The Only Witness

2

Obi-Wan stood silently, watching the planet Frego grow larger on the freighter’s view-screen. Qui-Gon had not emerged from his quarters during the journey. Obi-Wan was not sure if he should disturb him, even now that they were drawing close to their destination. He desperately wanted to give Qui-Gon the same comfort his Master had given him so many times. But the more he tried, the further Qui-Gon retreated. The gulf between them seemed to be growing wider, and Obi-Wan was at a loss. How could he span the distance alone?

“That must be Frego.”

Qui-Gon’s voice surprised Obi-Wan and filled him with relief. He would not have to disturb his Master’s solitude after all.

“And that glowing spot must be the capitol city of Rian,” Qui-Gon continued.

Obi-Wan could tell that Qui-Gon was still sad and distracted. It was almost like standing beside a ghost. But at least he was speaking. He was making an effort.

As they exited the craft, Obi-Wan felt on edge. It was up to him to focus on this mission. He could not depend on his Master in his emotionally wounded state.

Obi-Wan did not think the Cobral family had been alerted to their arrival, but a planet ruled by criminals was always a dangerous place. He half expected to see dark dealings and black market bargains right in the freighter hangar, but there was only one person present as the Jedi disembarked—and she looked at them without interest. Obi-Wan relaxed a little, until the freighter captain slid down the ramp toward him.

“I’ll be taking off as soon as possible, if that’s okay,” he said nervously. “I don’t want to spend any more time here than is absolutely necessary, with the Cobral airways tax and all.”

Obi-Wan nodded. Though he did not know exactly what the pilot was referring to, he could tell it was not pleasant, and most likely not legal.

He thanked the captain for their safe passage and watched him slip back inside his craft.

As soon as the ship’s door shut, the lone woman in the hangar approached the Jedi.

“I trust you had a pleasant journey from…” she paused.

“Coruscant,” Obi-Wan finished for her. “Are you Lena?”

“No,” the woman said, lowering her hood to reveal closely cut hair and a youthful face. “I am Mica, but I will take you to Lena now.” Mica glanced around the hangar once more.

She’s nervous, Obi-Wan thought. He drew a deep breath and concentrated on the Force. But he did not sense danger, only Mica’s fear.

“Follow behind me, but not too close. If I am approached I will pretend not to know you.” Mica’s eyes were large and dark and she turned them on Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in turn, waiting for each to nod in agreement.

“We will do as you ask,” Obi-Wan assured her.

Raising her hood, Mica started out of the hangar at a brisk pace.

Obi-Wan enjoyed being introduced to a new planet on foot. Qui-Gon had taught him that the slower pace was best for observation, and there was much to observe in Rian. None of it was what Obi-Wan had expected.

The streets were clean; the footpaths were filled with Fregans carrying colorful bundles and walking unhurriedly together. Just a short distance from the municipal hangar, stalls lined the paths. Food vendors sold heaps of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and grains, shouting out prices and greeting regulars. Farther into the open market more vendors sold household goods and even crafts. Everywhere people seemed happy and relaxed.

In the heart of the market the crowd was so dense and there was so much to see that Obi-Wan nearly lost sight of Mica. But whenever he looked up he saw Qui-Gon’s eyes trained on the gray peak of Mica’s hood. He did not seem to be taking in the surroundings as he normally would. His thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

Obi-Wan would have liked to discuss his observations with his Master.

Wasn’t it unusual that a planet controlled by criminals would have such a seemingly happy populace? But he was quite sure Qui-Gon wasn’t thinking about the Fregans, so he kept quiet.

At last the market stalls ended and the crowd thinned. After following Mica through a maze of dark but clean alleys, the woman stopped and beckoned the Jedi toward her. When they drew close Mica punched a control pad and a large warehouse door groaned open to reveal a huge room filled with abandoned equipment.

“We’re here,” Mica said, waving the Jedi in first and taking a last look up and down the alley before shutting the door. “I am the only one who knows where Lena is hiding. Besides you. It is important that you are never followed to this spot.”

“Of course.” Obi-Wan nodded.

At the top of several flights of durasteel stairs, the yawning spaces and hulking machinery gave way to a more hospitable living space. Standing with her back to the entrance among several mismatched but comfortable-looking couches was the woman Obi-Wan had seen on Jocasta Nu’s holoscreen.

Lena Cobral.

Mica cleared her throat to announce their arrival. Lena turned.

