The Death of Hope

14

They kept close to the cliff walls and boulders for as long as they could. Then they purposefully walked the short distance to the cave entrance. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan checked for scanners as they moved closer but saw none. Obi-Wan guessed that the Absolutes considered their hideout so well hidden that they did not need to install them.

They slipped into the darkness of the cave entrance with relief.

Immediately to the right was a pen where gravsleds and small speeders were kept. There was a bin filled with tech jackets. Qui-Gon signaled to the others, and they each donned one. Eritha hid her hair under a cap and dirtied her face, so she was less recognizable.

Feeling a little less exposed, they proceeded farther into the cave.

Glow rods set high in the walls gave faint illumination. They could see that the small opening to the cave was deceptive. As they moved deeper into it, the space widened and extended far in the distance.

“It goes out under the water,” Qui-Gon said in a low tone. “This is bigger than it appears.”

Ahead a few Absolutes in the same tech jackets came walking toward them. Qui-Gon gave them an impersonal nod of greeting. They nodded back and continued walking.

Eritha let out a shaky breath. “Whew.”

“It appears that there are enough Absolutes working here that not everyone knows one another,” Qui-Gon murmured. “Good. Obi-Wan, look for any high-security devices on the tunnels leading off the cave. That could mean that Tahl is being held there.”

Obi-Wan could feel his Master’s tension. They were so close now. He reached out to the Force to help him with his perceptions. Nothing could go wrong now. If they were captured, it would mean a delay that could cost Tahl her life.

They paused by a tunnel that was lined with computer equipment. “This must be the tech-control area,” Qui-Gon said. He moved away quickly as someone walked out of a durasteel door and began checking the equipment.

They walked on, passing other beings who either nodded or walked quickly, focused on their business. Eritha kept her face turned away in case she was recognized despite her disguise. Obi-Wan noted a security sensor bank near an offshoot tunnel. He pointed it out to Qui-Gon.

“Let’s try it,” Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan studied the offshoot tunnel entrance. “There’s a retinal scan grid to the right. If we pass through, an alarm will go off.”

Qui-Gon studied the sensors and the retinal scan carefully. “They mounted it too low,” he said. “I think if we use cable launchers, we can swing over the sensors without tripping them. They probably didn’t have time to perfect the system. Look at the drill marks around the sensors. This was done recently.”

“Since Balog brought Tahl here?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Maybe.” Qui-Gon turned to Eritha. “You must stay here, Eritha. Alert us with the silent alarm on your comlink if there’s trouble. We’ll be back as soon as we can. If a patrol comes, walk away as though you have a destination, then circle back. If you hear an alarm sound, hide. It does not necessarily mean that Obi-Wan and I have been captured. Turn on your homing device on your comlink and we’ll find you.”

Eritha nodded. “I’ll be all right.”

Obi-Wan saw that Qui-Gon didn’t like to leave her, but they had no choice. He watched as his Master aimed carefully, sending his cable launcher high into the air to bite into the ceiling of the offshoot tunnel.

He activated the launcher and it carried him high above. His head almost bumped the ceiling of the cave, but he cleared the sensors and landed on the other side.

Obi-Wan hoped he would have the same graceful skill. He followed Qui-Gon’s lead, holding his breath until his own cable launcher was secure.

Then he activated the launch mode. It pulled him up quickly, and he scraped against the rough ceiling. He was over the range of the sensors, and was pulled into the tunnel. He landed next to Qui-Gon.

They hurried down the tunnel. At the end was a durasteel door set into the cave wall. There was no security panel outside the door.

“What now? If Tahl is in there, someone could be with her.”

Qui-Gon closed his eyes. “I don’t feel her,” he said in a low voice. “But we need to find out why this tunnel has such high security when the others don’t. We have to go in.”

He activated his lightsaber and cut through the durasteel, making an opening big enough for them to walk through. Qui-Gon ducked inside the room, and Obi-Wan quickly followed.

They were in a storage area filled with bins and crates. There was no sign of Tahl or of the sensory deprivation device she had been imprisoned in. Instead, the room was filled with explosives. Crate after crate was labeled, showing that there were extremely powerful devices within.

“This must be what they stole from the Rock Workers,” Obi-Wan said.

“And some bought on the black market, as well,” Qui-Gon added. “Look. This is Mota’s mark. They have enough explosives here to level the city.”

Obi-Wan looked worriedly at his Master. “What does this mean?”

“That they are prepared to take over with violence, if they must,” Qui-Gon said. “But why the change in plan? As far as we knew, the Absolutes were working to gain power through infiltration and deceit.”

Qui-Gon gave a last swift look around. “Let’s go, Padawan. There’s nothing here to lead us to Tahl. And I don’t like leaving Eritha back there alone.”

Not to mention that they had left a gaping hole in a security door, Obi-Wan thought. As soon as that was discovered, the complex would go on alert.

They ran back down the tunnel toward the main cave. Suddenly, Obi-Wan felt a disturbance in the Force. His steps slowed just as Qui-Gon’s did.

They didn’t need to compare notes. They both knew what they had felt.

Something had gone wrong.

They melted back against the wall of the tunnel, then proceeded carefully. The cave came into sight. They saw Eritha surrounded by security. Obviously she was trying to bluff, and not succeeding. She gave one last, desperate look down the tunnel.

Qui-Gon put his hand on Obi-Wan’s arm to prevent him from moving.

“We can’t,” he murmured. “As soon as they see us, they’ll sound an alarm. Whoever is holding Tahl will know the cave has been invaded. We can’t risk it. Let’s see how Eritha deals with this.”

Eritha pitched her voice loudly, and it echoed off the walls of the cave. “You fools, don’t you know who I am? I am Eritha, daughter of Ewane. Contact my sister Alani right this minute. We are helping the Absolutes, you idiots!”

“You are a Worker—” one of the security officers started.

“I am a patriot!” Eritha shouted. “Now let me go!”

“We’ll have to check this out first,” the officer said. “You’ll have to come with us.”

“I will not forget this!” Eritha said as they placed her in the center of the group and began to march her off. “I will get each of your names and you will be hearing from us!”

“She certainly didn’t show fear,” Obi-Wan said admiringly.

“Yes, she handled it well,” Qui-Gon said as he stepped out from the shelter of the tunnel wall. “Unfortunately, now we have two to rescue.”