Chapter 17: He who has something to say is always silent
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***
* Morning, Alessi. *
The droid woke me up at 9:00 a.m. sharp. I didn't want to wake up - after yesterday my body was begging me to leave it alone for another two or three hours and not to be disturbed. I didn't have a headache, as some of the seniors had said, but I felt a little uncomfortable and thirsty. Ah. I had a good time last night. I wonder how Ani is doing?
I struggled to get up and went on autopilot to get myself in some semblance of order. Yesterday I didn't even realise there was a test today.... oh, I think Anakin and I have a stain on our reputation for studying. Anakin. He's the one who's in a bad way today... - I thought as I dressed in my normal school clothes.
When I thought of my boyfriend, I hurried to get ready, because he'd never get up. Throwing the datapad and other study materials into my purse, I left the room and walked briskly towards the building occupied by the stronger sex. Alas, like everyone else, the stronger sex has its weaknesses. And Anakin had to get so drunk last night... but considering what he'd told me, maybe he'd been drunk for a reason.
The girls looked at me askew as I walked past them into the next wing of the dormitory. On the way, characteristically, already awake young men did not stare at me, so I managed to gather my thoughts and calmly walk to the door. Yesterday, with a drunken Skywalker in tow, the same journey had taken five minutes, no less.
I walked in. A stirring could be heard outside the door, and I traversed the hallway and entered the room. Anakin was so sleepy, he was hardly awake yet. And it was just over forty minutes until class....
- Hey, wake up, drunkard!
- Э... Ali, let me sleep. - He rolled over onto his other side without opening his eyes. And with him, you never know if he was looking at me or not.
- Anakin! If you're not on your feet in a minute, I'm going to pour water on you. Cold water!
- Water! - Skywalker stood up quickly, writhing in pain, but then sat back down on the couch, clutching his hands to his head.
- Exactly water. Shall I get it?
- Mm-hmm.
I had to go and get water for the sufferer. He drained the glass in two gulps and seemed to feel better.
- In forty minutes classes start, and you're sitting here with a hangover, in your pants, and in the most disgusting shape! What's that supposed to mean?
- Э... Alessi, you're not mad, are you?
- Angry? - I was surprised, no, not at all. But promise me you won't drink like that again," I sat down next to him on the warm bed and held his face in my hands, I've heard they like that, "promise, okay? I understand that you've learnt important news, but it's not good to get so drunk and arrange what you did last night.
The guy sighed heavily and took my hands in his,
- "Okay, I promise I won't get drunk again. What happened last night? - he asked in his most innocent voice.
- Oh, it was. - I remembered everything that happened yesterday after the race ended...
- Alessi? Over! I don't like it, considering you're blushing. I hope it's nothing like that. - Skywalker got excited.
- Oh, no, nothing indecent. Well, maybe a little...
- Oh yo... - moaned the boy.
- It's not Yo! - I was outraged.
- Tell me about it.
- Well, for starters, what's the last thing you remember?
- I remember. I remember the race. We drank afterwards, then. nothing.
- Well, here's the thing. After you heroically lost, everyone started drinking and congratulating Bes on his victory, and then they offered us some drinks. I tried to talk you out of it, but you wouldn't listen, so you drank. Then the crowd noticed me. you were hugging me at the time, by the way, and they started demanding a spectacle...
- What?
- They wanted us to kiss. And you were in the mood for it, and you kissed me so hard. you kissed me in a way that they're not gonna forget.
- And you didn't fight back?
- What did I do? Besides, are you my boyfriend or not?
- I'm guessing I'm yours now. So what happened next?
- Nothing much. Then they had another drink, you and them, and then it was extreme! I had to drive you back to your dorm! I've never been on a bike before, and a beast like yours, it's gonna be a thrill for a long time.
- Oh, man. Hmm. that was a good time. - Concluded that drunkard and stood up finally.
- You bet. Just don't spend any more time like that, eh? You'll get yourself killed, won't you?
- I don't disagree. But I'd never mind kissing you. Alessi, if I had a wife like you, I'd be the happiest guy in the galaxy. - Skywalker smiled. I had to look away as his words made my cheeks turn traitorously red, which only made him smile. Oh...
- You... be careful, huh? You're my boyfriend.
- Are you implying that this is a possible development? Hmm. - Anakin looked at me with an exaggeratedly appraising gaze, "Let's put it off for at least a few years, shall we?
The seriousness of his tone made me feel a little better, and my cheeks stopped stinging.
- Okay, Ani. By the way," I picked up the clothes and trousers I'd thrown on the couch this morning, "put some clothes on.
- Oh, yeah. - He picked up the clothes and threw them somewhere in the bathroom," This is definitely for the wash. Skywalker flew off towards the bathroom, and I went into the kitchen, so as not to embarrass him. On my way out, I ran into Erdva.
- So, how are you doing? Sad?
I didn't understand the droid's answer, but judging by the tone of his whistles and trills, the droid was oblivious and offended by us.