“You’ve made it,” she said, bringing her hands together and offering both of them to Qui-Gon and then Obi-Wan, and finally embracing Mica. “I’m so pleased. Was your journey very difficult?”

“It passed quickly,” Qui-Gon told her before introducing himself and Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan was glad that Qui-Gon had emerged again from silence, for he was not entirely sure he would have been able to manage the conversation so easily.

Lena Cobral had been attractive on the holoscreen, but in person she was stunning. Her long dark hair spilled over her shoulders, framing her face and dark eyes like Mica’s. She was only a few years older than Obi-Wan, which surprised him. Like the Fregans in the street, her demeanor was relaxed. She greeted the Jedi as if they were old friends or honored guests at a party, not political escorts.

“Please sit,” Lena said, guiding the Jedi to the chairs. “You need refreshment. Perhaps some Kopi tea?”

Before the Jedi could protest Lena was pouring a warm dark liquid into cups. It looked slightly orange and tasted delicious.

“My cousin Mica brings me everything now that I am in hiding.” Lena smiled at the silent Mica. “She brought me this tea yesterday. And today she has brought you to me as well.” Lena turned her infectious smile on the Jedi; Obi-Wan found that it was nearly impossible not to smile back.

“She is too good to me.” Lena’s upbeat voice gave no clue that there was any real threat. “She insists on staying with me without any thought of the danger to herself. I know I should not allow it.”

“You are the one who does not give any thought to putting yourself in danger,” Mica said softly.

As Lena watched her cousin stand and leave the room, Obi-Wan thought he caught a first glimpse of tension and fear on her face. He looked at Qui-Gon to see if he too had noticed it, but Qui-Gon had retreated inside himself once more and was gazing into his tea cup.

“I’m sorry,” Lena apologized, suddenly placing her hand to her brow. “I’m wasting your time, and I have not been entirely honest.”

Obi-Wan sat up and Qui-Gon placed his cup on the table. They did not speak, but waited for Lena to continue.

“It is true that I need an escort to Coruscant. And it is true that I wish to testify against the Cobral. I must complete the task that Rutin started. The task he died for.” Lena’s voice caught and she stood, turning toward the shrouded windows before continuing. “In so many ways it is my fault. I did not mean to fall in love with him. I did not know he was a Cobral. But love isn’t a choice, is it?”

Obi-Wan thought he saw Qui-Gon nod slightly.

“Before we married, Rutin promised he could stop the crime, but he could not stand to be cast out of his family. He was his parents’ favorite and he loved them. He hoped that he could convince them to change their ways. He was not content to remove himself; he wanted to stop it all.” Lena spoke more quickly as she went on, as if she could not stop the flow of words.

“But then his brother Solan found out that Rutin was trying to change things. Furious, he went to their father. Rutin could not close the crime ring from the inside. So he decided to try to close it from the outside. It was the hardest decision he ever made. I wanted him to get out, but I begged him not to risk his life. He insisted. For me, he said. He did it for me.” Lena paused again and turned back toward the Jedi. Her dark eyes were moist with tears.

Obi-Wan felt she was looking only at him, and her eyes bore straight into his heart. It was as if she were searching him, checking to see if he had the strength and courage to help her. If he could be trusted.

Obi-Wan knew instinctively that he trusted her. There was something about the way she carried herself, about the way she spoke. She was not lying to them. He could sense her fear, yes, but also her honesty. And he could feel her strength. Lena Cobral was not a coward.

“That is why I must carry out his plan,” Lena said, straightening. “I can’t let Rutin’s death be for nothing. I will testify, I will stop the crime. But…”

Obi-Wan leaned in. So far the story was as he expected. But what?

“I don’t have any solid evidence to bring before the Senate.” Lena sighed. “Rutin worked very hard to protect me. Although I have heard many things, as all Fregans have, I have only my word against theirs.”

Qui-Gon stood. Obi-Wan could tell by the look on his face that he was not happy about being fooled. They were sent to escort a witness in danger and now it seemed their witness had no testimony.

“Please,” Lena said, taking Qui-Gon’s large hand. “I beg you, stay until I have the proper evidence. I know it exists—lists and dates, accounts and records of the Cobrals’ crimes. With your help—”

“We were sent only to protect you. If you cannot testify we must return to Coruscant alone,” Qui-Gon said flatly.

Obi-Wan flushed, unable to believe what he was hearing. How could Qui-Gon deny this woman help?