Star Wars - [Jedi Apprentice 11] - The Deadly Hunter (by Jude Watson)

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THE DEADLY HUNTER

CHAPTER 1

Obi-Wan Kenobi slung his survival pack over his shoulder and yawned.

It had been a long journey.

Around him rose the many levels of Coruscant, the city that covered a

planet. He was standing on a landing platform at one of the high levels of

the city, surrounded by tall buildings with spires and turrets. The mists

around him could be atmosphere or clouds. The sky was filled with

transports, large and small, that negotiated the air lanes with skill and

daring.

Obi-Wan watched as his Master, the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, thanked

the space hauler pilot who had let them hitch a ride to Coruscant. He noted

the respectful way Qui-Gon bowed to the scruffy creature. His manner was

gentle, yet strength was behind every word and gesture. Obi-Wan hoped that

one day he would have his Master's grace and assurance with other living

beings. Often he just felt awkward with the many characters they met on

their journeys.

Time passes and it teaches, Qui-Gon had told him. You are fourteen.

You have much to see and much to experience. Do not hurry the knowledge you

seek. It takes its own time.

"Sorry I can't bring you all the way," the pilot said to the Jedi.

"But there are plenty of air taxis cruising this neighborhood."

"We are grateful for your help. I wish you a safe journey home," Qui-

Gon said in his quiet way.

"Always glad to help out the Jedi," the pilot answered, giving them a

cheerful wave.

Qui-Gon slung his survival pack over his shoulder and gave a

satisfied look around. "It is good to be back," he said.

Obi-Wan nodded. Coruscant was where the Jedi Temple was located, and

the Temple was home. It was almost time for the midday meal, and Obi-Wan

had been thinking about it as the kilometers went by. He and Qui-Gon had

been traveling throughout the galaxy for some time.

"Look, here comes an air taxi." Obi-Wan started forward.

"Wait, Padawan."

Obi-Wan turned. Qui-Gon hesitated and waved him back. "I have another

idea. Would you mind if we made a stop first?"

Obi-Wan tried to hide his disappointment. "Whatever you wish."

Qui-Gon smiled. "It won't take long. There's someone I'd like you to

meet - a friend. It's not far. We can walk there."

Qui-Gon strode to the end of the landing platform and activated a

temporary crossing bridge to the next level. Here in the Senate district,

the buildings were close together and the walkways were easy to navigate

without relying on air transport.

Obi-Wan caught up to Qui-Gon's long stride. He waited, knowing that

if Qui-Gon wanted to give him more information about this friend, he would.

"Didi Oddo runs a cafe near the Senate building," Qui-Gon explained.

"He's an informant, of sorts. Many Jedi come to him for information. We

don't pay him, but we try to watch out for him in return for his help. He

knows all types on Coruscant - from Senatorial aides to gamblers to various

beings who find laws a hindrance to their... operations." Qui-Gon gave a

brief smile. "Everyone knows Didi's Caf©. I first met him when I was only a

bit older than you are now."

Obi-Wan detected fondness in Qui-Gon's tone. His tiredness lifted. It

would be interesting to meet a friend of Qui-Gon's. And a cafe meant he

might be able to have a meal.

They traveled along a pedestrian walkway past shops and restaurants,

all catering to the tourists and business people who traveled to Coruscant

to either tour the Senate or offer petitions there. Occasionally they would

have to activate a pedestrian bridge to move from one level to another. The

walkways were crowded with beings from all over the galaxy. Talk bubbled

around them in Basic as well as several languages unfamiliar to Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon stopped before a small caf© on a corner. It appeared shabby

beside the grander restaurants next door. An attempt had been made to

improve it by painting the windowsills and doorframe a cheerful shade of

blue. But the fresh coats of paint only made the cracked and pitted stone

walls appear more run-down than they were.

Still, Obi-Wan noticed that the restaurant next door was empty, and

the dingy caf© was packed. He could see everyone inside, sitting at small

tables crowded together, all talking, gesturing, and eating enormous plates

of food.

"Do not engage with anyone," Qui-Gon instructed him. "There are all

types here, and fights are common."

He started for the entrance, then stopped and turned. "Oh, and one

more thing. Whatever you do, don't eat the food."

Suppressing a sigh, Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon into the bustling caf©.

Tables were packed so closely together they could barely squeeze through.

Obi-Wan nearly knocked one customer's plate to the floor. The customer, a

Togorian, grabbed at it, snarling.

"Clumsy fool!"

Obi-Wan kept walking, carefully following Qui-Gon's graceful

threading through the narrow spaces. Finally, they reached an open area

near the back. A long bar ran along one wall. It was crowded with

customers.

"That's enough for you there, Andoran," a cheerful voice called.