* Anaxis. *
What do you think, Obi-Wan? Should we take it? - Qui-Gon asked, checking his gear. The Jedi were given rooms at a local hotel, but it really didn't take long to investigate. They had interviewed all the suspects, a favour it was impossible for a Jedi to lie. Obi-Wan took on a few small transport companies, and Qui-Gon investigated the rest - still, he would be both older and more respectable.
- Indeed, Master. I had no doubt that you had found out who was behind it. - grinned the Apprentice. Qui-Gon looked at himself in the mirror and, smoothing his long hair, took on his most carefree appearance, saying:
- How do you think we'll get him?
- We don't have any warrants, so we'll have to go in the open - everyone knows we're here to investigate.
- That's for sure. I think we should have done this undercover.
- I don't think that's advisable, Master. The planet's not going to get away from us anyway, the drug dealers, no matter how many there are, if they escape, they'll be caught by the Justice Corps in no time.
- Maybe. But still, there could be disgruntled people. Besides, we're gonna get everybody upside down with this arrest.
- Suit yourself, Master. - Ben waved him off and was the first to leave the common hallway of their rooms. Qui-Gon, shaking his head, followed his student. Their path lay to the administration office, the same office they had been in yesterday. The "one tube case" had been completed and now they could think about a little rest.
The Jedi made their way up to the roof where the speeder car park was and found a glimpse of the transport kindly provided to them. Qui-Gon took the wheel, and in a second the speeder was speeding toward the spaceport. The surface of the planet beneath the Jedi was so grey and dull that it was boring to even look at - dirt, soot, and lead-grey fog everywhere. However, even in spite of the extremely unfavourable environment, workers lived here and mined many of the metals that formed the basis of the galaxy's technology. For lack of Other entertainment, Ben began the conversation:
- Master, may I ask what conclusions you have come to?
- Of course, my young padawan. I spoke to the Director of the Techno Union, and he appeared to be uninvolved in the drug trade. The opposite would be odd, but we did consider Haor-Chell as an option. For the record, they supplied the Trade Federation with droids before the Nabuan Affair. The second largest company was the local Anaxis Mining Company. The DKA didn't show themselves, but after a thorough search, they had some strange dealings with another company, also local. They led me to the prime suspect in the organisation of all this. It wasn't hard to guess. In addition, our suspect was seen supervising the loading of some crates and cylinders, obviously with liquid. At least that was retrieved from the memory of the droid who witnessed the whole thing.
- Remarkable. - Obi-Wan nodded, smiling at his thoughts. He, too, wanted to leave the inhospitable planet as soon as possible and rest in the temple, if not take a little on his chest. After the unfavourable atmosphere of Anaxis, a shot was just what he needed.
The Jedi flew to the spaceport and landed on the same spot where the ship had stood the day before, now reparked elsewhere.
- Come on, let's not keep them waiting.
- One more thing, Master, can I ask you a favour?
- Yes?
- Can we gather all of our suspects in the conference room?
- Hmm?
- Just to educate them on the results of the investigation.
- You could ask Sadias to do that. It's even a bit ironic. - The knight raised an eyebrow expressively, smiling.
Sadias Nerenimos received the Jedi in his office. He was nervous as always, and there was no indication that the matter had not been resolved in his favour. Qui-Gon began the conversation:
- Mr Nerenimos, may I ask you a small favour?
- Yes, yes, of course, Master Jedi? What can I do for you?
- Please invite the managers of all the companies that operate on your planet.
- Д... yes, of course, but it could take a couple of hours.
- That's all right, we can wait. - Ben Kenobi interrupted his excitement.
Nerenimos took a comlink out of his pocket, and Qui-Gon said, "We'll be in the conference room," and left.
- And why do you need this, Ben? - Qui-Gon asked grumpily as he entered the conference room.
- It's the right thing to do, Master.
- I trust you. But I want as much as you do to relax and spend my holidays on some warm planet, where the sky is blue and there are beaches, not puddles, mud and damp....
Ben Kenobi, not listening to his teacher's grumbling, sat down to meditate. Qui-Gon followed suit. Time passed quickly for the two Jedi, so Ben was not surprised when the door opened and humans and non-humans entered the room. Nerenimos led the procession, followed impatiently by the director of the mines owned by Haor-Chell, a Corellian man named Irwin Rendell. The Corellian's expression was one of calm and a little annoyance at being pulled away from important matters. Irvine was followed into the office by a beautiful but elderly member of the Twi'lek race, the mine manager of the local DKA company. She had a dignified appearance, unlike the younger members of her race who were eager to show off the beauty of their bodies, she wore a thick blue robe. It seemed that the young Twi'lee didn't give a damn about anything that was going on here - so ordinary was her behaviour.
The procession was closed by the head of the gemstone mining and exporting company, Sysst Garcon. This middle-aged man from an unknown planet smiled sincerely and often, joked, and even glanced at Twiwilchka, which she tried not to notice.
All those who had arrived turned their gaze to Qui-Gon. The latter, already standing next to his student, began his speech:
- Ladies and gentlemen. We were sent, as you already know, to check for illegal activities of the representative offices of the companies of your planet. The process did not take us much time, so we are gathered here to summarise, so to speak, the results.
