. The young Rodian started in surprise as the three of us entered the room where his holding cell lay, certainly not expecting to see the Jedi who had ordered his arrest. Qui-Gon was not in a pleasant mood, and stepped in front of the cell with his arms folded sternly over his broad chest. Never the one for small talk anyway, he bluntly demanded of the captive, "What is the name of the assassin who waited for us in our quarters last night?"

Tix stammered and burbled for a minute, unable to get control of his mind or mouth long enough to give a coherent answer. Finally, he responded with, "I don't know what you're talking about..."

"You most certainly do," the Master interrupted gruffly. "I will have no more of your evasiveness. You will answer our questions, and we will be on our way to prevent the senator's assassination. Do you understand?"

Tix seemed reluctant to agree. I decided a little prodding would help. "Or would you rather the Jedi stole your thoughts and told them back to you?" I taunted.

The Rodian glared at me, but in fear. "You can't, you can't! Please, don't use your Jedi tricks on me."

"Then start talking," Qui-Gon ordered. "The name of the assassin, your role in this, and who hired you. I already know there are some from the security force also in league," he added, more calmly, though his calm disguised a storm brewing inside. "You may have made it possible for the shooter to enter the estate, but only the head of security knew the code I selected for the door to our suite. Your message to the human in charge of killing us may not have been traced, but it was overheard." He nodded at me to indicated that I was the one. "I know everything already. You need but give us the names."

Tix's black eyes narrowed slightly in anger, and his gaze shifted to me. "Stinking Jedi spy," he snapped. "I knew it. You're no servant. You're too late, though. You can't stop it, there's too much set in motion. You can't be everywhere at once, Jedi," he added to Qui-Gon. "You may prevent one thing, but you won't be able to stop the rest. And even so, you won't stop the assassination. He knows everything. I told him your plans, the governor's security force alerted him to your precautions, and he knows exactly how to sidestep your protection." The dark glare on Qui-Gon's serene face did not scare the little Rodian like it should have. He kept on, boasting as much as he could. "I can give you his name, because it won't help you catch him, not now, it's too late. And no one in the Republic can catch him anyway. He's Beren Teeg, and he's the best hired gun in the galaxy. Not even Jedi can stop him."

"Who hired him?" Qui-Gon persisted.

Tix leaned back against the wall, sullen and tight-lipped. "That I will not tell you. Not even if you steal my thoughts."

Obi-Wan sighed impatiently. "The Jedi do not steal thoughts -"

"He knows that," I broke in. "I heard him babbling about it to this Teeg guy, he was scared of you."

"I'm not scared," Tix insisted, sounding rather like a bratty child.

"Tell us who hired Teeg, and pays you and the governor's security force as well," Qui-Gon pressed, still standing rigid as a pillar, arms crossed.

"Why should I? Giving you that information will not make my sentence any lighter, nor will it save me when the rest of my comrades are arrested as well."

"For the sake of Rodia, then," Obi-Wan said seriously. But Tix said nothing more, turning away and retreating to the corner where he could studiously ignore us. Master Qui-Gon restrained any reaction he wanted to make and simply turned on his heel, striding swiftly for the door. We had gone quite a ways down the corridor before his apprentice reached out and restrained Qui-Gon with a hand on his arm. "Master," he implored, "what now?"

Qui-Gon took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and let it out slowly, his anger passing in that instant. "I have a bad feeling about this," he remarked. I hid my smile. "That young Rodian said enough to make me think we've been dragged into a situation much more complex than we expected. Right now, however, we must get to the senator's home. Whatever happens, we will stay with him all day, never letting him out of our sight, while I attempt to persuade him to leave Rodia and return to Coruscant as soon as the election results are announced. Protecting him was our assignment, and once that is completed, I want to be off this planet before our lives come under threat yet again." He glanced up and down the corridor, but we were alone. He went on, his voice hushed and urgent. "Three times, someone has tried to kill us. They don't want the Jedi here. Whatever plans are being carried out, big or small, they need us out of the way."

"Why does it sound like something else is going on? Besides an assassination?" I ventured. "There's too much we don't know."

"Precisely why I want to be off Rodia before the sun rises tomorrow," Qui-Gon said with firm decision. "Sooner, if possible." He turned abruptly and continued away. The senator's home was not far, but time was short.

I glanced at Obi-Wan as we walked. "But if something else is going on, shouldn't we stay and figure it out?" I hissed.

"Not necessarily," he murmured back. "He's right that it's not what we were assigned to do, and it may not be our place to interfere. We're not to get involved in the internal politics of any system, Republic or otherwise." He lowered his voice even more. "I have a feeling, though, that if we find out over the course of this day what the 'rest' of it is that Tix mentioned, we may not be leaving so quickly."

I knew he was right, and knowing it made me sigh. "I should've taken the blaster," I quipped.

On to part 8

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