"Finish your ale and get a plate of food to eat. You need food, not drink,

my good friend. Pilus, do you call this a tip? You just made a fortune

running spice to the Quintus system. You can do better - manys the favor

I've done for you, and I have a daughter to raise. Nadarr, let me refill

your tea. No, no, don't pay me, save it for your wife's care. Funny how we

all get better when we can afford to pay the doctor."

Qui-Gon grinned. "That's Didi."

Obi-Wan still couldn't see anything. Then a small, round man with a

melancholy face jumped onto a stool behind the bar. He reached up to grab a

bottle, then turned and saw them.

"Stars and planets, it's Qui-Gon Jinn! Clear the way, friends, I have

a greeting to bestow!" The mournful face creased into a smile. With

surprising agility, Didi leaped onto the bar, then onto the floor.

He threw his short arms around the tall Jedi. Obi-Wan stepped back,

confused. He had never seen anyone hug Qui-Gon. The Jedi was such a private

man that Obi-Wan expected him to disengage himself from the embrace.

Instead, he pounded Didi on the back.

"It is good to see you," Qui-Gon said.

Didi released Qui-Gon. "You rogue, you stayed away too long. But my

eyes thank me as they look upon your person."

Qui-Gon gestured at the caf©. "There have been changes. You've

dressed up the place. New paint, new decoration. It looks nicer." He cast

an eye along the food bar. "And cleaner."

Cleaner? Obi-Wan thought. You mean it looked worse than this?

"My daughter Astri's doing." Didi shrugged his round shoulders.

"She's trying to attract a better clientele. Wants me to get rid of tables,

have more elbowroom. Buy new plates... do renovations. She's even taken

cooking lessons! She'll either ruin me or make me a fortune; I haven't

decided which. And who is this delightful young man with you?"

"This is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi," Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan nodded at Didi. "I'm happy to meet you,"

"And I you." Didi's face turned serious. He touched Qui-Gon's arm. "I

think fate sent you to my door, my good friend."

Qui-Gon shot him a keen glance. "Is everything all right?"

"Everything is..." Didi paused. "We can't talk here. Come into the

office."

Obi-Wan followed behind as Didi slid the panel open and ushered them

into a cluttered back room. Supply boxes were stacked to the ceiling, and

the desk was littered with account records, folded napkins, and a food-

spattered apron.

As soon as the door swung shut behind them, Didi's cheerful face

crumpled. He rubbed his plump hands together and fixed Qui-Gon with a

mournful gaze.

"My friend," he said, "I am afraid. Danger stalks me. I need your

help."

CHAPTER 2

"Tell me," Qui-Gon said. "You know I will help if I can."

Didi took a deep breath. "Only two days ago, I was almost kidnapped.

I was simply walking down the street when a woman wearing plastoid armor

came at me from behind on a swoop. Some sort of whip wrapped around my body

and I was yanked toward her. Luckily a Cavrilhu happened to be standing

near. He didn't like the fact that she knocked off his visor as she passed.

He gave chase with a rather large vibroblade and she had to abandon her

attempt. She left him with a lashing to remember her by."

"Who was she?" Qui-Gon asked.

"A bounty hunter," Didi said in a whisper. "I asked around. Nobody

can be in this sector without information getting back to me. No one knows

her home planet, but she's humanoid."

Qui-Gon received this news with dismay. Didihad always managed to

stay on the right side of the law - barely. Qui-Gon gave his friend a

piercing look. "A bounty hunter? Why is she after you?"

"It was not me, I swear," Didi said fervently. "I may feed, let us

say, some dubious creatures in the underworld, but I am no criminal. You

know this, my friend. All right, all right," he said before Qui-Gon could

speak, "perhaps I have once or twice bought my provisions on the black

market. Maybe I've made a gambling bet or two. That doesn't mean I break

laws."

Qui-Gon sighed. "It is against your best interest to gamble in such a

way on Coruscant, Didi."

"Of course it is! How well I know that!" Didi cried, bobbing his head

furiously in agreement. "But I'm convinced the bounty hunter is not after

me. No doubt some government on another world has confused me for someone

else. It happens, you know."

Qui-Gon saw the disbelief on Obi-Wan's face. He knew that his Padawan

did not approve of Didi. He had not seen Didi's generous heart, the way he

it. One of the lessons Obi-Wan needed to learn was to look beneath the

surface. Perhaps this was one way.

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摘要：

THEDEADLYHUNTER CHAPTER1 Obi-WanKenobislunghissurvivalpackoverhisshoulderand yawned.Ithadbeenalongjourney. AroundhimrosethemanylevelsofCoruscant,thecitythatcoveredaplanet.Hewasstandingonalandingplatformatoneofthehighlevels ofthecity,surroundedbytallbuildingswithspiresandturrets....

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Star Wars - [Jedi Apprentice 11] - The Deadly Hunter (by Jude Watson)

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