- There's nothing to summarise, let's get down to business, Mr Jedi! We've got work to do while you're out here showing everyone the rigours of the law. - Randall was indignant.
- Patience. This won't take you long. Now, my apprentice and I have spoken to each of you, and we have come to the conclusion that Sadias Nerenimos is behind the drug trade. - The Jedi looked at the man sitting at the head of the table, who had turned whiter than a duraplast sheet," You have been seen dealing drugs, transloading the goods into smuggling vessels. Circumstantial evidence points to you, plus you've been spotted by droids. - Qui-Gon reached for his sword, showing that he had no intention of joking, -You surrender?
- No! This is all a mistake! It's not me! - Nerenimos jumped up from his seat, but Qui-Gon activated his sword, which finally broke Nerenimos' resistance.
Along with Qui-Gon, Ben Kenobi also activated the sword, causing the knight to be surprised, to say the least. Ben, while all attention took over the process of arresting Nerenimos, walked behind Irvine Rendell and put the blade of the lightsaber to his neck. Without touching it, of course.
- Irwin Rendell, you are under arrest for organising the transport of narcotics. - Ben Kenobi grinned.
It was a shock to the rest of the Show, at least only Kenobi and the Twi'lee sitting next to Rendell remained calm.
- How? - Sadeas said huskily, and slumped back into his chair, making it creak pitifully.
- Obi-Wan, explain yourself.
- Hm... Very well, Master. - Ben had already gotten Randall to stand up and put the shackles on him," I've been interviewing Mr Garcon and Miss Wao. Of course, Administrator Nerenimos is under suspicion because he was so nervous when we got here. There's just one thing, the reason for his nervousness is unclear to us. Of course, we could assume that he organised the business himself, but he didn't. The ships he sent out were bound for one planet, Coruscant. It would be foolish to assume that from there the drug would be distributed to the other planets after passing several inspections.
Randall tried to fidget in his cuffs, but a sensitive poke from Obi-Wan silenced him. Ben looked round at his listeners and continued: - Then I went to the ship that was waiting to be loaded. Yes, it had no cargo on it, but the most important thing was the smell. The ship's hold smelled like something other than spice. Nervous official ruled out. To find out who was supplying the drug, all we had to do was look at the departure charts of all the companies' ships. All but Mr Rendell were shipping to their regular partners - factories, smelters, partner companies. The quantity and, more importantly, the variety of Mr Rendell's cargoes defies explanation. Was he shipping ore to Coruscant? Or Alderaan? There are no companies, no factories, no one he could trade with. I was finally convinced when you arrested Mr Nerenimos. Randall was pleased and relaxed, even though there was a lightsaber being waved in front of him. A little strange behaviour, isn't it? Unlike the others who had experienced surprise and anger... Ahem... - Ben coughed and shoved Irvine in the back, -Come on, stomp!
- Understood. - Qui-Gon smiled and walked over to the arrested man. He could now clearly see in the force that the emotions felt by the criminal were genuine and suited the exposed official, -Come on then, what were you told? Or a lightsaber to add to your understanding? - grinned the knight. The arrestee walked, head bowed, towards the exit, the Jedi following behind him, ready to stop him at any second should he flee. There was no chance of escape for the arrested man anyway.
- Master, what about the others?
- Ah, yes. - Qui-Gon turned around and opened the door and said: - This concludes the investigation. The Justice Corps will do the rest. Good day, gentlemen. - The knight turned around and strode out beside his apprentice. There was silence for several long seconds. But Qui-Gon couldn't take it anymore:
- I thought I wasn't wrong. I guess I'm getting old.
- I don't think so. You're quite accurate in what you've unravelled. But you've come to some inaccurate conclusions, Master.
- Is that so? What do you think is wrong with this Nerenimos?
- Not "in my opinion", Master. Well, I'll start from afar, about what helped me in this case. Tell me, Master, did you have a girlfriend?
- Ben, don't push your luck. - Qui-Gon got a little gloomy.
- I mean it. - said Kenobi, following the prisoner into the lift. Qui-Gon gloomed even more.
- You know the rules...
- When has that ever stopped you? It doesn't matter, though. Once upon a time, I fell in love with a beautiful girl. We weren't together long, but I remembered some of the little things. Can you imagine how expensive rare perfumes are? Some are made from very rare plants, and to collect them you have to--
- I know. Yeah, I was in love with a lady once. Yes, I know how expensive incense can be. Is there anything else you wanted to know, young padawan? - Learn? No. It's just that this Nerenimos is smuggling perfume and perfume into Coruscant. Expensive perfumes.
- Hmm. then why did we let him go? - Qui-Gon frowned.
- Firstly - because the tax on naturally occurring perfumes is unreasonably high, making smuggling illegal but lucrative and useful.
The lift reached the car park and the flaps opened. The Jedi ship stood a couple of dozen metres away on the platform, so Qui-Gon, giving the arrested man a boost by poking him in the back, asked:
- And secondly?
- For the sake of the fairer sex, I suppose, Master. - Kenobi chuckled.
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