Rating: G
Disclaimer: The characters and venue of Star Wars belongs to Lucas Films Limited. I receive no profit from this story or its distribution.

The door chime sounded and Obi-Wan went to press the button that would open the electronic door. A tall muscular man in a brown hooded robe stood in the corridor.

"Master," Obi-Wan said in surprise. He was not used to being visited by the Jedi. Usually the apprentice would attend his master when there was business to be discussed.

"Obi-Wan, I'm sorry to bother you at night, but if you have a moment," Qui-Gon replied.

"Of course. Please come in and have a seat."

Qui-Gon Jinn crossed the room, sat and watched Obi-Wan expectantly as he took a seat nearby.

"Something's up, I can tell."

"Very perceptive, Padawan. Yes, something is 'up' as you say. We have received a communication from Baroon Colony Number Two on Jastin."

The apprentice's heart sped up at that pronouncement. Only a few short days ago he had been on that planet, wandering around with amnesia--no memory of who he was, where he was or how he got there. The only clue he'd had about what happened was a wrecked speeder that was next to him when he awoke. Qui-Gon had been able to locate him but the padawan didn't even know his own master. The Jedi had had to use the Force to help Obi-Wan relive a painful part of his life, hoping the strong emotions would trigger some memory. It had worked. Obi-Wan had regained most of his memory. He still didn't know how he had come to wreck the speeder. The officials on Jastin had been going over the speeder to see if they could determine if there had been a mechanical failure. Apparently they had found an answer to that question.

Obi-Wan leaned forward, "Yes?"

"They had almost given up. The speeder was so damaged that they had little hope of being able to find out anything of use from it, but one of their technicians wanted to have one more look...and he found what he thinks to be evidence of someone tampering with the speeder."

"Tampering with it?" Obi-Wan said incredulously. "But why? I wasn't there for very long. How did they even have time?"

"Slow down," Qui-Gon admonished. "We don't know yet that it was meant for you to have that speeder. You made an emergency landing--you weren't expected. It's quite likely that it was intended for someone else to have that particular vehicle."

"But how do we know?"

"I got this information from Yoda just now. The governor of the colony had relayed it to him. Yoda wants us to go to Jastin to see the evidence for ourselves. If someone was trying to harm you with this, then the council wants to know about it and whether it was an attack on you specifically or on the Jedi. I know this is short notice, but we will be leaving in the morning. Preparations are being made now. So I will say good night so you can get some rest." Obi-Wan seemed to be in a daze. "Is something wrong, Padawan?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, nothing Master. It's just that I wasn't expecting to go back there anytime soon and there are some strong memories and emotions associated with the whole ordeal."

"I understand. However, you must not be afraid to face your feelings. Embrace them. You will learn much of yourself from them. Get some rest, Obi-Wan."

"Yes, Master."

******

As the transport dropped through the atmosphere to Baroon Colony Number Two, Obi-Wan tried to concentrate on his immediate responsibilities in assisting to land the ship. But he couldn't totally put his last visit to this planet out of his mind. The fear on waking to find he couldn't remember anything of his past was still fresh, still painful. He also recalled those days of wandering in the rough, rolling hills--no idea where to go, the pain from his injuries. The apprentice shook his head to rid him of the memories and returned his concentration to the landing procedure they were just entering.

Master Qui-Gon could sense the unease in his padawan. It was to be expected; he had been through a rough experience and had to deal with the remnants the incident had thrust upon him. He only hoped he could help his apprentice to come to terms with it.

The two Jedi had traveled in this type of transport often in their missions together and had made many smooth landings. Few words passed between them as they went through their paces, knowing the routine by rote and sensing each other's reactions. The transport came to rest very gently on its landing pads...the result of many hours of shared experience.

The Jedi disembarked from the transport and were met by an uniformed officer sent by the governor of the colony. Without a word, the officer escorted them to a vehicle, which he chauffeured to a modest house near the center of the outpost. It was in somewhat run down condition, as were all the buildings here. Qui-Gon wondered if that obvious neglect was what contributed to the oblivious attitude that seemed to be reflected in every face he looked into.

An aide led the way to the governor's office, barely offering to speak to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Again the insensible manner. It did not instill an attitude of trust into the Jedi. The aide burst into the governor's office with no knock, and said no word of introduction but merely closed the door on the way out.

The governor looked up. "I am Lod Ros, governor of the colony," he said as he stood and slowly extended his hand to the Jedi master.

"I am Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"This is the one you were looking for? Well, I'm glad you were able to find him. Is he all right now? Sounds like he had a rough time of it here." The words were a tired monotone.

"I think he has come through it fine." Qui-Gon gave a small smile as he glanced at his padawan, remembering the relief that washed over him when he realized Obi-Wan had regained his memory. "I was told you had some information for us on the speeder that Obi-Wan was piloting when he had his accident."

