The Uncertain Path

13

When Obi-Wan woke the next morning, he was alone. Most of the Young had already headed aboveground. Cerasi probably hadn’t wanted to wake him. He was sure that she’d been awake when he’d slipped back into his sleeping area near dawn.

Cerasi had left him a plate of fruit and a muja muffin for breakfast.

He ate, wondering when he’d get a chance to eat again. Each day was so busy.

If he wasn’t on duty with the Security Squad, he was trying, with Cerasi, to convince the Young that they needed to talk without anger.

Suddenly Roenni burst into the space. He hadn’t seen much of the quiet girl lately. She kept to herself.

“Obi-Wan, they need you,” she said breathlessly.

“Who needs me?” he asked, standing up.

“Everyone.” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Roenni, start from the beginning.”

“Nield has convinced Mawat that they must overthrow the vote of the council and demolish the Hall of Evidence on Glory Street,” Roenni said. “He’s gathered most of his squad and some of the Scavenger Young.”

Obi-Wan sighed. He would have to deal with this.

“They have weapons,” Roenni warned.

“Where did they get them?” Obi-Wan asked sharply.

“I don’t know. But Wehutti is there with the Elders, and they have weapons, too.”

Dismay filled Obi-Wan. This is what he and Cerasi had feared, what they’d tried to avoid. Open conflict was in the streets of Zehava once more.

He debated whether to try to find Cerasi. He could call her on the comlink. But he didn’t have much time, and it was better that she find out about the conflict after it was over. He remembered how torn she’d been to see Wehutti and Nield at odds last time.

Instead, he sent the emergency signal to his squad, along with the location of the site. He hoped they would arrive soon so he wouldn’t have to face Nield alone. The sight of Obi-Wan would not calm Nield. Still he had to try.

Grabbing his vibroblade, Obi-Wan headed aboveground.

When he got to Glory Street, his worst fears were realized. There was a large stone fountain with dry jets in the center of the plaza. Nield and his forces stood at the end of the plaza, holding transparent shields and carrying blasters and vibroblades. Wehutti and the Elders were opposite, all wearing plastoid armor and carrying weapons. They blocked the entrance to the Hall of Evidence. Only the fountain stood between them. It was an explosion waiting to happen.

Obi-Wan hurried toward them. “I order you in the name of the government of Melida/Daan to disarm!” he called as he ran. He saw members of his squad hurrying toward the spot, their weapons at the ready. He made a signal to them to stand fast. If they started shooting, the Elders and Nield’s forces would as well.

“You do not represent the government of Melida/Daan!” Nield shouted.

Obi-Wan’s squad gathered around him. They looked from Nield to Obi-Wan, and he saw confusion on their faces. Obviously, Nield had reached some of them when he’d called Obi-Wan an outsider. Even Deila looked uncertain.

Ignoring their hesitation, Obi-Wan quickly gave orders for half the squad to surround the perimeter. At least he could prevent this battle from spilling out into the city core. He had to prevent any reinforcements from arriving. This confrontation could not escalate into war.

He walked slowly toward the groups. He could feel the turbulence in the air, the hot emotion. He knew that everyone was just a hair away from using their weapons.

“Move aside, Wehutti,” Nield said. “We won the war. Let us do our work.”

“We will not allow the desecration of our ancestors by a band of brats!” Wehutti thundered.

“We will not allow murderers to be treated as the honored dead!” Nield shouted back. He raised his blaster rifle. “Now move!”

Suddenly, the grate in the dry fountain opened, and Cerasi swung herself up and out. She began to run toward the middle of the two groups.

“No!” she shouted as she ran. “This cannot happen!”

“Cerasi!” With a cry, Obi-Wan sprang forward. At the same moment, shots rang out. In the confusion, Obi-Wan could not place where they came from.

But they hit their mark. Cerasi’s eyes widened as the blaster fire ripped into her chest. Slowly, she sank to her knees. Obi-Wan reached her just as she fell backward, into his arms.

“Cerasi!” he cried.

Her green eyes were glazed.

“You’ll be okay,” he said frantically. “Can you hear me? You don’t need luck. Cerasi!”

He held up his palm. She tried to raise her hand, but it fell back. Her eyes unfocused.

“No!” Obi-Wan screamed.

He felt for her pulse with shaking fingers. There was no beat of her blood, not even a flutter.

Agony ripped through him. He looked up at Nield and Wehutti. He couldn’t form the words. It was as though he had forgotten how to speak.

Tears ran down his face as the pain grew and expanded to every corner of his brain, his heart. It seemed unbearable. His body could not hold this much pain. It would simply break apart. Yet he knew it was only the beginning.