"Yes, please have a seat." The governor sifted through the pile on his desk, finally selected a datapad, and sat down. "One of the technicians found an open circuit in the electrical system of the speeder."

"An open circuit?" Obi-Wan repeated. "We were told you had evidence of tampering. That could have happened easily in many ways. Are you sure it was deliberate?"

"Yes," the governor declared. "It was deliberate. The wire had been cut into and a circuit interrupter soldered inline." He reached into his desk drawer and removed an envelope, which he opened and emptied on his desk. "See this. This red wire should be continuous, but someone cut it and soldered this into it," he pointed at a small black cylinder. "When current flowed into this it broke the connection. The open circuit led to a power failure."

"But," Qui-Gon interjected. "That would have caused a power failure as soon as the system was engaged. Why didn't that happen?"

"My explanation was too hasty. It wasn't just the electrical power to the engine, which caused the circuit interrupter to kick in. When the navigation computer was powered on, the additional current load activated the interrupter. It was set to activate at a particular current level. As soon as the interrupter caused an open circuit there was a power failure in the entire electrical system. Your apprentice probably lost control because he lost power--and the ability to control the speeder."

"One more question--why wouldn't he have activated the navigation computer as soon as he started off?"

"Probably because there's only one road out of the colony. Not much need for the navcomp until you get further out. That's just my speculation." The governor leaned back in his chair. "That's the best I can come up with. If you want to speculate, I'm open to your ideas on the subject."

"I was not questioning your line of reasoning, Governor--just trying to make sure all things had been considered. It's obvious someone has tampered with the wiring." Qui-Gon ran his fingertips through his dark but grey-flecked beard. "The real question is why...and was this intended for Obi-Wan--or someone else."

"I agree," Governor Ros said. "I've been instructed by the Chancellor of Baroon to give you the fullest possible cooperation. However, I don't know how I can help you. How do you intend to proceed on this?"

"I'm not certain yet," Qui-Gon answered. "I guess the first thing we need to figure out is, how much traffic has there been since Obi-Wan was last here?"

The administrator chuckled, "There is no traffic except for the occasional supply ship from Baroon. Why?"

"I'm wondering if the person who did the wiring job is still here? Has anyone left the planet on any of these supply ships?"

"I doubt it. That would have been a big deal around here. We have so little coming and going, you know. Besides with the travel regs, I would have known if someone had been leaving. Baroon is quite a stickler for that stuff. Nothing or no one comes or goes without their prior approval."

"Unless someone stowed away," Obi-Wan interjected.

"Well, that is a possibility," allowed Ros. "But, help them if they were discovered on Baroon. There's a stiff penalty for that." Ros clasped his hands behind his head and stared at the two Jedi. "It's possible that whoever did it is gone...but I kind of doubt that. This place is almost like a leper colony to Baroon. I don't know why they even put a settlement here in the first place. But anyway, now they treat us like stepchildren. Our supplies are carefully rationed out to us. No travel back and forth. They are quite strict about it. I don't know why...but I do know that your saboteur is most likely still here. So now what?"

"Who owned that speeder?" Qui-Gon asked.

"It was government property. Speeders are in small supply. Most belong to my office."

"So, do you know who would have had access to them?"

"Well...." Ros leaned on his desk and locked eyes with the Jedi master. "I know who was supposed to have access to them. Whether that is who really had access to them is another question entirely."

"What does that mean," Obi-Wan asked.

"I've already told you that we are a neglected group out here. My security force is very small. We have to act on a hierarchy system. Whatever is most important gets the most attention. If my men had to leave the garage unguarded to take care of something more important...well, that's just the way it is," Ros shrugged as he answered.

"You seem awful cavalier about it," Obi-Wan rejoined.

"Yeah, well, that speeder could just have easily been meant for me--not you. I have to live with it too. In case you haven't noticed, people aren't happy around here," the governor snarled. "There's little I can do about it. I've tried. These people would have more reason to kill me than you. To be honest with you, I'm glad I wasn't in that speeder when it failed."

Obi-Wan drew himself up to reply but Qui-Gon interrupted, "This is getting us no where. We need to be working together if we hope to solve this. Whoever this was intended for, we need to find out who did it."

A silent moment passed as ruffled feathers calmed. "You're right, of course," Ros answered. "But it could, literally, have been anyone in this colony. How are we going to figure out who did it?"

"By a planned methodical investigation. If that means investigating everyone here, then so be it," Qui-Gon said calmly. "If the sabotage was meant for you, then we'll be helping you too. I suggest we start with the people who have the most access to the speeders--the guards, maintenance crew and so forth."

"Very well," Ros sighed. "I'm dubious about your chances of finding the guilty party, but I pledge my support to your efforts."

"That's all we need, Governor, your authority behind our efforts."

******